Cisco Voice Services Provisioning Tool User's Guide, 2.2.x
Overview

Table Of Contents

Voice Services Provisioning Tool Overview

Provisioning Introduction

VSPT Introduction

Installing the VSPT

Prerequisites

Preplanning

Upgrading VSPT Software

Saving Configuration Files

Uninstalling the VSPT Software

Installing the VSPT Software

VSPT Basics

VSPT Field Definitions

VSPT Data Entry Requirements

Starting the VSPT

Using the VSPT

Menu Bar

Buttons

Defining Users and Permissions

Exiting the VSPT


Voice Services Provisioning Tool Overview


Cisco Open Packet Telephony (OPT) provides the framework for delivering voice services over packet-based data, voice, and video networks. OPT encompasses a broad range of hardware platforms and Cisco software, delivering a continuum of voice solutions from core infrastructure to enhanced services over circuit and packet networks. The Cisco Media Gateway Controller (MGC) is at the center of all Cisco OPT solutions.

Provisioning an MGC is the process of preparing it to communicate with an SS7 network, with Cisco media gateways, and with the other components of an OPT solution. The Cisco Voice Services Provisioning Tool (VSPT) provides an easy-to-use graphical tool to provision Cisco MGCs.

This chapter introduces the VSPT, Release 2.2, and provides directions for obtaining, installing, and using the software.


Note VSPT Release 2.2 is designed to be used with Cisco MGC software Release 9.2. If you are using an earlier release of the MGC software, you must use VSPT Release 1.6 or 2.1.


This chapter contains the following sections:

Provisioning Introduction

VSPT Introduction

Installing the VSPT

VSPT Basics

Starting the VSPT

Using the VSPT

Defining Users and Permissions

Exiting the VSPT

Provisioning Introduction

All solutions involving the Cisco MGC are configured through the use of one or more Cisco MGC hosts, one or more Signaling System 7 (SS7) network signaling options, and one or more media gateways that control bearer-traffic routing.


Note In this document, a solution is a logical combination of Cisco hardware and software configured to perform a specific network task.


Prior to starting any provisioning session, you should have a clear understanding of the network topology for your solution. Create a network drawing, and refer to it while configuring your network.

In addition, you should perform the following tasks before starting a provisioning session:

Thoroughly plan your network configuration. Refer to the documentation for your solution for detailed network configuration information.

Set up your system hardware, and install all required software. For more information, refer to Prerequisites, and the following documents

Cisco Media Gateway Controller Hardware Installation Guide

Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 9 Installation and Configuration Guide

VSPT Introduction

The VSPT can be deployed as an integrated component of the Cisco MGC Node Manager or as a standalone application. If it is installed on the Cisco MGC, call throughput might be impacted when the VSPT is active. It typically runs on a standalone UNIX server that is also running the Cisco MGC Node Manager (CMNM) and supports multiple users and provisioning sessions. You can launch the VSPT from the managed object icon in the CMNM map viewer. For informtion about CMNM, refer to the CMNM Release 2.1 User's Guide.

VSPT allows you to import an existing configuration, modify the configuration, and export it to the same or different devices. Wizards guide you through high-level configuration steps to create the initial network provisioning information for a newly installed node, creating iterative entries from a single operation. VSPT can also facilitate provisioning of individual call parameters, simplifying the provisioning of a large live network.

During a provisioning session, the VSPT automatically generates the Man Machine Language (MML) or command line interface (CLI) scripts used to configure network elements, assembles these commands into a batch file, and deploys the file to the appropriate network device.


Note This document does not include instructions for dial plan provisioning. For dial plan information, refer to the Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 9 Dial Plan Guide.


Installing the VSPT

If you are a registered Cisco.com user, you can download the VSPT software from the Cisco web site. Before installing the VSPT, you must verify the following:

You have the latest release of the VSPT software. Visit the following Cisco web site to check the VSPT release number (a valid login to the VSPT Cisco web site is required):

http://www.cisco.com > Software Center > Voice Software > Cisco Voice Services 
Provisioning Tool

You have met the workstation hardware and software requirements.

You have established network connectivity between your workstation and the network elements.

The network elements have the correct release of software installed.


Note Make sure you have root access on your Sun workstation (sudo access is not adequate).



Tip Before you begin provisioning, you should have a list of components you want to provision, including the component names, IP addresses, properties, and other parameters. To create this list, use the instructions provided in the Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 9 Provisioning Guide. In addition, descriptions of the properties and values contained in the VSPT are included in Appendix A of the Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 9 Provisioning Guide and in the following chapters. Review this information before you begin provisioning, and keep it available for reference during provisioning.


Prerequisites

To install the VSPT software, you must have the following:

Sun SPARCstation running Solaris Version 2.8 or earlier

Sun Ultra-5 workstation (333 MHz or faster)

Sun Solaris 2.8 or earlier

Open Windows with the Common Desktop Environment

Latest Solaris 2.8 recommend patch set (log in to http://sunsolve.sun.com and click on Patches)

Cisco Media Gateway Controller software Release 9.2

8-bit video graphics card

Disk space:

Approximately 20 MB of disk space for installation

Directory /var/opt/data/:

Approximately 1 MB for each configuration

Approximately 1 MB for each configuration snapshot

Directory /var/opt/log/:

Approximately 0.5 MB for each deployment

RAM:

Minimum: 128 MB

Recommended: 256 MB or greater

Swap space:

Minimum: 128 MB

Recommended: 256 MB or greater


Note Running the VSPT on the same host as the Cisco MGC can adversely affect performance. We recommend using a standalone server.


Preplanning

VSPT supports multiple solutions and offers the option to provision components for these solutions. Some components might not apply to your solution. Make sure you understand your solution component requirements. For information, refer to the provisioning guide for your solution.

Upgrading VSPT Software

If you have a previous release of the VSPT installed (such as VSPT Release 2.0) and you are upgrading incrementally to VSPT Release 2.2, the existing VSPT data is automatically moved to VSPT Release 2.2. However, if a major earlier release is detected during the upgrade, (such as VSPT Release 1.6) and you are upgrading to VSPT Release 2.2, the existing VSPT data is not formatted for use with VSPT Release 2.2 and is not be moved.

Two versions of the VSPT (such as VSPT 1.6 and 2.2) can exist on the same system; when you are upgrading, the older version is not automatically removed and must be manually uninstalled if you want to remove it. See the "Uninstalling the VSPT Software" section for information.


Note Since the uninstall directory and files are removed during uninstall, do not change to the /opt/CSCO21 directory to run the uninstall script.


Saving Configuration Files

Before uninstalling the VSPT software, you can save current configuration data and administrative information so users and logins do not need to be recreated after the upgrade. Use the following procedure to save data and user information:


Step 1 Log in to the server as root.

Step 2 Create a temporary directory to hold the pertinent files.

Step 3 Use the following command to copy the password file, /var/opt/CSCOvspXX/etc/dartpwd.txt, to the temporary directory:

# cp -p /var/opt/CSCOvspXX/etc/dartpwd.txt /<temporary directory>/dartpwd.txt

Step 4 Change to the /var/opt/CSCOvspXX/data directory.

Step 5 Use the tar commend to archive all files in the directory.


Note The tar command preserves file permissions.


Step 6 Copy the archive file to the temporary directory.


After you upgrade the VSPT software, replace the /var/opt/CSCOvsp<New>/etc/dartpwd.txt file and the /var/opt/CSCOvsp<New>/data directory with the archive files you saved in the temporary directory.

Uninstalling the VSPT Software

The uninstallation process removes the /var/opt/CSCOvspt21 directory created by the installation process. If a directory contains a file that was not created during the installation process, it is not removed and is logged in the uninstall.log file. This might occur in the data and logs directories, and all application data stored in the /var/opt/CSCOvsp21 directory will not be deleted.

Use the following procedure to uninstall the software:


Step 1 Enter the following commands:

>su -root

>cd /

>/opt/CSCO21/uninstall/uninstall

Step 2 Proceed with the VSPT software installation (see "Installing the VSPT Software" section).


Installing the VSPT Software

To install the software from the Cisco web site, follow this procedure:


Step 1 Verify that the requirements listed in the "Prerequisites" section have been met.

Step 2 Become the root user by entering the following command:

>su - root

Step 3 Create the temporary directory /var/tmp/CSCOvsp22-install by entering the following command:

#mkdir -p /var/tmp/CSCOvsp22-install

Step 4 Open a web browser and browse to the following site:

http://www.cisco.com> Software Center > Network Management> Cisco Voice Services 
Provisioning Tool

Step 5 Select the desired release number.

Step 6 Download the software to the temporary directory /var/tmp/CSCOvsp22-install.

Step 7 Extract the software image using the following tar command:

#tar xvf <filename>.tar

Step 8 Run the setup program by entering the following command:

#./setup

Note As an alternative to Step 8, you can avoid the GUI and install the VSPT in TTY mode by entering the command ./setup -nodisplay and following the onscreen prompts. An X-server must be running, and the DISPLAY environment variable must be properly configured. Use one of the following commandsto set the x-display variable. Your choice of a command depends on which shell you are using.

In "csh" or "tcsh": setenv DISPLAY <hostname>:0
In "sh" or "ksh": DISPLAY=<hostname>:0;export $DISPLAY


Step 9 Follow the onscreen prompts.


Note If a previous version of the Cisco VSPT is installed on the workstation, you will be asked if you want to uninstall it. If you answer no, the installation is aborted.


Step 10 Remove the /var/tmp/CSCOvsp22-install directory when the installation is complete by entering the following command:

#rm -rf /var/tmp/CSCOvsp22-install

Step 11 Change to the installation directory, /opt/CSCOvsp22, by entering the following command:

#cd /opt/CSCOvspt22

Step 12 Run the CSCOvsp22 program by entering the following command:

#./vspt

Installation of the VSPT software is now complete. Table 1-1defines the default VSPT directories and files. If you have questions or need assistance, see the Obtaining Technical Assistance section.

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Table 1-1  VSPT Installation Directories and Files

/opt/CSCOvsp22

vspt

VSPT application script

classes/

Class and property files

images/

 

jre/

Java Runtime Environment

uninstall/

Uninstall script directory

version

VSPT version

   

/var/opt/CSCOvsp22 (home directory)

data/

Configuration files

logs/

Log files

/etc

 

VSPT Basics

This section describes the requirements for entering provisioning data using the VSPT.

VSPT Field Definitions

Table 1-2 lists VSPT field names, which correspond to system components in the Cisco MGC, and their definitions. For more information about system components, refer to the Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 9 Provisioning Guide.

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Table 1-2 Field Name Definitions 

Field Name
Definition

MGC Host

An origination point code (OPC) is the address of the Cisco MGC you are provisioning.

Interfaces (Cards)

Ethernet hardware cards and virtual interfaces (connections) for the Ethernet cards in the Cisco MGC host.

Adjacent Point Code

An adjacent point code (APC) is the address of an STP1 that sends and receives signaling messages to and from the Cisco MGC.

LinkSet

A LinkSet is a set of links from the MGC to an endpoint, such as an adjacent STP.

C7 IP Link

A link to the SS7 network (for example, an SSP2 or STP) from the Cisco MGC through a Cisco SLT.

Mated Pair (SS7 Subsystem)

A logical connection between a pair of mated STPs that allows the Cisco MGC to route through either STP to an endpoint.

Point Code

A destination point codes (DPC) is the address of an endpoint, such as a PSTN3 switch that carries the bearer traffic.

SS7 Path(SS7 Signaling Service)

An SS7 path is a connection between the Cisco MGC and a specified point code.

SS7 Route

An SS7 route is a route for each signaling path from the Cisco MGC to the PSTN switch through the linksets you have created to the STPs.

External Node

An external node is any object in the network that is connected to the Cisco MGC, for example, media gateways (Cisco MGWs) and associated BSCs4 .

MGCP5 Signaling Service

An MGCP signaling service is a signaling service between the Cisco MGC and a media gateway.

IPFAS Signaling Service

An IPFAS signaling service is a signaling service (over IP) between the Cisco MGC and a media gateway.

IP Link for MGCP and IPFAS

An IP Link for MGCP and IPFAS is a link for the MGCP and IPFAS signaling services.

1 STP = signal transfer point.

2 SSP = service switching point.

3 PSTN = Public Switched Telephone Network.

4 BSC = Broadband Service Card.

5 MGCP = Media Gateway Control Protocol.

5 Figure 1-1 shows the relationship of VSPT field names and the corresponding system components.


Figure 1-1 Component Relationships

VSPT Data Entry Requirements

When you are entering data into the VSPT windows, follow standard MML conventions for names and descriptions. Each MML name must have the following characteristics:

A maximum of 20 alphanumeric characters, including dashes

No space, underscore, or special characters

Must start with an alphabetic character

Must be lowercase

For example: name="dpc1"

MML descriptions can be as many as 128 characters and can include spaces and symbols. You should use a description that helps to identify the component or link that you are provisioning. For example, for an SS7 route, which indicates the signaling path from the Cisco MGC to a switch through a linkset, you could create a description "SS7 Route to PSTN Switch A through Linkset 1." For more information about MML, refer to the Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 9 MML Command Reference Guide.

The VSPT GUI enables you to step through the provisioning process in a logical sequence. The sequence of steps is described in the Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 9 Provisioning Guide.

Starting the VSPT


Note See the Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 9 Installation and Configuration Guide for information on setting up user privileges and access rights.


Perform the following steps to start the VSPT:


Step 1 Log in to the VSPT server or access it from a machine with X-window capability.

Step 2 In a terminal window, change to the default directory:

>cd /opt/CSCOvsp22

Navigate to the appropriate directory if you installed the VSPT in a different location.

Step 3 Enter the following command to start the VSPT:

>./vspt

The system opens X-windows, and the login screen shown in Figure 1-2 appears.

Figure 1-2 Login Screen

Step 4 Enter your user name and password and click OK.

The default Beta user uame is admin, and the password is also admin. The Welcome screen is displayed briefly during the login process, and the main window appears (see Figure 1-3).

Figure 1-3 Main VSPT Window


Using the VSPT

This section describes the VSPT menus and buttons and provides directions for using the tool functions.

Menu Bar

The VSPT provides a menu bar that contains the following selections:

File

View

Tools

Help

Table 1-3 lists the File menu choices.

Table 1-3 File Menu Command Choices 

Command
Description

New

Begin a new configuration session

Open

Open an existing configuration

Import

Import an existing configuration from an MGC or import trunk group, trunk, routing, or dial plan files into the VSPT

Export

Export files from the VSPT

Save

Save the current configuration:

As Working

As Snapshot

As New Config

Note For more information on the different save options, see the "Starting a New Provisioning Session" section on page 3-6.

 

Exit

Stop any open provisioning sessions and close the VSPT


Table 1-4 lists the View menu command choices.

Table 1-4 View Menu Command Choices 

Command
Description

MML

Show generated MML for the current configuration

MGW Commands

Show generated Cisco MGX 8850 commands for the current configuration

Trunk Group File

Show generated trunk group file for the current configuration

Trunk File

Show generated trunk file for the current configuration


Table 1-5 lists the Tools menu command choices.

Table 1-5 Tools Menu Command Choices 

Command
Description

Integrity Check

Check your configuration for inconsistencies and missing information

Deploy

Move the configuration to one or more target hosts and Cisco media gateways (MGWs)

Telnet

Open a telnet session

MGC Viewer

View MGC configuration.

MGX-8850 Wizard

View and configure MGX 8850 hosts

BAMS Config

View and configure a Billing and Measurements Server (BAMS)

State Operation

View and configure the state of MGC components

Screening Editor

View and configure screening number provisioning

Audit

 

Backup and Restore

Create, modify, or delete scheduled backups or restores on the MGC Host, CAT5500, CAT2900XL, SLT2600, BAMS P2, or BAMS P3 components

Make a Seed File

Use an existing configuration to create a text file that can be used by the Cisco MGC Node Manager (CMNM) to deploy or discover devices in the network


Table 1-6 lists the Help menu command choices.

Table 1-6 Help Menu Command Choices

Command
Description

About VSPT

View information about the current version of VSPT, including the version number

VSPT User's Menu

View online help information


Buttons

The VSPT provides buttons and explorer trees that you can use to move through the system. Click these buttons to add or change network components. The VSPT contains the following buttons:

MGC Config—Add components and provision component properties

Traffic—Create customer-specific files, including trunk groups, trunks, and routing

Number Analysis—Provision a dial plan

The left pane of the main VSPT screen displays selectable components. The right pane of the screen displays data entry fields. Click a component to select it. To see all of the subcomponents for the component you select, click the icon next to the component name to expand the component list.

The Help menu selection displays the information about the current build release number.

Defining Users and Permissions

After you install the VSPT, you should define users and their respective permissions.

Use the following procedure to define users and their permissions:


Step 1 Log in to the server as root and start VSPT 2.2.

Step 2 Click Tools > User Admin on the menu bar.

The screen in Figure 1-4 appears.

Figure 1-4 VSPT User Administration

Step 3 Add, modify, or delete user definitions as follows:

To add a user, enter a user name and password, click Permission, select the permission level, and click Add.

To modify a user, select the user name, change the password or permission level, and click Modify.

To delete a user, select the user name, and click Delete.


Exiting the VSPT

You can exit the VSPT at any time by performing one of these actions:

Click File > Exit. Click OK at the resulting prompt.

Click the close box in the upper right of the VSPT screen. Click OK at the prompt.