Data Sheet
Cisco Media Gateway Manager Version 3.0
Integrated Element Management for Voice over IP on the Cisco MGX 8000 Series Carrier Voice Gateway
As the telecommunications industry moves toward open standards, the traditional time-division multiplexing (TDM) infrastructure is migrating to a new packet-based, voice service infrastructure. This new system architecture consists of distributed network elements, including media gateways and Softswitches. Along with this transition comes the challenge of reliably and cost-effectively managing network elements and services. Service providers need dynamic tools to deploy, maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot their extensive networks while hiding the complexity of the distributed and heterogeneous media-gateway and softswitch network architecture from operators.
The Cisco Media Gateway Manager (MGM) provides integrated element management for the Cisco MGX® 8000 Series Carrier Voice Gateway and associated Softswitches for voice-over-IP (VoIP) applications (Figure 1). The Cisco MGM provides a single element manager that allows the Cisco MGX voice gateways and Softswitches (Cisco and partner Softswitches) to be deployed, operated, and maintained as a single virtual switch system and facilitates the integration of the element management layer (EML), network management layer (NML), and operations support system (OSS) in VoIP solutions.
Figure 1
Integrated Element Management Using Cisco Media Gateway Manager
As part of the Cisco Element Management Systems (EMS) family of products, Cisco MGM also participates in element management system (EMS) co-residency deployments to provide a homogeneous element management layer across Cisco product lines (Figure 2). Cisco EMSs such as the Cisco MGC Node Manager (MNM) and Cisco Universal Gateway Manager (UGM) can reside on the same server with Cisco MGM. Co-residency provides a single integrated graphical user interface (GUI) and northbound interface to manage heterogeneous device types.
Figure 2
Cisco MGM as Part of Cisco EMS Co-Resident Systems
The Cisco MGM can deploy, configure, and manage multiple Cisco MGX 8000 Series Carrier Voice Gateways and associated Softswitches in one or more points of presence (POPs), providing a single interface for fault, configuration, performance, and security management. The Cisco MGM also integrates the CiscoView application to provide chassis and subchassis component management for the Cisco MGX 8000 Series Carrier Voice Gateways.
Cisco MGM Features
Table 1 describes the features and benefits of the Cisco MGM.
Table 1 Cisco MGM Feature Highlights
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
|
Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) Language Reference (IDL) interface to network management layer applications: |
Reduced Maintenance and Operations Costs
The complexity of today's carrier packet voice networks demands the right tools to manage and administer the network efficiently. The Cisco MGM automates the configuration and monitoring of the Cisco MGX 8000 Series Carrier Voice Gateways and associated Softswitches on a network-wide basis. With comprehensive, centralized control of the Cisco MGX 8000 Series Carrier Voice Gateways and Softswitches, operators are able to improve network manageability and reduce costs for maintenance and operation.
Figure 3
Cisco MGM and CiscoView GUIs
Comprehensive Fault Management for Increased Reliability
A rich suite of fault management features in the Cisco MGM enables proactive surveillance of network status. Autodiscovery of network elements ensures complete and accurate network topology and status views (Figure 3). Real-time fault alerts generated by the Cisco MGX 8000 Series Carrier Voice Gateways and Softswitches can be displayed, cleared, and color-coded based on priority. The Cisco MGM includes flexible options that support event filtering as well as customizable event notifications that increase the efficiency of problem isolation and resolution.
Flow-Through Interface for Solution Integration
Seamless integration into network management solutions is critical in providing end-to-end service management. The Cisco MGM resides at the element management layer of the Telecommunication Management Network (TMN) model and integrates with network management layer applications (such as Cisco Packet Telephony Center and Cisco Info Center) or OSS applications via flow-through industry-standard interfaces (Figure 4). Automated configuration, fault, and performance management is enabled through a flexible CORBA IDL interface. An additional upstream integration option includes a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) interface for event and alarm forwarding.
Figure 4
Cisco MGM Integration in a Management Solution Using Cisco MGX 8000 Series
Cisco Media Gateway Manager Architecture
Four key components collectively constitute the architecture of Cisco MGM:
The Cisco EMS provides the platform for building various Cisco element-management systems. It provides a common user interface, event management, autodiscovery, and common data management.
Cisco MGM extends the functionality of the Cisco EMS to include element management of the Cisco MGX 8000 Series Carrier Voice Gateway and Softswitches (Figure 5).
Figure 5
Cisco MGM Extended Architecture
The Cisco MGM adds user-friendly GUI windows and network-element modeling to the standard Cisco EMS product. The Cisco MGM communicates with the Cisco MGX 8000 Series Carrier Voice Gateways and associated Softswitch nodes using SNMPv1 and Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) or File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Network operators can manage the Cisco MGX 8000 Series Carrier Voice Gateways and Softswitches from the Cisco MGM GUI, which includes links to the CiscoView application and to the softswitch EMS. In addition, the user can launch a Telnet session to an individual chassis or softswitch EMS directly from a Cisco MGM menu.
CiscoView is a Web-based graphical device management application that provides monitoring and configuration features for the Cisco MGX 8000 Series Carrier Voice Gateways. CiscoView aids network management by displaying a physical view of the Cisco MGX 8000 Series Carrier Voice Gateways chassis, allowing users to interact easily with device components to change configuration parameters or dynamically monitor status and statistics. CiscoView is sold as an integral part of Cisco MGM and is not sold as an individual product.
Cisco MGM's CORBA gateway allows higher-level managers to configure and monitor the Cisco MGX 8000 Series Carrier Voice Gateways. This interface supports both Cisco and third-party management applications.
Cisco MGM Deployment Options
Cisco MGM may be deployed as a server with clients in a distributed environment. The following types of deployment are available:
Server with Local Client
Every deployment includes a Cisco EMS server and Cisco MGM extensions. Processes on the server keep track of the current state of the network, user access, events, and so on. The Cisco EMS clients provide the user interface to the system. When a Cisco EMS server is installed, a local client is automatically added.
Server with Remote Clients
A Cisco EMS deployment may have additional clients installed on separate workstations. A client installation retrieves management information from the Cisco EMS server and displays it on the user interface. Client software that runs on separate hosts frees system resources on servers and improves overall performance. Client software is typically installed from a local CD-ROM drive, which eliminates the need to mount files across a network.
Figure 6
Server with Local and Remote Clients
Cisco MGM System Requirements
Platform Requirements
The platform resources required depend on the number and configuration of the Cisco MGX 8000 Series Carrier Voice Gateways and Softswitches to be managed. Table 2 provide the platform recommendations for the Cisco MGM.
Table 2 Cisco MGM Platform Recommendations1
| 1Hardware requirements may vary, based on network configuration |
Software Requirements
The software requirements for a Cisco MGM installation are:
Supported Network Elements
Cisco MGM v3.0 provides element management for the Cisco MGX 8850, 8830, 8250, and 8230 carrier voice gateways, based on the Cisco PXM-45, PXM-1E, and PXM-1 Processor Switch Modules.
Cisco Service and Support
Service and support for the Cisco MGM is available through the Cisco Software Application Support (SAS) program. These services provide 24-hour technical assistance, full access to the information and support resources on the Cisco.com Web site, and software maintenance updates within a single release. For more information about the Cisco MGM visit:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/netmgtsw/ps1920/ index.html