Data Sheet
Cisco Packet Telephony Center
Virtual Switch Version 3.1
Cisco® Packet Telephony Center Virtual Switch (PTC-VS) provides the carrier-class network-management functions, scalability, and reliability required by telephony centers and telecommunications service providers. Cisco PTC-VS features include virtual entity and management concepts, multiuser support, multithreaded programming, and Web-browser-based client access. Refer to Table 1 for a summary of Cisco PTC-VS features and benefits and the Cisco PTC-VS white paper for detailed information.
Product Description
Cisco PTC is a carrier-class service- and network-management system that provisions the business voice services, including the Cisco Voice-over-IP (VoIP) Softswitch, the virtual-packet-voice-switch connection between the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and the VoIP service provider network, the Cisco CallManager Express, and the Cisco PGW Route Server Complex. Cisco PTC as the voice domain manager provides the foundation for fault, configuration, accounting, performance, and security (FCAPS) capability, thus enabling service providers to deliver a comprehensive, end-to-end management solution.
The Cisco PTC-VS Value Proposition
Cisco PTC-VS enables the rapid adoption of new packet voice network technology by providing network-management tools comparable to those in the PSTN environment. This helps simplify network management and enables integration of the new VoIP network for coexistence with the traditional PSTN, see Figure 1. Service providers are able to reduce costs by using the more efficient packet network and taking advantage of its value-added services.
Cisco PTC-VS offers virtual entity management for the packet voice network similar to that of the traditional time-division multiplexing (TDM) networks (to achieve logical functioning and usability equivalent). Cisco PTC-VS Version 3.1 adds support for the Cisco CallManager Express and the Cisco PGW Route Server Complex.
Cisco PTC-VS enables service providers to lower the total cost of ownership, improve business quality, accelerate delivery of service, accelerate time to revenue, and reduce customer turnover.
Figure 1
Example of Cisco PTC-VS Managing an H.323 VoIP
Table 1 Features and Benefits of Cisco PTC-VS
| Features |
Benefits |
| End-to-End Provisioning |
|
Simplified network management
|
Provides increased network availability
|
|
Default network element configuration and service profiles
|
Simplifies network service activation
|
|
Support for customized configuration and service profiles
|
Provides optional provisioning with user-modified configuration and service profiles
|
|
Supports non-profile-based service activation
|
Executes service activation with nonsupported, user-specified commands
|
|
Consistent provisioning method
|
Enables efficient execution of provisioning tasks
|
|
Detection of network element configuration
|
Provides Cisco IOS® Software-level information on the logical association of network elements
|
|
Configuration of virtual entities
New
|
Automates configuration within a defined boundary (enterprises and sites, for example)
|
|
Support for tiered network configuration
|
Allows provisioning of hierarchical network deployments
|
|
Validation of configuration integrity
|
Significantly reduces service activation errors
|
|
Single-console data entry
|
Provides a multiaccess, single-client interface
|
|
Support for multiple technologies
New
|
Integrates and simplifies management of Cisco CallManager Express, Cisco PGW Route Server Complex, Signaling System 7 (SS7), H.323, Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), and dial-plan configurations
|
|
Cisco Networking Services Integration Bus configuration transport
|
Facilitates delivery of Cisco IOS Software-based configuration commands
|
|
Element-management-system (EMS) interoperability
|
Provides a single point for network element access (where applicable)
|
|
Exclusive service activation control
|
Eliminates resource contention during service activation process
|
|
Dial-plan verification feature
|
Finds inconsistencies and errors in a current or proposed dial-plan configuration
|
|
Call-path verification
|
Reduces routing errors; verifies routes before committing them into the network
|
|
Store and retrieve dial-plan designs
|
Enables users to store multiple dial-plan configurations and import them for later use, or roll back to a previous dial-plan configuration
|
|
Integrated dial-plan provisioning (H.323 only)
|
Simplifies network service activation
|
|
Access of Cisco IOS Software features through a GUI
|
Enables network administrators to deploy larger, more complex, and more efficient networks and to take advantage of the rich feature set of Cisco IOS Software without additional operational complexity and cost
|
|
Drag-and-drop provisioning
|
Simplifies network element configuration and network service activation
|
| Topology |
|
Graphic display of virtual switch
|
Provides visual representation of managed object
|
|
Graphic display of enterprises, regions, and sites
|
Provides visual representation of Cisco CallManager Express and Cisco PGW Route Server Complex
|
|
Diversified network element support
|
Consolidates and simplifies management of differing network element types
|
|
Browser-based user interface
|
Provides graphical network view and system administrative access
|
|
Comprehensive graphical network display
|
Provides real-time visual snapshot of entire physical and logical network architecture
|
|
Maintenance of logical and physical network inventory
|
Consolidates and retains database of complete network architecture
|
|
Automated detection of changes in network architecture
|
Maintains network database consistency
|
|
Synchronized network database
|
Maintains updated network database information
|
|
Detection of network element configuration
|
Maintains updated configuration of network element logical association
|
|
Network inconsistency alert
|
Provides simplified detection of network anomalies
|
|
Support for IP-to-IP regions
|
Provides graphical view of IP-to-IP transit regions
|
|
Support for network inventory database export
New
|
Makes database content accessible with northbound application programming interface (API) to Cisco Info Center ; Cisco Info Center uses this topology information to make advanced alarm correlations
|
|
Support for tiered network architecture
|
Provides graphical view of hierarchical network structure
|
| Carrier-Class Features |
|
Simultaneous multiuser system console
|
Supports multiple concurrent administrative login sessions
|
|
Role-based system administrative enforcement
|
Supports hierarchical user administrative privileges
|
|
Role-based security enforcement
|
Supports restricted user administrative privileges
|
|
Third-party integration allowed
|
Open API simplifies integration of external applications
|
|
Operations-support-system (OSS) integration
|
Northbound interface supports OSS integration
|
|
Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) Northbound Interface
|
Simplifies OSS integration efforts
|
|
Scalability
|
Supports up to large-scale network deployments
|
|
Network and database synchronization
|
Enables database to maintain current network topology data
|
|
Database backup and restore
|
Preserves system database
|
|
Support for network event messages
|
Makes network event information available with integrated Cisco CNS Integration Bus
|
|
Event-based notification
|
Accepts and propagates information regarding network topology changes
|
|
User activity tracking
|
Maintains audit and activity log for all administrative actions
|
|
Automated end-to-end provisioning
|
Provides complete flow-through service activation
|
|
Support for simultaneous service activation requests
|
Multithreaded task execution
|
|
Flexible system architecture
|
Supports adaptable system deployment
|
|
Independent client-server operation
|
Supports distributed client-server operation
|
|
Single-server, multiple-client operation
|
Many-to-one client-server access
|
|
Monitoring of health and state of application server processes
|
Automatically detects failure or malfunction of application server; improves system availability
|
|
Cisco PTC-VS consolidates and simplifies VoIP network-management tasks by offering a consistent network service-provisioning model. Cisco PTC-VS is a potent management solution that provides holistic management of voice networks using virtual entity concepts (Figure 2), including:
- Enterprises and sites that can be defined to represent the business voice service topology
- A virtual SS7 gateway that deals with dependencies between an H.323 or MGCP gateway and a signaling controller in which SS7 traffic is converted to Q.931 signaling protocol for the gateway
- A virtual zone that deals with dependencies between gateways within a zone as well as between gateways and gatekeepers
- A zone connection that deals with dependencies between gatekeepers, or between gatekeepers and directory gatekeepers
Figure 2
How Cisco PTC-VS Manages Virtual Entities
In addition to providing support for virtual entities requiring consistent configuration of multiple network devices, Cisco PTC-VS supports configuration operations for an entire region, enterprise, site, or zone, giving users a means of performing high-density and bulk-provisioning tasks. For example, this feature enables an operator to apply a given gateway configuration to all gateways for a zone or region. In fact, many Cisco PTC-VS provisioning operations lead to multiple management requests issued to various managers and network elements behind the scenes to provide simplified, holistic virtual entity operation.
Network Management—Voice Routing
In addition to provisioning and topology, Cisco PTC-VS Version 3.1 adds the ability to manage voice routing dial plans for the elements described in Table 2, including the Cisco CallManager Express, the Cisco PGW Route Server Complex, gateways, gatekeepers, and directory gatekeepers in the H.323 network. Cisco PTC-VS enables administrators to design, configure, deploy, and manage dial plans in Cisco H.323 VoIP networks. Through its GUI, Cisco PTC-VS centralizes and coordinates call-routing configurations for thousands of VoIP gateways and gatekeepers within a single application. A good dial plan makes optimal use of network resources, ensures that all calls are routed appropriately, implements business rules for routing efficiencies, and minimizes PSTN toll charges. The dial plan can be the most complex part of the VoIP network to configure. Cisco PTC-VS accomplishes these dial-plan objectives via a wizard-driven user interface, reducing the complexity and simplifying the task of managing, adding, deleting, and modifying the dial plan.
Table 2 Network Elements Supported by Cisco Packet Telephony Center
| Cisco PTC-VS 3.1 Supported Platforms |
| Device Name EMS Name |
Supported Release |
| Cisco IOS Devices Supported |
|
Cisco AS 5800 (gateway)
|
12.1(5)XB, 12.2(7c), 12.2(2)XU3, and 12.2(11)T
|
|
Cisco AS 5300, AS 5350, and AS 5400 (gateway)
|
12.1(5)XB, 12.2(7c), 12.2(2)XU3, and 12.2(11)T
|
|
Cisco 7200 (gateway and gatekeeper)
|
12.2(2)XA1, 12.2(7c),12.2(2)XU3, and 12.2(11)T
|
|
Cisco 1700, Cisco 2600XM, Cisco 3600, and Cisco 3700 (Cisco CallManager Express)
|
12.2-15.ZJx
|
|
Cisco 7200 and Cisco 3600 (gatekeeper)
|
12.2(2)XA1, 12.2(2)XU3, and 12.2(11)T
|
|
Cisco 3600 and Cisco 3700 (IP-IP gateway)
|
12.2(12.13)T
|
|
Cisco 3600 and Cisco 7200 (IP-IP gatekeeper)
|
12.2(13)T
|
| Non Cisco IOS Devices and EMSs Supported |
|
Cisco MGX® 8230, MGX 8250, MGX 8850—Cisco Processor Switch Module 1 (PXM1)
|
|
|
Cisco Voice Interworking Services Module (VISM)
|
1.2.11
3.1
|
|
Cisco MGX 8850 only
|
|
|
Cisco PXM 45
|
3.0.10
|
|
Cisco PGW 2200
|
9.2x, 7.4(12)
|
|
Cisco BTS 10200
|
3.5.2
|
|
Cisco BTS EMS
|
3.5.2
|
|
Cisco Element Management Framework (EMF)
|
3.2
|
|
Cisco Media Gateway Controller Node Manager (MNM)
|
2.1(2E with patch 1) and 2.3.1
|
|
Cisco Media Gateway Manager (MGM)
|
3.00.01.a1
|
| Other |
|
Cisco Networking Services Configuration Engine (for Solaris)
|
1.3.2
|
|
Cisco Networking Services Configuration Engine (standalone appliance)
|
1.3.2
|
|
Product Summary
In response to the critical need for an effective, comprehensive VoIP network-management tool, Cisco Systems® has delivered Cisco PTC-VS, engineered to provide vital functions for overall VoIP network management and service provisioning. Its multiaccess Web GUI empowers customers with a central entry point for complete network administration. Cisco PTC-VS can detect all physical network elements and create the virtual network entities or objects that are part of the voice service network. Detailed information about these elements is retained in an object model and is dynamically updated as events occur in the network, allowing Cisco PTC-VS to maintain synchronization and accurately reflect the network topology. The object model is critical to the creation and intelligent management of the virtual objects.
Cisco PTC-VS is designed with carrier-grade scalability, making it suitable for deployment in small-, medium-, or large-scale VoIP networks. Because VoIP technology deployments are increasing, Cisco PTC-VS is the perfect tool to significantly reduce the complexity involved in managing these packet voice networks, allowing technicians and engineers responsible for network management to perform simplified, end-to-end provisioning tasks. The Cisco PTC-VS open interface architecture offers access to customers' existing OSSs and eases efforts for third-party integration as well.
Cisco PTC-VS helps service providers realize considerably reduced network operations and management costs, reduced time to market for new customers and services, and reduced time to revenue, resulting in greater customer stability. Cisco PTC-VS contributes to increased revenue and a reduction in the service provider's total cost of network ownership.
Platform Support and System Requirements
- Sun Fire V120, Sun Netra T1
- One CPU
- 1 GB of RAM
- 8-9 GB of disk space
- 1 GB of swap space
For more information about Cisco PTC-VS solutions, visit:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/netmgtsw/ps2025/ index.html.
