T&M Products

TraceSpan’s GPON Monitor System
Central Testing Solution for GPON Networks





GPON Monitor™ is a unique centralized performance analyzer and monitor for GPON networks. GPON Monitor™ introduces a new concept for central testing solutions of telecom operators' GPON networks by combining the functionalities of a performance monitoring tool with those of a troubleshooting tool.
GPON Monitor™ constantly monitors the GPON network performance, collects statistics and provides detailed reports of system and link efficiency, connections and disconnections, Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) as well as potential problems in the network. In case a problem is identified, it allows manual override for analysis and troubleshooting of the problem.
GPON Monitor™ is typically installed in a central office location and can connect to multiple OLTs and monitor a large number of GPON networks. It performs quantitative measurements of various network parameters, which indicate the network's performance and utilization for the whole network as well as for every user-port. In addition, it can identify problems up to the port level by running and analyzing pre-defined test scenarios. It also enables the definition of customized test scenarios for the operator's specific needs.
GPON Monitor™'s testing concept is based on passive monitoring and testing of the lines. It is powered by TraceSpan's world famous multi-layer monitoring technology, which can test and analyze both upstream and downstream data on the line, from the physical layer up to the IP layer, with the ability to drill down and up through the layers. Its standard and open interfaces and protocols allow exporting of the captured data to external analyzers.
GPON Monitor™'s extensive testing capabilities provide all the indications required for accurate diagnosis of faults, thus minimizing the number of truck rolls. When a fault is discovered and analyzed, the operator's personnel can be sent to the accurate location in the field to fix the problem, rather than to try to find it. Furthermore, it reports events which may be early indications of a fault, often before a problem is noticed by the subscriber. By doing so it assists the operator in proactive fault fixing.
Main Advantages and Benefits
  •  Combines the functionalities of Performance Monitoring and Troubleshooting in one integrated solution
  • Cost effective – a single test system covers multiple OLTs and thousands of subscribers
  • Provides complete and accurate analysis of GPON network performance, utilization, efficiency and stability
  • Objective and independent - runs tests independently without relying on indications from the tested equipment itself (OLT and ONTs/ONUs)
  • Enables the operator to take a proactive approach in fault fixing
  •  Assures fairness to different ISPs and communications providers
  • Increases the network's reliability, thus minimizing customer complaints and raising customer and ISP/Communication Provider satisfaction
 
Typical Problems Which GPON Monitor can Identify and Analyze
Following are examples of problems which affect the user's service availability or its quality. Some of them may not be noticed immediately by the user, but GPON Monitor™ will immediately report and analyze them.
Rogue ONU
A Rogue is one that transmits outside of its allocated bandwidth map. Its data cannot be received by the OLT as valid data and may also interfere with data from other ONUs. The GPON shared-network architecture makes the task of analyzing and pinpointing a Rogue ONU very complicated and time and resource consuming. GPON Monitor™ significantly eases this task by providing indications which will help in the analysis and troubleshooting of this problem.
 Deactivation or Authentication Problems of a Network Element
Deactivation of an ONU is very likely to cause service interruption. Analyzing the problem in a traditional way may be very complicated if not impossible, especially if deactivation only happens from time to time. GPON Monitor™ will immediately detect the problem, report it and show the real-time network status and all other events related to the problem to help the user analyze and solve it.
In a similar way it can detect and analyze a network element's authentication problem, for which the source is likely to be above the physical layer.
Unfairness for the Different Communication Providers
GPON Monitor™ can constantly check the bandwidth allocation to the different customers and different ISPs/ Communication Providers and indicate If a certain ISP or Communication Provider has higher or lower priority than others.
Failure to Meet Customer's SLA
GPON Monitor™ can show the system's allocated and used bandwidth, and by doing this can verify that every customer's SLA is met. In case of a problem in meeting the SLA, GPON Monitor™ will analyze its source.
Physical Layer Problems
GPON Monitor™ provides indications on the GPON physical level such as illegal preamble length, marginal power levels etc., including problems that only occur from time to time or in certain hours of the day.
IP Critical Application Problems
Performance problems in IP critical applications, such as VoIP and IPTV services, may be caused by various problems in the different communication layers. GPON Monitor™ can analyze problems in all the layers, from the physical layers up to IP, and enable the user to drill up and down through the layers to find the source of the problem.
GPON Monitor™ 's analysis can also assist the operator in identifying whether the performance degradation is a result of his network problems or of the ISP or Communication Provider's Service problems.
OMCI Service Setup Problems
OMCI enables the establishment of services over a GPON network by defining Managed Entities (MEs) and relations between them. GPON Monitor™ can analyze and display the OMCI MEs and their relations and services, detect and analyze problems resulting from incorrect setup of the servicesand display the OMCI alarms.


For additional information please contact us at info@tracespan.com