Context

IP-based smart-phones and wireless data-cards for laptop are widely available and affordable. People can now opt for cost-effective data price plans and enjoy mobile infotainment at home, being on the move or abroad.Delivering seamless IP services to these large amount of users, on the move and travelling, induces a high level of complexity and represents a huge challenge for mobile operators.

Optimising network deployment for delivering these services (radio access, backhaul, IP core) and ensuring end-to-end performance is crucial to remain competitive as a mobile network operator.Commsquare has conceived a new and cost-effective approach towards performance monitoring of your mobile data network and services.

Based on its experience serving over 50 mobile operator worldwide and based on its expertise in radio access, IP networking and software development, Commsquare has been able to build a cutting edge tool: DataMon. We combine simplycity in usage with performance and effectiveness. A new approach towards advanced network monitoring. 

Monitor and act

The DataMon solution from Commsquare offers mobile operators effective visibility and clear suggestions to act and optimise.

The implementation of a DataMon solution has proven to be fast and effective. Both as an end-to-end data monitoring tool as well as an enrichment of existing OSS deployments.

DataMon suggests root causes or domains to be tackled to optimise the Quality of user Experience for the operator's end-customers. The simple and business-oriented manner of presenting the output of tailored queries is key to the stakeholders of different functional domains: for optimisation engineers of the RAN environment, the Core network, the application or service delivery, customer service, as well as for marketing and business-intelligence teams.

DataMon description

Integrated Tool

DataMon is an integrated tool combining the probe, connected to the Gn or Gp interface, with a powerful analysis engine and a very user-friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI).

It captures and stores all signalling data and renders real-time user plane information for the tracing of users having specific problems, in their home-country or abroad, related to their mobile data traffic. The tool enables mobile operators to monitor, analyse and optimise the network quality more effectively. The GUI and customisable dashboard functionality quickly pin-point whether the problem is on radio side, in core network or in the server/application/internet domain. 

Usage model

DataMon is typically used for Quality of Experience or SLA monitoring, analysis and optimisation of packet switched / mobile data services. The analysis and queries can be aggregated by services, APN, SGSN, or broken down at individual user level (IMSI, MSISDN).

DataMon is aimed at customer service agents, engineers involved in performance monitoring, data switching or active in the Network Operations Centre (NOC) or involved in end-to-end quality. 

Powerful monitoring and effective output

We have a set of reports and dashboards based on signaling data captured all the time for all users connecting to a mobile data service, Internet or Intranet (private APN). DataMon will typically keep 1 year history of the signalling data.

A second set of traces and analysis are based on the user-plane data captured in real-time. The high-speed data capturing is fed into the analysis engine performing deep packet inspection in real time for the user(s) you initiated the traces for. The output files can be interpreted by Wireshark/Ethereal (LibPcap format) or exported to other relevant formats.

Besides the reports and customizable dashboards of DataMon, the open database structure used can also feed an other OSS environment to enrich and complement your tools.

Benefits of DataMon

Single interface, one integrated tool

DataMon is deployed in the packet core network on a mirrored port or SPAN on Gn/Gp, between the SGSNs and the GGSNs. If requested, DataMon can also keep track of the RADIUS protocol on the Gi interface. DataMon integrates the probe, the analysis engine, the database and the GUI.

One DataMon deployment is serving different teams, each via their relevant GUIs. This means that during trouble shooting, the history, the context and the real-time view of the particular problem case, are shared among all the teams. DataMon minimises the technical and human inefficiencies. The result is a substantial time/cost saving and a tangible increase in customer satisfaction.

Real-Time

Real-time tracing capability. No need for lengthy searches and IP address mapping and no cost related to massive storage.  

IP-traces can be made on the Gn interface based on:

· User Identity: MSISDN, IMSI

· IP address: Server, Client, GSN

· Service: TCP/UDP Port

· Including mobile-to-mobile traffic and the tracing of a specific user across GSN boundaries 

Relevant Service-oriented output

Failures are counted by procedure, but also by user. The procedure count numbers can give completely wrong picture of performance; DataMon gives the right picture, i.e. number of affected users.   

Cost Effective

Quick return on investment is achieved. A tool for effectively tackling domains to improve the Quality of Experience of end-customers due to an improved service delivery. A mobile operator using DataMon is able to differentiate and increase loyalty of its end-users. With 10% of the effort (and cost) we provide 90% of the required visibility.  

Independent

Business benefits

One DataMon deployment is serving different teams.

The result is a substantial time/cost saving and a tangible increase in customer satisfaction due to quicker problem resolution.

DataMon is easy to use and is a simple set-up combining the Probe, the analysis engine, the database and the GUI.

For Customer Services:

The unique ease of use is highly appreciated by customer service agents. Customer complaints can be solved faster with the end-users’ history, the deskilled traces and the real-time view, while having the user on the phone.

The ability to manage your customers in a real-time and interactive manner is a must to maintain customer satisfaction and to generate interest and revenues in your new mobile data services. 

For Radio access teams and end-to-end quality engineers:

Optimisation of the radio network with IP Server traces to investigate data packet traffic, losses and retransmissions;

Round Trip Time (RTT) or Latency reporting.

 

For CORE engineering, NOC and operations:

Rapid problem solving and easy set-up of IP-traces;

Trending information about the usage of the core network, details on connected users, rejects etc...