NetCracker's Resource Inventory provides a centralized repository that consolidates all physical and logical network resource data. It captures a comprehensive view of the network infrastructure, topology, and relationships between components. This consolidated resource data can then be used across various back-office systems to more efficiently plan, design, fulfill and assure services. Resource Inventory also includes tools for location and number management, asset management, and visualization of the network through reports. It offers a flexible, technology-neutral approach to integrate current and future network resources and devices into a single inventory.

1. Comprehensive Consolidation and Management of Resource Data
Resource Inventory
business challenge
For Communications Service Providers (CSPs), the network is Only then can a CSP efficiently create and deliver converged
one of their most important assets. Having deployed the net- services and maximize the return on their network asset.
work to provide next-generation services, CSPs are continually
seeking new ways to monetize this asset more effectively. NetCracker’s Resource Inventory — part of our TOMS (Telecom
Operations and Management Solutions) Suite — provides a
Over the years, networks have grown and become more central repository of the service provider’s entire physical and
complex and intelligent. logical network infra-
Despite their increased “NetCracker’s structure as well as
superior
sophistication, however, extended capabilities
architecture and
networks — by them- ability to integrate
for capacity, location,
selves — still cannot easily with other and number manage-
ensure the right qual- systems will allow ment.
ity of service creation, Videotron to track
delivery, and manage- accurately the Unlike technology-
deployment of specific solutions,
ment.
our state-of-the-
NetCracker’s flexible
art network. The
Network expansion breadth and depth
approach accom-
and the introduction of of NetCracker’s modates current and
new services require solution and technical future technologies and
network planning and expertise — and their devices.
design skills that are proven track record in
supporting advanced NetCracker’s Resource
external to the network.
technologies — will allow us to deploy services and networks faster, with
To create and deliver Inventory uses a meta-
reduced cost and increased customer satisfaction.”
services, a detailed data approach and is a
Michel Allard, VP Technology Development, Videotron
knowledge of the fully open, configurable,
network, its configuration, its topology, and the relationships technology-neutral solution that can quickly introduce and sup-
between different layers and components is necessary. port new network technologies and resources.
This information is typically scattered throughout many different NetCracker’s Resource Inventory provides unified data mod-
systems supporting fulfillment, assurance, and billing activities. els for technology-specific resources together with capacity
All this information needs to be consolidated in order to pro- management, connectivity, and naming rules, allowing for new
duce a complete picture of the physical and logical network. resource types to be added easily.

2. details
Resource inventory management is widely accepted as the cornerstone of
any service- and resource-related activities (such as fulfillment and assur-
ance) and as a core component for any modern OSS. NetCracker’s Resource
Inventory consolidates resource topology, configuration, status, connectivity,
and assignment information in a centralized repository.
Handling all resource-related data in an accurate, integral way, Resource
Inventory feeds this data to design and planning activities (supported by
NetCracker’s Network Planning & Design), and service fulfillment (supported
by NetCracker’s Service Fulfillment & Assurance) and serves as a consistent,
accurate source of data for the entire B/OSS.
NetCracker’s Resource Inventory includes Physical and Logical Inventory,
Location & Number Management, Asset Management, and Visualization & Reporting:
Physical and Logical Inventory Location & Number Management
Physical and Logical Inventory provides modeling and Location & Number Management provides tools for managing
management capabilities for both network and IT resources: numbered and range-based resources as well as different
❚❚ hysical resource model for the description of equipment
P locations — from rooms to regions:
configuration and physical connectivity ❚❚ IP address management (e.g. IP ranges, IP pools)
❚❚ Logical resource model for the description of circuits and ❚❚ Address repository for location address information manage-
network elements ment and updates
❚❚ evice library with an extendable database of over 55,000
D ❚❚ elecom number management (e.g. VPN, VPI/VCI)
T
equipment models and technical specifications
Asset Management Visualization Reporting
Asset Management provides tools to track all network- Visualization Reporting are based on Network Configurator
related assets (including CPE, software licenses, and spares) and Reporting Engine respectively and provide extensive
throughout their lifecycle in a single, centralized data repository: graphical functionality and reporting capabilities:
❚❚ Physical and non-physical assets ❚❚ Network and topology views
❚❚ Warehouse management ❚❚ Floor plans, rack population, and shelf configuration views
❚❚ Spare parts management ❚❚ re-configured reports, including CLR/DLR, Cross Connect,
P
❚❚ IMACD orchestration, including requisition, auto-replenishment, and Capacity Utilization reports
and lifecycle management ❚❚ Ability to create new reports and reconfigure existing reports
business benefits
NetCracker’s Resource Inventory delivers the following benefits:
❚❚ Complete, up-to-date view of the entire network that greatly improves the efficiency of fulfillment and assurance processes
and thereby improves customer satisfaction
❚❚ Central repository of network infrastructure information used by all back-office systems that enables a high level of
automation, which lowers operational costs
❚❚ Effective and comprehensive visual reporting capabilities that provide insight into the network and enable the optimization of
capital and operational expenses
❚❚ A metadata approach that allows for hierarchical resource modeling
NetCracker Technology Corp. 95 Sawyer Road, Waltham, MA 02453 USA Tel. +1-781-419-3300 www.NetCracker.com
Copyright © 2011 nNetCracker Technology Corp.