FCAPS – A Brief Overview
October 6th, 2009 / Author: adminFCAPS
Faults,
Configuration,
Accounting,
Performance,
Security.
Definitions and Facts:
FCAPS is an ITU-T standard model for enterprise or network management.
The Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) coordinates standards for telecommunications on behalf of the ITU and is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The ITU was established 17 May 1865 of which South Africa is a member since 1910.
FCAPS is an acronym for a categorical model of the working objectives of network management .
FCAPS is also an extension of the popular network management conceptual frameworks called Telecommunication Management Network (TMN), which describes network management in 4 layers. Each TMN layer needs to perform some or all FCAPS functions in certain ways.
Network Management FCAPS and TMN Model:
There are many network management technologies and protocols which address some of the FCAPS functions.
Some Vendors have developed large integrated applications for Network Management, often providing an end –to–end solution for FCAPS functions. In reality, there will always be some room for another feature, report, or capability. It is therefore up to a proficient Network Management Architect or Engineer to integrate such applications in the best way possible according to the business needs.
The Five Domains:
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1. Fault management
A fault is an event which has a negative significance. The goal of fault management is to recognize, isolate, correct and log faults that occur in the network. Because faults can cause downtime or unacceptable network degradation, fault management is perhaps the most widely implemented of the ISO network management elements.
Examples:
CiscoWorks LMS – Device Fault Manager (DFM)
EMC Smarts Family
CA Spectrum
HP Openview
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2. Configuration management
Hardware and programming (configurations) changes, including the addition of new equipment and programs, modification of existing systems, and removal of obsolete systems and programs, are coordinated. Also used to simplify the configuration of devices. Used for inventory of equipment and programs is kept and updated regularly.
Examples:
CiscoWorks LMS – Resource Manager Essential (RME)
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3. Accounting management
Often referred to as billing or allocation management. The goal is to gather usage statistics for users. To measure network utilization and activities of individual or group uses on the network for the purpose of network usage regulation and billing. For non-billed networks, “administration” replaces “accounting”. The goals of administration are to administer the set of authorized users by establishing users, passwords, and permissions, and to administer the operations of the equipment such as by performing software backup and synchronization.
Examples:
Cisco Access Control Server (ACS)
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4. Performance management
To measure and make available various aspects of network performance for network performance monitoring and optimization. The network performance variables include network throughput, user response times, and line utilization. It also helps an IT manager to prepare the network for the future, as well as to determine the efficiency of the current network, for example, in relation to the investments done to set it up. The network performance also addresses error rates and response times areas. By collecting and analysing performance data, the network health can be monitored. Trends can indicate capacity or reliability issues before they become service affecting.
Performance thresholds can be set in order to trigger an alarm. The alarm would be handled by the normal fault management process.
Examples:
NetQos (By the way: CA acquired NetQoS, Inc. for $200 Million in middle September 2009.)
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5. Security management
Security management is the process of controlling access to assets in the network. Data security can be achieved mainly with authentication and encryption. To control access to network resources so that the network cannot be sabotaged and sensitive information can only be accessed by those with authorization. This level is also to help protected against hackers, unauthorized users, and physical or electronic sabotage. Confidentiality of user information is maintained where necessary or warranted. The security systems also allow network administrators to control what each individual authorized user can (and cannot) do with the system.
Examples:
Cisco Access Control Server (ACS)
CS-MARS
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