SolutionPack for Ericsson IMS MRFP

Table of Contents

Overview

Learn how to install and configure the SolutionPack for Ericsson IMS Media Resource Function Processor (MRFP). The Media Resource Function Processor is a subsystem of the Media Resource System (MRS) in the IP Media Subsystem (IMS). The SolutionPack for Ericsson IMS MRFP reports on the MRFP functionality of MRS.

This SolutionPack reports on the following:
  • Performance of the various MRS resources such as MRFP services, VMRFP (Visited Media Resource Function Processor), MRFP Association, Interactive Messaging, and the IP system.
  • Performance of overall MRFP functions such as MRFP audio and multimedia sessions.
  • Performance of the related equipments such as plug-in units, IP interfaces, Gigabit Ethernet, Ethernet Switch module ports, and Et Resource.

This article applies to Service Assurance Suite 9.3.

This SolutionPack is one of many provided with Service Assurance Suite.

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Technical specifications

SolutionPack version

Compatible EMC M&R (Watch4net) versions

Data collection method

All metrics are parsed through 3GPP standard xml files.

Main reports

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Where to find the latest SolutionPack software

Install the latest core software update for your product suite. SolutionPacks distributed with core software have a 30-day free evaluation period. If you plan to use the software longer than 30 days, you must install a SolutionPack license before the trial period ends.

Note Image
This 30-day free evaluation only applies to new installations and is not available for upgraded installations. If you upgrade the core software and want to try a new SolutionPack, you must request a license for that SolutionPack.

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Collecting performance parameters

Before installing a SolutionPack, you must perform certain steps to ensure the SolutionPack is able to collect performance parameters from various IMS components. These parameters are transferred in 3GPP-compliant XML files from IMS to the Watch4net host using SFTP.

Before you begin

Review the configuration options for the XML collector in the APG-Text-Parsing-Library.pdf file located in the <Install_Dir>/APG/Doc directory of the Watch4net host.

Procedure

  1. Create a directory in the Watch4net host for collecting performance data.
    For example: /opt/IMS/incoming/mrfp
  2. On the directory that you just created, change the permissions to apg.
    For example: # chown -R apg:apg /opt/IMS/incoming/mrfp
  3. Configure the OSS-RC, EMS (Element Management System), mediation node, or other to push the 3GPP-compliant XML files (i.e., Ericsson Report Output Files (ROP)) to the directory created in step 2.
    These 3GPP-compliant XML files are listed in the section called Node, Performance category, Default filename pattern and 3GPP format.
  4. Verify the periodic transfer of the 3GPP-compliant XML files is set accordingly. If your SolutionPack is set to look for updates every five minutes (the default), make sure SFTP is invoked every five minutes as well.
  5. SFTP the 3GPP-compliant XML files into the directory that you just created.
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Node, performance category, default file name pattern and 3GPP format

You can change the default file name pattern.

The Ericsson IMS Metrics File provides a complete listing of the expected counters for the file pattern type. This spreadsheet is available on the EMC support website http://support.emc.com.

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Configuring the user process limits for a Linux installation

Increase the user process limits for the user account to a maximum of 65534. This modification enables services to open 65534 files and 65534 processes when needed.

Before you begin

Procedure

  1. Open the /etc/security/limits.conf file.
  2. Add the following lines for the user.
    In this example, the user is apg. 
    apg   hard  nofile  65534
apg   soft  nofile  65534
apg   hard  nproc   65534
apg   soft  nproc   65534
  3. Save the file.
  4. To restart the services, type the following commands from the bin directory of the installation:
    ./manage-modules.sh service stop all
    ./manage-modules.sh service start all
  5. To verify the changes, type su apg -c 'ulimit -n -u'
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Installing a SolutionPack

After you log in as an administrator, you can install a SolutionPack from Centralized Management.

Before you begin

  • Determine whether you need a SolutionPack license file by checking the feature names and expiration dates listed in Centralized Management > License Management. If not listed, obtain a license by completing a Support Request (SR) form, which is available on the EMC support website http://support.emc.com.

  • Make sure the core modules, such as the Module-Manager, are up-to-date on all servers since not all module dependencies are validated during the SolutionPack installation. See the Watch4net Installation and Configuration Guide provides for more information.

Procedure

  1. Log in and select Administration.
  2. Select Centralized Management in the Administration tree.
  3. Select SOLUTIONPACK CENTER.
  4. Select the SolutionPack in the Browse and Install SolutionPacks screen.
  5. Read the summary information and click Install.
  6. Select the components to install.
    1. Type the instance name.
    2. Select the server in one or more list boxes. For example, select the server in the Data collection and Reports list boxes.
    3. Click Next.
  7. For each list box you select, a screen appears.
    1. Click Next after you complete each screen.
    2. Click Install after you complete the last screen.
    The installation process begins.
  8. Select the maximize arrow next to each component to view the installation process.
    When the installation successfully completes, green checkmarks appear.

After you finish

After the installation is complete, select Centralized Management > SolutionPack to verify the installed SolutionPack.

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Confirming report creation

After you install a SolutionPack, you can view its reports.

To view the reports:

Procedure

  1. Go to User Interface > Report Library.
  2. Click the SolutionPack to view its reports.

Results

It may take up to an hour to display all relevant information in these reports.

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Troubleshooting

Report display problems

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What to do if data does not appear in any reports

Procedure

  1. After the completion of at least three collection cycles, verify if data is populating into the reports. If there is still no data in the reports, continue to the next step.
  2. Run the scheduled task to import data into reports. If there is still no data in the reports, continue to the next step.
  3. To view the log files for errors, go to Centralized Management and click Collecting > Collector-Manager::<instance name> > Log Files.
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Running a scheduled task to import data into reports

After you push a new configuration into a collector, a scheduled task runs and populates the reports with new data. You can manually run the scheduled task to import the data more quickly.

Before you begin

Allow at least three polling cycles to pass before manually running the scheduled task.

Procedure

  1. Click Administration.
  2. Click Centralized Management.
  3. Expand Scheduled Tasks.
  4. Click Database.
  5. Select the import-properties-Default task.
  6. Click Run Now.
  7. Confirm success in running the task in the Last Result and Last Result Time columns.
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What to do if data does not appear in some reports

Procedure

  1. Run the scheduled task to import data into reports. If there is still no data in the reports, continue to step 2.
  2. Search for the metric in the database.
  3. To view the log files for errors, go to Centralized Management and click Collecting > Collector-Manager::<instance name> > Log Files.
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Searching for metrics in the database

You can verify that a metric is being collected and used for reporting when you search and find the metric in the database.

Procedure

  1. Go to the Administration page.
  2. Under Modules, click Management of Database Modules.
  3. On the Metric Selection page, create the filter, type the number of results, and select the properties to display for the metric.
    For example, to list up to 100 results of the SignalWait Time metric with the properties of device and IP, type name=='SignalWaitTime' in the Filter field, 100 in the Maximum results field, and select device and IP for the Properties to show.
  4. Click Query.
    A list of the metric results appears. If nothing displays, the metric is not being collected.
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Viewing collector errors in the Collector-Manager log files

Review the Collector-Manager log files to troubleshoot problems with data collection.

Procedure

  1. Click Administration.
  2. Click Centralized Management.
  3. Expand Collecting.
  4. Click the Collector-Manager for your collector instance.
    Collector-Manager::<Collector-Manager instance> - <physical_host_ID>
  5. Expand Log Files and click the View File icon to review the configuration error messages.
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