An approach for network data provisioning in UMTS networks

This work describes an approach for network data provisioning (NDP) in UMTS networks; A data creation and delivery mechanism that operates from a secure, centralized platform achieving consistent and efficient deployment of all network elements spanning across multiple simultaneous projects. Usually UMTS networks are provisioned using several disjointed localized tools, utilizing multiple resources at each location often leading to data inconsistencies and data unavailability for centralized access. The NDP mechanism improves data provisioning by providing a single on-line centralized platform that efficiently and accurately provisions tens of thousands of parameters. Besides secure storage of configurable parameters for all projects, the platform also provides global access of data to relevant teams across the world, ensuring consistency and savings on hardware, software, manpower and time. The NDP mechanism is supported by two on line database tools. Main purpose of this mechanism is the ´translation´ of engineering data into configuration management (CM) data for the network elements. This concept also allows to check data for consistency and to translate the data into a format, which is compatible with the automated CM mechanisms of the network elements.