Chapter 1 Installation Overview and Planning

Determine Your Hardware Requirements

Cisco MGC Node Manager installed on a network management server and Cisco VSPT installed on a separate server.

Note Other element managers may be installed on the network management server.

Caution Cisco MGC Node Manager should not be installed on a Cisco PGW 2200 host machine.

Hardware Requirements

The Cisco MGC hardware requirements for various network sizes are described in Table 1-1. In addition, except in a very small network, each operator requires an X terminal workstation.

Table 1-1 Hardware Requirements for Cisco MGC Node Manager Host Machine(s)

 

Small Network

Medium Network1

 

 

Large Network

 

 

 

1-3 Operators

4-5 Operators

 

 

6-9 Operators

 

 

 

1-5 Nodes

6-10 Nodes

 

 

11-20 Nodes

 

 

Network Element

24 trap / min

36-42 traps / min

 

 

42-54 traps / min

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Configuration

1 workstation

Client

Server

Client

Server

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presentation server

 

Management

Presentation server2

 

Management

 

 

 

 

server

 

 

server

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RAM (GB)

2

2

 

2

2

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swap (GB)

4

2

 

4

2

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disk drives (9 GB

43

1

 

4

1

 

4-6

minimum)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPU (MHz)

2 x 440-1.05 GB

2 x 440-1.05 GB

 

2 x 440-1.05 GB

4 x 1.05 GB

 

4 x 1.05 GB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.Presentation and Management servers may run co-resident for medium networks when faster Sun CPUs are used or operator loads are light. Add more Presentation servers to increase the number of operators supported.

2.Additional Presentation Servers may be added to maintain good operator response time in large networks with heavy alarm traffic.

3.2 drive machines will work for smaller networks with less traffic and fewer operators. Response time to operator commands slows down as the network grows and additional operators are added.

Note Disk drive requirements are based on the number of drives. The CEMF host machine requires at least the number of drives indicated in Table 1-1.

Note These are recommendations to aid you in planning. The total amount of disk space required depends on many factors, such as the amount of alarm and performance data collected.

Disk Drives and Database Storage

In a medium to large network, using multiple disk drives to store the databases helps alleviate I/O bottlenecks and improves software performance. If you are using multiple disk drives for database storage, or you expect to generate large database files, use raw partitions, as described in the

Installation Guide for the Cisco MGC Node Manager 2.5(2)

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Cisco Systems MGC Node Manager manual Hardware Requirements, Disk Drives and Database Storage, Trap / min Traps / min

MGC Node Manager specifications

Cisco Systems MGC (Media Gateway Controller) Node Manager is a vital component in the realm of telecommunications, particularly in the development and management of Voice over IP (VoIP) networks. As a software-based solution, it plays a crucial role in integrating and controlling various media gateways, ensuring efficient handling of voice and multimedia traffic.

One of the main features of the Cisco MGC Node Manager is its ability to provide centralized control and management of media gateways. This centralized approach enables network operators to have a single point of management for multiple gateways, simplifying configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting processes. The manager can handle thousands of calls simultaneously, making it suitable for both small and large enterprise environments.

In terms of technology, Cisco MGC Node Manager is built on robust protocols like H.323 and SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). These protocols are essential for establishing, maintaining, and terminating communication sessions in VoIP systems. The flexibility to support multiple protocols ensures interoperability among various network components and third-party devices. This cross-compatibility is vital for organizations that use diverse hardware and software solutions.

Another noteworthy characteristic of the MGC Node Manager is its scalability. As business needs grow, the Node Manager can easily scale to accommodate increased traffic and additional gateways. This feature is particularly important for enterprises that experience fluctuating demand, allowing them to adapt to changing usage patterns without investing in significant new infrastructure.

Security is also a prominent focus within the MGC Node Manager’s architecture. By utilizing advanced encryption techniques and implementing robust authentication protocols, it ensures that sensitive voice data remains protected from potential threats. This is critical in maintaining regulatory compliance and safeguarding user privacy.

Furthermore, it offers detailed analytics and reporting capabilities, providing insights into call quality, traffic patterns, and system performance. This data assists network operators in optimizing the network for improved performance and user experience, ultimately supporting business continuity.

In summary, Cisco Systems MGC Node Manager provides a powerful, centralized solution for managing media gateways within VoIP networks. Its support for multiple protocols, scalability, robust security features, and detailed analytics make it an essential tool for organizations looking to enhance their telecommunications infrastructure and drive greater efficiency.