Chapter 1 Cisco Service Control Overview

Management and Collection

Subscriber Management

Where the Cisco service control application for broadband (SCA BB) enforces policies on different subscribers and tracks usage on an individual subscriber basis, the Cisco service control management suite (SCMS) subscriber manager (SM) may be used as middleware software for bridging between OSS and SCE platforms. Subscriber information is stored in the SM database and can be distributed between multiple platforms according to actual subscriber placement.

The SM provides subscriber awareness by mapping network IDs to subscriber IDs. It can obtain subscriber information using dedicated integration modules that integrate with AAA devices, such as RADIUS or DHCP servers.

Subscriber information may be obtained in one of two ways:

Push Mode—The SM pushes subscriber information to the SCE platform automatically upon logon of a subscriber.

Pull Mode—The SM sends subscriber information to the SCE platform in response to a query from the SCE platform.

Service Configuration Management

Service configuration management is the ability to configure the general service definitions of a service control application. A service configuration file containing settings for traffic classification, accounting and reporting, and control is created and applied to an SCE platform. The SCA BB application provides tools to automate the distribution of these configuration files to SCE platforms. This standards-based approach makes it easy to manage multiple devices in a large network.

Service Control provides a GUI to edit and create these files and a complete set of APIs to automate their creation.

Data Collection

Data collection occurs as follows:

1.All analysis and data processing functions of the SCE platform result in the generation of Raw Data Records (RDRs), which the SCE platform forwards using a simple TCP-based protocol (RDR-Protocol).

2.RDRs are processed by the Cisco service control management suite collection manager.

3.The collection manager software is an implementation of a collection system that receives RDRs from one or more SCE platforms. It collects these records and processes them in one of its adapters. Each adapter performs a specific action on the RDR.

RDRs contain a variety of information and statistics, depending on the configuration of the system. Three main categories of RDRs include:

Transaction RDRs—Records generated for each transaction, where a transaction is a single event detected in network traffic. The identification of a transaction depends on the particular application and protocol.

Subscriber Usage RDRs—Records generated per subscriber, describing the traffic generated by that subscriber for a defined interval.

Link RDRs—Records generated per link, describing the traffic carried on the link for a defined interval.

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Cisco Systems SCE8000 manual Subscriber Management, Service Configuration Management, Data Collection

SCE8000 specifications

Cisco Systems SCE8000 is an advanced service control edge solution designed to enhance the management and performance of service provider networks. Targeted at carriers and large enterprises, the SCE8000 is characterized by its capacity to efficiently handle traffic management, quality of service (QoS), and policy enforcement across various services including voice, video, and data.

One of the main features of the SCE8000 is its scalability. The platform supports a high-density architecture, allowing service providers to seamlessly expand their networks to accommodate growing traffic demands. This scalability is complemented by an impressive throughput, which enables the handling of millions of concurrent sessions, making it ideal for environments with significant user activity.

The SCE8000 employs advanced traffic management capabilities, leveraging deep packet inspection (DPI) technology. This allows for granular visibility into network traffic, enabling service providers to make informed decisions about resource allocation and policy application. Additionally, the device supports multiple protocol analysis, ensuring compatibility across various network services and enhancing overall efficiency.

Quality of Service (QoS) is another critical characteristic of the SCE8000. The platform provides sophisticated mechanisms to prioritize traffic, thereby ensuring that delay-sensitive applications such as VoIP and video streaming receive the necessary bandwidth. This capability is enhanced by Cisco's intelligent traffic shaping and congestion management features, which work together to optimize the user experience even in congested network conditions.

The SCE8000 also integrates robust security features, including session initiation protocol (SIP) security, to protect against malicious attacks and maintain service integrity. This is particularly important in today's cyber landscape where service providers must safeguard their infrastructure from various threats.

Automation and programmability are essential characteristics of the SCE8000, enabling operators to implement policies quickly and efficiently. This feature allows for dynamic scaling and rapid deployment of new services, significantly reducing the time to market for new offerings.

In conclusion, Cisco Systems SCE8000 stands out as a powerful platform for managing service provider networks. With its high scalability, advanced traffic management, quality of service assurance, robust security features, and automation capabilities, the SCE8000 enables service providers to deliver a superior customer experience while optimizing their operational efficiency. This makes it an invaluable asset for any organization looking to enhance its network performance and service delivery.