CH A P T E R
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Provisioning Overview
Revised: February 25, 2010, OL-1110-23
This chapter provides an overview of the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch provisioning process and tools. It
includes the following sections:
•
Before You Begin, page 1-1
•
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch Provisioning Overview, page 1-2
•
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch Provisioning, page 1-2
•
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch Provisioning Rules, page 1-3
•
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch Provisioning Tools, page 1-3
The remaining chapters in this guide describe how to develop a provisioning plan and to provision your
system using the tools provided with your Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch software.
The provisioning process described in this document applies to all solutions running
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch software Release 9.
Note
This document does not include instructions for dial plan provisioning. For dial plan information, refer
to the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch Release 9 Dial Plan Guide (through Release 9.7).
Before You Begin
You should have performed the following tasks before using this guide:
•
Thoroughly plan your network configuration. A detailed network diagram is helpful when
provisioning. For more information, refer to your solution’s overview document.
•
Set up your system hardware and install all required software. For more information, refer to the
following documents:
– Cisco Media Gateway Controller Hardware Installation Guide
– Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 8 Installation and Configuration Guide
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Provisioning Overview
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch Provisioning Overview
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch Provisioning Overview
All solutions involving the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch are configured using one or more
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch hosts, one or more Signaling System 7 (SS7) network signaling options,
and one or more media gateways that control bearer-traffic routing. Figure 1-1 shows a simplified layout
of the entities that make up a Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch solution in a typical continuous -service
configuration.
Note
Most of the links shown Figure 1-1 represent multiple connections between devices.
Figure 1-1
Typical Solution Configuration Using the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch
SS7
STP
PSTN
Cisco ITP-Ls
Control
signaling
network
STP
STP
Cisco PGW 2200
Softswitch
Cisco
PGW 2200
Softswitch
Cisco ITP-Ls
V
Media
gateway
Control
signaling
network
33066
QoS packet
network
Media gateway
Provisioning prepares the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch software to communicate with the SS7 network
and with the media gateways. To provision your Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch , you must:
•
Configure communications between the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch and external SS7 signaling
points (SPs), such as STPs
•
Configure connections between the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch and the media gateways
You establish these connections by specifying parameter values for each of the entities illustrated in
Figure 1-1 (Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch hosts, ITP-Ls, STPs, media gateways, and all their associated
links).
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch Provisioning
Provisioning tasks are performed in a sequence that can vary depending on your configuration. However,
some provisioning tasks must be performed before certain other tasks are performed. The following list
identifies a recommended provisioning sequence.
•
Add external nodes for each device connected to the network
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Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch Provisioning Rules
•
Add point codes
•
Add the interface cards
•
Add SS7 signaling service
•
Add media gateway signaling service
•
Add linksets
•
Add C7 IP links (redundant)
•
Add IP links
•
Add SS7 routes
•
Add SS7 subsystem
•
Add trunks (x24 or x31)
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch Provisioning Rules
When provisioning the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch, the following rules apply.
•
Install the software on the active host.
•
Configure the software on the active host.
•
Enable the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch software on the active host.
•
Configure the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch software for the active host.
– Only one active provisioning session is permitted.
– Provisioning is only permitted on the active Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch.
•
Exit the provisioning session on the active host
If you have a standby host, set the pom.dataSync to true (in the XECfgParm.dat file) so that when started,
the standby host synchronizes with the active host.
Note
If the preceding rules are not followed the standby host will not be synchronized with the active host. As
a result, a forced switchover may cause the switchover to fail.
Refer to the Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 9 Installation and Configuration
(Release 9.7) for information about installing the host software and the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch
software.
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch Provisioning Tools
The Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch includes two tools that you can use for provisioning:
•
The Voice Services Provisioning Tool Version 2.3, (VSPT) graphical user interface (GUI)
application.
•
The Man-Machine Language (MML) command-line interface (CLI) application.
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Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch Provisioning Tools
Note
The Voice Services Provisioning Tool replaces the TCM and CMM provisioning tools of previous
software releases.
The Cisco VSPT provides a GUI for the creation, modification, and execution of signaling connections,
as well as trunk groups, trunks, routes, and dial plans. It also allows users to import existing
configurations for modification and to download modified configurations to the same or different
devices. To simplify operator tasks such as trunk group provisioning, the Cisco VSPT employs a series
of wizard-style templates combined with a user interface that is tailored for provisioning the
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch. Users can automatically generate the MML commands necessary to
configure the appropriate network elements. Because much of the operator input information is common
to the media gateways and the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch, the Cisco VSPT ensures that the
information is entered once and then used to create the required MML commands. The resulting batch
files are sent to the Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch, updating the appropriate configuration records.
The VSPT is useful when initially provisioning your Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch. An example of the
Cisco VSPT GUI is shown in Figure 1-2. A comparison of the VSPT and MML features is included in
Table 1-1.
Note
The Cisco VSPT application may be deployed as an integrated component of the Cisco MGC Node
Manager or as a standalone application. When integrated with Cisco MGC Node Manager, the VSPT
application is launched directly from within Cisco MGC Node Manager.
For instructions on using the VSPT, see Chapter 1, “Provisioning with the Cisco Voice Services
Provisioning Tool”.
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Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch Provisioning Tools
Figure 1-2
Sample Cisco Voice Services Provisioning Tool Window
You can also provision your Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch by creating the MML command batch file
manually without the aid of the VSPT. Although provisioning using this method requires more
keystrokes, simple provisioning updates can sometimes be accomplished more quickly, because you do
not have to go through the process of launching the VSPT. When you enter MML commands manually
into a batch file, you can copy and paste repetitive commands to speed data entry. You can also copy and
modify existing MML scripts (lists of MML commands) to provision additional devices. An example of
an MML command script is included in Example 1-1.
Provisioning using MML commands is recommended for more-experienced users. A comparison of the
VSPT and MML features is included in Table 1-1.
For information on provisioning with MML, refer to Chapter 1, “MML Basics.”
Example 1-1
Sample MML Script
prov-sta::srcver="new",dstver="oldyella"
prov-add:opc:name="opc1",netaddr="111.111.666",netind=1,desc="opc1",type=”trueopc”
prov-add:dpc:name="dpc1",netaddr="444.777.444",netind=1,desc="TDM Switch dpc1"
prov-add:dpc:name="dpc2",netaddr="555.333.555",netind=3,desc="Host Node dpc2"
prov-add:apc:name="apc1",netaddr="666.222.222",desc="STP 1 APC pointcode",netind=1
prov-add:apc:name="apc2",netaddr="777.333.333",desc="STP 2 APC pointcode",netind=2
prov-add:apc:name="apc3",netaddr="888.777.777",desc="STP 3 APC pointcode",netind=3
prov-stp
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Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch Provisioning Tools
Note
You can use both Voice Services Provisioning Tool and MML to provision the
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch; however, only a single configuration session can be supported at one time.
Table 1-1
Voice Services Provisioning Tool and MML Features
Specifications/Features
Voice Services Provisioning Tool
MML
System Basics
X-windows GUI front end, MML
back end.
CLI that interacts directly with the
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch.
System
Hardware/Software
Requirements
Sun Sparc station running
Sun Solaris 2.6 OS, or later.
Runs on the
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch host
server.
Batch File Support
Best Used For
Note
Running the VSPT on the
same server as the
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch
can adversely impact
performance. We recommend
that you use a separate server.
No
Yes
•
Setting up a single configuration
or few configurations on
individual machines.
•
Modifying an existing
configuration.
•
Creating batch files to
configure many
Cisco PGW 2200 Softswitch
servers or to retrieve
measurements.
•
Modifying configurations.
•
Scaling large configurations.
•
Troubleshooting.
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