By Steve Condra, Teleste Intercept; Arttu Purmonen, Teleste Corporation
Accurate cable network inventory information, including device configurations and network topology data, is crucial for the efficient operation and management of modern telecommunication networks. This data impacts customer experience, service reliability, telemetry, operational efficiency, cost management, cyber security, future readiness, and innovation. These implication areas are illustrated in Figure 1.
Discrepancies in inventory data can lead to service outages and negatively impact customer satisfaction, resulting in revenue loss (Torrente et al., 2021). Reliable inventories ensure that service changes and network upgrades are based on accurate data, reducing interruptions and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Network operators must optimize their capital investments by managing inventory and configuration information accurately, comprehensively, and cost-effectively. While collecting data about physical network assets may seem straightforward, the dynamic nature of today's networks complicates this task.
Consequently, inaccurate and incomplete records of inventory and configuration data hinder operators from optimizing their networks (Sundelin, 2017; Torrente et al., 2021).
Maintaining an accurate cable network inventory can significantly enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs. Sundelin (2017) highlights that virtualization and the introduction of software-defined networking (SDN) add complexity to network management, necessitating sophisticated assurance capabilities that encompass both physical and virtual resources in real-time. Effective inventory management supports these capabilities by providing up-to-date information on network assets, facilitating better resource allocation, and minimizing redundant expenditures. Similarly, Torrente et al.
(2021) discuss the inefficiencies and costs associated with discrepancies between network inventories and the actual state of the network.