By Robert-Jan van Minnen, MSc., Liberty Global; Jason Rupe, Ph.D., CableLabs
Cable and fiber networks are evolving and becoming increasingly hybrid. The same applies to networkand service organizations. Network operations engineering and staff can be burdened by the expansion of the technology they must operate, and the differences in tools to do so. This condition calls for an evolution of the way performance is reported in a unified way. In turn, this requires the telemetry from networks to provide sufficient and comparable data which feed into business processes. The inspiration is that having a fresh look at the combination of hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC), fiber and Ethernet telemetry, a new and better framework can emerge. It is also an opportunity to reset the panes so that upcoming technologies such as Artificial Intelligence can develop on a solid database.
This paper explores and captures both the challenges and opportunities to get the best of both worlds. By peeling down the essence of existing key performance indicators (KPIs) it becomes obvious there is in fact a lot of similarity. But also new territory is entered with the management of Converged Interconnect Networks.
The creation of a common language and framework with respect to network KPIs is proposed. The process of developing this common language and framework is powered by an expert CableLabs working group (the optical operations and maintenance (OOM) working group). This paper strives to galvanize a larger audience into action in support of this quest and to stimulate an increased joined collaboration and co-development. In support of this goal, building blocks are provided.