NAMS Applications - Local Number Portability

Federal guidelines mandate that Local Number Portability be implemented by local carriers in an almost immediate time frame. This puts tremendous pressure on the carriers, not only to engineer the Voice Switches, STPs, and LNP databases that will implement LNP, but also to provide a viable way for the service to be tested and managed.

An HP/ DIGILOG Fault Management System can assist in the testing and managing of the LNP roll-out.

DIGILOG offers a proven and cost-effective SS#7 Fault Management System which utilizes an HP 37900D Signaling Test Set. This system has recently been enhanced with LNP capabilities to assist in a timely LNP roll-out, and ensure availability of the service through extensive LNP monitoring from the NOC.

The primary benefit of the HP/DIGILOG solution is its ability to overlay all DS0A links from any STP or SP-LNP (an LNP database in an STP). This is done through the DIGILOG probes which can access any link on command. LNP query verification can then be performed at the SP-LNP or at any DIGILOG-equipped STP in the query path; thus a protocol problem can be fault isolated by traffic flow or packet content.

The sophisticated HP 37900D LNP decodes are available at the fingertips of the NOC operator, who can electronically soft-patch the HP onto the selected DS0A links using the HP/ DIGILOG System. Multiple ports on the HP allow for all members of a link set to be scanned for desired data. And, in addition to providing a vehicle for remote protocol analysis, the HP/DIGILOG solution can perform BERTs, loops, and other intrusive testing (i.e. SS#7 link certification).

To date the HP/DIGILOG SS#7 Fault Management System has proven invaluable in the RBOC environment in tracking 800 and LIDB queries, tracing call progress, and validating Interconnect Carriers. LNP is only the latest capability to be added to a sophisticated cost saving system which will continue to prove valuable as telephony services evolve.