Spectrum Network Tool
Spectrum Analyzer Basics Tutorial - RF spectrum analysers are an essential tool for RF and other engineers, providing a view of the spectrum of signals with their. AirMagnet Spectrum XT is the ideal real-time Wi-Fi spectrum analyzer software solution for network engineers. 8 Free WiFi Analyzers.
Spectrum Monitoring is, besides Spectrum Planning and Licensing, one of the key elements in spectrum management process. Monitoring is not only solving interference problems but also tasked with for instance:- Checking license parameters, e.g. field strength and band width (remote inspection)
- Comparing predicted and measured values
- Identifying illegal use
- Supporting preparation for WRC
- Quick overview of the spectrum
- Refarming
- Detecting White Spaces, etc
| Learning Course details | |
| The Spectrum Monitoring Technology Advisors (SMTA) spectrum monitoring learning course is based on the latest ITU-R and CEPT Recommendations, Reports and Handbooks and gives an introduction into the most common spectrum monitoring measurement techniques. All teachers are experienced monitoring engineers, have also fulfilled jobs in the management of the monitoring department and participated in ITU-R Study group 1 as well as in CEPT working groups and project teams. Currently SMTA offers two course delivery models depending on your specific requirements: | |
| Master Class | Customized Training | |
| Target Audience | Individuals | Groups, companies, organisations |
| Contents | Modules description below | Choose any modules from below |
| Dates | Mo 31 Aug - Fri 4 Sep 2020 | Flexible |
| Course length | 5 days | Flexible |
| Location | Bussum city, the Netherlands | On-site or in the Netherlands |
| Registration | online registration form | please contact us |
| For more information, please contact Spectrum Monitoring Technology Advisors in the Netherlands: +31356917788 or +31636226038. E-mail: training@spectrummonitoring.com. References provided upon request. | ||
| 1. Introduction to Spectrum Monitoring | |
| This module gives information on the telecom environment on a global (ITU), regional (CEPT, APT etc.) and national level, their structure and study groups, working groups and project teams. Where to find and how to use the different recommendations, reports, etc. |
| 2. Manual Monitoring | |
| There is still a need to develop skills in manual monitoring, identify stations and log the transmitter parameters using the ITU classification of emissions. Information from manual and automatic monitoring can be combined (see plot below) to increase the quality of the output. |
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| 3. Role of Monitoring in the Spectrum Management Process | |
| Frequency Planning, Frequency Licensing and Spectrum Monitoring are key elements in the spectrum management process. The role of Monitoring is to support this process in order to realise a useable and interference free spectrum. |
| 4. Inspection of Radio stations from a Monitoring Perspective | |
| Approximately 90% of all transmitter problems are caused by exceeding power or bandwidth limits. Monitoring can perform many (automatic) measurements to support inspection and enforcement. Automatic comparison of measured and predicted field strength is very easy in a lot of frequency bands. |
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| 5. Simple Frequency Channel Occupancy Measurements | |
| This module gives general information on most types of Frequency Occupancy Measurements (FCO), not to be confused with Frequency Band Occupancy measurements. It contains information from ITU-R SM.1880, the old ITU-R SM.1536 and Handbooks 2002 and 2010. In many countries the measurement principles are more or less the same, however, the way of presenting results is often very different. This part ends with a lot of real-life examples showing how channel occupancy is presented in different countries. |
| 6. Spectrum Control using Automatic FBO Measurements (ITU-R SM.1809 and ECC(05)01) | |
| Frequency Band Occupancy measurements can relatively easy and cheap be performed at monitoring stations. Let a receiver or spectrum analyzer run automatically according to a pre defined schedule, for instance every 24 hours a certain frequency band. By doing this a lot of information will be available on signal levels, occupancy etc. By repeating such measurements regularly it makes it possible to determine historical trends on spectrum usage. Developments: daily measurements 20 MHz - 6 GHz |
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| 7. Frequency Channel Occupancy Measurements (ITU SM.1880) | |
| Tests show that an increase in re-visiting time to a certain level hardly influences the accuracy. This means that by increasing the number of channels and with relatively simple equipment monitoring can provide frequency channel occupancy information on a lot of channels. The ITU-R SM.1809 frequency band occupancy measurements can be applied, not only displaying results of frequency band measurements, but also the channel occupancy can be retrieved automatically very easily. . Plots show occupancy caused by different users on one channel. |
| 8. Introduction to Satellites | |
| To monitor signals from satellites we need special space monitoring stations. Though there are relatively few space monitoring stations in the world, SMTA offers also a spectrum monitoring training module on this subject which gives an introduction to satellites and the deployed frequency bands. |
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| 9. The Modern or Smart Monitoring Process (R.A.A.P.) | |
| Monitoring is more than performing measurements, manually or automatically. Smart Monitoring offers a modern tool for collecting facts. Therefore it is important that monitoring is accepted as a vital part in the process of Spectrum Management and could for instance be divided in 4 steps: 1) Recording of the spectrum, 2) Archiving the data, 3) Analysing the information, and 4) Presentation of the results (e.g. on a website). |
| 10. Smart and Delta Monitoring | |
| Enhance the monitoring results by (automatically) comparing measured values with those of existing databases (e.g. from planning and licensing). Repeating measurements in the same frequency bands enables monitoring to determine historical trends in spectrum usage. |
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| 11. Automatic Detection of Illegal (Broadcast) Stations | |
| Exceeding of permitted power can easily be determined by automatic comparison of predicted and measured values. In addition to that, it is possible to detect illegal stations for instance in the FMBC band. Spectrum Monitoring Technology Advisors developed software for the entire range from 87.5 to 108 MHz. The in Matlab written software is based on the difference in received level during the day. |
| 12. Propagation of Radio Waves | |
| Monitoring engineers should have some knowledge of propagation of radio waves. This SMTA training course contains a comprehensive propagation module. The level of this module can be tuned to the background knowledge of your monitoring staff. |
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| 13. FM Broadcast Measurements | |
| FM broadcasting is still very popular and it will remain for a number of years to come. The FMBC signal is rather complex. In this module a lot of techniques from previous modules are applied, such as smart and delta monitoring, comparing automatically measured and predicted field strength etc. Also frequency band occupancy measurements are used to collect data and present detailed information on FMBC. Furthermore, the baseband signal is studied and, for instance, the results from audio processing on the spectrum shape. This module contains a lot of examples of real-life measurements. |
| 14. Interferences | |
| Preventing and solving interferences is a very important, but not the only, monitoring task. This training module starts with some general information, such as for instance ITU definitions, harmonics, IM products followed by a lot of practical examples of interference problems in many countries retrieved from CEPT FM22 and ITU-R meetings and documents. |
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| 15. WiFi, RLANs and other systems in 700 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz and 60 GHz | |
| The band 2400 - 2483.5 MHz is allocated to ISM but also a lot of other users are active in this frequency band. WiFi RLANs cause rather high occupancy in this frequency band. In most countries these RLANs are license exempt. RLANs however also have to fulfill certain conditions. In a lot of countries there are serious problems with these systems. The 5 GHz RLANs are becoming more and more popular because the 5 GHz band is not as heavily occupied as the 2.4 GHz band. A lot of new IEEE 802.11 standards for frequency ranges up to 60 GHz were developed recently. Manufactures are working on new RLANs integrated with 3G and 4G. About 75% of all mobile data traffic is running via WiFi. It is considered as a possible 'offload' from 3G/4G traffic. That's why we see a fast development in new WiFi systems and used frequency ranges. There are also developments in systems like Bluetooth, Zigbee etc. |
| 16. Introduction to RADAR (RAdio Detecting And Ranging) | |
| WRC 03 allocated some additional services to the Radiolocation frequency bands. This sharing results in interference problems. This training module gives information on Radar principles, Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and activities in ITU-R Study groups and a lot of Radar spectra which makes it easier for monitoring staff to recognise and analyse these Radar transmissions. |
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| 17. Introduction to Statistical Analysis | |
| Spectrum Monitoring is not only measuring but also converting the measurement results into information, understandable for our customers. As most measurements are performed automatically this can result in a huge amount of data and we have to apply statistics to keep it readable. |
| 18. WiMAX | |
| So far WiMAX and LTE are the only by ITU accepted 4G systems in the world. WiMAX is a second-generation protocol that allows for more efficient bandwidth use, interference avoidance, and is intended to allow higher data rates over longer distances. At the moment in most countries' operators do not invest anymore in WiMAX but it is in use for a number of years in several countries. |
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| 19. Cellular Networks | |
| This part of the SMTA training course deals with a combination of different digital communication systems. It gives a short overview on the developments from 0G to 5G, but is focused on 4G LTE, LTE Advanced and LTE-A-Pro (4.5G) including information on new antenna techniques, such as MIMO, beam forming, Carrier Agregation. There are also examples of refarming of the 900 and 1800 MHz bands (including real-life measurement examples). This module also contains info on LTE in unlicensed bands (LTE-U) and a lot of other developments. LTE and WiFi will probably integrate more and more. |
| 20. Short Range Devices | |
| Short Range Devices are small devices with a large impact. The types and number of Short Range devices is increasing. In CEPT the permanent SRD/ Maintenance Group is following the developments and is determining the technical requirements, which can be found back in ECC Report 70. In this module some general aspects of SRD&s are explained and it ends with results of measurements in the 863-870 MHz. |
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| 21. Digital Broadcasting Systems | |
| In all frequency ranges new digital broadcasting systems gradually replace analogue systems. In the MW and HF frequency range DRM is not very successful so far. DAB is available in a number of countries and DTT is already on air in a lot of countries and in the near future all analogue systems will be replaced by DTT systems, such as DVB-T and DVB-T2. The big difference in protection ratio between analogue and DVB-T explains an advantage to the transition. |
| 22. Digital Dividend 1, 2 and 3 | |
After implementation of DVB-T (GE-06) and switch-off of Analogue TV there is frequency space available because of more efficient use of the spectrum by digital TV. These new space in frequency bands, as result of more efficient use, is indicated as Digital Dividend. WRC 2015 indicated also other TV frequency bands to be cleared. |
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| 23. New Wireless Systems, Techniques and Developments | |
| This module contains an overview of all kind of recently developed new techniques and systems using the radio frequency spectrum, including the frequency used bands. |
| 24. General Spectrum Monitoring Items | |
This presentation contains a lot of spectrum monitoring related items on different levels with a limited number of slides per item, varying from Ohm's Law to Dynamic Frequency Selection (in for instance the 5 GHz radar frequency band) and White Spaces. On request a lot of these items could be expanded to more complete training modules. |
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| 25. Experimental Processing | |
| New communication systems appear and new measurement methods should be developed. It takes time for manufactures to come with new equipment and/or software. Monitoring organizations should be able to develop their own software for a lot of items. For instance detecting of White Spaces. What measuring method should be used and what parameters should be applied to detect these? |
| 26. Cognitive Radio (CR) and TV White Spaces (TVWS) | |
To share freed TV bands with incumbent users, Cognitive Radio can be used to detect white spaces and make use of geolocation databases to determine whether other services can use these empty places in the spectrum. If channels are unused this does not mean that these channels are available. |
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| 27. 5G and 5G related information | |
| After 3G and 4G/LTE, LTE-A and LTE-PRO, the 3GPP 5th Generation in cellular systems (5G) is under development. A number of 4G enhancements are used to increase the throughput from 5G. In several organizations 5G tests are running and the first commercial service has been launched in the US on October 1st, 2018. |
| 28. The Internet of Things (IoT/M2M) | |
The term IoT encompasses everything connected to the internet, but it is increasingly being used to define objects that 'talk' to each other. Simply, the Internet of Things is made up of devices – from simple sensors to smartphones and wearables – connected together. By combining these connected devices with automated systems, it is possible to 'gather information, analyse it and create an action' to help someone with a particular task, or learn from a process. |
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| 29. Mobile Data Collection (MDC) | |
| There are several methods to conduct measurements while driving a (monitoring) vehicle. Using Rec. ITU-R SM1708 is one of them. An other method, which is described in this module, is to equip several (20?) monitoring and other vehicles with equipment which is continuous measuring a certain frequency range, e.g. 20 MHz - 6 GHz. It starts automatically as soon as the vehicle starts to drive and ends when the vehicle stops. The results are automatically send to a central point (monitoring station) and will be processed automatically. It enables monitoring services to collect and display a lot of spectrum occupancy information with very limited human labor. |
| 30. Monitoring Stations |
This module consists of photos, drawings etc. from (mobile) monitoring stations from many European and other countries. Monitoring Centre Shanghai, China |
Managing today’s complex hybrid IT infrastructure is a tough job; both private and public cloud infrastructure creates complexity for IT services to run and operate. Every network experiences faults or breakdowns in these services, and it is a major challenge for network admins to provide flawless communication all the time. To resolve issues quickly, a network admin must know when, where, and why a problem has arisen, and which process will cure the root of an issue.
In most computer networks, we use network tools to manage, analyze and monitor network operations. And these tools constantly monitor network operations; when an issue occurs, a notification will be generated and sent out to concerned teams. Let’s begin the journey with the examination of network managements tools first. Here we will review the top 10 network management tool of various functional areas, starting with one of the most widely used and very popular network management tools, “IBM Netcool Network Management.”
1. IBM Netcool Network Management (Ideal for large-scale multi-vendor environments)
IBM Netcool Network Management can effectively configure, integrate, and remediate your network with centralized network visibility and availability. Its reporting feature encompasses vast, dispersed network environments which helps to maintain network’s feasibility.
The IBM Netcool Network Management tool is smart enough to identify and resolve network issues quickly and it also deals with automatic backup configuration and restore configuration in case of rollbacks. This tool offers real-time anomalies detection to provide efficient network deployment and change management in multivendor network deployment. This utility gives you an opportunity to integrate with IBM Tivoli OMNIbus to provide unmatched visibility and automation to enhance management capabilities.
Price: IBM Netcool NM has various license types and their pricing can be checked at http://estore.gemini-systems.com/ibm/software-license/tivoli-management-software/tivoli-omnibus-and-network-manager/.
Website:http://www-03.ibm.com/software/products/en/netcool-network-management
Pros:
- Comprehensive event management solution
- Centralized network visibility and reporting
- Efficient event and configuration management
Cons:
- Complex customization of reporting (as it involves lots of functionalities)
- Updating issue with earlier versions but not with V9.2.2 (or above)
2. SolarWinds Kiwi CatTools(A must have for all small or low-budget companies)
This tool comes from the leading network management and analysis company, “SolarWinds”; Kiwi CatTools supports automatic backup and update activities for multivendor network devices. such as Nortel routers, Cisco switches, and ASA firewalls with central GUI-based network management. While resolving a network issue, you can compare past and present configurations to find the changes quickly. Kiwi CatTools can be installed on Microsoft Servers or desktop Windows platforms so that you can manage your network’s configurations from your computer as well.
Tab “Devices” offers a list of common network hardware to fill your network details such as the IP address and ports connectivity. The free version of CatTools manages five devices, while there is no device limit for paid version.
Price: one seat license: $750.00 (USD) for 12 months and $ 949.00 (USD) for 24 months
Website:http://www.kiwisyslog.com/products/kiwi-cattools/product-overview.aspx
Pros:
- Roll-back facility with recent backups
- Automated e-mail notifications of configuration changes
- Generates reports (port, MAC, ARP and version details)
Cons:
- Updating to higher version sometime needs uninstall and reinstall
3. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager aka Orion NCM (good one for medium to large-scale multi-vendor networks)
SolarWinds NCM (network configuration manager) offers more scalability and functionalities than Kiwi CatTools. Orion NCM supports script-based correction and provides an easy way to push configuration changes out to all network equipment. This tool supports a various product range of network devices from Cisco, Juniper, HP, Dell, Nortel, and many more. Orion NCM enhances network security using Cisco IOS and ASA vulnerability scanning and NIST FISMA, DISA STIG, and DSS PCI compliance assessments. This tool also allows management of a steady workflows approach to approve updates and safely delegate work to others with roles and permissions
Website:http://www.solarwinds.com/network-configuration-manager.aspx
Pricing:
There are seven types of licenses available:
For further queries :– Call +61 2 8412 4910 to speak with a Sales Engineer
Pros:
- IOS vulnerability scanning
- Automated remediation scripts enforcement
- Effective change management and monitoring
- Quick backup and restore
Cons:
- Hard to find any issue, fine in almost every functional area
4. CA-Spectrum(recommended where scalability has no limits)
Spectrum was originally developed at Cabletron Systems, Inc., in 1991 and later acquired by CA. Spectrum delivers large-scale network optimization and management solutions along with continuous availability and root cause analysis to improve network infrastructure and services. This tool helps to reduce network administration time and cost by supporting tens of thousands of devices, including increased scalability, automated fault management, and proactive change management over a single platform. Utilizing this tool, network administrators can better understand issues to manage configuration changes, unanticipated events, and outages. The invaluable root cause analysis feature helps administrators to identify and correct the causes of these issues and prevent future recurrences as well.
Price: The price is available on request, so you may need to contact at 1-800-225-5224 (US).
Website:http://www.ca.com/us/opscenter/ca-spectrum.aspx
Pros:
- Centralized console to manage network and systems
- Automated layer 2/3 root cause analysis
- Multivendor-multi-technology fault management
- Uninterrupted high availability (to challenge failovers)
Cons:
5. Huawei iManager (U2000) (Ultimate utility to manage carrier networks)
Unified Network Management System (U2000) manages transport, access, and IP equipment in an efficient way and its unified management and visual policy helps to reduce network’s operation and maintenance cost in a very effective manner. The all-new U2000 inherits all functions of its predecessors, such as T2000, N2000 BMS, and N2000 DMS, including the support of single-domain management to multi-domain management evolution. Huawei U2000 works smoothly from single-domain management to multi-domain management to meet operators’ needs for rapid growth of services. Moreover, Huawei has partnered with leading operating support system (OSS) vendors in accelerating OSS interconnection. At present, more than 200 operators worldwide are using the U2000 series of products.
Price: Various license types are available; you may need to contact sales executive @ Huawei.
Website: http://huawei.com/us/products/oss/fbb-om-product-series/imanager-u2000/index.htm
Pros:
- Quick and accurate fault management
- Visual IP network management
- Quick OSS (operating support system) interconnection
- Reduces operational expenditure
Cons:
- Takes time to understand its functionalities (as it has lots of features)
6. OpenNMS
(A freeware tool, recommend for small & medium enterprise networks)
OpenNMS is a freeware network monitoring and network management utility developed and supported by a community of user and developers of “The OpenNMS” Group.
Being a freeware utility, the OpenNMS application manages to get placed in the list of top network management tools, and the latest version of this tool supports scalable and distributed network management models with more emphasis on fault and performance management. OpenNMS deals with the vast variety of network management, including notification-based event management (in the form of SNMP traps, syslog messages, etc.), advanced provisioning of new devices, and a service assurance feature (to measure network outage and to generate availability reports).
Website:http://www.opennms.com/ or http://www.opennms.org
Download link:http://www.opennms.org/get-opennms/
Pros:
- User-friendly event management
- Better integrity with external software (such as OTRS, Jira and RANCID)
- Service monitoring
Cons:
- It has no major issues, but automation is not up to the mark
- Limited reporting (good for small enterprises not for large)
7. IPplan(A freeware web-based IP management utility, must have for easy IP management)
IPplan is a web-based (php 4) freeware tool used for IP address and DNS management and tracking. IPplan can be installed on any OS that supports PHP execution; this tool simplifies the administration of IP address space in multi-networks domain to prevent overlapping. This tool is not limited only to IP address management but also offers high-end features such as audit logs and statistics, importing network definitions from routing tables, multiple administrators with different access profiles (per group, allowing access per customer, per network, etc.), track record of SWIP/RIPE/APNIC registration, and DNS administration.
Website:http://iptrack.sourceforge.net/
Download Link:http://sourceforge.net/projects/iptrack/files/
Pros:
- Script based triggers for backend DNS
- Well defined statistics and audit logs
- Multi-access profiles
- Easy IP tracking
Cons:
- Limited functionalities
- Slow response (sometimes)
8. Ceragon NetMaster(Recommended to manage a variety of microwave networks)
Ceragon NetMaster offers large-scale microwave network management and provides standardized unified real-time network availability to maintain uninterrupted flows of network services. This single utility is capable to manage all current and legacy radio terminology, including FibeAir IP-10 and FibeAir IP-20 product series, as well as third-party network elements. NetMaster helps field engineers and network maintenance staff to maintain link specific network services and traffic flow from any location or any device.
Price: Various license types are available, you may need to contact sales executive @ Ceragon.
Website:https://www.ceragon.com/products-ceragon/management-systems/netmaster
Pros:
- Unified network visualization
- Effective and useful for field engineers and network maintenance staff
Cons:
9. HP Network Automation(Complete automated management solutions for large-scale multi-vendor network set-up)
HP Network Automation software provides complete network management solutions from provisioning to policy-based change management; it regulates and automates configuration changes over distributed worldwide multivendor networks. HP Network Automation can also be integrated with HP Network Node Manager i (NNMi) software to diagnose network fault, availability, and performance with new configuration. Network Automation is a one-of-a-kind network management solution to provide a complete automated approach across the multivendor network environment. HP Network Automation software comes in two editions, Premium and Ultimate.
Network Automation Premium edition includes:
- Network automation server
- Network automation satellites
- Distributed architecture options
And Network Automation Ultimate edition includes all Premium edition feature plus a policy compliance feature (proactive policy enforcement to pass audit and compliance requirements).
Price: Not disclosed by company, you will have to contact company’s sales executive.
Website: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/software-solutions/network-automation/try-now.html
Pros:
- Automates complete operational lifecycle of network devices
- Proactive policy enforcement to pass audit and compliance requirements
- Increases network stability by preventing misleading and inconsistence changes
- Excellent user-friendly API
- Multi-vendor device support (including 3Com, Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Juniper and many more )
Cons:
- Nothing to speak of (it’s an excellent product)
10. CiscoWorks LMS (Ideal for Cisco LAN management)
CiscoWorks LAN Management Solution (LMS) is a standardized utility to provide effective management of configuration, fault administration, and event handling of Cisco networks. CiscoWorks LMS offers a centralized solution to improve network efficiency, visualization, and event management across all LAN environments. It provides best-in-class VLAN management, port traffic management with logs, and reporting functionalities. The following list introduces the major components of CiscoWorks LMS and can’t be purchased separately;
CiscoWorks Device Fault Manager (for fault detection, analysis, and reporting)
CiscoWorks Campus Manager (for configuration, management, and topology mapping)
CiscoWorks Resource Manager Essentials (for network inventory, configurations changes, etc.)
CiscoWorks Internetwork Performance Monitor (to measure network response time and availability)
CiscoWorks CiscoView (manages GUI interaction of Cisco devices)
CiscoWorks Common Services (for login, user role definitions, access privileges etc.)
Price: not disclosed by company; click the link below to request pricing details.
Website:http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/cloud-systems-management/prime-lan-management-solution/index.html
Pros:
- Cisco assurance
- Bundled with lots of LAN functionalities
- Event customization and real time network inventory
Cons:
- Not for WAN optimization
- Limited to manage Cisco devices
Conclusion:
I hope this article will be appreciated so that I will be able to offer more in this segment. You can write me @comment section below for providing any query/feedback; I will try my best to resolve your queries. And don’t forget to spread the link of this article on your Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts so the maximum of people can get this exclusive piece of information. Keep reading @ Instanseschool.com and you can join our Facebook group, http://www.facebook.com/intenseschool to get updates on new posts.
References
Apart from my experience, my team, corporate clients and colleagues helped me a lot to design this articles, and the following web pages provided me all the latest functionalities of these tools.