Practical Analysis of xDR Based Signaling Network Performance and End-to-End QoS

Abstract

Circuit-switched networks have been designed and optimized for time-sensitive delivery of voice traffic, providing highly predictable quality of service for voice. However, as the trend of today is developing convergent networks that, to the large extent, deal with other types of traffic, critical step in managing and migration from the conventional to the next generation network is to identify, measure and analyze the appropriate key performance indicators. This paper presents a practical example of how network operators can use central performance management systems to develop signaling-based performance metrics, which can be used to enhance and optimize end-to-end quality of network services. With this respect, in order to calculate the key performance indicators based on various data records - xDR, where x stands for Call/Transaction/Session, we used the monitoring platform installed on the Signal Transfer Point reference point in a real network environment. During numerous tests and measurements, real-time signaling traffic was acquired, outgoing from both the fixed and the mobile network, and the relevant test results were analyzed by comparison with their corresponding target values.