Cisco® Video Assurance Management Solution (VAMS) 1.0 delivers to service providers real-time centralized monitoring of their backbone, regional, and aggregation networks for broadcast video transport. Cisco Video Assurance Management Solution 1.0 provides the framework for a flexible end-to-end assurance platform for video.
The Cisco Video Assurance Management Solution 1.0 comprises the following Cisco products:
• Cisco Active Network Abstraction (ANA) 3.6: Cisco VAMS 1.0 enhances the base functions of Cisco ANA 3.6 virtual network elements (VNEs) for Cisco 7600 Series Routers, Cisco Catalyst® 4948 Switches and Cisco CRS-1 Carrier Routing System devices that address the specific requirements of video delivery across the network.
• Cisco Multicast Manager 2.4: Cisco VAMS 1.0 collects the outputs from Cisco Multicast Manager into Cisco Active Network Abstraction (ANA) providing views of both device and multicast faults.
Cisco VAMS 1.0 also integrates third-party video probes from Ineoquest, Mixed Signals, and Tektronix, demonstrating how the information from dedicated video probes can be correlated with network data to facilitate problem isolation and troubleshooting.
Cisco VAMS 1.0 includes a northbound API that supports integration with OSS applications. Specifically, Cisco VAMS 1.0 may be integrated with Cisco Assurance Management Solution (AMS) 1.0 (http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps8408/index.html) to provide a single Manager of Managers view of broadcast video across the transport network.
Table 1 lists the features and benefits of Cisco VAMS 1.0.
Table 1. Features and Benefits
Feature
Benefit
Virtualization
Core and distribution topology map
Allows operators to view their core and distribution networks in a single map
Chassis views for elements on map
Allows operators to find more details on devices and status in both a tabular and graphical manner
Multicast view
Allows operators to see how the multicast trees overlay the physical topology
Visualize video probes on map
Allows pinpointing of problem areas by using information from video probes and their location on the topology map and the multicast trees
Single Manager of Managers view
A northbound API supports integration with Cisco Assurance Management Solution (AMS) 1.0 to provide a single Manager of Managers view of broadcast video across the transport network
Monitoring
Service monitoring
Uses network device instrumentation to detect service-affecting packet drops and uses video probes to detect service degradation
Device fault monitoring
Aggregates device and service faults into a consolidated fault view
OSS integration API
Northbound API to support integration with third-party OSS products, for example, IBM Tivoli Netcool, part of the Cisco Assurance Management Solution
Multicast monitoring
Provides monitoring and troubleshooting of the multicast services in the network and correlates this with video probe data
Extended Device Support
Cisco CRS-1 Carrier Routing System
Traps based on:
• Non-Reverse Forwarding Path (non-RFP) drops, for example video packets with unrecognized source addresses
• Multicast including PIM interface config and operational status and changes to multicast route tables
Cisco 7600Series Routers
Cisco Catalyst 4948 Switches
Tektronix MTM400
Add a vendor-specific probe VNE to ANA Network View
Add the network links between the probe to the network element to which it is connected
ANA monitors probe properties exposed through MIB2 (system and interface).
ANA receives video stream-related traps from the probe and maps into ANA format and severity levels
Video events are visible through ANA Network View or ANA Event View and are forwarded through the ANA northbound interface
Ineoquest
Mixed Signals
Solution Specifications
To order Cisco VAMS 1.0, the following must also be purchased as prerequisites:
• Cisco ANA 3.6 (Service Patch 2) with VNEs and RTU licenses for relevant devices (4948s, 7600s and CRS-1s)
Ineoquest Video Probe VNE - Software (optional, qty 0-1)
VAMS1.0-3.6VNEIQ
Mixed Signals Video Probe VNE - Software (optional, qty 0-1)
VAMS1.0-3.6VNEMS
Tektronics Video Probe VNE - Software (optional, qty 0-1)
VAMS1.0-3.6VNETK
Ineoquest Video Probe RTU - Right-to-use for one IQ probe (optional, qty 0-unlimited)
VAMS1.0-3.6IQRTU
Mixed Signals Video Probe RTU - Right-to-use for one IQ probe (optional, qty 0-unlimited)
VAMS1.0-3.6MSRTU
Tektronix Video Probe RTU - Right-to-use for one IQ probe (optional, qty 0-unlimited)
VAMS1.0-3.6TKRTU
Service and Support
Using the Cisco Lifecycle Services approach, Cisco and its partners provide a broad portfolio of end-to-end services and support that can help increase your network's business value and return on investment. This approach defines the minimum set of activities needed, by technology and by network complexity, to help you successfully deploy and operate Cisco technologies and optimize their performance throughout the lifecycle of your network.
For More Information
For more information about Cisco Video Assurance Management Solution, visit http://www.cisco.com/go/vams or contact your local Cisco account representative.
