The MetaSwitch EMS combines ease of use, power, and flexibility for all types of users.

The MetaSwitch Element Management System (EMS) provides a comprehensive and easy-to-use unified management interface for MetaSwitch networks.

The EMS is provided with an easy-to-use Java client graphical user interface, as well as SNMP/CORBA and billing interfaces for straightforward integration into existing network management systems.

The EMS Client, which runs on both Windows and Unix workstations, offers a graphical user interface showing all managed MetaSwitch systems, with

• details of all installed hardware components, shown in a hierarchical configuration corresponding to their logical relationships
• the ability to configure the MetaSwitch call agent, signaling gateway and media gateway components, as well as other MetaSwitch-managed devices (such as IADs)
• a list of alarms currently raised on MetaSwitch network elements and managed devices, with correlation between primary and subsidiary alarms (e.g. a SS7 link failure may be shown as being caused by the underlying T1 link failure)
• interactive, context-sensitive help that scrolls to explain the exact item the user is currently working on.

The EMS provides a comprehensive view of the network configuration and status

In addition to providing a comprehensive view of the system, the EMS client can be used in a task-oriented mode. This way, the user selects the task he/she wishes to perform, and is taken step-by-step through a number of straightforward questions/options required to achieve that task. This makes the EMS easy to use, even for unskilled operators.

EMS Tasks enable unskilled operators to manage a MetaSwitch network

The set of EMS tasks includes management of subscribers and IADs, as well as the option of using profiles (predefined sets of configuration values) to configure a subscriber or subscriber services. For example, two profiles may be defined for call services - "standard" and "premium", with customers assigned a profile according to the service level to which they subscribe.

A robust permissions-based authorization scheme ensures that users can only see - and modify - those portions of the system applicable to their role in the organization.

The EMS design, shown in the diagram below, is based on a three-tier architecture, comprising

• the Network Elements being managed
• the EMS Server, an aggregation entity which manages the multiple network elements and presents an upstream SNMP/CORBA interface to the EMS client and third-party OSS systems
• the EMS Client, a Java-based application that runs on Windows or Solaris workstations.

The EMS' three-tier architecture delivers scalability and easy integration of external OSS systems

The MetaSwitch EMS Server can be readily integrated into third party OSS and network management systems via

• SNMP MIBs
• a CORBA programming interface encapsulating the underlying SNMP MIBs.

Both interfaces are fully documented in the MetaSwitch VP3500 Integration and Customization Manual.

External billing / mediation systems are easily integrated since the MetaSwitch VP3500 generates industry-standard AMA-format (GR-1100) Call Detail Records, accessed by ftp.