IMS fault localization issues and challenges

IMS defines a generic architecture and framework that enables the convergence of voice, video, data and mobile network technology over an IP-based infrastructure. The heterogeneity and complexity of IMS network will bring a number of challenges to the integration of products in mutli-vendor and multi-protocol environment. Faults in a large, multi-technology and complex network are unavoidable, but quick detection and identification can significantly improve network reliability and ensure robustness. Fault localization is the central aspect of network fault management, is a process of identifying the exact source of failure. In this paper, we overview the challenges involve for fault management in the complex, heterogeneous IMS network. The paper also proposes a distributed, multi layered, integrated and proactive fault localization system for IMS, which is based on probabilistic graphical model and can be easily integrated with eTOM's management framework.

[1]  Mark Handley,et al.  SIP: Session Initiation Protocol , 1999, RFC.

[2]  Mischa Schwartz,et al.  Schemes for fault identification in communication networks , 1995, TNET.

[3]  Stoke Gifford Bristol,et al.  A Hybrid Approach to Fault Diagnosis in Network and System Management , 1998 .

[4]  Thomas Magedanz,et al.  Automated fault localization based on unified Web service and NGN benchmarking , 2009, 2009 IEEE Symposium on Computers and Communications.

[5]  Salvatore J. Stolfo,et al.  A coding approach to event correlation , 1995, Integrated Network Management.

[6]  Malgorzata Steinder,et al.  Probabilistic fault localization in communication systems using belief networks , 2004, IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking.

[7]  R. Ogier,et al.  1 An Artificial Intelligence Approach to Network Fault Management ‡ , 2007 .

[8]  Thomas Magedanz,et al.  Automated Root Cause Analysis for IMS and SDP , 2009, 2009 Third International Conference on Next Generation Mobile Applications, Services and Technologies.

[9]  Johnson I. Agbinya,et al.  A Probabilistic Approach To Faults Prediction in Cellular Networks , 2006, International Conference on Networking, International Conference on Systems and International Conference on Mobile Communications and Learning Technologies (ICNICONSMCL'06).

[10]  Maitreya Natu,et al.  Active Probing Approach for Fault Localization in Computer Networks , 2006, 2006 4th IEEE/IFIP Workshop on End-to-End Monitoring Techniques and Services.

[11]  W. Traczyk.  Probes for fault localization in computer networks , 2004 .

[12]  D. A. Harle,et al.  Methods and systems for alarm correlation , 1996, Proceedings of GLOBECOM'96. 1996 IEEE Global Telecommunications Conference.

[13]  Glenn A. Fink,et al.  Predicting Computer System Failures Using Support Vector Machines , 2008, WASL.

[14]  Malgorzata Steinder,et al.  Multidomain Diagnosis of End-to-End Service Failures in Hierarchically Routed Networks , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems.

[15]  Peng Wu,et al.  Alarm correlation engine (ACE) , 1998, NOMS 98 1998 IEEE Network Operations and Management Symposium.

[16]  Guangtian Liu,et al.  Composite events for network event correlation , 1999, Integrated Network Management VI. Distributed Management for the Networked Millennium. Proceedings of the Sixth IFIP/IEEE International Symposium on Integrated Network Management. (Cat. No.99EX302).

[17]  Xiaohui Huang,et al.  MDFM: Multi-domain Fault Management for Internet Services , 2005, MMNS.

[18]  Malgorzata Steinder,et al.  A survey of fault localization techniques in computer networks , 2004, Sci. Comput. Program..

[19]  Malgorzata Steinder,et al.  The present and future of event correlation: A need for end-to-end service fault localization , 2001 .

[20]  D. Ohsie,et al.  High speed and robust event correlation , 1996, IEEE Commun. Mag..

[21]  C. H. Lo,et al.  Bayesian network for fault diagnosis , 2003, 2003 European Control Conference (ECC).

[22]  Gianluca Reali,et al.  Definition and performance evaluation of a fault localization technique for an NGN IMS network , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Network and Service Management.