ZXG10 iBSC

Base Station Controller

Signaling Tracing Operation Guide

Version: V6.20.71

ZTE CORPORATION
NO. 55, Hi-tech Road South, ShenZhen, P.R.China
Postcode: 518057
Tel: +86-755-26771900
Fax: +86-755-26770801
URL: http://ensupport.zte.com.cn
E-mail: support@zte.com.cn

LEGAL INFORMATION
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Revision History
Revision No.

Revision Date

Revision Reason

R1.0

2011-07-28

First Edition

Serial Number: SJ-20110531095035-013

Publishing Date: 2011-07-28(R1.0)

Contents
About This Manual ......................................................................................... I
Chapter 1 Overview .................................................................................... 1-1
1.1 Signaling Tracing Functions ................................................................................ 1-1
1.2 Application Scenario of Signaling Tracing ............................................................ 1-1

Chapter 2 Installation ................................................................................. 2-1

2.1 Installation Preparations ..................................................................................... 2-1
2.2 Installing Signaling Tracing Program.................................................................... 2-1

Chapter 3 Configuration ............................................................................ 3-1

3.1 Server Configuration........................................................................................... 3-1
3.2 Client Configuration ............................................................................................ 3-1

Chapter 4 Common Operations ................................................................ 4-1

4.1 Starting up the Server......................................................................................... 4-1
4.1.1 Starting up the Server in Windows............................................................. 4-1
4.1.2 Starting up the Server in Linux .................................................................. 4-2
4.2 Starting Signaling Tracing Client Program under Windows .................................... 4-2
4.3 Logging in to the Signaling Tracing Server ........................................................... 4-3
4.4 Initiating a Tracing of Signaling............................................................................ 4-4
4.5 Displaying Signaling Tracing Result..................................................................... 4-8
4.6 Saving Signaling Tracing Result ........................................................................ 4-10
4.7 Converting Signaling Tracing File to File that Can Be Opened in MA10.................4-11
4.8 Recording Signaling in Real Time...................................................................... 4-15
4.9 Filtering ........................................................................................................... 4-18
4.9.1 Filtering Signaling Being Traced .............................................................. 4-18
4.9.2 Filtering Saved Signaling ........................................................................ 4-20
4.10 Tracing MS .................................................................................................... 4-21
4.11 Shutting Down the Server................................................................................ 4-23
4.11.1 Shutting Down the Server in Windows.................................................... 4-23
4.11.2 Shutting Down the Server in Linux ......................................................... 4-23

Appendix A FAQ ........................................................................................ A-1

A.1 Performing Rapid Switching among Multiple Signaling Tracing Windows ............... A-1
A.2 Observing Signaling of One Object ..................................................................... A-3
A.2.1 Selecting a Trace Object .......................................................................... A-3
A.2.2 Extracting Signaling of One Object............................................................ A-3
I

A.3 Tracing High Volume Data for a Long Time.......................................................... A-5

A.4 Saving Signaling Tracing Result According to Time .............................................. A-8
A.5 Failing in Obtaining Configuration ..................................................................... A-10
A.6 Signaling Tracing Startup Failure ...................................................................... A-11
A.7 Saved Signaling File Containing Only One Signaling .......................................... A-12
A.8 No Signaling Displayed in Filter Window after Setting Signaling Filtering ............. A-13

Figures............................................................................................................. I
Tables ............................................................................................................ III
Glossary .........................................................................................................V

II

About This Manual

Purpose
This manual introduces the installation, configuration and basic operation of ZXG10 iBSC
signaling tracing.

Intended Audience
l
l

System engineer
Maintenance engineer

What Is in This Manual

This manual contains the following chapters.
Chapter

Description

Chapter 1, Overview

Introduces signaling tracing functions and application scenarios.

Chapter 2, Installation

Describes the process of installing signaling tracing tool.

Chapter 3, Configuration

Describes the process of configuring signaling tracing server and

signaling tracing client.

Chapter 4, Basic Operations

Chapter 5, FAQ

Describes basic signaling tracing operations.

Provides answers to questions frequently encountered in the signaling
tracing process.

II

Chapter 1

Overview
Table of Contents
Signaling Tracing Functions .......................................................................................1-1
Application Scenario of Signaling Tracing...................................................................1-1

1.1 Signaling Tracing Functions

Signaling tracing is a very important tool for recording communication service flows and
analyzing faults.
Problems often occur during the operation and debugging process, causing tracing failure.
This manual introduces usage of the signaling tracing tool of OMM, and gives answers to
some common questions that users might encounter in signaling tracing.

1.2 Application Scenario of Signaling Tracing

During the system maintenance and troubleshooting process, the signaling tracing tool
helps user to record communication signaling of various interface objects, check signaling
link status, and locate faults.

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Chapter 2

Installation
Table of Contents
Installation Preparations .............................................................................................2-1
Installing Signaling Tracing Program ..........................................................................2-1

2.1 Installation Preparations

Signaling tracing is a comparatively independent tool, which can be used outside of OMM.
It is divided into two parts: signaling tracing server program and signaling tracing client
program.
The sever is connected with the OMP board of BSC, collecting and forwarding signaling.
The client is connected with the server, receiving signaling from server and performing
resolution.
The following describes the installation environment for signaling tracing program:
1. Installation environment at the server:
l Windows operating system
l Linux operating system
2. Installation environment at the client:
l Windows operating system
In Windows operating system, the server program and the client program can be installed
on the same machine or on different machines.

Note:
To install the signaling tracing server program and client program, the following two
conditions must be satisfied:
l
l

The signaling tracing server can be connected to the OMP board of BSC.
The signaling tracing client can be connected to the signaling tracing server.

2.2 Installing Signaling Tracing Program

Steps
1. Select a computer that is connected to the OMP board of BSC to install the signaling
tracing server program. Copy the server folder and jre folder under iOMCRVxx\g
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smomcr\ums-svr\tools\zxgomcr-sigtrace\ of the OMM version program to

hard disk of the destination signaling tracing server.
2. Select a computer that can communicate with the signaling tracing server. Copy the
client folder and jre folder under iOMCRVxx\gsmomcr\ums-clnt\tools\zxgo
mcr-sigtrace\ of the OMM version program to hard disk of the destination signaling
tracing client.
End of Steps

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Chapter 3

Configuration
Table of Contents
Server Configuration ..................................................................................................3-1
Client Configuration....................................................................................................3-1

3.1 Server Configuration

Open the servercfg.xml file under the server\conf directory. Add IP of the BSC
OMP, each IP corresponding to a serial number such as 1 or 2, as shown in Figure 3-1.
Figure 3-1 Server Configuration

Note:
id represents the BSC number.
addr represents the BSC OMP's IP address that the signaling tracing server connects.
Usually, adopt default settings for other parameters.

3.2 Client Configuration

Open the clientcfg.xml file under the client\conf directory. Add the signaling
tracing server list, which records commonly used IP addresses of the signaling tracing
server to facilitate client operations.

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If the above configuration is not implemented, the signaling tracing server's IP address can
also be entered when logging in to the server.
Other parameters can use the default settings, as shown in Figure 3-2.
Figure 3-2 Client Configuration

Note:
It is advised that user enters the signaling tracing server's IP address when logging in to
the server.

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Chapter 4

Common Operations
Table of Contents
Starting up the Server ................................................................................................4-1
Starting Signaling Tracing Client Program under Windows .........................................4-2
Logging in to the Signaling Tracing Server .................................................................4-3
Initiating a Tracing of Signaling...................................................................................4-4
Displaying Signaling Tracing Result............................................................................4-8
Saving Signaling Tracing Result ...............................................................................4-10
Converting Signaling Tracing File to File that Can Be Opened in MA10 ....................4-11
Recording Signaling in Real Time.............................................................................4-15
Filtering ....................................................................................................................4-18
Tracing MS...............................................................................................................4-21
Shutting Down the Server.........................................................................................4-23

4.1 Starting up the Server

4.1.1 Starting up the Server in Windows
Prerequisites
To use signaling tracing, start the signaling tracing server program first, and then start the
signaling tracing client program.

Steps
1. Double-click the server.exe file under the server directory to start the signaling
tracing server program. If the startup window appears as shown in Figure 4-1, the
server program is started successfully.

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Figure 4-1 Signaling Tracing Server Program Started Successfully

2. Double-click the sigtrcw.exe file under the client directory to start the signaling
tracing client program.
End of Steps

4.1.2 Starting up the Server in Linux

Steps
1. Start the server program under Linux and enter the server directory.
2. Execute the $ls l command to check whether the server.sh file can be executed.
If the server.sh file can not be executed, then execute the $chmod u+x server.sh
command to modify the file's property to be executable.
3. Execute the $nohup ./server.sh & command to start the server program and make the
server program run at background.
If it is necessary to check the server control's operation log, execute the $tail f noh
up.out command.
End of Steps

4.2 Starting Signaling Tracing Client Program under

Windows
Context
There are two ways to start the signaling tracing client program:
l
l

Starting the client program with CMD window.

Starting the client program without CMD window.
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Steps
1. In Windows operating system, execute the sigtrc.exe command to start the signaling
tracing client program with CMD window.
2. In Windows operating system, execute the sigtrcw.exe command to start the signaling
tracing client program without CMD window.
End of Steps

4.3 Logging in to the Signaling Tracing Server

Steps
1. Start the signaling tracing client to open the login window, as shown in Figure 4-2.
Figure 4-2 Login Window

2. Type the user name and password, type or select the IP address of the signaling
tracing server, and then click Login.

Note:
If the server program and the client program of the signaling tracing tool are installed
on the same computer, select the IP address 127.0.0.1 to log in to the local server.

End of Steps

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4.4 Initiating a Tracing of Signaling

Context
The signaling tracing client allows users to trace the signaling of different types and options.

Steps
1. After logging in to the signaling tracing server, select Trace > Trace Set on the menu
bar to open the Trace Set dialog box.
2. In the Trace Set dialog box, select the ID of the target BSC from the Bsc drop-down
box. A message box appears, prompting you to load the configuration information of
the selected BSC. Click OK, and then click Update Config.

Note:
The optional BSCs in the Bsc drop-down box are determined by the BSC list specified
in the profile.

After the configuration information of the selected BSC is successfully loaded, the
Signaling Type area is activated, as shown in Figure 4-3.
Figure 4-3 Selecting the Target BSC

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3. Under Signaling Type, select the type(s) of signaling to be traced as required, and
then the corresponding tab(s) on the left part of the Trace Set dialog box are activated.
For example, select CS, as shown in Figure 4-4.
Figure 4-4 Selecting a Signaling Type

4. Click an activated signaling type tab (for example, CS), select the item(s) and/or
objects to be traced, as shown in Figure 4-5.

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Figure 4-5 Selecting Items and Objects to Be Traced

Table 4-1 describes the optional items of different types of signaling that can be traced.
Table 4-1 Options for Different Types of Signaling
Interface

Signaling Type

Option

Abis interface

CS

Five trace items are optional: measurement report,

power control, paging, RF resource indication, and
measurement report preprocessing.
At least one object must be selected in the BTS list,
which shows all objects that can be traced in the
format of Site ID_BTS ID.

PS

At least one object must be selected in the BTS list,

which shows all objects that can be traced in the
format of Site ID_BTS ID.

RLCMAC

At least one object must be selected in the BTS list,

which shows all objects that can be traced in the
format of Site ID_BTS ID.

OAM

At least one site must be selected in the site list.

CELL

At least one cell must be selected in the cell list.

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Interface

Signaling Type

Option

Gb interface

BSSGP

At least one BVCI must be selected in the BVCI

list, which shows all optional BVCIs in the format of
NSEI_BVCI_SGSN.

NS

At least on NSVC must be selected in the NSVC

list, which shows all optional NSVCs in the format
of NSEI_NSVC_SGSN.

LLC

At least one BVCI must be selected in the BVCI

list, which shows all optional BVCIs in the format of
NSEI_BVCI_SGSN.

FR

Only Signaling Data can be selected for tracing

only signaling data.
At least one link must be selected In the link list.

SNS

At least one NSEI must be selected in the NSEI

list, which shows all optional NSEIs in the format of
NSEI_SGSN.

A Interface

MTP3

A No.7 signaling link must be selected.

Nine trace items are optional: StmMsg, TEST, SCCP,
TUP, ISUP, PCA, STC, BICC, and H248.
Three direction items are optional: send, receive,
and send & receive.

SCCP

The optional modules are displayed on different tabs,

each providing the IDs of all subsystems that can
be traced.

M3UA

The IDs of all optional associations are displayed

under SCTP.
Eight trace items are optional: MGMT, SCCP, TUP,
ISUP, PCA, STC, BICC, and H248.
Three direction items are optional: send, receive,
and send & receive.

MS

MS

TMSI or IMSI must be set.

FO

FOCS

Ten types of failure messages in subsystems can

be traced: CS Deal Fail, UMC Mag Fail, A Control
Fail, Paging Fail, Conn Mag Fail, Ater Deal Fail, Abis
MsgMag Fail, A MsgMag Fail, Ater MsgMag Fail, and
Lur-g MsgMag Fail.
At least one object must be selected in the BTS list,
which shows all optional objects in the format of Site
ID_BTS ID.

FOPS

Two types of PS failures are optional: PS Control

Fail and PS User Fail.
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Interface

Signaling Type

Option
At least one object must be selected in the BTS list,
which shows all optional objects in the format of Site
ID_BTS ID.

FODBS

Only one type of failure is optional: DBS Dust Fail.

At least one object must be selected in the BTS list,
which shows all optional objects in the format of Site
ID_BTS ID.

Note:
If no trace item is selected for a signaling type, the system will automatically screen
the corresponding signaling messages.

5. Click Ok to start the signaling tracing.

End of Steps

4.5 Displaying Signaling Tracing Result

Steps
1. After signaling tracing is initiated, the reported signaling will be displayed in the
signaling tracing window, as shown in Figure 4-6.

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Figure 4-6 Signaling Tracing Result

2. To observe signaling within a certain period of time, the system provides the display
pause function. Click the Pause button to make the reported signaling not be
displayed in the signaling tracing window, and click the button again to make the
reported signaling be displayed. During the period of display pause, signaling
reporting continues and those signaling not displayed can still be saved. For details
of saving signaling, refer to Saving Signaling Tracing Result.
3. To guarantee normal display in the signaling tracing window and facilitate observation,
click Tools > System Setting, and set the number of signaling displayed in the
signaling tracing window in the Parameter Set dialog box, as shown in Figure 4-7.

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Figure 4-7 Setting Amount of Signaling Displayed in Signaling Tracing Window

As shown in Figure 4-7, if the number of signaling displayed in the signaling tracing
window reaches 10000, then when the 10001st signaling is reported, the first signaling
in the signaling tracing window will be removed. The setting takes effect once being
set.
End of Steps

4.6 Saving Signaling Tracing Result

Context
Traced signaling can be saved as the signaling file. The system can save one signaling,
several signaling, or all signaling being traced.

Steps
1. Select the signaling records to be saved.
Select a signaling record by clicking it, or press the Shift key and click multiple
signaling records to select them simultaneously.
2. As shown in Figure 4-8, click Save Selected As .tra to save the currently selected
signaling records in a signaling file. Selected signaling records are highlighted.

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Figure 4-8 Saving Signaling Tracing Result

If it is required to save all signaling that are traced, select Save All As .tra.
If it is required to save detailed decoding information of signaling, select Save Selected
As .txt or Save All As .txt.
End of Steps

4.7 Converting Signaling Tracing File to File that Can

Be Opened in MA10
Context
The signaling tracing client can convert the signaling tracing file to file that can be opened
in MA10.

Steps
1. Click File > Transfer To MA10, as shown in Figure 4-9.

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Figure 4-9 Converting Signaling Tracing File to MA10 File

2. In the Transfer TO MA10 dialog box, select Transfer Type, as shown in Figure 4-10.

Figure 4-10 Transfer TO MA10 Dialog Box

3. Select the signaling tracing file to be converted, as shown in Figure 4-11.

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Figure 4-11 Selecting Signaling Tracing File to Be Converted

4. Select the destination file path after conversion, as shown in Figure 4-12.

Figure 4-12 Selecting Destination File Path after Conversion

5. Click the Transfer button to start the file conversion, as shown in Figure 4-13.

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Figure 4-13 Starting File Conversion

6. The file conversion succeeds if the system gives prompt as shown in Figure 4-14.

Figure 4-14 File Conversion Success Prompt

File conversion failure might be due to the following causes.

i.

The selected file type to be converted is incorrect, as shown in Figure 4-15.

Figure 4-15 File Type Error Prompt

ii.

The selected signaling tracing file has no record, as shown in Figure 4-16.

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Figure 4-16 Zero Record Prompt

iii. The file version is incorrect, as shown in Figure 4-17.

Figure 4-17 File Version Error Prompt

iv. The file format is incorrect.

Caution!
After the resolution of CS message at Abis interface is performed, the number in
Timeslot is combination of Site and BTS. For example, Timeslot=1-10-x, 1 represents
combination1. The actual combination represented by object1 is given in Comment,
such as Data file name:Object1=Site1Bts2; Object2=Site1Bts1; in Comment.
Here, 01 in Timeslot represents object1 and TEI=1 represents trx1.

End of Steps

4.8 Recording Signaling in Real Time

Context
The signaling tracing client can record the signaling in real time.

Steps
1. To record a signaling, click File > Record or click the Record button on the toolbar,
as shown in Figure 4-18.
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Figure 4-18 Recording Signaling

2. In the Save dialog box, the system prompts user to save the signaling record in a file.
The default signaling file name is in the form of record + signaling tracing type + time.
User can adopt the default file name or customize the file name, as shown in Figure
4-19.

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Figure 4-19 Saving Signaling Dialog Box

When signaling is being recorded in a signaling tracing window, the menu item Record
is checked automatically, as shown in Figure 4-20.
Figure 4-20 Signaling Being Saved in A Signaling Tracing Window

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If user wants to stop recording signaling, click File > Record.

End of Steps

4.9 Filtering
To better locate signaling, the signaling tracing tool provides the message filtering function.
User can select specific object and message type to make specific messages be displayed
in the filter window during signaling tracing. User can also filter a saved signaling tracing
file to display specific messages of the file in the filter window.

4.9.1 Filtering Signaling Being Traced

Steps
1. After signaling tracing is initiated, click Search > Filter, as shown in Figure 4-21.

Figure 4-21 Filtering Tracing Result during Signaling Tracing

2. In the Filter dialog box, select objects and message types, as shown in Figure 4-22.

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Figure 4-22 Setting Filter

3. Messages of selected objects and types are displayed in the signaling filtering window,
as shown in Figure 4-23.

Figure 4-23 Filtering Result of Signaling Tracing

The signaling filtering window contains the reported signaling that satisfies the filtering
condition, and the signaling reported subsequently satisfying the filtering condition is
also displayed in the window as the signaling tracing proceeds.
End of Steps
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4.9.2 Filtering Saved Signaling

Context
Signaling filtering can be performed during signaling tracing, also, it can be performed for
saved signaling files.

Steps
1. Select a signaling file or multiple signaling files, as shown in Figure 4-24.

Figure 4-24 Filtering Saved Signaling File

2. Double-click on the signaling file, click Search > Filter, and select objects and
message types in the Filter dialog box, as shown in Figure 4-25. Messages of
selected objects and types will be displayed in the signaling filtering window.

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Figure 4-25 Setting Filtering Conditions for Saved Signaling File

End of Steps

4.10 Tracing MS
Context
Signaling trace client can trace up to 16 MSs.

Steps
1. In the Trace Set window, select the MS signaling type. The MS tab is activated, as
shown in Figure 4-26.

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Figure 4-26 Trace Setting Window

2. Select the MS tab and set the proper parameters in the MS Trace Set window, as
shown in Figure 4-27.

Figure 4-27 MS Trace Set Window

i.

Select the MS type, such as IMSI, TMSI, and TLLI.

ii.

You can input the required MS information in the text box, such as IMSI code.

iii. Click + to add the code into MS list.

iv. In the MS list, all items are selected by default. You can easily select the MS code.
The tracing parameters are sent based on these MS codes.
v.

The MS list can be cleared through Clear All.

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3. Click OK button to send the tracing parameters.

4. The signal is reported into a specific window according to MS signal, as shown in
Figure 4-28.

Figure 4-28 MS Signaling Trace Result

End of Steps

4.11 Shutting Down the Server

4.11.1 Shutting Down the Server in Windows
Steps
1. Click the close button of the server window to terminate the signaling tracing server
program.
End of Steps

4.11.2 Shutting Down the Server in Linux

Steps
1. Execute the $ps ef |grep java command to find server processes.
2. Find the process that contains java -Xms256m -Xmx1024m -XX:PermSize=128m -X
X:MaxPermSize=256m -jar "sigtrc_s.jar" -server, and it is the signaling tracing server
process. Record PID of the process.
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3. Execute the $kill -9 PID command to terminate the signaling tracing server program.
End of Steps

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Appendix A

FAQ
Table of Contents
Performing Rapid Switching among Multiple Signaling Tracing Windows................ A-1
Observing Signaling of One Object ......................................................................... A-3
Tracing High Volume Data for a Long Time............................................................. A-5
Saving Signaling Tracing Result According to Time ................................................ A-8
Failing in Obtaining Configuration ......................................................................... A-10
Signaling Tracing Startup Failure .......................................................................... A-11
Saved Signaling File Containing Only One Signaling ............................................ A-12
No Signaling Displayed in Filter Window after Setting Signaling Filtering .............. A-13

A.1 Performing Rapid Switching among Multiple

Signaling Tracing Windows
Context
When there are multiple signaling tracing windows opened at the client, user can perform
switching among these windows through the Window menu.

Steps
1. Click Window > Choose a Window, as shown in Figure A-1.

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Figure A-1 Choosing a Window

2. In the Choose a Window dialog box, double-click on a window name to switch to the
window, as shown in Figure A-2.

Figure A-2 Choose a Window Dialog Box

User can also click a window name and then click the Ok button to switch to the window.
End of Steps

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Appendix A FAQ

A.2 Observing Signaling of One Object

If user only observes signaling of one object, the following two methods can be used:
l
l

Select only one tracing object in signaling tracing setting.

If multiple tracing objects are selected, use the sorting function of the signaling tracing
window to extract signaling of one object to observe.

A.2.1 Selecting a Trace Object

The simplest method is to select the proper trace object on trace set. As shown in Figure
A-3, you can only select a cell to trace.
Figure A-3 Select the Proper Trace Object

A.2.2 Extracting Signaling of One Object

Context
If multiple objects are selected for tracing, user can extract the signaling of one object
through the sorting function in the signaling tracing window.
In the signaling tracing window, signaling is sorted according to the destination object. At
present, an object is represented by its object number.
The following assumes that signaling is sorted according to BTS.

Steps
1. After the SITE is sorted, signaling can be considered as groups sorted according to
different objects, as shown in Figure A-4. It is similar to the groupby function in SQL
statements.

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Figure A-4 Sorting Signaling

All signaling corresponding to a module can be saved to a signaling file, and this file
can be opened in the signaling tracing window. For details of saving selected signaling
to a .tra file or a .txt file, refer to Saving Signaling Tracing Result.
If it is only required to observe signaling of an object and saving signaling is
unnecessary, then use the sorting function to observe signaling in the signaling
tracing window.
2. Double-click on the BTS column to sort signaling according to BTS. The sorting result
is shown in Figure A-5.

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Figure A-5 Sorting Result (According to BTS)

3. Select signaling of the BTS1 object and save them in a signaling file.
End of Steps

A.3 Tracing High Volume Data for a Long Time

Context
If it is required to trace high volume data, it should be guaranteed that all these data do
not reside in the memory simultaneously to avoid system abnormality.
If it is required to trace high volume signaling for a long time, perform the following steps
during the process of tracing signaling, displaying signaling tracing result, and saving
signaling tracing result.

Steps
1. In the Record Set tab of Parameter Set dialog box, select trace number divide to
set the signaling tracing file's capacity and set signaling tracing window's capacity in
the top textbox, as shown in Figure A-6.

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Figure A-6 Setting Signaling Tracing Window Capacity

A signaling tracing file's capacity means the maximum number of signaling saved in the
file. A signaling tracing window's capacity means the maximum number of signaling
displayed in the window. As shown in Figure A-6, both the two capacities are set to be
5000. When the number of reported signaling exceeds 5000, the system automatically
controls the number of signaling records displayed in the signaling tracing window to
be 5000.
For example, if the signaling tracing window's capacity is set to be 5000, when the
5001st signaling is reported, the system will remove the first signaling displayed in the
signaling window.
The maximum capacity of the signaling tracing window is 5000, and the maximum
capacity of the signaling tracing file is 5000 too. To open a signaling tracing file, the
file's capacity should be not larger than the window's capacity. It is recommended to
set the two capacities with the same value.
2. Enable the file dividing function.
All reported signaling of current tracing types can be saved, including signaling
displayed and not displayed in the signaling tracing window, such as the signaling
reported during the display pause and the signaling being removed from the signaling
tracing window due to system control.
If the time of tracing signaling is very long, the signaling tracing file will become
very large. In such a case, it is very slow to open the signaling tracing file and the
memory might become abnormal. To solve this problem, the system provides the file
dividing function, through which a signaling tracing file can be automatically divided
into multiple small files in case of high volume signaling data.
To enable the file dividing function, select trace number divide, as shown in Figure
A-6, here, if trace number divide is checked, 5000 represents the signaling tracing
file's capacity.
3. Save the signaling tracing result.
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After the file dividing function is enabled, when user chooses to save all signaling, the
signaling file might be divided into multiple small signaling tracing files. In this case,
a folder will be established by default, and all divided small files will be saved in the
folder. User can name the default folder or randomly select a folder to save divided
small files. Signaling tracing file in the folder is named in the form of tracing type +
time. Tracing type is explained in the table Tracing Options for Different Tracing Types
in Initiating Signaling Tracing, time refers to the time when the file is created.
Figure A-7 shows an example of saving signaling tracing result.
Figure A-7 Saving Signaling Tracing Result (Example 1)

The folder name indicates that the signaling tracing type is NS and the signaling is
saved at 17:05:52:094 on July 16, 2007.
As shown in Figure A-8, the NS2007_07_16 15_45_42_885 file indicates that the
file is created at 15:45:42:885 on July 16, 2007. In other words, the signaling tracing
starts from 15:45 and signaling within the period from 15:45 to 17:05 is saved. Because
the signaling volume is large, when user chooses to save all these signaling, the
signaling tracing file is divided into multiple small files, which are all saved in the folder
NS2007_07_16_17_05_52_094.

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Figure A-8 Saving Signaling Tracing Result (Example 2)

The file dividing function is also effectual for signaling recording. After user specifies
a file to save signaling, if the number of signaling records exceeds the predefined file
capacity, the system adds serial number after the file name, as shown in Figure A-9.
Figure A-9 Performing File Dividing for Signaling Recording

End of Steps

A.4 Saving Signaling Tracing Result According to Time

Context
If a signaling tracing file is too big, the file saving and reading will become very slow. To
facilitate saving big signaling tracing file, the system can split a big signaling file into several
small ones according to time and save them respectively.
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Appendix A FAQ

Steps
1. Click Tool > System Setting, the Parameter Set dialog box pops up, as shown in
Figure A-10.
Figure A-10 Parameter Set Dialog Box

2. In the Parameter Set dialog box, select time divide in the Record Set tab to set the
interval for splitting signaling file. By default, the interval is 30 minutes.
3. After time divide is set, the system starts signaling tracing. For example, if time divide
is set as 10 minutes, every 10 minutes the reported signaling will be saved in a file, and
then a new file is generated to save subsequently reported signaling after 10 minutes.
If signaling tracing has been proceeded before time divide is set, the signaling being
traced will not be saved according to the set interval. User must stop the signaling
tracing and set time divide, then the tracing result will be saved in small files according
to the set interval.
4. Click File > Save All As .tra, as shown in Figure A-11.

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Figure A-11 Saving Signaling Tracing Result

5. In the Save dialog box as shown in Figure A-12, set the saving path, and click Save
to save the signaling tracing files.
Figure A-12 Save Dialog Box

End of Steps

A.5 Failing in Obtaining Configuration

Steps
1. If obtaining configuration has been attempted for many times but still fails, then check
whether the signaling tracing server is disconnected from BSC in the signaling tracing
window, as shown in Figure A-13.
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Figure A-13 Checking Whether Link Is Disconnected

2. If the link is disconnected, then execute the ping command to check the link between
the signaling tracing server and BSC. If the execution result of the ping command
indicates normal but link establishment fails, then check whether there are two
signaling tracing servers connecting to the same BSC.
3. If the problem is not due to above mentioned, then check items such as the firewall
that might cause communication disconnection between the signaling tracing server
and BSC.
4. If the problem persists, restart the signaling tracing server.
5. If the above operations can not solve the problem, record the log and contact ZTE
Corporation.
End of Steps

A.6 Signaling Tracing Startup Failure

Context
Because a large amount of signaling might be reported within a short period of time,
signaling tracing requires a large volume of memory.

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Steps
1. If signaling tracing can not be started by executing the sigtrcw.exe command, execute
the sigtrc.exe command to start it.
2. If the signaling tracing window flashes and then is closed immediately, with the
error prompt Error occurred during initialization of VM Could not
reserve enough space for object heap Unable to create JVM,
terminate other software as much as possible to reduce the memory overhead.
3. If the above problem still persists, adjust JVM to reduce the memory it requires. If the
signaling tracing client program fails to start, open the zxgomcr-sigtrace\clien
t\sigtrc.config file to modify parameters, and start signaling tracing again.
Parameters are modified as follows.
vmmemmin 256m, //modified to be 128m, 64m, ......
vmmemmax 1024m, //modified to be 512m, 128m, ......
vmparam -XX:PermSize=128m, //modified to be 64m, 32m, ......
vmparam -XX:MaxPermSize=256m, //modified to be 128m ,64m, ......
vmparam -XX:ErrorFile=./log/hs_err_pid%p.log
#vmparam -Xcheck:jni
4. If the signaling tracing server program fails to start, open the zxgomcr-sigtrace\b
oth\server.config file to modify parameters.
Parameters are modified as follows:
# Tune this VM to provide enough headroom to work on large
# applications
vmtype server
vmmemmin 256m , //modified to be 128m
vmmemmax 1024m, //modified to be 512m
vmparam -XX:PermSize=128m, //modified to be 64m
vmparam -XX:MaxPermSize=256m, //modified to be 128m
vmparam -XX:ErrorFile=./log/hs_err_pid%p.log
End of Steps

A.7 Saved Signaling File Containing Only One

Signaling
During signaling tracing, multiple signaling are reported in the signaling tracing window,
but the saved signaling file contains only one signaling. This problem might be caused by
choosing incorrect menu when saving the signaling file.
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As shown in Figure A-14, the signaling tracing tool provides two saving options: Save
Selected As and Save All As. The former option only enables user to save selected
signaling.
Figure A-14 Save Menu

The problem that a saved signaling file only contains one signaling might be due to that
user incorrectly chooses the Save Selected As menu.

A.8 No Signaling Displayed in Filter Window after

Setting Signaling Filtering
At present, signaling tracing filtering functions only for messages being traced or saved
signaling tracing files, and it becomes invalid if the signaling tracing is paused or
terminated. It is because that signaling tracing filtering is only effectual for reported
messages of which filtering conditions are set.
If it is required to filter reported messages after the signaling tracing is paused or
terminated, save the signaling tracing file and then implement filtering.

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Figures
Figure 3-1 Server Configuration ................................................................................ 3-1
Figure 3-2 Client Configuration ................................................................................. 3-2
Figure 4-1 Signaling Tracing Server Program Started Successfully........................... 4-2
Figure 4-2 Login Window .......................................................................................... 4-3
Figure 4-3 Selecting the Target BSC ......................................................................... 4-4
Figure 4-4 Selecting a Signaling Type....................................................................... 4-5
Figure 4-5 Selecting Items and Objects to Be Traced................................................ 4-6
Figure 4-6 Signaling Tracing Result .......................................................................... 4-9
Figure 4-7 Setting Amount of Signaling Displayed in Signaling Tracing
Window................................................................................................. 4-10
Figure 4-8 Saving Signaling Tracing Result............................................................. 4-11
Figure 4-9 Converting Signaling Tracing File to MA10 File ...................................... 4-12
Figure 4-10 Transfer TO MA10 Dialog Box ............................................................. 4-12
Figure 4-11 Selecting Signaling Tracing File to Be Converted ................................. 4-13
Figure 4-12 Selecting Destination File Path after Conversion.................................. 4-13
Figure 4-13 Starting File Conversion....................................................................... 4-14
Figure 4-14 File Conversion Success Prompt ......................................................... 4-14
Figure 4-15 File Type Error Prompt ......................................................................... 4-14
Figure 4-16 Zero Record Prompt ............................................................................ 4-15
Figure 4-17 File Version Error Prompt..................................................................... 4-15
Figure 4-18 Recording Signaling............................................................................. 4-16
Figure 4-19 Saving Signaling Dialog Box ................................................................ 4-17
Figure 4-20 Signaling Being Saved in A Signaling Tracing Window......................... 4-17
Figure 4-21 Filtering Tracing Result during Signaling Tracing.................................. 4-18
Figure 4-22 Setting Filter ........................................................................................ 4-19
Figure 4-23 Filtering Result of Signaling Tracing ..................................................... 4-19
Figure 4-24 Filtering Saved Signaling File............................................................... 4-20
Figure 4-25 Setting Filtering Conditions for Saved Signaling File ............................ 4-21
Figure 4-26 Trace Setting Window .......................................................................... 4-22
Figure 4-27 MS Trace Set Window ......................................................................... 4-22
Figure 4-28 MS Signaling Trace Result................................................................... 4-23
Figure A-1 Choosing a Window.................................................................................A-2

ZXG10 iBSC Signaling Tracing Operation Guide

Figure A-2 Choose a Window Dialog Box .................................................................A-2

Figure A-3 Select the Proper Trace Object................................................................A-3
Figure A-4 Sorting Signaling .....................................................................................A-4
Figure A-5 Sorting Result (According to BTS) ...........................................................A-5
Figure A-6 Setting Signaling Tracing Window Capacity .............................................A-6
Figure A-7 Saving Signaling Tracing Result (Example 1) ..........................................A-7
Figure A-8 Saving Signaling Tracing Result (Example 2) ..........................................A-8
Figure A-9 Performing File Dividing for Signaling Recording .....................................A-8
Figure A-10 Parameter Set Dialog Box .....................................................................A-9
Figure A-11 Saving Signaling Tracing Result ..........................................................A-10
Figure A-12 Save Dialog Box..................................................................................A-10
Figure A-13 Checking Whether Link Is Disconnected.............................................. A-11
Figure A-14 Save Menu ..........................................................................................A-13

II

Tables
Table 4-1 Options for Different Types of Signaling..................................................... 4-6

III

Tables

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Glossary
BSC
- Base Station Controller
MS
- Mobile Station
OMM
- Operation & Maintenance Module
OMP
- Operation & maintenance Main Processer