GSM License Management

Solution
UR17
 GSM License Management Solution

GSM License Management Solution

Version Date Author Reviewer Notes

Yang Gu Yuhui
V1.0 2015/12/22 First release
Jinsong Zhang Hong
Update to UR16.
Wang Zhang Chenhong Delete:Chapter ”2.4.7 Supports Multi-Time
V2.0 2017/02/22
Yiping Zhang Hong Zone Daylight Saving Time”
Update:Chapter “5 Highlight”

© 2019 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved.

ZTE CONFIDENTIAL: This document contains proprietary information of ZTE and is not to be disclosed or used
without the prior written permission of ZTE.
Due to update and improvement of ZTE products and technologies, information in this document is subjected to
change without notice.

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GSM License Management Solution

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Overview ............................................................................................................ 4

2 ZTE License Solution ........................................................................................ 4

2.1 Description of Solution ......................................................................................... 4
2.2 Content of the Management ................................................................................. 5
2.3 Description of License Files ................................................................................. 5
2.4 Function Introduction ........................................................................................... 6
2.4.1 License File Management .................................................................................... 6
2.4.2 License File Update ............................................................................................. 7
2.4.3 License Authorization and Usage Querying ......................................................... 8
2.4.4 License Overrun Alarm ........................................................................................ 8
2.4.5 Emergent License Unlock .................................................................................... 9
2.4.6 Temporary License File Failure ............................................................................ 9
2.4.7 Provides with License Report ............................................................................... 9
2.5 Protection under Disconnection ......................................................................... 10
2.6 System Compatibility ......................................................................................... 10
2.6.1 Compatibility with EMS/OMM ............................................................................. 10
2.6.2 Compatibility with License File ........................................................................... 10
2.7 Typical Networking............................................................................................. 10
2.8 Hardware Configuration Requirement ................................................................ 11
2.9 Bandwidth Requirement ..................................................................................... 11
2.10 Impact on System .............................................................................................. 12

3 License Control Classification ....................................................................... 13

3.1 Control Item Classification ................................................................................. 13
3.2 BSC License Control Classification .................................................................... 13
3.3 BTS Control Item Classification.......................................................................... 15
3.4 Description and Example of Multi-Operator Shared Control ............................... 17

4 Maintenance .................................................................................................... 18
4.1 Performance Index............................................................................................. 18
4.1.1 Max License Authentication Query Number That License Center Can Connect
In Parallel ........................................................................................................... 18
4.1.2 Generation Time of License Statement .............................................................. 18
4.2 Alarm ................................................................................................................. 19

5 Highlight........................................................................................................... 19

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FIGURES

Figure 2-1 the Location of License Management System in a Network ............................... 4

Figure 2-2 HA Networking ..................................................................................................11
Figure 2-3 License Invalidation Strategy ............................................................................12
Figure 3-1 License Control Classification ...........................................................................13

TABLES

Table 3-1 BSC Hardware Capacity License Control Example ............................................13

Table 3-2 BSC Software Feature License Control Example ...............................................14
Table 3-3 BTS Hardware Capacity License Control Example ............................................15
Table 3-4 BTS Software Feature License Control Example ...............................................16
Table 3-5 BTS Software Capacity License Control Example ..............................................16
Table 3-6 Non-Operator Level Feature Control List ...........................................................17
Table 3-7 Operator Level Feature Control List ...................................................................18

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GSM License Management Solution

1 Overview
License management, or referred to as software license management, aims to provide
network functions and performance resources according to the software license bought
by clients.

The innovative ZTE license management solution provides network functions and
capacities through the software control. It enables operators to buy the necessary
licenses according to the development of their service so as to expand and upgrade their
networks. This solution aims to assist operators building high-quality but low TCO and
smooth future-oriented networks.

2 ZTE License Solution

2.1 Description of Solution

The License management system, developed by JAVA, contains the server end and the
client end. It supports operating systems such as Solaris, Linux and so on. The server
end loads the License files, and provides with License inspection after the EMS/OMM
starts and establishes connection to the License server end. The authorization and
usage of the License being used can be viewed through the License client end.

Figure 2-1 the Location of License Management System in a Network

As shown in Figure 2-1, the Licenses of the whole network are controlled in the License
management system. When the EMS/OMM starts and establishes connection to the
network, or changes the configuration, or uploads data from the network elements (NE),
the usage of any License will be calculated. Moreover, it sends an application to the

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License management system to let the system decide whether the modification is
allowed. In the meantime, the EMS/OMM reports the usage of the Licenses to the
License management system regularly to enable the system to update the authorization
of the Licenses being used by the EMS/OMM in time.

The License of the GSM system is composed of a formal License file and multiple
temporary License files (optional).

2.2 Content of the Management

The License management system controls the usage of the whole resources through
License files. The system manages the network functions and the quantity/performance
of network services. Please refer to chapter 3 for detailed items and categories.

2.3 Description of License Files

License files are saved encrypted. One product may have multiple License files,
including one formal License file and several temporary License files. The formal License
file is the only certificate to guarantee the normal operation of the network under the
control of the License management system. Temporary files are optional.

Temporary License files, which are time-based, must work with the formal License file.
They cannot be enabled again once they go beyond the deadline.

Both the formal License file and the temporary License file have a deadline for enabling.
They cannot be enabled again once they go beyond the deadline. The default deadline is
half year after the License file is made.

The License file is composed of the following items.

 Standard License information

 Operator list: It is a list of the information about all operators contained in the
License. This list helps to identify the authorization when operators share the
network.

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 Group list: The group in the license file is a collection of license

authorization objects, independent of the group objects in the EMS. The
objects of the same group are entitled to share the license function items
allocated to this group. Every operator of each group should be contained in
any quantitative authorization item involved in the function item. The switch
item, index item or special limitation aims at a single NE, which is the same
throughout the network. Therefore, there is no need to specify one in each
group. The group types are EMS, BSC, OMM respectively, which mean the
numbers of control items can be transferred within the EMS, controller, and the
OMMB level.

 Network element list: It is a list of all OMM/NEs. This list helps group NEs/split
License, NE index authorization and specific item authorization. An NE is
suggested to be one OMM and all the BSCs/BTSs managed by it. Other NEs
can be self-defined, such as the EMS NE.

 Function item list: It is a list of all function items for the purpose of displaying
the function names.

 General authorization: Any authorization item involved in the function item

should be confirmed as per operator. The authorized quantity, authorized
switch, authorized index and authorized string should be confirmed according
to different authorization items.

2.4 Function Introduction

2.4.1 License File Management

The License file management supports file importing, exporting, comparing, and etc.

1. The License file importing functionality is used to initiate the new License
information. Before exporting, decrypt and check the digital signature to verify the
validity of the License file.

2. The License file exporting functionality exports the current license information into
an excel file.

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3. The License file comparing functionality compares the consistency of the currently
effective License file and the License file just about to be exported.

4. All License files are saved and backed up in the License management system
server. The allocated License information is required to be saved in every
EMS/OMM managed by the License management system. Automatic coordination
between the management system and EMS/OMM is executed to guarantee the
consistency of the License information.

5. The compatibility between the License file function items and the License center
version: Any change of the control item content contained in the License file will not
lead to the software version upgrading in the License management system.

6. The compatibility between the License file function items and the OMM version:
Different OMM versions may support different License items. The OMM decides
which licenses to support. In other words, it is okay to add new function items to the
License file, but deleting some items might lead to some OMM authentication failure
which has not upgraded yet (because the deleted items are used for
authentication).

2.4.2 License File Update

The License file updating functionality refers to that the License management server end
supports updating the License file after it is imported.

1. If the previous License file is formal and the file to be updated is temporary,
updating refers to merging the previous file and the temporary file.

2. If both the previous License file and the file to be updated are formal, updating
refers to replacing the previous file with the updated one.

3. If the previous License file is “formal + temporary” and the file to be updated is
formal, updating refers to revoking the previous file and using the updated one.

The License file rollback:

After the license file is replaced, automatic or manual rollback is supported, but only once.
When the replacement fails, automatic rollback to the previous License file is available

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and the time limit can be set, usually 7 days by default. The License file already been
replaced can be reserved for a period of time (tentatively 14 days). During this period,
manual rollback is supported. But the rollback is no longer available once the time
expires.

2.4.3 License Authorization and Usage Querying

The License server end supports querying the content after having the formal License
and temporary License merged.

1. The total number of authorization and usage after the formal License and temporary
License are merged can be viewed.

2. The number of authorization merged from each group and the usage of every NE in
the groups can be viewed.

3. The usage of every single NE can be viewed.

2.4.4 License Overrun Alarm

When the number of License configured outruns the authorized number, there is an
alarm indicating the License number is overrunning. This occasion usually occurs when
the temporary License fails.

There are following four types of alarms.

1. When the quantitative function item overruns, an alarm indicating the number of
authorization configured to all NEs is more than what it is supposed to be is given.

2. When the item of switch functionality overruns, an alarm indicating the item is
invalidly used in a specific NE is given.

3. When the item of index functionality overruns, an alarm indicating the index of the
item in a specific NE is too high/too low is given.

4. Special limitation on sales reminds the user that the item inspection on a specific
NE fails.

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When the License number is overrunning, besides the prompt box indicating the reason
of overrunning on the OMM/EMS, an alarm will be reported after the regular detection
(the detection is made at 00:15 a.m. every day). The alarm triggered by the regular
detection and its recovery, and the alarm threshold value can be defined when
generating the license file.

2.4.5 Emergent License Unlock

In order to decrease the influence on the configuration update caused by the License
limitation when adjusting the License, or execute emergent capacity expansion in
disasters or let the user try some functions, the License control is open temporarily. Any
License application will be approved within a period of time. The number of permission
(times) and duration (day) of each interruption time during this period can be set.

2.4.6 Temporary License File Failure

The License server regularly inspects whether the temporary License file fails or not
(inspects at 00:15 a.m. daily).

1. After the effective time starts, the content of the temporary License can be used.

2. When it is time to indicate it is about to be ineffective, there License client end will
prompt a box to remind the user that the temporary License is about to be
ineffective. The time to remind is three months ahead of the ineffective time.

3. When the ineffective time expires, all the authorized items of the temporary License
are terminated. The system will then manage according to the formal License.

2.4.7 Provides with License Report

On the License management interface, all the License reports can be gathered. The
License reports can be made as per logical group (local network). The reports which
contain License authorization, usage and remainder can be exported in an excel file.

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2.5 Protection under Disconnection

After the License server is connected to the EMS/OMM for the first time, the
authorization type of the current License file will be saved in the License agent of
EMS/OMM. When the EMS/OMM fails to connect to the License server, the License
agent will make a decision according to the current usage of the License. In this way, the
normal verification and the normal operation of EMS network management system is
guaranteed, which ensures high-reliability License service.

2.6 System Compatibility

2.6.1 Compatibility with EMS/OMM

The license management system supports the backward/forward compatibility with

EMS/OMM. The forward compatibility means that the upgraded license management is
still compatible with the original EMS/OMM; the backward compatibility means the
upgraded EMS/OMM is compatible with the original license management system.

2.6.2 Compatibility with License File

1. The license management system supports the forward compatibility with license file
format. That is, the upgraded license management system is capable of managing
the former license files.

2. But the license management system is unavailable to manage the added license file
formats.

2.7 Typical Networking

The license management system supports independent deployment and the unified
deployment with EMS. The latter solution is recommended in actual application. The
following figure shows the HA solution of the license management system.

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Figure 2-2 HA Networking

As shown in Figure 2-2, EMS has A and B regions, using HA solution to manage. Deploy
the license management system on A1 and A2 server to manage the EMS of A and B
regions, offering authorization inspection. If the license management system in A1 fails,
A2 server takes over it, fulfilling the high availability of the license management system.

2.8 Hardware Configuration Requirement

It recommends to deploy the License management system and EMS on the identical
hardware sever. For the detailed configuration, see the EMS configuration list from each
product line.

In addition, the license management supports being deployed independently.

Considering the hardware cost increase, this method is not recommended.

2.9 Bandwidth Requirement

The bandwidth between the license server and EMSs should be not less than 256Kbps.

The bandwidth between the license server and license clients should be not less than
256Kbps.

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2.10 Impact on System

If the EMS enables the license control, but not applies the license file, the EMS is
unavailable.

If the license file is invalid after applying, the network data cannot be configured; while
the already configured data have not been affected. That is, the ongoing traffics on NE
are not influenced, but any configuration adjustment is unavailable. Meanwhile, the
system keeps warning that the license overruns or expires.

Figure 2-3 License Invalidation Strategy

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3 License Control Classification

3.1 Control Item Classification

Figure 3-1 License Control Classification

License

Hardware Capacity
Software License
License

Software Feature Software Capacity

License License

Hardware capacity: The hardware processing capability related control items.

Software feature: The product feature sold by system related control items.

Software capacity: The product feature sold by capacity related control items.

3.2 BSC License Control Classification

Table 3-1 BSC Hardware Capacity License Control Example

Control Item Name Control Granularity Control Principle

Total TRX number of all SDR sites

SDR supported TRX
TRX in all BSCs under the same
number (each TRX)
authorized scope

EGPRS-supported TRX Total TRX number with static PD

TRX
number (each TRX) channel or dynamic channel

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Control Item Name Control Granularity Control Principle

configured in EGPRS supported
cell in all BSCs under the same
authorized scope

Total static PD channel number of

Static PDCH supported
channel number (Each
PDCH)
all GPRS or EGPRS cells in all
PDCH
BSCs under the same authorized
scope

Total dynamic channel number of

Dynamic PDCH
supported channel
number (Each PDCH)
all GPRS or EGPRS cells in all
PDCH
BSCs under the same authorized
scope

Table 3-2 BSC Software Feature License Control Example

Feature No. Feature Control Item Control Control Principle

Name Name Granularity

TRX with static

TCH/H channel
configured or TRX
with TCH/F
HR-supported
configured of the
ZGO-01-01-001 HR TRX number TRX
dynamic HR
(each TRX)
supported cell in
all BSCs under
the same
authorized scope

Total PD channel
and dynamic
TCP traffic channel number
Intelligent
management of TCP traffic
TCP traffic
ZGO-01-02-011 supported PD PDCH management
managem
channel number supported cells in
ent
(each PDCH) all BSCs under
the same
authorized scope

Load-base Load-based Total TRX number

ZGO-04-04-002 d intelligent TRX TRX of load-based
intelligent shutdown intelligent TRX

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Feature No. Feature Control Item Control Control Principle

Name Name Granularity
TRX supported TRX shutdown
shutdown number (each supported cells in
TRX) all BSCs under
the same
authorized scope

Total cell number

supporting soft
synchronization at
air interface in all
BSCs under the
same authorized
scope (BSC-level
Soft switch is opened),
Soft
synchronization or total cell
synchroni
at air interface number of sites
ZGO-05-03-007 zation at Cell
supported cell independently
air
number (each supporting soft
interface
cell) synchronization at
air interface in all
BSCs under the
same authorized
scope (BSC-level
switch is closed
but cell-level
switch is opened)

3.3 BTS Control Item Classification

Table 3-3 BTS Hardware Capacity License Control Example

Control Item Name Control

Control Principle
Granularity

The accumulated port number after over 4

E1&T1 number PORT
E1/T1 configured

The accumulated port number after over 1

FE&GE number PORT
E1/T1 configured.

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Control Item Name Control

Control Principle
Granularity

RU number under
RU The RU number of GU mode
GU mode

Table 3-4 BTS Software Feature License Control Example

Feature No. Feature Name Control Item Control Control

Name Granularity Principle
BTS number
BTS number of with
Synchronous
ZGO-05-04-015 synchronous BTS synchronous
Ethernet
Ethernet Ethernet
configured

BTS number BTS number

ZGO-05-04-028 IPsec with IPSec BTS with IPSec
enabled enabled

BTS number
IEEE1588 V2 IEEE 1588
with frequency
ZGO-05-03-002 IP clock frequency BTS
synchronization
synchronization synchronization
configured

Table 3-5 BTS Software Capacity License Control Example

Feature No. Feature Control Item Control Control Principle

Name Name Granularity

Total GSM
Multi-RRU Total GSM carrier
carrier number
ZGO-05-02-012 co-logical Carrier number of
of multi-carrier
cell multi-RU co-cell
combination

Multi-RRU Total GSM PA Total GSM PA

ZGO-05-02-012 co-logical number of Channel number of
cell multi-RU co-cell multi-RU co-cell

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3.4 Description and Example of Multi-Operator Shared

Control

For multi-operator sharing, only one license file to execute the license control, regulating
the total capacity of each feature. Each operator can assign the partial capacity among
that.

For multi-operator sharing, the license control can be classified into two types:
Non-operator level feature control and operator level feature control.

Non-operator level feature control only enables the whole BSC or site; it does not
differentiate operators. The main operator controls whether to enable the feature or the
enabled feature number, which cannot exceed the capacity limitation that the license file
set.

Table 3-6 Non-Operator Level Feature Control List

Feature No. Feature Control Item Control Control Principle

Name Name Granularity

Total BSC number

Flex A of Flex A
supported supported in all
ZGO-05-02-006 Flex A BSC
BSC number BSCs under the
(each BSC) same authorized
scope

Total TRX Total TRX number

number that that supports
Intelligent supports intelligent
shutdown intelligent shutdown after the
ZGO-04-04-006 after the shutdown TRX main power of
main power after the main BTS fails in all
of BTS fails power of BTS BSCs under the
fails (each same authorized
TRX) scope

Operator level feature control can enable the cell commissioning, which makes it
differentiate operators. The main operator and other operators are able to control

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whether to enable the feature the total number of features to be enabled, which cannot
exceed the capacity limitation that the license file set.

Table 3-7 Operator Level Feature Control List

Feature No. Feature Control Item Control Control Principle

Name Name Granularity

Adaptive Total TRX number

AMR
Multi-Rate of AMR supported
supported TRX
ZGO-01-01-003 Speech TRX in all BSCs under
number (Each
Codec the same
TRX)
(AMR) authorized scope

4 Maintenance

4.1 Performance Index

4.1.1 Max License Authentication Query Number That License Center Can
Connect In Parallel

The maximum capacity of LICENSE center is: number of control items * number of
authentication entities less than 5000000

Number of control items: the number of functional items in the LICENSE application
template

Number of authentication entities: Not the number of network element list in the license
application template, but the total network entities when the EMS launch the
authentication application.

4.1.2 Generation Time of License Statement

Under the normal hardware configuration and management, the License statement
generation should be completed within 1 min; the progress bar should be displayed if it
exceeds 5 sec.

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4.2 Alarm

The License center starts supporting license overrun alarm from the UR12. The alarms
are reported to OMM by License agent to be viewed on the EMS interface for users.
Alarm No. Alarm Name Alarm Level Alarm Type

License consumption
1034 exceeds the alarm Major EMS alarm
threshold (1034)

1012 License overdue. Major EMS alarm

License is going to
1013 Major EMS alarm
overdue.

License agent and license

1032 Major EMS alarm
center disconnect.

5 Highlight
The document analyzes the challenges operator faces and introduces the ZTE License
management solution with the following highlights:

1. Centrally manages the Licenses in the whole network, supports backward and
forward computability with EMS. The rich daily O&M features facilitate the operators’
operation, effectively reducing the OPEX.

2. Uses the DH algorithm to implement the asymmetric key exchange during the
connection with EMS. The later connection and data information transmission
applies the DES encryption, greatly improving the network security and reliability
during transmission among systems.

3. Supports the deployment together with EMS system. Uses License to control
different operators to buy different features and capacity, effectively reducing the
CAPEX.

4. Provides the disconnection protection, supports highly available solution, effectively

enhancing the reliability of License management system.

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