Description

As timing and synchronization grow in importance in critical infrastructure networks, centralized management of this vital function has become essential to network operations. Microchip’s TimePictra® is a modular web-based synchronization management system that scales and evolves with operational requirements.
With a multi-tier architecture – server, client, and database – TimePictra provides the scalability and performance to meet growing network services and business needs. The secure web browser client provides easy access and eliminates the complexity of client installation and VPN access. The Java application server, in conjunction with the database, provides comprehensive business logic to support management of network functions.

Synchronization Management is Essential

Applications such as 5G mobile networks, critical power infrastructure, and high-frequency trading have increased the requirements for accurate and precise timing. At the same time, next-generation networks rely on packet protocols for the distribution of timing over synchronous or asynchronous physical media. As a result, centralized visibility and management of network timing has become essential in ensuring reliable network performance and the successful delivery of services.

Attractive Entry

Network operators that have not previously managed their synchronization network can obtain ownership of this critical function without making a major investment in new hardware, database platforms, or software capabilities. TimePictra Release 11 is platform independent, running on RHEL 8 either on a dedicated server or virtual machine, and the user client is a standard Firefox, Chrome, or Edge browser.

Full FCAPS Plus Advanced Features

TimePictra is comprised of basic software and software options. The basic software comes with comprehensive support for the standard FCAPS capabilities: Fault Management, Configuration Management, Accounting (Inventory) Management, Performance Management, and Security Management. It also includes a geographical topology map, a navigation tree with domain hierarchy, and dashboard reporting of alarms, inventory, user login, and license installation information.
In addition to these standard FCAPS capabilities, advanced feature options are available. Each option is enabled by a software license key with no additional installation required. The modular architecture allows network operators to deploy TimePictra to meet current needs while simplifying future upgrades to meet future business requirements.

Options include capabilities that enhance security, performance monitoring, the reporting function, as well as an option for creating management groups to simplify policy administration in large networks, and the ability to customize the dashboard for each user.

Advanced Configuration Management

The Configuration Manager allows authorized users to access, manage and visualize in real-time the network element data and update their configurations from within this single application.  Information is provided graphically at the cluster, port and card levels.

End-to-End Visibility of IEEE 1588 PTP

With next-generation networks increasingly standardizing on the IEEE 1588-2008 Precision Time Protocol (PTP), TimePictra allows network operators not only to manage the PTP Grandmaster clocks in the network, but also to monitor the health and performance of PTP client clocks distributed throughout the network – including clients not supplied by Microsemi. It can add or delete client clocks and monitor their status based on sync flow detection. An alarm is created if a clock disappears from the network. When Microsemi clients are used, TimePictra will additionally report events, status, and performance metrics.

Network Operations Integration

Many network operators integrate synchronization management systems with their operating systems for centralized management of multi-vendor, diverse equipment environments. TimePictra enables integration of its northbound interface using SNMP for alarm integration and TeMIP northbound for alarm and topology integration.

Microchip Global Services

Microchip provides synchronization services that assist customers with the planning, deployment and maintenance of synchronization infrastructure. Services are designed to help lower costs, streamline processes, ensure quality, and deliver the highest level of performance from your synchronization network. The Platform Maintenance service bundles together Microchip’s industry leading technical support, along with all software maintenance. As part of Platform Maintenance, customers are eligible to receive all updates as well as all upgrades including all patches, point releases, maintenance releases and related documentation for their purchased version of software during the contract period.

Key Features

• Web-based multi-tier software architecture
• Comprehensive FCAPS management functions
• Software options for advanced FCAPS features
• Geographical topology and domain navigation
• User preference dashboard customization
• 3rd party PTP client management
• SNMP and TeMIP northbound interface

Key Benefits

• Cost-effective deployment
• Intuitive Web GUI for easy management
• Scalable architecture for future expansion
• SNMP and TeMIP northbound OSS integration
• End-to-end PTP management
• PTP client performance monitoring