UMTS License Management

Solution
UR15
 UMTS License Management Solution

UMTS License Management Solution

Version Date Author Reviewer Notes

Yang Zhang Chenhong

V1.0 2016/05/22 First release
Jinsong Zhang Hong

2016 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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 UMTS License Management Solution

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Overview ............................................................................................................ 5

2 ZTE License Solution ........................................................................................ 5

2.1 Description of Solution ......................................................................................... 5
2.2 Content of the Management ................................................................................. 6
2.3 Description of License Files ................................................................................. 6
2.4 Function Introduction ........................................................................................... 7
2.4.1 License File Management .................................................................................... 7
2.4.2 License File Update ............................................................................................. 8
2.4.3 License Authorization and Usage Querying ......................................................... 9
2.4.4 License Overrun Alarm ........................................................................................ 9
2.4.5 Emergent License Unlock .................................................................................. 10
2.4.6 Temporary License File Failure .......................................................................... 10
2.4.7 Supports Multi-Time Zone Daylight Saving Time ............................................... 10
2.4.8 Provides with License Report ............................................................................. 11
2.5 Protection under Disconnection ......................................................................... 11
2.6 System Compatibility ......................................................................................... 11
2.6.1 Compatibility with EMS/OMM ............................................................................. 11
2.6.2 Compatibility with License File ........................................................................... 11
2.7 Typical Networking............................................................................................. 12
2.8 Hardware Configuration Requirement ................................................................ 12
2.9 Bandwidth Requirement ..................................................................................... 12
2.10 Impact on System .............................................................................................. 13

3 License Control Classification ....................................................................... 14

3.1 Control Item Classification ................................................................................. 14
3.2 RNC License Control Classification ................................................................... 14
3.3 Node B Control Item Classification ..................................................................... 17
3.4 Description and Example of Multi-Operator Shared Control ............................... 19

4 Maintenance .................................................................................................... 21
4.1 Performance Index............................................................................................. 21
4.1.1 Max License Authentication Query Number That License Center Can Connect
In Parallel ........................................................................................................... 21
4.1.2 Generation Time of License Statement .............................................................. 21
4.2 Alarm ................................................................................................................. 21

5 Highlight........................................................................................................... 22

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FIGURES

Figure 2-1 the Location of License Management System in a Network ................................5

Figure 2-2 HA Networking ..................................................................................................12
Figure 2-3 License Invalidation Strategy ............................................................................13
Figure 3-1 License Control Classification ...........................................................................14

TABLES

Table 3-1 RNC Hardware Capacity License Control Example............................................14

Table 3-2 RNC Software Feature License Control Example...............................................15
Table 3-3 RNC Software Capacity License Control Example .............................................16
Table 3-4 Node B Hardware Capacity License Control Example .......................................17
Table 3-5 Node B Software Feature License Control Example ..........................................18
Table 3-6 Node B Software Capacity License Control Example .........................................19
Table 3-7 Non-PLMN Feature Control List Example ..........................................................20
Table 3-8 PLMN Feature Control List Example ..................................................................20

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 UMTS 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

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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
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 UMTS 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

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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.

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 RNCs/Node Bs 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.

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

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:

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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
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.

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

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 Supports Multi-Time Zone Daylight Saving Time

Its possible that the License management server and EMS/OMM are deployed in
different time zones. This system supports the normal License inspection by EMS/OMM
in different time zones. On the License client end, the local time is displayed.

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2.4.8 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.

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.

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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.

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.

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

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 RNC License Control Classification

Table 3-1 RNC Hardware Capacity License Control Example

Control Item Name Control Control Principle

Granularity

Control the number of Node B managed

by RNC (namely the number of UIubLink
WCDMA Node B Number RNC
object) to be less than the license
limitation.

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Control Item Name Control Control Principle

Granularity
Note: The backup UIubLink is not taken
into account.

Control the number of wireless cell

WCDMA Cell Number
managed by RNC (namely the number of
UUtranCellFDD object) to be less than the
RNC
license limitation.
Note: The backup UUtranCellFDD is not
taken into account.

Use IuCSLowThres filed in UIuFlowCtrl

WCDMA CS Capacity RNC object to control. The IuCSLowThres
should be less than the License limitation.

Use IuPSLowThres and IuMixLowThres in

UIuFlowCtrl object to control. The
WCDMA PS
RNC IuPSLowThres and IuMixLowThres should
Throughputs
be less than the License limitation. All-F
means not to execute the flow control.

Table 3-2 RNC Software Feature License Control Example

Feature No. Feature Control Item Control Control Principle

Name Name Granularity

Use UlPwrHoSwch
and DlPwrHoSwch in
UUtranCellFDD to
control, where the UL
WCDMA and DL can be
Transmitted
Transmitted controlled
Power
ZWF21-03-012 Power Based RNC respectively. The
Based
Handover value takes 0,
Handover
Support meaning to disable; 1
means to enable. If
the license is turned
off, only 0 can be
taken.

Quality WCDMA Use UlBlerHoSwch in

ZWF21-03-013 Based Quality Based RNC UUtranCellFDD to
Handover Handover control. 0 means to

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Feature No. Feature Control Item Control Control Principle

Name Name Granularity
Support disable; 1 means to
enable. If the license
is turned off, only 0
can be taken.

Use BasedImsiHoInd
in ULogicalRnc to
determine whether to
WCDMA IMSI support IMSI-based
IMSI based based handover. 0 means
ZWF21-03-022 RNC
Handover Handover not to support; 1
Support means to support. If
the license is turned
off, only 0 can be
taken.

Use AmrRncAdjust in
ULogicalRnc to
WCDMA AMR
control. 0 means to
AMR Rate Rate
ZWF21-04-005 RNC disable; 1 means to
Controlling Controlling
enable. If the license
Support
is turned off, only 0
can be taken.

Table 3-3 RNC Software Capacity License Control Example

Feature No. Feature Control Control Control Principle

Name Item Name Granularity

In UCelInfoFDD,
configure
Ul16QamSwi as 0,
16QAM in 16QAM in
ZWF26-01-004 CELL which means not to
HSUPA HSUPA
support the feature;
configure it as 1 to
support the feature.

In UUtranCellFDD,
WCDMA
configure
64QAM for maximum
ZWF26-01-001 CELL Supt64QamInd as 1,
HSDPA HSDPA
which means the cell
64QAM cell
supports 64QAM;

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Feature No. Feature Control Control Control Principle

Name Item Name Granularity
configure it as 0,
which means not to
support 64QAM.
Note: The backup
UUtranCellFDD is not
taken into account.

Use
DcHsdschSupptInd in
UUtranCellFDD to
control. 1 means that
WCDMA DC-HSDPA is
ZWF26-02-004 DC-HSDPA DC-HSDPA CELL available; 0 means
Cell Number that DC-HSDPA is
unavailable.
Note: The backup
UUtranCellFDD is not
taken into account.

Use FDpchSuptInd in
UUtranCellFDD to
control. 1 means the
WCDMA cell supports
F-DPCH &
F-DPCH & F-DPCH; 0 means
ZWF23-01-041 SRB over CELL
SRB over the cell does not
HSDPA
HSDPA support F-DPCH.
Note: The backup
UUtranCellFDD is not
taken into account.

3.3 Node B Control Item Classification

Table 3-4 Node B Hardware Capacity License Control Example

Control Item Name Control Control Principle

Granularity

80w R8881 RRU R8881 number with over 60w configured

E1&T1 number PORT The accumulated port number after over 4

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Control Item Name Control Control Principle

Granularity
E1/T1 configured.

The accumulated port number after over 1

FE&GE number PORT
E1/T1 configured.

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

UMTS PA W UMTS power License

Table 3-5 Node B Software Feature License Control Example

Feature No. Feature Control Control Control Principle

Name Item Name Granularity

The number
Node B number with
AISG of Node B
ZWF21-40-023 Node B electric tilt antenna
interface with electric
configured
tilt antenna

The number
Node B number with
of Node B
Dynamic UMTS dynamic
ZWF21-40-006 with UMTS Node B
power trace power trace (DPT)
dynamic
configured
power trace

The number
of Node B Configure the number
Multi-carrier
with UMTS of Node B with UMTS
ZWF21-40-008 PA dynamic Node B
multi-carrier multi-carrier PA
sharing
PA dynamic dynamic sharing
sharing

The number
of Node B Configure the number
UL
with UL of Node B with UL
ZWF21-41-001 interference Node B
interference interference alleviation
alleviation
alleviation enabled
enabled

The number
Configure the number
Advanced of Node B
ZWF21-41-002 Node B of Node B with A-Rake
receiver with A-Rake
receive enabled
receive

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Feature No. Feature Control Control Control Principle

Name Item Name Granularity
enabled

Table 3-6 Node B Software Capacity License Control Example

Feature No. Feature Control Item Control Control Principle

Name Name Granularity

The number
Multi-RRU
of cell with The number of cell
ZWF21-40-005 combination CELL
UMTS with M-RRU
cell
M-RRU

The number
The number of cell
of cell with
Offset with high-speed
ZWF21-40-026 UMTS CELL
compensation (express train)
high-speed
access
access

The number
The number of cell
80Km of cell with
with 80Km
ZWF21-40-020 ultra-distance UMTS 80Km CELL
ultra-distance
coverage radius
coverage
coverage

The number
The number of cell
120Km of cell with
with 120Km
ZWF21-40-024 ultra-distance UMTS 120Km CELL
ultra-distance
coverage radius
coverage
coverage

3.4 Description and Example of Multi-Operator Shared

Control

For multi-operator sharing, only one license file to execute the license control, including
whether to enable the PLMN sensitive features and the allowable capacity. Each
operator can enable feature by PLMN and restricts the capacity.

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

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The non-PLMN sensitive control does not differentiate operators. No matter for multiple
operators or single operator can only control whether to enable the feature or the total
number of features to be enabled, which cannot exceed the capacity limitation that the
license file set.

Table 3-7 Non-PLMN Feature Control List Example

Feature No. Feature Control Item Control Control Principle

Name Name Granularity

The MimoSuptInd filed

in UUtranCellFDD
being 1 means that the
WCDMA cell supports MIMO; 0
HSDPA
ZWF26-01-003 maximum CELL means the cell does
MIMO
MIMO cell not support MIMO.
Note: The backup
UUtranCellFDD has no
need to be calculated.

The PLMN feature control differentiates operators by their PLMN, enabling operators to
activate the feature and the capacity limitation respectively.

Table 3-8 PLMN Feature Control List Example

Feature No. Feature Control Item Control Control Principle

Name Name Granularity

The WAmrSupInd
filed in ULogicalRnc
being 1 means the
feature is supported;
0 means the feature
WCDMA
WB-AMR is not supported.
WB-AMR
ZWF21-02-020 Speech RNC When license is
Speech
Support turned off, the
Support
WAmrSupInd takes
0. The License
application and
authorization have to
be executed by

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Feature No. Feature Control Item Control Control Principle

Name Name Granularity
PLMN.

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.

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

1034 License consumption exceeds Major EMS alarm

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Alarm No. Alarm Name Alarm Level Alarm Type

the alarm threshold (1034)

1012 License overdue. Major EMS alarm

1013 License is going to overdue. Major EMS alarm

License agent and license

1032 Major EMS alarm
center disconnect.

5 Highlight
The document analyzes the challenges operator faces and introduces 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. Supports the daylight saving time of multiple time zones, enabling the controlled
terminal in different time zones can be normally operated by License.

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

enhancing the reliability of License management system.

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