Empirix expands Service Assurance offerings to monitor mobile core architectures

Empirix, a specialist in service quality assurance solutions for new IP communications, today announced that it has expanded its Hammer XMS technology to provide end-to-end network monitoring for mobile core architectures. For mobile operators transitioning to all IP LTE networks, and traditional wire line operators or MSOs that are adding mobile service offerings, Hammer XMS is claimed to help lower the cost of deploying and maintaining multi-protocol network architectures and ensures a more consistent, high-quality customer experience.

Hammer XMS is a fully integrated network monitoring and analysis solution and includes a suite of protocol support for both GSM and CDMA networks including MAP, CAP, IS-41, CAMEL and WIN services, complementing existing SS7/C7 and IMS protocol support. Hammer XMS extends its hallmark end-to-end view across TDM and IP domains to the mobile market, giving operators unparalleled visibility into the customer experience throughout the core network.

This expansion of the Hammer XMS product family represents a natural progression of functionality. Hammer XMS has supported IP and SS7, including SIGTRAN, simultaneously for several years. Now, Hammer XMS seamlessly integrates mobile protocol support into its design and gives mobile operators the flexibility to monitor core mobile networks over TDM or IP links. Transaction monitoring, real-time packet analysis and historical storage of CDRs enable operators to troubleshoot, analyse and report on service quality much more effectively – thereby giving them the ability to more quickly identify and fix issues before they impact their customers.

"As the boundaries between fixed and mobile services blur, end-to-end network validation will only become a larger, more complex task for providers adding mobile services as well as mobile operators migrating to all-IP networks," said J.D. Doyle, general manager, service assurance solutions, Empirix. "Ultimately, however, these new services will help them become more nimble and Empirix is committed to smoothing the inevitable transition to IP, lowering costs and speeding the time to market for our customers."