How do you design and implement effective testing and monitoring strategies for the circuit switched domain?

1 Define the objectives and scope

Before you start testing and monitoring the CSD, you need to define the objectives and scope of your activities. What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) that you want to measure and achieve? What are the network elements, interfaces, protocols, and features that you want to test and monitor? How often and how long do you want to conduct the testing and monitoring? How do you report and analyze the results?

2 Select the tools and methods

The next step is to select the tools and methods that suit your objectives and scope. There are various tools and methods available for testing and monitoring the CSD, such as simulators, probes, analyzers, counters, alarms, and traces. You need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each tool and method, such as the cost, accuracy, scalability, usability, and compatibility. You also need to ensure that the tools and methods are aligned with the standards and specifications of the CSD.

3 Plan the test cases and scenarios

Once you have selected the tools and methods, you need to plan the test cases and scenarios that will cover the aspects of the CSD that you want to test and monitor. You need to design the test cases and scenarios based on the expected behavior and performance of the CSD, as well as the possible failure modes and risks. You also need to define the test parameters, such as the traffic load, call duration, call type, call direction, and call quality.

4 Execute the testing and monitoring

The next step is to execute the testing and monitoring according to your plan. You need to follow the procedures and instructions of the tools and methods that you have selected. You also need to record and collect the data and information from the testing and monitoring, such as the KPIs, SLAs, counters, alarms, traces, and logs. You need to ensure that the testing and monitoring are conducted in a controlled and consistent manner, and that any deviations or anomalies are reported and documented.

5 Evaluate the results and performance

After you have executed the testing and monitoring, you need to evaluate the results and performance of the CSD. You need to compare the results and performance with the objectives and scope that you have defined. You also need to identify and analyze the root causes of any issues or problems that occurred during the testing and monitoring, such as the errors, faults, failures, or degradation. You need to use the data and information from the testing and monitoring, as well as other sources, such as customer feedback, network audits, or benchmarking.

6 Implement the improvements and recommendations

The final step is to implement the improvements and recommendations that you have derived from the evaluation of the results and performance. You need to prioritize and execute the actions that will enhance the quality and reliability of the CSD, such as the configuration changes, optimization techniques, software updates, hardware upgrades, or network expansions. You also need to monitor and verify the impact and effectiveness of the improvements and recommendations, as well as communicate and document the outcomes and lessons learned.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?