Virtual CO Switch Fundamentals Virtual Live Instructor-led

Course Description

This extensive Virtual "Live" Instructor-Led course provides the absolute foundation needed for any CO (Central Office) Personnel that plans on going through an specific Switch training.

Understanding new and existing switching equipment within a central office can be daunting. The CO Switching Fundamentals course was developed upon request to help techs with relatively little CO experience to become knowledgeable about various switching technologies found within a CO, how switches work, and how they connect with other network elements. Envisioned as a preparatory course for TDM Switching courses, this course can also be offered to prepare for Optical ROADM, MPLS, andor IP telephony switching.

The course starts with an overview of the PSTN, and the equipment found within almost any typical Central Office. Common terms and mnemonics are used extensively to help immerse students with the lingo, and learn the terminology quickly. Analog and digital signals are explained, including the differences between TDM and FDM, the ADCDAC process, and PCM which are foundations for nearly all switching technology. Common digital and optical carrier standards are presented including DS1, DS3, OC-1, OC-3, STS-1, line coding, clear-channel signaling, etc. NPAs, LATAs and Rate Areas are defined, along with CLASS SS7 network topologies. Important nodes like the SSP, STP, and SCP are explained, along with definitions of links, link sets, and route sets. The OSI model is presented, comparing layers for SS7 and Internet networks.

Binary and Hexadecimal are then discussed, including MSB, LSB, and byte reversal. Exercises are used to reinforce Bin-Hex-Dec conversion, using register dumps from various switches as examples. The Time-Space-Time model is then presented in some detail, as it is the basis for any TDM switch. Multiplexing, switching, and sample phone calls through an SS7 network are shown, along with exercises to test retention of the key concepts.

Switch external connections are then shown, including many types of equipment that a switch may directly connect to, or gather alarms from, including voice mail systems, recorder announcers, AMA links, ringing generators, operator services, and building alarms. SLC-96 and GR-303 integration is taught, and particularly the capabilities of GR-303 which is used extensively as a voice packet interface to the PSTN.

A module on formal troubleshooting methodology is included, which presents several ways to investigate symptoms within a complex network, and how to investigate what resources are potentially available, and where to look for them. The course finishes with a module on typical telco operations, including NOCSCC communication, support tiers, electro-static damage mitigation, reporting, escalation, and sample work checklists.

Students Will Learn

Components of the PSTN including switching, carrier, and packet
Common terminology and lingo used within the CO
Toll principles including NPA, LATA, and Rate Centers
TDMTime-Space-Time theory
Binary, Hexadecimal, and Decimal conversion
Access Tandem, CCS7, and AINLNP connections
GR-303 SLC integration
CO equipment including power, alarming, grounding, AMA
Troubleshooting methods
Telco operations and typical structure including NOCSCC role
And more...

Target Audience

Technical staff who are new to the Central Office environment and who must become competent in one or more CO systems relatively quickly.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for the curriculum. Students may benefit from some existing inside- or
outside-plant experience due to the faster pace of this course.

Course Outline

Module 1 : PSTN Fundamentals

Analog Signals

TR, EM, T1R1, SG/SB leads

Negative Talk Battery

Decibel Measurements

Digital Signals

PCM:

ADC, DAC

Nyquist Theorem

Multiplexing

Carrier:

DS1-DS5, E1-E3

OC-x, STS-x

D4/AMI, B8ZS, ZBTSI

DSL:

Line Carriers

Speed vs. Distance, Crosstalk

DSLAM, ADSL2, VDSL2

Stored Program Control

The PSTN

Trunk Types

Converged Triple-Play Network

Access Tandems

Class, Stratum, AT types

Rate Centers

NPA vs. LATA (USA)

LIR, POI (Canada)

CCS7

Why CCS7?

SSP, STP, SCP

Link Types - A-F links

OSI CCS7 Protocol Stack

Basic ISUP Signaling

AIN & LNP

CCS7 Terminology

Module 2 : Binary & Hexadecimal

Binary

Word, Byte, Nibble, Bit

Bit Positions, MSB, LSB

Big & Little Endian byte Reversal

Convert Bin to Dec

Octal

Hexadecimal

Conversions:

Hex to Bin to Dec

Dec to Bin to Hex

Practice Exercises

Bin/Hex/Oct/Dec Table

Module 3 : Switching Concepts

(TDM course shown -- MPLS, IP, ROADM topics can be substituted)

Peripheral ADC/DAC Conversion

Peripheral Interconnections

Multiplexing PCM

Time Switching, Time-Space-Time

Switching Network (PCM)

Typical Switch Block Diagram

Sample Phone Call

Switch Comparisons: 5ESS, DMS-100, GTD-5, EWSD, DCO, and AXE

Module 4 : External Equipment

Central Office Layout

Recorder Announcers

Vendors

Switch Connections

Voice Mail Systems

Typical Systems

Switching Connections

Office Alarms

Programmable Alarms

Alarm Extenders

AMA/Billing Links

Telcordia GR-385 AMATPS, GR-1343 AMADNS

Sample Billing Platforms

Other Equipment

Ringing Generators

MDF/CDF

Cable Pair, Cable Vault, Pressurization, Safety

Test Equipment

Power, Generator, Transfer Switch

Module 5 : GR-303 and SLC� Remotes

GR-303 Remotes

The GR-303 Standard

EOC & TMC Channels

Metallic Test Bus

RDT Capabilities

Access & Maintenance

VoIP Integration with TDM

SLC� Remotes

The AT&T SLC�

Basic Capabilities

SLC-96

SLC-5

Module 6 : Troubleshooting Resources

Manufacturer Documentation

Docs & �Hidden� Information

Job Docs

Tracing Utilities

Switch Data

Input-Output Messages

Switch Logs/Buffers

Capture Files

Photos

Troubleshooting Methodologies

Predicted-Fault Lookup

Divide-and-Conquer (D&C)

Micro and Macro View

End-to-End

Change In Symptom

Record Keeping & Precision

Persistence

Module 7 : Telco Operations

Precautions & Preparation

Do You Understand The Work?

NOC/SCC Communication

Next-Level Support

What If You Don�t Have Something You Need

ESD

Modern Telco Networks

Organization & Reporting

Escalation Procedure

Sample Task Checklist

Notes

This suggested 2 Day course is customized based upon the needs and previous experience of the students. Switch Fundamentals would typically be combined with a switching Maintenance course, andor a Translations or Support level course.

Delivery Method

LIVE Virtual Instructor-led with a flexible approach that adjusts content most relevant to students. Includes various nonintrusive labs, demonstrations, and exercises to help students focus on and retain the material presented.

Equipment Requirements
(This apply's to our hands-on courses only)

BTS always provides equipment to have a very successful Hands-On course. BTS also encourages all attendees to bring their own equipment to the course. This will provide attendees the opportunity to incorporate their own gear into the labs and gain valuable training using their specific equipment.

Course Length

2 Days