Please note that background Information can be found in the following Blogs:
- 5G Introduction: https://www.servicenow.com/community/telecomm-blog/servicenow-5g-introduction/ba-p/2738678
- Defining 5G Services: https://www.servicenow.com/community/in-other-news/defining-5g-services/ba-p/2741387
- 5G Modeling Best Practices: https://www.servicenow.com/community/telecomm-articles/5g-modeling-best-practices/ta-p/2762039
Associating Pack and Params to Application Services
A pack is a group of attributes that apply to a subset of configuration items (CIs). The parameters are a list of attributes that are associated to that pack. Packs are useful when you want to apply them to only a subset of CIs.
Network Inventory has the out of the box capability of defining characteristics for each of the 3GPP defined network functions. In order to associate a particular pack & Param to a specific Managed Function, the following steps must be taken:
- A Pack Table must be created
- Each Pack Config must then be defined
- Associate Each Pack to a Configuration Item
Below we will go over each step in detail.
Creating a Pack Table
The following procedure is to be followed when creating the initial pack if not available out of the box. Please ensure that the persona is System Administrator
- Under ALL >
- Type: System Definition
- Click on: Tables
- Next is to change the scope from Application scope: Network Inventory to Attribute Pack
-
In the Attribute Pack scoped application, it is now possible to create a new table for a new pack. Click on the NEW button at the top left had corner which can also be seen above. When the form apprears, the following information needs to be populated. I have completed the form with example data:
- Label: core_PCF Pack (Name of the table)
- In this pack, the new table will be extended from the pack table and should be selected:
-
Afterward click on the controls menu
Replace the User Role with sn_ni_core.inventory_agent
- Move to the application access tab and click on create, update, delete so that all those actions are accessible by anyone with the inventory agent role.
- The table is ready to be saved > right click at the top of the screen to save
- Once the table is saved, additional attributes can be added. By clicking on NEW (below). Some attributes are automatically generated OOB.
- The Type Field indicates the type of attribute. As part of 3GPP TS28.541 the PCFFunction has the following attributes and each can be individually added.
- As part of Type you can type String
- Cloumn Label: pLMNdList
- Max Length: 40
- Click on Submit (below) to add the attribute
Defining the Pack Config
The next step is to define the Pack Config and this needs to be done in the inventory workspace.
Once in the Network Inventory workspace, perform the following steps.
- Navigate in Lists > Administration > Pack Config
- Click On New
- The following information should be entered:
- Name: eNB_DU Pack
- Configuration Item: Select > Application Service
- Pack Tables:
- Related Configuration Item: Select > Business Application
- Click on Edit Conditions and in the Related Pack Tables: Select > Distribution Unit
- Relationship Direction: Child
- Save
- This needs to be repeated for all the packs and parameters
- pack_3gpp_gnb_cu_up_function
- pack_3gpp_gnb_cu_cp_function
- pack_3gpp_gnb_amf_function
- pack_3gpp_gnb_smf_function
- pack_3gpp_gnb_upf_function
- pack_3gpp_gnb_ep_rp_function
- pack_3gpp_gnb_managed_element
- pack_3gpp_nrcelldu
- pack_3gpp_nrcellcu
- A subset of the network functions are available as packs and params out of the box. If additional packs are needed for additional packs.
Associating a Pack to a specific CI Class
In order to associate a Pack to a specific CI class, it is important to remain in the Network Inventory Workspace.
- Go to the CI class (Application Services) for DU and click on the Managed Function you would like to add the pack to
- Application Services > DU_mtl_001
Click on Add Packs
- Search for the Pack and click on Submit
- On the main landing page, Click on the Packs tab and there you will be able to see the Packs and the attributes that you can fill in
Now you will have Packs and Params associated to a specific Managed function with specific characteristics tied to each managed function.
