SIEMENS AG

TransXpress NE-UniGATE V6

What's new in V6.1

Plug-in (Tools) interface

NE-UniGATE V6.1 provides a plug-in interface to allow the development of tools that enhance the functionality of NE-
UniGATE. The first tool that is planned is an NE data upload/print utility for network elements with Q3 telegram protocol.

Java element manager interface

NE-UniGATE V6.1 provides an element manager interface that can be used by Java-based element managers that are
developed in the future.

TCP/IP (RFC1006) connection supervision

NE-UniGATE V6.1 provides a connection supervision for TCP/IP based network element connections. This functionality
is implemented by regularly sending ICMP echo requests (ping) to the network elements. The ping interval can be
configured at the GUI, the feature can also be disabled. The following connections can be supervised:
- Connections between NE-UniGATE and network elements (configured in NE-UniGATE)
- Connections between NE-UniGATE and NE-Proxy (configured in NE-UniGATE)
- Connections between NE-Proxy and network elements (configured in NE-Proxy)

Serial line interface

NE-UniGATE V6.1 provides options to enable or disable the methods (QD2/QST-F, QD2/QST-F with alternative parity,
Q3-PPP) it uses for establishing connections via serial line interface. By default all methods are enabled. An operator that
has to manage Q3 network elements (TransXpress Infinity, OSN series) exclusively can disable the QD2/QST-F method to
speed up connection establishment. On the other hand an operator that has to manage QD2/QST network elements
exclusively (TransXpress SMA, SL series) can disable the Q3-PPP method.

What's new in V6.0

Changed terms

NE-UniGATE V6 uses different terms for certain features than previous versions. Our aim was to replace some hard-to-
understand terms by more commonly used ones.

"Network" replaces "Q-B3"

"Serial Line" replaces "Q-F"
"Properties" replaces "Object information"
"Background" replaces "Assign Map" (NCT only)

Changed menus

In NE-UniGATE V6 some menu items moved to get a better alignment with common standards and the LCT/NCT
element managers.

"Network/Fault" moved to "Fault" (NCT only)

"Configuration" moved between "Fault" and "Security"
"Properties" is now the last item in the menu

NCT/LCT mode (NCT only)

NCT NE-UniGATE V6 does not display the "Mode selection" dialog anymore. It is not possible to switch back to LCT
mode. This feature has been removed to reduce testing effort at the customer.

Remote access to OSI networks via NE-Proxy (NCT only)

NE-UniGATE V6 contains an NE-Proxy service that acts as a gateway between OSI and IP networks. This allows
accessing OSI networks via the Internet, e.g. from the operator's home. One NE-Proxy can serve multiple NE-UniGATE
operators.

Switchable network configurations

NE-UniGATE V6 saves the network configuration (network element addresses, background settings, symbol positions,
links) to a single file. Any changes of the network configuration are immediately saved. You can create multiple
configuration files and switch between them. The window title bar names the currently active file (except the default file).
The NE addresses of the active network configuration can be exported to ENMS/TNMS format, so it is not necessary to
type all those NSAPs again in case of an upgrade.

Upgrade of network configurations and passwords

NE-UniGATE V6 upgrades network configurations and passwords of previous versions (>= Version 3) when being started
the first time after installation.

Number of active network elements

The number of network elements that can be active simultaneouly has increased to 150. To use this feature adequate
computer equipment (processor speed, memory) is needed. The number of element managers that can be open is still
limited to 2 (LCT NE-UniGATE) resp. 50 (NCT NE-UniGATE).

Serial line interface

Serial line interface (former Q-F) is available in both LCT and NCT now.
Serial line interface now directly supports Q3 network elements (Infinity, OSN family). There is no need to inactivate all
NE addresses, to start the PPP dialler and activate the "F interface" address anymore. NE-UniGATE is able to
automatically detect the type of most Q3 network elements, otherwise you have to choose the right type from a list
(applies to Infinity 1.0, ISR 1.x, WLS 1.x, WaveLine 1.x).
Serial line interface now directly supports SMA1K with non-standard parity; there is no need to change the parity setting
before connecting to an SMA1K anymore.
Serial line interface now supports network elements that require a login.

Network element address configuration

When adding a new network element address the user can select a template from a list. This will insert the appropriate
type information and the default NSAP address. The element manager installation programs maintain the list of templates.
The address edit field now accepts IP addresses, there is no need to compute the according RFC1227 NSAP address by
hand anymore.

Network background configuration

The network window background configuration (former "Assign Map") now allows to specify the minimum scrolling area
(the area where to place network element symbols). This feature is helpful to configure a large network without an
appropriate background map.

Small network element symbols

Besides the standard 32x32 pixel symbols, NE-UniGATE V6 also supports small 16x16 pixel symbols. This feature
provides a better overview for large networks.

Link attributes (NCT only)

Links between NE symbols in the network view can now consist of up to 4 lines with different styles and colors.

Alarm lists (NCT only)

For better performance, the NE-UniGATE V6 alarm list/alarm history has been completely reimplemented. It is now
possible to sort the list by several criteria.
Network element user administration on network level (NCT only)

NE-UniGATE V6 supports adding, deleting and changing network element users on network level (requires network
elements with Q3 protocol like Infinity/OSN family). To add and delete users requires to be both NE-UniGATE
administrator and network element administrator. Every NE-UniGATE user is able to change his own network element
password.

General settings

The NE-UniGATE administrator can now define whether NE-UniGATE passwords must contain special characters or not.
Because NE-UniGATE passwords are also used to login into network elements, it may be useful to configure this rule.

Communication settings

After connecting to the network, the NE-UniGATE connects to all network elements in the active list and requests their
alarm state (NCT only). NE-UniGATE V6 allows to slow down this start-up or disable it to reduce network traffic.

Alarm settings (NCT only)

The alarm settings' dialog now allows to set separate severity thresholds for one-time audible signal, repetitive audible
signal and external signal.

System information

The new system information window lists the version of all NE-UniGATE components and installed element managers.

Online help

Online help has been completely rewritten.