PreEqualization Analyzer: New Features
What’s New?
Here are the most recent updates for PreEqualization Analyzer:
- The SpectraVizion module has been added to display full band capture metrics for compatible settop boxes and cable modems.
- A Noise Patrol widget is now available and displays the worst performing nodes.
- Strand map overlays in digital format can now be added to strand maps with different layers that overlap so that they can be overlayed into the detailed view map in PEA.
Here are the latest updates for PreEqualization Analyzer:
- A new beta Dashboard with a new look and feel, additional metrics and a global Search function (MAC, IP, Node, or Customer Name).
- A new Mobile App (NimbleThis PNM) for Android and iOS available on Google Play and iTunes.
- The ability to assign Work Orders that are automatically sent to a technician’s PNM Mobile App. Work orders can be updated in the field via the Mobile App as the technician makes repairs, and will immediately appear in the Work Order status in PreEqualization Analyzer.
Download the NimbleThis PNM mobile app for your Android or iOS device
Here are the latest updates for PreEqualization Analyzer:
- Improved interface
- Performance improvements
- Search MAC address across all CMTS
- Button that shows a satelite view on the map
- Re-scan an individual modem only, or all modems in a correlation group only
- View individual Frequency Response and Digital Taps for a modem by frequency
- Sortable Node Ranking Report shows stats and health scores of each node with a link to the detail view of modems on that node (map and data)
- Birth Certificate tied to the “Install New CM” feature records the modem’s levels and Pre-EQ values giving a detailed pass/fail Birth Certificate that can be viewed later.
- CM List Report provides the ability to add individual MAC addresses to a list and view their readings and charts together. The list can be exported or printed.
Here are the latest updates for Upstream Analyzer:
- The selected channel is now highlighted on the analyzer
- CPU monitor shows you the current load on the CPU of the CMTS
- An Upstream Monitor feature captures and displays the return path signal from the CMTS over time so you can look back at the signal during that period
Subscriber Info on Intermittent Modem Report
The Intermittent Modem Report now includes the subscriber’s name, address, and correlation group (if any).
Last Correlation Time
When you click on the re-correlate button, you will now see a time stamp of when the last correlation was done and by which user. If a correlation was done automatically by the system, then “System” will be displayed as user name.
Online Users
You can now see users who are currently logged in by clicking “Online Users” in the main menu. The display will show who is logged in to the application, how many times the user has logged in, and the last log-in time. Note: The date/time stamp shows the last log-in time prior to logging out. If the user never logged out, but simply closed their browser window, then the date/time stamp will reflect the earlier log-in time even if the user logs in again. To clear the earlier date/time stamp, the user must log out of the application and then log back in.
Syslog File for Modem Severity Changes
Modem severity changes are now written to a syslog file following RFC3164. The Syslog file is located at /var/log/pnm and can be read by standard syslog applications.
Test Recently Installed Modems (Install New CM)
A cable installer can now confirm that a newly installed modem is online and in a “Green” status from a Proactive Network Maintenance (PNM) standpoint before they leave the subscriber’s home. Under the Config menu is “Install New CM” selection. When this is clicked PreEqualization Analyzer searches for any new modems that have been added to the CMTS and displays a list of MAC addresses. When you select a MAC address the application runs a number of brief tests on the modem via SNMP. If everything looks good, you will see a message that tells you the modem was successfully installed. If the modem is NOT able to communicate or there are severe impairments, you will see a message that says: Unable to get SNMP data from modem. Modem may be offline or have invalid SNMP RO string. This could mean, as the message states, that the modem is offline, or we don’t have the required SNMP Read-Only (RO) community string necessary for PNM. It could also mean that there are significant RF impairments impacting the modem. It’s also possible the modem is non-DOCSIS compliant as far as providing the pre-eq data necessary for PNM.
Search by Node
Many cable operators configure their CMTS upstreams by using fiber node Alias names. So, a technician working may know the system by that alias name rather than the physical port number of a CMTS, or may dispatched to a Node name to perform maintenance. We have added the ability to filter by a node alias name. You have to add the node name or other descriptor using the upstream “description” tag in the CMTS. The “Search Node” function filters the information so only the upstream port that associated with that node is displayed. As you start typing, matching descriptors will appear. Select the node you want to filter by. If there is more than one upstream port associated with that node, you will be prompted to select which upstream port to view.
Following are some of the updates added to PreEqualization Analyzer in September:
- Correlation group numbering now shows three values, which are the correlation group number, the number modems in the correlation group, and the number of red modems in the group. For example, under correlation groups you may see something like 12/7/5. This means it is correlation group # 12, there are 7 total modems, and 5 of those are red. We also order the list of correlation groups by the total number of modems in a group.
- The correlation algorithm for bonded channels has been improved, and the Intermittent / ingress modem detection algorithm has been improved.
- There is now an auto-correlate feature. Correlation now occurs automatically when a poll takes place. Modems are at the recommended value of -18 dB. You can still manually correlate at any time and at other values.
- There is now support for bonded channels for those of you who also have Upstream Analyzer.
- You will now see subscriber names and addresses on the Red Modem by Node report
Following is a summary of the updates to PreEqualization Analyzer for August:
- A check modem information button has been added at the bottom of the modem map. Whey you click that button a pop-up box will provide details on the modem’s make, model & firmware.
- You can now double tap on touch screen devices for map icons.
- There is now a print function to export Bulk Upload error messages.
- The Correctable and uncorrectable codeword errors reporting was changed so they are now incremented as percentage from one poll to the next.
Watch this video highlighting new features in PreEqualization Analyzer 2.0.
Following is a summary of the changes in version 2 of PreEqualization Analyzer. You can also click the image to the right to watch a video.
NEW MAIN DASHBOARD SUMMARY
A new Main Dashboard summary shows high level CMTS statistics, including the number of CMTSs being monitored and the total change in red modems over the last 24 hrs for all CMTSs on the system. There is also an overall Health score for all CMTSs on the system, which is derived by looking at the number of red and yellow modems in relation to the total number of modems. There are also summary stats showing the breakdown of Red, Yellow and Green modems and the percentage change for each over the last week. The map and charts are now accessed by clicking “Detail View” under the Dashboard menu.
Map Zoom Button
You can now expand the size of the map by clicking an Expand button located on the map.
RF History
A “Show/Hide RF Values button over the table displays data on the RF levels for that device over time.
Correlation Sensitivity
A “Re-Correlate” button allows you to change the sensitivity of the correlation algorithm. The values in the selection box correspond to the level of micro-reflections in dBc. The recommended setting for correlation is -18 dBc. You can lower the threshold for correlation groups by selecting a lower micro-reflection level like -19, -20, etc. Selecting a lower micro-reflection level will make it more likely that you will see correlation groups. However, it will also make it more likely that you will see weak correlation groups, which may not be representative of a common impairment, or if they are, may be difficult to see because the cause of the impairment is not that bad yet.
Correlation Groupings by Frequency
When you select a correlation group you will see additional correlation groups if there are modems nearby on a different frequency that appear to be correlated due to the same impairment. Each individual group of correlated modems on a specific frequency are color-coded differently in the map and in the table.
Map Indicator for Modems at the Same Address
If there is more than one modem geocoded at the same address or very close by, a blue map pin appears with a number that indicates the number of modems at that same location. For example, if there are three modems in a unit with the same physical address, there will be a blue map pin with a “3”. When you double click the blue pin you see the details for one of the modems. There is an arrow in the details box that will page through the details for the other modems at that same address.
For this month’s release, it is critical that you update /etc/my.cnf with the following line:
Features added:
- Improved monitoring of trends on historical data
- Increased the update of subscriber database to two times per day
- Improved ability to detect bad eq strings
- City, state, and zip code appear when hovering over a MAC address in the table
- Pop-up panel description tags were improved
Features Added:
- Customer favicons can now be used within the application
- Manage CMTS screen updated with CMTS debugger
- Raised Taps Chart limit line to -35 dB to better show the proper level of concern
- Added City, State, Zip & Country to export .csv files
- Now query modem & CMTS for certain RF values and display as new feature
- Include client specific CSS in include/config.php file
- Added new rows for historical table analysis
- Added cron to analysis historical data
- Added first report to display historical trend data (generic_report2.php)
- Corrected latitude and longitude order on bulk upload page
RF Data Display:
- Comma delimiter and customer name and address was added to Export files
- Time stamp issue resolved where different time stamp schemes existed in historical data
- Added user interface to edit and delete remote databases for subscriber synchronization
- Moved error checking level to config.php file
Remote database synchronization Connections:
Features Added:
- Map zooming error when in correlation groups resolved
- Improved correlation algorithm
- Non-responding modems now display as GREY icons on map and count in Found records
- Now supports display of server timestamp on footer of page when enabled
- Improve display of vTDR pop-up for x-axis display
- Returned correlation group colors back to blue and grey
- Auto zooms to modem when clicking from table
- Added upstream descriptor (alias) to spectrum analyzer port
- Updated Admin page to support feet-to-meter conversion
- Updated Admin page to improve UI of Micro-reflection configuration
- Changed FarTDR in table to vTDR
- Change map gesture action: Single click on map icon updates charts, double click displays tool-tip popup
Features Added:
- In the admin panel, administrators can now set red, yellow and green thresholds on Micro-reflections
- TDR and vTDR can now be set from feet to meters
Make a feature request!
Would you like to request a new feature or ask a question about a recent update? Give us a shout.