Introduction To FCAPS

An Overview of FCAPS

Before you can understand the facts about FCAPS, you need to be aware of what it stands for.
The acronym is for Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance, and Security. These are
the network management categories.

Overview

FCAPs is the IISO model and framework for network telecommunications and management.
In certain groups, administration is used in lieu of accounting.

Fault Management

The purpose of fault management is to recognize the event and isolate it. This will be
corrected. The faults will also be logged. Monitoring is the key in fault management.

When a fault takes place, the network operator will be notified. Notification is done via
SNMP or a similar protocol. Steps are performed so the error is not repeated.

Configuration Management

Configuration management has numerous goals. It is tasked to collect and store network
device configurations. It can also monitor configuration changes. It is this aspect that checks
everyday operations. Programming and hardware changes will be coordinated.

Accounting Management

This is also known as billing management. Its primary purpose is to collect user usage
statistics. Utilizing the stats, a user can be billed. Usage quota may be implemented. Examples
would include CPU time, link usage and disk use. Its primary aim is to keep the cost low. It
also helps keep the system going.

Performance Management

This aspect focuses on management preparation for the future. It is also used to assess the
network efficiency with regards to investments. It can also evaluate the error rates, response
times, percentage utilization and throughput.

Potential problems are determined as well as bottlenecks. Another goal is to maximize
throughput. In simple terms, the goal is to produce the best advancement to improve
performance.

Security Management

This aspect of FCAPS involves managing the network assets. Data security is attained via
encryption and authentication. As the name makes clear, it is tasked with securing the
networks from hacking.

Its other tasks include preventing physical damage to the network and sabotage. User
authentication and authentication fall under its management. It also manages user information.

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Other Facts about FCAPs

This model was introduced during the 1980s in the Working Drafts (N1719) of ISO 10040.
The initial goal was to set standards for protocol. The plan called for five distinct protocols. It
was called (ISO/TC97/SC16/WG4. After a while it was renamed to ISO-
IEC/JTC1/SC21/WG4). It was defined later on as common management information protocol
(CMIP).

The FCAPS model would become part of Telecommunications Management Network
(TMN). However, they were eventually merged into one. The idea would catch on. Today,
FCAPS is a fundamental aspect of network management. It is also indispensible in IT
infrastructure management.

All individuals who are involved in network management and IT must have a thorough
understanding of the facts about FCAPS. It can mean the difference between running a
network successfully and failing.

References:
http://www.tech-faq.com/fcaps.html
http://www.symatech.net/fcaps
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FCAPS

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