Geospatial Network Inventory

Network inventory software based on QGIS and FreeCAD

Geospatial Network Inventory (GNI) is a system of geospatial inventory of telecom resources intended for the operators who construct, develop, and maintain their network infrastructure. The solution provides a set of functionalities for the network elements inventory and processing. In conjunction with the product Ksavi Network Operations it enables the execution of operator’s processes related to the network infrastructure management, among others, such as development, cost estimation, service delivery, maintenance, infrastructure leases.

The application architecture is based on the QGIS geospatial platform and FreeCAD system. Thanks to the comprehensive GIS and CAD interfaces and using a great potential of those environments, we have created a product that fully meets the requirements of a modern telecom operator. A central database enables storing information about any network element. A set of standard QGIS plugins in conjunction with dedicated components created for the TELECO sector provides easy management of the network in any state and the execution of the reporting requirements imposed by the regulatory authorities.

Architektura GNI

Using the license rules for distribution of the QGIS platform in force, our Geospatial Network Inventory software is offered in a completely free version, as well as a commercial solution. This allows you to become familiar with its environment and successfully use the system with planning functionalities provided in the free version (GNI FREE). You can expand your system at any time with additionally paid modules according to your specific requirements.

A description of the applications of the free and the commercial versions is shown on individual pages describing the use of the product for different solutions in the TELECO sector.

Advantages of using GIS and CAD open platforms

Work on the spatial elements of the operator’s network using a natural way of working with QGIS
Requirements set by the regulatory authorities impose or recommend the use of the GIS technology for reporting issues
The ability to use address data, existing network elements and devices, road network, background maps from publicly available systems
Universal access to trainings and professional companies providing maintenance and development
Robust community forums supporting use of QGIS
Lack of licensing fees for GIS libraries
Possibility of the system development according to one’s own needs (independence from an vendor closed commercial products)
Use of the CAD technology as a natural for applications in inventory of equipment
Automation of inventory using macros and scripts building a network element without restrictions associated with the complexity of its internal structure
Automation of equipment inventory by selecting a network element model and placing in a graphical 3D view
Expandable library of the network element models according to one’s own needs
Use of CAD tools to generate technical documentation
Lack of licensing fees, ability to extend functionality with one’s own needs.

Product features

QGIS distribution

Geospatial Network Inventory software is based on a standard QGIS system distribution available on the http://www.qgis.org. Our product enriches the selected version of QGIS with:

Predefined layers used to execute activities supporting the TELCO domain
Configuration of relations between objects
Configuration of the forms appearance presenting data of objects on the predefined layers
Symbology for the predefined layers
FREE
Dystrybucja Qgis

QGIS plugins

Standard installation of QGIS is enhanced with the set of plugins selected from the publicly available repository. Distribution of the Geospatial Network Inventory tool is additionally supplemented by our own plugins that provide functionalities specific for the processes realized on a telecommunication network.

The plugins that require additional data layer to work complement the QGIS configuration with necessary relations, forms and definition of map symbols.

FREE
Wtyczki Qgis

Telco Outside Plant Model

The data model enabling an inventory of outside plant telecommunication resources. Model embedded in the geospatial database delivers high performance of operation on the layers with large volumes of data. The module allows you to create the inventory of network elements such as:

Address points and Locations
Point civil infrastructure
Linear civil infrastructure
Outdoor optical and copper cables
Cable slacks/Maintenance loops
Radiolines
Network nodes

Supplied data model is enhanced with a standard QGIS configuration in the scope of layers definition, their symbology, detailed forms of objects and relations between them:

Definition of TELCO data model layers
Definition of business relationships between the layers
Symbology and labelling of provided layers
Configuration of simple and complex GUI presentation forms for the network elements
license

Telco Outside Plant Modules

The Telco Outside Plant data model is enhanced with additional modules with respective additional layers complementing the functionalities of QGIS platform to use in TELCO domain:

Connection Manager – A module for managing the connections between the elements of the transmission medium and ports of the devices on which the cable is terminated. It allows you to store splices and pluggable connections between the network devices both on the outside and inside plant networks.

Duct & Cable Placer – a dedicated component introducing to the geospatial inventory of cables and ducts elements related to their internal organisation allowing, among others, the detailing of duct network with main conduits, subducts and microducts and also automation of blowing and pulling cables.

Schema Generator – a module used to visualize the network state in the form of schematic drawings. It allows, among others, generation of fibre splicing schematic with fibre colours, allocations and terminations in splice closures and other nodes of optical network.

Path analyser – additional layers and components related to searching for the available optical paths and their analysis thereof, among others, in terms of attenuation balance.

Network planner – A set of plugins and algorithms for performing the technical concept of the planned FTTH/GPON network. The component is part of the free version of GNI system.

Lease contracts – An addition to the data model used for keeping information of lease contracts and their connections with leased infrastructure components.

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Telco Inside Plant Model

A module of inside plant telecommunication resources inventory. Provides a flexible data model allowing for storage of the network elements such as:

Device structure (from device level to port level)
Internal connections of equipment
Internal and outdoor cables
Building structure
Racks and cabinets
Network nodes
license

Telco Inside Plant Modules

Together with the Telco Inside Plant data model a CAD tool for designing, visualising and managing network elements is delivered, of which the main features are:

Visualization of the device in 3D view
Inventory and presentation of cabinets and racks components
Room space and capacity management
Manhole space and capacity management
Floor plans with 3D features
Predefined library of graphical inventory models of standard network elements
Ability to modify and create own models of network elements
Visualisation of the equipment internal structure with ports colouring according to the defined colour schemas (i.e. port occupancy, lessee, work order content)
Management of connections between cable fibres and device ports using an external Connection Manager module
license
Telco Inside Plant Moduły
Telco Inside Plant Moduły
Telco Inside Plant Moduły

Document generation

Using the standard QGIS functionality, a set of publicly available plugins and dedicated Geospatial Network Inventory modules allow the generation of documents that are elements of the design, executive and as-built documentation. A list of documents that may be generated from the system includes:

Cable routes on the background map
List of network elements covered by the project under implementation
Address points serving area assignment
Fibre splicing schematics
Technical drawings of cabinets and equipment
Instructions of installations
license
Generacja dokumentacji
Generacja dokumentacji

Integration

The proposed solution has extended possibilities of integration with other IT systems regardless of whether the software works in the cloud or is installed on customer premises. The database engine used in the server version gives great opportunities for the use of multiple proven integration technologies.

license