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Brochure

© 2011 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. 

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Cisco ANA Overview

Cisco Active Network Abstraction (ANA) provides service providers and other carrier-grade network operators with a 
comprehensive solution for network element and service management. Cisco ANA is a comprehensive solution that includes 
automated service activation, discovery, monitoring, event de-duplication, and root-cause analysis. Cisco ANA supports all major 
Cisco service provider network elements, as well as a wide variety of network technologies including Multiprotocol Label Switching 
(MPLS), Carrier Ethernet, and Unified RAN Backhaul references architectures.

Active Network Abstraction

What’s New in Release 3.7.2

“ANA is a unique 
model-based virtual 
network abstraction 
that supports 
CSPs’ three critical 
management 
challenges… it is 
years ahead of 
competitors”

— Patrick Kelly
Research Director
Analysys Mason

Benefits

Cisco ANA offers comprehensive functions in element, network, and service management 
with the following key benefits:

• 

Best-in-class deep multilayer technology support: Activation, discovery, topology 
visualization, and monitoring of all aspects of MPLS/IP, Carrier Ethernet, and Unified RAN 
Backhaul architectures

• 

Element management system (EMS) for all major Cisco device and OS families: CRS-1, 
7600, ASR 9000, ASR 1000, Cisco IOS

®

 Software, Cisco IOS XE Software, Cisco IOS XR 

Software, and more 

• 

Integrated network and service wide fault monitoring and fault analysis

• 

Standards-compliant information model and northbound interface for integration 

• 

Carrier-class scale and performance

• 

Field customizable and extensible with built-in tools, partner programs, and Cisco 
Advanced Services

New in Cisco ANA Release 3.7.2

• 

Lower total cost of ownership (TCO):

 Inclusion of an embedded database and support for Linux servers significantly reduces 

ANA deployment and maintance cost.

• 

Simplified deployment and maintenance:

 New, independent virtual network element (VNE) driver packages provide timely 

support of device software and hardware releases independent of ANA releases. The introduction of an integrated Gateway 
High Availability solution simplifies high availability deployment.

• 

Improved scale:

 Triple concurrent user support and an 80 percent increase in the device number in element management 

configuration.

• 

Optimized communication with devices:

 Event-based VNEs reduce the polling load on the device and provide timely updates 

of network configuration.

• 

Enhanced element management:

 Improved usability and extended device coverage in configuration and image management; 

secured communication of events information with the introduction of secure syslog.

See Table 1 for additional new features and enhancements of Cisco ANA. 

Reviews: