1 Introduction

Oracle Communications MetaSolv Solution (MSS) supports service fulfillment business functions. Each subsystem accesses the MetaSolv Solution database and can be extended to support unique products and services.

The MetaSolv Solution application programming interfaces (API) give third-party applications limited access to parts of the MetaSolv Solution database. Additional accessory software may also be purchased.

Managing MetaSolv Solution Administration

In general, the responsibilities of the MetaSolv Solution administrator role fall into three basic categories, as shown in Table 1-1. These are the tasks described in this document.

Table 1-1 Administrative Responsibilities

Responsibility	Tasks
Monitoring and maintaining the system	Maintaining components Maintaining the configuration files Monitoring log files
Supporting users	Providing logon information Assisting end users with application error conditions Resolving API problems Troubleshooting system errors
Managing supporting modules, products, and utilities	Managing the Oracle WebLogic Server Managing the Oracle database Managing application and component security Managing the Background Processor Running the LERG Running MetaSolv Solution Utilities Running the NPA Split Utility

Introducing the Architecture

The MetaSolv Solution system consists of three tiers: clients, Oracle WebLogic server and APIs, and database servers. It can also include a Citrix/XenApp terminal that helps manage communication.

Figure 1-1 shows the MetaSolv Solution three-tier architecture:

Figure 1-1 MetaSolv Solution Three-Tier Architecture

Description of ''Figure 1-1 MetaSolv Solution Three-Tier Architecture''

MetaSolv Solution is installed on clients and an Oracle WebLogic server. The clients access the Oracle WebLogic server and the Oracle WebLogic server accesses a database. Some accessory products, like the MetaSolv Solution Utilities, access the database directly. See the product documentation for detailed instructions about managing:

The Oracle WebLogic Server
The Oracle database with an Oracle database client

MetaSolv Solution clients are the user machines that run the MetaSolv Solution software. The client machines access the Oracle WebLogic server running in the middle tier. Clients connect to these servers using HTTP or IIOP (both over TCP/IP). The Oracle WebLogic server connects to the database server using JDBC connection pools. The APIs run on the Oracle WebLogic server and makes direct JDBC connections to the database. JacORB 3.8 is compliant with OMG CORBA 2.3 or higher.

Details about using the Oracle WebLogic server can be found in the server product documentation. This document provides Oracle WebLogic server details only for information unique to the MetaSolv Solution.

The Oracle WebLogic server and the APIs access the MetaSolv Solution database that resides on a Windows or Unix-based machine.

Installed, the core product consists of many files, most of which require no attention. See "Understanding Configuration Files" for information about the INI and XML configuration files and the EXE files.

Additional files may be installed when MetaSolv Solution is installed, such as the LERG product files. See "Introducing the Accessory Applications" for more information.

See MetaSolv Solution Planning Guide for details about various components and their technical requirements

Introducing the Accessory Applications

In addition to the base MetaSolv Solution product, your company may have purchased an accessory package, called a software option. Also, additional products, such as utilities, are delivered with MetaSolv Solution at no extra cost. Some of these applications run separately and are not normally used by end users.

Table 1-2 lists accessory applications that may be loaded on client machines.

Table 1-2 Accessory Options and Products

Product	Description
APIs	MetaSolv Solution offers a robust library of APIs that permit interfacing with third-party systems.
Data Selection Tool	Oracle's Data Selection tool facilitates the selective migration of data between MetaSolv Solution databases of the same version.
MetaSolv Solution Utilities	Purge Utility: Removes old data from the database. Database Health Function: Runs checks to ensure that all database objects (required by MetaSolv Solution) are valid. Structured Formats: Provides a way to enter, define, and store custom formats and valid values for addresses, telephone numbers, switch prefixes, and Local Service Ordering Guide (LSOG) columns. Custom Attributes Tool: Enables you to set up custom attributes to collect and compute data at specific processing points. Migration Tool: Enables you to create and convert network elements and to migrate pre-5.1 connections, Virtual Layout Records, and reconcile design lines to Release 6.3.x.
Location and Routing Gateway	The Location and Routing Gateway provides the interface between the MetaSolv Solution and the information from Telcordia Technologies Local Exchange Routing Guide (LERG) for North America, automating the loading of the LERG information into the MetaSolv Solution. The automated process provided by this gateway reduces data entry time and ensures that MetaSolv Solution information is accurate and in compliance with Telcordia standards.
NPA/NXX Split Utility Tool	The Number Plan Administration (NPA) NXX Split Utility enables you to update your database whenever an NPA (Area Code) split occurs in your service area. MetaSolv Solution uses NPAs as a part of telephone numbers in several functional areas.

Additional Oracle products may also be in use at your site. Log on to the Oracle software delivery website to access those products.

Securing the MSS Application

MSS application security consists of two processes: authentication and authorization. Authentication is the process of identifying a user with a user ID and password combination. See MetaSolv Solution Installation Guide for authentication details. See MetaSolv Solution Security Guide for information about authorization, the process of granting or denying access to application functions.