Do you know where you want to go but don’t have the map to get there? Are you wondering if your current network infrastructure can get you to the Network Nirvana that you desire?

The correct network assessment can tell you all of that and more!

From the security of your network and the information you manage to the tactile hardware you have in your outside plant, there is an assessment that can help you effectively plan your upcoming network decisions. Let’s find out what they are, why you would use them, and how they can help improve your network moving forward.

1. Information Security Risk Assessment

The Information Security Risk Assessment helps you to make sure that your network not only can store the information it is housing (internal info or external customer info) but also tells you exactly where your network might be at risk.

After identifying at-risk areas through the implementation of an Information Security Risk Assessment, findings are summarized and delivered to show possible solutions and the time they will take to remediate the problem at hand.

Capacity Planning

Determine where over-saturation on the network is occurring, why it is happening, and the recommended solution based on the details we have gathered.

Risk Analysis

Rank your network’s issues to enable better business planning. CCI Systems examines your network, identifies problem areas, and ranks the problems.

Performing a Cybersecurity Vulnerability Assessment involves the following five steps:

1. Operator completes CVA Questionnaire and Device List.
2. CCI Systems sets up an internal scanner within your network.
3. CCI Systems sets up multiple auditing tools to monitor live traffic.
4. CCI Systems analyzes the data collected.
5. CCI Systems summarizes findings and develops time-based recommendations to remediate any Cybersecurity Action Plan Report issues.

2. IP Network Assessment(s)

IP Network Assessment(s) look at the totality of your network rather than just spot-checking possible problem areas for dysfunction. If you need an overview of your network from the core to the edge, an IP Network Assessment is likely what you are looking for. 

Get a Scope of Your Network

Gain a holistic scope of your network by examining:

• Hardware and software upgrades.
• Performance and network optimization.
• Future technology planning.
• Monitoring, provisioning, and automation.

Audit of Network Assets

Document the following infrastructure elements to provide accurate network records.

• Core
• Edge
• Transport
• Access Layer

3. Outside Plant Assessment (OSP)

Engineers work with you to select specific areas of your plant that will allow for a representative sampling of current performance and overall architecture.

After determining the network areas that would provide a useful sample, a series of maintenance checks to the area are done to determine the network’s overall health and state. 

From this assessment, areas of cost reduction for yearly maintenance are identified, certain training and best practices going forward are recommended, and assistance in implementing system readiness for future technologies and architectures can be provided.

CCI engineers will calculate the Outside Plant (OSP) percentage by using the following during your assessment:

• Construction Practices
• Overall Age of OSP
• Plant Maintenance
• Plant Alignment (Sweep & Balance)
• Ingress
• Leakage
• Technician Knowledge Level

4. DOCSIS 3.1 Assessment

A DOCSIS 3.1 Assessment is similar to an OSP Assessment with the difference being a specific focus on DOCSIS 3.1 carriers’ future performance and what level of maintenance will be needed for varying levels of performance.

Like the OSP Assessment, the DOCSIS 3.1 Assessment looks at representative “pockets” of your overall plant to give an idea of plant performance.

Post-DOCSIS 3.1 Deliverable

The post-assessment presents a detailed accounting of the investment needed to bring the current network to the desired performance level.

5. CMTS Saturation Assessment

Engineers analyze current bandwidth needs so that operators can proactively determine services, equipment needs, and budgets for up to 24 months from the assessment time.

This assessment also gives customers visibility into the impact that speed package changes have on current and future bandwidth needs, thus allowing marketing and engineering to make informed decisions using common data points.

If you believe that there are certain choke points in your network, or that a small subset of your customer base is accounting for a large portion of your bandwidth usage, a CMTS Saturation Assessment is the right fit for you.

6. Headend (HE) Assessment

This assessment will evaluate your current headend/hub site facilities to understand better and determine places of deficiency, opportunities for increased efficiency, or finding areas of risk within the headend that may impact performance.

Both hardware and software elements of your headend are assessed to give a holistic picture of what could be improved, reduced, or maintained to amplify the efficiency and efficacy of your headend.

Talk with an Expert to Get Started

Time and time again, we’ve seen assessments save operators valuable time and money, as they consider the next best steps for their network.

With over 60 years of experience assessing, designing, building, and managing networks, CCI Systems has the expertise to guide your company towards the network you and your subscribers desire.

To determine which assessment is correct for your network needs, talk to an expert now.