WO2015113636A1

WO2015113636A1 - Architecture for enhanced processing of big data in network environment

Info

Publication number: WO2015113636A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/051981
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hermann MAIWALD; Ossi Olavi AHOLA
Original assignee: Nokia Solutions And Networks Oy
Priority date: 2014-02-03
Filing date: 2014-02-03
Publication date: 2015-08-06

Abstract

The present invention addresses method, apparatus and computer program product for enhanced processing of big data in network environment. Each of a plurality of agents implemented in a network element performs selecting specific data from data collected by a specific network element of a network, based on preset characteristics dedicated to one of a plurality of management applications, pre-processing the selected specific data based on preset directives of the management application, and exporting the pre-processed data to the management application.

Description

Title

Architecture for enhanced processing of big data in network environment

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to wired and wireless communication networks, and more specifically relates to a method, apparatus and computer program product for enhanced processing of big data in network environment.

Background

Mobile data transmission and data services are constantly making progress, wherein such services provide various communication services, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. In recent years, Long Term Evolution LTE™ has been specified, which uses the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network E-UTRAN as radio communication architecture according to 3GPP specification.

Furthermore, due to the growing performance of computing systems the processing of an increasing amount of less structured data has become possible. The conglomerate of such data is also referred to as "big data". In general, big data may include data sets with sizes beyond the ability of commonly used software tools to capture, curate, manage, and process the data within a tolerable elapsed time. Nevertheless, big data is used in various areas of business. In telecommunications this means the network and service monitoring data/counters available on network elements (data sources) are increasingly used, as "big data" technologies allow e.g. downstream, monitoring, management and reporting tools to process huge amounts of mass data. This also leads to massively improved insights into network, service and subscriber behavior.

However, the other side of big data processing in telecommunications means that there is a high effort involved and limited flexibility in collecting, forwarding and pre-processing the network data/counters in a multi-layered management architecture.

Amongst others, this is due to the fact that, according to the prior art, in telecommunications normally the full amount of raw data is collected from network elements and then forwarded and processed via multiple mediation and management levels.

Summary of the Invention

Therefore, in order to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention provides an improved architecture for enhanced processing of big data in network environment.

In particular, the present invention provides a method, apparatus and computer program product for providing enhanced processing of big data in network environment.

As already indicated above, there is a high effort involved and limited flexibility in collecting, forwarding and pre-processing the network data/counters in a multi-layered management architecture. Therefore, in general, the proposed approach is to reduce this effort and increase the flexibility in providing adequate and relevant information to various monitoring/management/reporting tools. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, comprising selecting specific data from data collected by a specific network element of a network, based on preset characteristics dedicated to one of a plurality of management applications, pre-processing the selected specific data based on preset directives of the management application, and exporting the pre-processed data to the management application.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising a selecting unit configured to select specific data from data collected by a specific network element of a network, based on preset characteristics dedicated to one of a plurality of management applications, a pre-processing unit configured to pre-process the selected specific data based on preset directives of the management application, and an exporting unit configured to export the pre-processed data to the management application.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, comprising collecting data occurring in the network element, selecting, by each of a plurality of agents implemented in the network element, specific data of the collected data based on preset characteristics dedicated to one of a plurality of management applications, pre-processing the selected specific data based on preset directives of the management application in the respective agent, and exporting the pre-processed data from each of the agents to the corresponding management application.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising at least one agent, a collection unit configured to collect data occurring in the network element, a selecting unit configured to select specific data of the collected data based on preset characteristics dedicated to one of a plurality of management applications by each of the at least one agent, a pre-processing unit configured to pre-process the selected specific data based on preset directives of the management application in the respective agent, and an exporting unit configured to export the pre-processed data from each of the agents to the corresponding management application. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out the method according to the first aspect or according to the third aspect.

Advantageous further developments or modifications of the aforementioned exemplary aspects of the present invention are set out in the dependent claims.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, exporting the pre-processed data is performed via a standardized protocol and data format.

Further, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, the data format is based on a flexibly definable template.

Further, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, pre-processing includes at least one of filtering, aggregating, correlating, scrambling, and calculating of key performance indicators.

Further, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, the management application is at least one of a monitoring tool, a management tool and a reporting tool.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the data exported to the management application is received by a generic collector.

Brief description of drawings For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a big data processing architecture overview according to the prior art;

Fig. 2 illustrates an architecture for flexible and distributed processing of big network data according to certain embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 3 illustrates a method according to certain embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an apparatus according to certain embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 5 schematically shows a method according to certain embodiments of the present invention; and

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates an apparatus according to certain embodiments of the invention.

Description of exemplary embodiments

Exemplary aspects of the present invention will be described herein below. More specifically, exemplary aspects of the present invention are described hereinafter with reference to particular non-limiting examples and to what are presently considered to be conceivable embodiments of the present invention. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is by no means limited to these examples, and may be more broadly applied.

It is to be noted that the following description of the present invention and its embodiments mainly refers to specifications being used as non-limiting examples for certain exemplary network configurations and deployments. Namely, the present invention and its embodiments are mainly described in relation to 3GPP specifications being used as non- limiting examples for certain exemplary network configurations and deployments. As such, the description of exemplary embodiments given herein specifically refers to terminology which is directly related thereto. Such terminology is only used in the context of the presented non-limiting examples, and does naturally not limit the invention in any way. Rather, any other network configuration or system deployment, etc. may also be utilized as long as compliant with the features described herein.

Some example versions of the disclosure and embodiments are described with reference to the drawings. In the following, different exemplifying examples will be described using, as an example of a communication network, a cellular wireless communication network, such as an LTE or LTE-Advanced based system. However, it is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to an application using such types of communication system, but is also applicable in other types of communication systems, be it wireless systems, wired systems or systems using a combination thereof.

Hereinafter, various embodiments and implementations of the present invention and its aspects or embodiments are described using several alternatives. It is generally noted that, according to certain needs and constraints, all of the described alternatives may be provided alone or in any conceivable combination (also including combinations of individual features of the various alternatives).

In particular, the following example versions and embodiments are to be understood only as illustrative examples. Although the specification may refer to "an", "one", or "some" example version(s) or embodiment(s) in several locations, this does not necessarily mean that each such reference is to the same example version(s) or embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single example version or embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Furthermore, words "comprising" and "including" should be understood as not limiting the described embodiments to consist of only those features that have been mentioned and such example versions and embodiments may also contain features, structures, units, modules etc. that have not been specifically mentioned.

In general, a telecommunication network comprises plural network elements, such as base stations BS, evolved NodeB's (eNB; i.e. base station in LTE environment), user equipments UE (e.g. mobile phone, smart phone, Computer, etc.), controllers, interfaces, etc, and in particular any equipment used in the provision of a telecommunications service.

A basic system architecture of a communication system where example versions and embodiments are applicable may comprise a commonly known architecture of one or more communication networks comprising a wired or wireless access network subsystem and a core network. Such an architecture may comprise one or more communication network control elements, access network elements, radio access network elements, access service network gateways or base transceiver stations, such as a base station (BS), an access point or an eNB, which control a respective coverage area or cell (macro cell, small cell) and with which one or more communication elements or terminal devices such as a UE or another device having a similar function, such as a modem chipset, a chip, a module etc., which can also be part of a UE or attached as a separate element to a UE, or the like, are capable to communicate via one or more channels for transmitting several types of data. Furthermore, core network elements such as gateway network elements, policy and charging control network elements, mobility management entities, operation and maintenance elements, and the like may be comprised.

The general functions and interconnections of the described elements, which also depend on the actual network type, are known to those skilled in the art and described in corresponding specifications, so that a detailed description thereof is omitted herein. However, it is to be noted that several additional network elements and signaling links may be employed for a communication to or from a base station and a communication network besides those described in detail herein below.

As already indicated above, at least some of network elements involved in a telecommunication network produce data, for example when e.g. monitoring, managing and reporting actions are performed by the respective network elements.

In order to improve the network characteristics, it may be advantageous to analyze data about the network, service properties and subscriber behavior. By virtue of increasing performance of computer systems, it has more and more become possible to process an increasing amount of data.

Therefore, a specific amount of raw data may be collected in a telecommunication network, which are forwarded and processed via multiple mediation and management levels of the network.

Fig. 1 shows a big data processing architecture overview according to the prior art. A network element 1 1 may comprise a plurality of processing means, such as monitoring, management and reporting tools, wherein in each of which data are processed. Such network data, which may also be embodied as counters, is combined as complete raw data and transmitted to the next hierarchical entity 12, 13. In this entity 12, 13, the raw data is collected e.g. by independent data collectors/probes 121 , 131 and forwarded in a hierarchical manner via multiple levels of mediators 122, 132, aggregators and management systems (e.g. management application 123, 133) to higher layer reporting or analytics systems.

Fig. 2 shows an architecture for flexible and distributed processing of big network data according to certain embodiments of the invention. On a network element 21 , one or a plurality of independent applications/agents 21 1 , 212 may be flexibly deployed to collect, pre-process and export network data. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, pre-processing may include at least one of filtering, aggregation, correlation, key performance indicator KPI calculation, scrambling, etc.

The one or plurality of agents, or application acting as agent, subscribes to specific data only, that is, the agent locally collects, pre-processes and directly forwards only the data required by a specific monitoring/management/reporting tool (i.e. management application 22, 23). Thereby, the applications/agents 21 1 , 212 are configurable to only select input data which are specifically required and are subscribed for.

The respective agent/application 21 1 , 212 forwards the pre-processed data via e.g. a standardized protocol and data format. The data format may be based on a flexibly definable template. Thus the specific content and amount of transferred data can be redefined during operations. Data can securely be sent to multiple different destinations/target systems used for different purposes.

Whereas prior art network data and/or network counters are collected from network elements by independent data collectors/probes and forwarded in a hierarchical manner via multiple levels of mediators, aggregators and management systems to higher layer reporting or analytics systems, with the architecture according to the present invention the flexibility and functionality are provided to collect and pre-process only the necessary data on network elements and forward them directly to the specific monitoring tools, management tools and reporting tools, etc. Adding new or changing existing data streams does not require the release of a new network element version.

With this architecture for dedicated distributed edge processing of big data at the data sources the overhead in network data processing, transfer and storage can be reduced considerably. Additionally data transfer delays are also reduced and therefore real-time or near real-time applications are supported, too. Further, the architecture allows to easily add new use cases by adding new dedicated data streams. According to embodiments of the present invention, the agent may collect control plane and user plane traffic information from the radio interface. Collected big data can be used e.g. to analyze and identify misbehavior of mobile devices based on unexpected usage profiles.

Collected big data may also contain measurement data from a user equipment UE, and the agent can use the measurement data to analyze problematic coverage areas and report those. Another use case can be the collection and processing of local cell load/congestion information as input for traffic steering management e.g. WiFi offload.

A further exemplary but non-limiting use case of the present invention may be the collection and forwarding of information on terminal capabilities (e.g. LTE capable terminal types).

Fig. 3 shows a method according to some example versions of the disclosure.

In Step S31 , specific data is selected from data collected by a specific network element of a network, based on preset characteristics dedicated to one of a plurality of management applications.

Further, in Step S32, the selected specific data is pre-processed based on preset directives of the management application.

Still further, in Step S33, the pre-processed data is exported to the management application. In Fig. 4, a diagram illustrating a configuration of one or a plurality of agents comprised in a (tele-) communication network element 40 of a communication network according to some example versions of the disclosure is shown, which is configured to implement an architecture for flexible and distributed processing of big network data as described in connection with some of the example versions of the disclosure. The embodiment may be carried out in or by a network element. It is to be noted that the network element may comprise elements or functions, such as a chipset, a chip, a module etc., which can also be part of a network element or attached as a separate element to a network element, or the like. It should be understood that each block and any combination thereof may be implemented by various means or their combinations, such as hardware, software, firmware, one or more processors and/or circuitry.

The network element 40 shown in Fig. 4 may comprise a processing function, control unit or processor 41 , such as a CPU or the like, which is suitable for executing instructions given by programs or the like related to the network element control procedure, and which is suitable for controlling the agent or an application serving as the agent.

The processor 41 is configured to execute processing related to the above described processing of big network data. In particular, the processor 41 comprises a sub-portion 410 as a a selecting unit configured to select specific data from data collected by a specific network element of a network, based on preset characteristics dedicated to one of a plurality of management applications. The portion 410 may be configured to perform processing according to S31 of Fig. 3. Furthermore, the processor 41 comprises a sub- portion 41 1 usable as a pre-processing unit configured to pre-process the selected specific data based on preset directives of the management application. The portion 41 1 may be configured to perform processing according to S32 of Fig. 3. Furthermore, the processor 41 comprises a sub-portion 412 usable as an exporting unit configured to export the pre-processed data to the management application. The portion 412 may be configured to perform a processing according to S33 of Fig. 3.

Reference signs 42 and 43 denote transceiver or input/output (I/O) units (interfaces) connected to the processor 41 . The I/O units 42 may be used for communicating with the network element in which the agent is implemented. The I/O units 43 may be used for communicating with a management application. Reference sign 44 denotes a memory usable, for example, for storing data and programs to be executed by the processor 41 and/or as a working storage of the processor 41 .

Fig. 5 shows a method according to some example versions of the disclosure. In Step S51 , data occurring in the network element is collected.

Further, in Step S52, each of a plurality of agents implemented in the network element selects specific data of the collected data based on preset characteristics dedicated to one of a plurality of management applications.

Still further, in Step S53, the selected specific data is pre-processed based on preset directives of the management application in the respective agent.

Moreover, in Step S54, the pre-processed data is exported from each of the agents to the corresponding management application.

In Fig. 6, a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network element of a communication network according to some example versions of the disclosure is shown, which is configured to implement an architecture for flexible and distributed processing of big network data as described in connection with some of the example versions of the disclosure. The network element 61 may comprise elements or functions, such as a chipset, a chip, a module etc., wherein each block and any combination thereof may be implemented by various means or their combinations, such as hardware, software, firmware, one or more processors and/or circuitry. The network element 61 shown in Fig. 6 comprises a plurality of agents 62, 63 (two in Fig. 6). A collection unit 64 of the network element collects data occurring in the network element, i.e. data about any processing performed in the network element.

Each agent 62, 63 comprises a sub-portion 621 , 631 as a selecting unit configured to select specific data of the collected data based on preset characteristics dedicated to one of a plurality of management applications by each of the at least one agent. The portion 621 , 631 may be configured to perform processing according to S51 of Fig. 5. Furthermore, each of the agents 62, 63 comprises a sub-portion 622, 632 usable as a pre- processing unit configured to pre-process the selected specific data based on preset directives of the management application in the respective agent. The portion 622, 632 may be configured to perform processing according to S53 of Fig. 5. Furthermore, each of the agents 62, 63 comprises a sub-portion 623, 633 usable as an exporting unit configured to export the pre-processed data from each of the agents to the corresponding management application. The portion 623, 633 may be configured to perform a processing according to S54 of Fig. 5.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention one or a plurality of agents or applications acting as respective agent are implemented in a network element, so as to flexibly provide all required capabilities to locally collect, pre-process and to directly forward only the data required by the specific monitoring/management/reporting tool.

Further, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, a generic collector may be used on monitoring/management/reporting tool level (i.e. management application level), to minimize integration effort.

According to the present invention, mass raw data can be processed and reduced directly at the respective source. Further, the data can be sent directly to the dedicated management application (e.g. monitoring/management/reporting system (data sink)), and there is no need to forward the mass raw data via a hierarchical multi-layer management architecture.

In view of certain embodiments of the present disclosure, when a new management system is to be connected, a telecom expert defines the required key performance indicators KPIs which are to be delivered to the corresponding management system. Then s/he maps the raw data on the network element and define the necessary processing for the KPIs. The agent or plurality of agents implemented in a network element is administered to subscribe to the required input data and for being prepared to do all the necessary preprocessing. Further, the template for the data transfer (e.g. "Internet Protocol Flow Information Export" IPFIX) may be defined and administered on the network element as well as on the generic collector at the corresponding monitoring/management/reporting system.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the disclosed technology may be implemented in a radio application cloud server RACS of an eNodeB as liquid application LA. However, the present invention is not limited thereto but may be implemented in any appropriate portion of a network element.

It is to be noted that embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as circuitry, in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer or smart phone, or user equipment.

As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to all of the following: (a) hardware- only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) to combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of 'circuitry' applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

The present invention relates in particular but without limitation to mobile communications, for example to environments under LTE™ or LTE-Advanced, and can advantageously be implemented also in controllers, base stations, user equipments or smart phones, or perself optimizing networksal computers connectable to such networks. That is, it can be implemented e.g. as/in chipsets to connected devices.

If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above- described functions may be optional or may be combined.

Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

The communication network is also able to communicate with other networks, such as a public switched telephone network or the Internet. The communication network may also be able to support the usage of cloud services. It should be appreciated that BSs and/or eNBs or their functionalities may be implemented by using any node, host, server or access node etc. entity suitable for such a usage.

Furthermore, the described network elements, such as terminal devices or user devices like UEs, communication network control elements of a cell, like a BS or an eNB, access network elements like APs and the like, as well as corresponding functions as described herein may be implemented by software, e.g. by a computer program product for a computer, and/or by hardware. In any case, for executing their respective functions, correspondingly used devices, nodes or network elements may comprise several means, modules, units, components, etc. (not shown) which are required for control, processing and/or communication/signaling functionality. Such means, modules, units and components may comprise, for example, one or more processors or processor units including one or more processing portions for executing instructions and/or programs and/or for processing data, storage or memory units or means for storing instructions, programs and/or data, for serving as a work area of the processor or processing portion and the like (e.g. ROM, RAM, EEPROM, and the like), input or interface means for inputting data and instructions by software (e.g. floppy disc, CD-ROM, EEPROM, and the like), a user interface for providing monitor and manipulation possibilities to a user (e.g. a screen, a keyboard and the like), other interface or means for establishing links and/or connections under the control of the processor unit or portion (e.g. wired and wireless interface means, radio interface means comprising e.g. an antenna unit or the like, means for forming a radio communication part etc.) and the like, wherein respective means forming an interface, such as a radio communication part, can be also located on a remote site (e.g. a radio head or a radio station etc.). It is to be noted that in the present specification processing portions should not be only considered to represent physical portions of one or more processors, but may also be considered as a logical division of the referred processing tasks performed by one or more processors.

The following meanings for the abbreviations used in this specification apply:

CEMoD Customer Experience Management on Demand KPI Key Performance Indicator LA Liquid Applications

RACS Radio Application Cloud Server

LTE Long Term Evolution

3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project eNB evolved Node B (base station in LTE)

UE User Equipment

WiFi Wireless Fidelity

Claims

What is claimed

1 . A method for processing big network data, comprising: selecting specific data from data collected by a specific network element of a network, based on preset characteristics dedicated to one of a plurality of management applications; pre-processing the selected specific data based on preset directives of the management application; and exporting the pre-processed data to the management application.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein exporting the pre-processed data is performed via a standardized protocol and data format.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data format is based on a flexibly definable template.

4. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein pre-processing includes at least one of filtering, aggregating, correlating, scrambling, and calculating of key performance indicators.

5. The method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the management application is at least one of a monitoring tool, a management tool and a reporting tool.

6. The method according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the data exported to the management application is received by a generic collector.

7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the apparatus is implemented in a network element as a liquid application.

8. An apparatus for processing big network data, comprising: a selecting unit configured to select specific data from data collected by a specific network element of a network, based on preset characteristics dedicated to one of a plurality of management applications; a pre-processing unit configured to pre-process the selected specific data based on preset directives of the management application; and an exporting unit configured to export the pre-processed data to the management application.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the exporting unit is configured to export the pre-processed data via a standardized protocol and data format.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the data format is based on a flexibly definable template.

1 1 . The apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 1 0, wherein the pre-processing unit is configured to perform at least one of filtering, aggregating, correlating, scrambling, and calculating of key performance indicators.

12. The apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 1 1 , wherein the management application is at least one of a monitoring tool, a management tool and a reporting tool.

13. The apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the data exported to the management application is received by a generic collector.

14. The apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 13, wherein the apparatus is implemented in a network element as a liquid application.

15. A method for processing big network data in a network element, comprising: collecting data occurring in the network element; selecting, by each of a plurality of agents implemented in the network element, specific data of the collected data based on preset characteristics dedicated to one of a plurality of management applications; pre-processing the selected specific data based on preset directives of the management application in the respective agent; and exporting the pre-processed data from each of the agents to the corresponding management application.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein exporting the pre-processed data is performed via a standardized protocol and data format.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the data format is based on a flexibly definable template.

18. The method according to any of claims 15 to 17, wherein pre-processing includes at least one of filtering, aggregating, correlating, scrambling, and calculating of key performance indicators.

19. The method according to any of claims 15 to 18, wherein each management application is at least one of a monitoring tool, a management tool and a reporting tool.

20. The method according to any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the data exported to the corresponding management application is received by a generic collector.

21 . An apparatus for processing big network data in a network element, comprising: at least one agent; a collection unit configured to collect data occurring in the network element; a selecting unit configured to select specific data of the collected data based on preset characteristics dedicated to one of a plurality of management applications by each of the at least one agent; a pre-processing unit configured to pre-process the selected specific data based on preset directives of the management application in the respective agent; and an exporting unit configured to export the pre-processed data from each of the agents to the corresponding management application.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the exporting unit is configured to export the pre-processed data via a standardized protocol and data format.

23. The apparatus according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the data format is based on a flexibly definable template.

24. The apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the pre-processing unit is configured to perform at least one of filtering, aggregating, correlating, scrambling, and calculating of key performance indicators.

25. The apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 24, wherein the management application is at least one of a monitoring tool, a management tool and a reporting tool.

26. The apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 25, wherein the data exported to the management application is received by a generic collector.

27. A computer program product for a computer, comprising software code portions for performing the steps of any of claims 1 to 7 or any of claims 15 to 20 when said product is run on the computer.

28. The computer program product according to claim 27, wherein the computer program product comprises a computer-readable medium on which said software code portions are stored, and/or the computer program product is directly loadable into the internal memory of the computer and/or transmittable via a network by means of at least one of upload, download and push procedures.