scope:

This guideline applies to products with CLEI Codes requested after the implementation date of this guideline and does not apply to products in production and with CLEI Codes previously assigned. The original implementation date of this guideline was October 1, 2003. Implementation of the changes provided in the 2020 revision on this guideline is effective upon republication of this document.

This guideline recommends processes and procedures for the following issues:

• Determining if a plug-in card or standalone hardwired unit has the downloadable software capability that complies with this guideline.

• Determining if a plug-in card or standalone hardwired unit has Virtual Network Function (VNF) capability that complies with this guideline.

• Determining if the software is downloaded automatically and if additional manual intervention, other than inserting the plug-in card into the slot, is required.

• Identification of hardware, and the version of software loaded:

o Hardware:

The existing physical product identification label (e.g., GTIN label or CLEI Code label for the hardware as per ATIS-0300038 and the iconectiv document, GR-383-CORE).

o Software:

An electronic identifier for identifying the software version.

▪ This identifier will not have a physical label.

▪ ATIS-0300040, Guideline for Data Elements included in the MIB, defines what data the industry requires in the Management Information Base [MIB] and specifies the software identifier.

▪ This guideline provides a process to determine the Software Version without adversely affecting the operating system.

• Determining where in the supply chain the appropriate software is located and how it will be downloaded onto the equipment (e.g., on new provisioning orders or plug-ins coming out of the spare cabinets).

• For products that have CLEI Codes assigned, the CLEI-7 for the hardware should not be changed, when the only thing that is being changed is the downloadable software, unless the prior software caused a network outage.

• For all products, if the supplier would like to track hardware shipped with the most current version of software and firmware; i.e., on the plug-in or standalone hardwired unit as it leaves the factory, the supplier can issue a Class D hardware PCN.

The guideline is limited to:

• Plug-in cards and standalone hardwired units that have the capability to support downloadable software from either a local or remote location AND requires additional intervention by a technician (beyond the act of inserting the card in the slot) to ensure that the correct version of software and firmware are loaded on that unit.

• For plug-in cards and standalone hardwired units that have only downloadable software, the capability of automatically updating its software when placed in service ("Intelligent Network Cards"). These cards have their software automatically updated by the system when they are inserted in the network element. This will result in NO additional work by the technician.

Purpose

This guideline provides the processes and a method for allowing a service provider technician to determine whether manual intervention is required, due to changes in downloadable software, prior to installing a plug-in card or a standalone self-contained hardwired unit in the telecommunications network.

This guideline provides a method to determine how equipment that is capable of supporting downloadable software through manual intervention should be identified and how to manage this equipment. This includes processes related to provisioning, installation, removal and warehousing to ensure high quality network reliability and efficient operational procedures.

Downloadable software includes any software (including firmware) that can be downloaded from a remote or local location to the plug-in card or standalone self-contained hardwired unit at the service provider location.

Note: Throughout this document the term "plug-in card" is used. However, the term also applies to plug-ons, Small Formfactor pluggables (SFPs), and GigaBit Interface Converters (GBICs).