It’s time to unveil the latest version of NetStork, our telecommunications network inventory system. Version 15.3 brings significantly expanded user management capabilities and a completely new NetStork Web application, migrated to the .NET 8 platform and substantially upgraded. Every improvement is designed to streamline operations, from the back office to technicians in the field.
Read on to discover why you should update your system or take the plunge and implement it today.
1. Permission management – organization and Active Directory integration
Manually assigning permissions to every single user is tedious. As an organization grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to monitor who has access to the system and to what extent. In NetStork 15.3, we have focused on automation and transparency.
- We introduced a mechanism that allows you to define roles and assign appropriate permissions (e.g., “Field Technician”, “Designer”). This lets administrators easily grant the same set of rights to multiple users, saving time.
- We added integration with Active Directory, meaning you can now use AD group names when defining group permissions. This allows you to leverage existing user-to-group assignments directly at the AD level.
- We implemented a graphical interface for managing users and groups, making administration and permission assignment more convenient.
NetStork 15.3: New user permission management interface
2. The new WEB client – modern technology and new capabilities
The core of the changes in NetStork 15.3 is the new version of the web application. Built on the .NET 8 (dotnet core) platform, it meets the latest standards, offers enhanced security, and is fully cross-platform. This means NetStork can now be deployed and hosted on systems like Linux.
We also updated the OpenLayers and Bootstrap libraries, resulting in smoother and more reliable map performance.
The new version supports modern authentication standards such as Windows Authentication (Active Directory), EntraID, and OpenIDConnect, facilitating Single Sign-On (SSO) implementation and ensuring greater login security.
Additionally, we have implemented entirely new features, detailed below:
a. Configurable WMS/WMTS layers – maps tailored to your needs
The new NetStork Web breaks away from previous map layer limitations. Users can now easily configure any WMS/WMTS background to replace the standard OpenStreetMap view. This allows the use of precise geodetic maps, orthophotos, or industry-specific online layers tailored to your requirements.
b. OTDR tracing – rapid outage identification
The OTDR tracing function, previously exclusive to the desktop application, is now available in the browser.
In case of an outage, an operator can select a starting object from anywhere and initiate fiber tracing. The tracing result, presented on the map, allows for instant localization of the cable break so a repair crew can be dispatched immediately.
NetStork 15.3: Fiber optic tracing in case of an outage
c. Map printing – professional documentation in just a few clicks
Do you need to attach a map to project documentation or hand a site plan printout to a subcontractor?
We have equipped the NetStork 15.3 Web application with a map plotting function that allows you to print a specific map section to an image file or PDF.
Users can:
- Select the output format.
- Adjust page size, orientation, print resolution, and map scale.
- Preview and modify the print area by visually positioning the print frame on the map.
- Select an SVG template as a print overlay. This allows standard elements, such as borders, tables, or logos, to be automatically added to the printed document.
NetStork 15.3: Printing a specific map section
d. Advanced web reports – better information flow between field and office
In the new web version of NetStork, we have added a comprehensive field reporting feature. Users can now report network changes, document outages, and submit general field notes directly via a smartphone or tablet browser. Say goodbye to paper notes and emails that get “lost” in the inbox.
Each report can include:
- A description and additional attributes.
- A situational sketch on the map created using points, lines, and areas.
- Attached documents and photos.
Reports are sent directly to the dispatcher’s workstation (in the Desktop application), where they can be immediately reviewed to trigger appropriate actions or update the system data.
NetStork 15.3: New web reports interface
7. Other changes in NetStork 15.3
Version 15.3 also brings many smaller yet vital improvements introduced in response to real-world usage scenarios reported by our clients.
- New CSV loader mode: Insert, Update, and Delete. This mode is useful for integrations where it is crucial to accurately mirror entire tables from another system within the NetStork database.
- Additional logging and diagnostic capabilities for the CSV import process.
- Edit history repository is now saved in CSV files instead of JSON. This results in faster task saving/reading and reduced memory consumption.
- A “Collapse/Expand All” function has been added to the hierarchy view. This is especially helpful for hierarchies containing many elements.
- The editor configuration has been extended to include an option to disable auto-expansion of the hierarchy for specific objects.
- Windows shortcuts support within associated document folders. This helps integrate the associated document repository with the directory structure used by your organization.
- Option to enable additional confirmation prompts for data editing, helping to prevent accidental user modifications.
- New “Other” device type allows for the modeling of devices that do not have ports and should not be displayed on optical schemes.
- Coordinate system descriptions now include the EPSG projection code.
Service extensions:
- Improved visualization of services based on optical relations. In such cases, the relation is hidden to avoid decluttering the hierarchy view or schemes.
- Display of more specific information regarding service terminations based on fiber relations in the service editor’s logical fields (e.g., port names).
- New “RelationElement” descriptive function that allows data to be pulled from any element of a relation and included in the description or a logical field of the relation/service.
- Objects used by services with a reserving status cannot be deleted.
- Connections used by a service with reserving status can be deleted if an alternative route for that service is available.
- Ability to turn service/relation descriptions on or off in the optical schema. This ensures better readability when dealing with a high volume of services.
- Unconnected splitter ports used by a fiber relation are now highlighted, similarly to WDM device ports.
New data model fields:
- Flats: External ID, External service ID
- Service (PON): Virtual OLT Port
- Dictionary “Freestanding Device.Type“: Power
- ONT – device state attributes: Status, Rx Signal Power, Attenuation (Up), Attenuation (Down), Last Refresh
- Building: Contract Number, Number of Commercial Units
- Fiber Joint: Contract Number
- Device: Serial Number
Want to see NetStork 15.3 in action?
Contact us to schedule a demo!