Is your Device using Valid TR-069 Data Models?

Technical Report 069 (TR-069) is a unique specification designed by the Broadband Forum (BBF). It describes an application protocol for remotely managing a consumer-premise equipment linked to IP (internet protocol) network.

According to the BBF, there are several data models you can use with the consumer-premise equipment WAN management protocol. Each data model in TR 069 contains parameters and objects that define many capabilities and functions of a broadband CPE or other devices. This includes their syntax, addressable name, data types, and a normative explanation of how each can be used.

The TR-069 is RPC (remote procedure call) based protocol. That means it consists of two unique applications that directly interact with each other via a set of defined methods. For TR-069, this includes device functions such as download, reboot, and other operations that impact the device’s data model.

The TR-069 testing process involves exercising these remote procedure calls to ensure that a CPE WAN Management Protocol enabled device functions correctly whenever the RPCs are called. For instance, the device can reboot, or its settings get updated after a SetParameterValues call. It’s equally essential that a device data model parameters are always valid internally and whenever communicating them over the CPE WAN Management Protocol. This includes having the right data type, being a valid XML, and making sure that each parameter’s values are always with the options or range defined in the relevant data mode.

Validating the XML

When validating the TR-069 messages, focus on comparing them to the relevant XML schema using xmllint or any other reliable XML validator. To use CDRouter which has xmllist, set up a tr59XMLCapturePath testvar and run the xmllint from the command line. Note that issues at this level are basic, and might trip up an ACS’ XML parse when trying to perform a TR-069 interaction.

Validating a parameter

In addition to making sure that the CPE’s CWMP messages can be read by an ACS, it is equally important to be sure that the data reported (and probably stored) by the CPE perfectly matches the parameters’ syntax as specified in the CWMP device data models. This includes the fundamental syntax like using the right data type and abiding by the set restrictions or even enumeration options specified in the data model.

Generally, the rate at which TR-069 is being adopted is increasing. It is, therefore, important for the carriers and CSPs who use or plan to use the TR-069 solutions to choose a unified, robust, and scalable device management solution. As much as everyone needs a scalable solution, the TR-069 must be flexible and adaptive to take care of the changing device management options. The preferred platform should enable users to automate the deployment and support of IPTV, data, and VoIP.

Besides, the TR-069 should cater to the necessary provisions and manage devices such as routers, mobile hotspots, storage devices, gateways, IP Phones, femtocells, dongles, and IPTV STBs. Choose a platform with valid TR-069 data models for better efficiency.

Payel Dutta
Payel Dutta
Happy soul, fond of travelling and loves to read tech columns.

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