 of measurements, and delivered outputs (in ASCII/Word/textfiles, Data Collection: Signalling The existing signalling plan is the basis for the signalling optimisation process. Informa- tion about signalling links, signalling link sets, capacity of the signalling links, signalling routes, signalling route sets, signalling network topology, signalling load and signalling load sharing is important for this process. Some of the information, e.g. signalling topol- ogy, is available already, but for some - such as the existing load - measurements need to be performed. Again, the NMS can be used to collect information related to the performance of the signalling links. This can be done with the help of statistical counters available for monitoring performance of the signalling network. One such example of signalling link utilisation is shown in Figure 4.13. If possible, measurements and statistics from all the signalling elements in the core network should be fetched. These measurements and statistics are analysed and compared with the existing plans, and changes are suggested if needed. METERS OF LAST PERIOD: 01:45:00 - -02:15:00 (30 MIN) 0000008071 0000000000 0000000170 0000014343 0000000173 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 Figure 4.13 Statistics showing signalling link utilisation Data Analysis: Switching and Signalling The data collected now needs to be analysed SO that suggestions for improvements and optimisation can be given. Traffic measurement reports are the inputs for the analysis. Usually, traffic generated is divided into categories, as seen in the planning phase. The categories include traffic originating and terminating in the network, traffic originating and terminating in an external network, internal and transit traffic, etc. This categorisation makes the analysis much easier. The traffic and signalling analysis will result in information such as: traffic handl