Managing files

This topic describes how to upload, delete, view, reassign and export CDRs (Call Detail Records), phone data files, public record files, geo-location files, geofence files, tower dump files, cell tower data, drive data, social media files,location files, person files, subscriber information and additional files in OSS-ESPA cases.

You can also upload CDRs, phone data files, geo-location and picture files to a selected person using the People and devices screen, and pictures, tower dumps and geofence files to a selected location using the Locations of interest screen (Case management). Thereafter all these file can be deleted, viewed and exported using the procedures in this topic. Picture files can also be deleted and viewed on their respective screens using the Pictures tab and Pictures tab.

NOTE: Depending on the license configuration of your account you may not be able to upload files. Depending on how your administrator has configured your system, you may only be able to upload, delete, view and export files if you are the case creator, a case assignee or an administrator.

If you require an overview of these file types or a detailed description of the settings refer to the Manage files screen.

NOTE: If your account is configured with the automatic file detection feature and you prefer to use it when uploading your files, or if you prefer to use the wizard, then this procedure is not applicable, refer to To upload a new file using automatic detection (optional feature) and To upload a new file using the wizard.

  1. For the case you want to upload a file to, open the Manage case screen.

    On the main menu click View cases. The screen that opens depends on your setting of View cases. If it is set to:

    • Advanced view, then the Advanced view cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, click the case name to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, then click the Cases tab. Use the search filters to help locate your case. You can also click to open the FILTERS group which allows you to set your own default filter defining what is displayed on this tab, for example you may wish to set it to cases that you created which are currently open.

      For further information refer to Searching for a case.

    • Grid view, then the View cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed under My recent cases click it to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed under My recent cases then select your case from the table, using the search filters to help locate it if required. Note, by default the search is set to only display cases that you created; if you are not the original creator but an assignee then ensure you set Case filter to Assigned cases before clicking Search.
    • Tree view, then the View i-cases screen opens.
      • Click at the top-right of the screen to open either the View Cases or Advanced view cases screen and follow the above description.

  2. On the Manage case screen click Upload more files.

    The Manage files screen opens.

  3. In Data type select the data type you want to upload. The settings that you must now complete are dependent on the data type you select. If you select:

    You must select an Operator, a Phone number, and a CDR file.

    1. In Operator select the operator of the CDR file you want to upload.

    2. In Phone number select the phone number associated with CDR.

    3. Click Select. Windows Explorer opens. Navigate to the folder and select the required file.

      NOTE: The CDR file you select must be the original file you received from the operator and not one which you have edited.

    4. Click Save.

    You must select an Operator, a Phone number, and a phone data file.

    1. In Operator select the operator of the phone number associated with the phone data file.
    2. In Phone number select the phone number associated with phone data file.

    3. Click Select. Windows Explorer opens. Navigate to the folder and select the required file. The file uploads and a green circle alongside the file name indicates when the upload is complete.

    4. Click Save.

    You must select a Person, a Source type, either a Phone number or Vehicle and a geo-location file.

    1. In Person select the applicable person for the geo-location file you want to upload.

    2. Either select a Phone number or Vehicle to associate the geo-location file with.
    3. In Source type select the source of the geo-location file.

    4. Click Select. Windows Explorer opens. Navigate to the folder and select the required file.

      NOTE: The geo-location file you select must be the original file you received and not one which you have edited.

    5. Click Save.

    For further information refer to Importing geo-location data.

    You must select a Person and a social media file.

    1. In Person select the applicable person for the social media file you want to upload.

    2. Click Select. Windows Explorer opens. Navigate to the folder and select the required file.

    3. Click Save.

    If required you can upload multiple files at one time as long as they are either:

    • not associated with a specific person, target location, or cell tower, or
    • they are all associated with the same person, target location, or cell tower.

    1. In Type of file select what the files are associated with.

    2. Depending on what you select in Type of file either:
      • None: there are no additional settings required.
      • Person: select the person associated with all the files you are about to upload.
      • Target locations: select the location associated with all the files you are about to upload.
      • Cell tower: select the operator, site and cell associated with all the files you are about to upload.
    3. In Description add a description of the file if you want one included in your advanced analysis reports and IQ packets.

    4. Click Select. Windows Explorer opens. Navigate to the folder and select the required file. The file uploads and a green circle alongside the file name indicates when the upload is complete.

    5. Click Save.

    You must select a File location and at least one geofence or one tower dump file.

    1. In File location select the location the file is associated with. You can also select either: "Define location later", "Automatically create a generic location", "Detect location in the file", or "Detect location in key file" for T-Mobile tower dumps that you previously uploaded a key for. For recommendations on using these settings depending on the operator and file type refer to Creating and analyzing geofence and tower dump cases.

    2. Click Select. Windows Explorer opens. Navigate to the folder and select the required file. The file uploads and a green circle alongside the file name indicates when the upload is complete.

      NOTE: The files you select must be the original files you received from the operator and not ones which you have edited. You can also upload in .zip format if all the files are for the same location.

    3. Click Save.

    Uploading cell tower data

    There are different methods OSS-ESPA can use to apply cell tower data files to your case.

    • You can upload a cell tower data file to your specific case, this is what OSS-ESPA refers to as "Case tower data" as it is only available in one "case". If you do upload a cell tower data file to your case then it is used.

    • Your OSS-ESPA administrator may have already uploaded country-wide cell tower data files for specific time periods to OSS-ESPA as global files which makes them available for use in every case, this is what OSS-ESPA refers to as "Global tower data". If your administrator has done this then it is not mandatory that you upload cell tower data to your specific case and OSS-ESPA automatically selects a global cell tower data file based on the date of the first call in the CDR files for that operator.

      CAUTION: Cell tower data files are typically updated by operators every quarter. It is important that your administrator is maintaining the global files and that you ensure that the file selected by OSS-ESPA is valid for the date of the first call in the CDR files for that operator. If the cell tower data that OSS-ESPA selects is more than five months after the date of the first call in the CDR file then OSS-ESPA provides a warning when the ESPA analysis center screen is opened. You must also ensure that the file covers the required locations.

    • Your OSS-ESPA administrator may have used the System Importer application to import cell tower data files to your OSS-ESPA server, therefore it is not mandatory that you upload cell tower data or reference existing cell tower data to your specific case. That is you do not need to use the Upload cell tower data screen and therefore you do not need to have any cell tower data listed on the Cell tower data management screen. OSS-ESPA only selects cell tower data files that have been imported using the System Importer application if you have not used any of the previous methods.

    If you decide to upload a cell tower data file to your specific case then you must select an Operator and a cell tower data file. If you do not already have the Manage files screen open then on the Manage case screen click Upload more files.

    1. In Data type select either Cell tower data or Automatic detection.

    2. In Operator select the operator associated with the cell tower data file.

    3. Click Select. Windows Explorer opens. Navigate to the folder and select the required file. When the upload is complete the file appears in Case files. This can take a few minutes.

      Repeat this step for all the cell tower data files you want to import to the case for the selected operator.

      NOTE: Although you can import multiple cell tower data files at one time they must all be from the same operator and of the same format, for example the column headers must be the same. If your file is large, or if you have multiple files from the same operator and of the same format it is recommended that you zip the files to minimize the upload time. Also, if you have previously uploaded a cell tower data file for the operator you cannot upload an additional cell tower data file for that operator. You must first delete any existing uploaded cell tower data files for that operator then upload the new file along with any of the previous files that you still require.

    4. Click Save.

    If you want to upload a person or locations file then refer to these topics respectively for details of on the file requirements and file templates: Import persons from file screen and Import locations from file screen.

  4. Click Back to return to the Manage case screen.

NOTE: If you add a target phone number or a file to a case, and it already exists in another case then a notification is displayed at the top-right of the screen, and an email is also sent. Both the notification and email provide the names and links to the other cases providing you with additional leads.

The automatic detection feature is optional depending on the type of account you have.

  1. For the case you want to add upload a file to, open the Manage case screen.

    On the main menu click View cases. The screen that opens depends on your setting of View cases. If it is set to:

    • Advanced view, then the Advanced view cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, click the case name to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, then click the Cases tab. Use the search filters to help locate your case. You can also click to open the FILTERS group which allows you to set your own default filter defining what is displayed on this tab, for example you may wish to set it to cases that you created which are currently open.

      For further information refer to Searching for a case.

    • Grid view, then the View cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed under My recent cases click it to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed under My recent cases then select your case from the table, using the search filters to help locate it if required. Note, by default the search is set to only display cases that you created; if you are not the original creator but an assignee then ensure you set Case filter to Assigned cases before clicking Search.
    • Tree view, then the View i-cases screen opens.
      • Click at the top-right of the screen to open either the View Cases or Advanced view cases screen and follow the above description.

  2. On the Manage case screen click Upload more files.

    The Manage files screen opens.

  3. In File type select Automatic detection which is suitable for all file types.

  4. Click Select. Windows Explorer opens. Navigate to the folder and select the required files. The files upload and a green circle alongside the file name indicates when the upload is complete.

    NOTE: The files you select must be the original files you received and not ones which you have edited.

  5. Click Save.

  6. Click Back to return to the Manage case screen.
  7. You may now have notifications to resolve so that the files are assigned correctly, refer to Resolving notifications for further information.

  1. For the case you want to add upload a file to, open the Manage case screen.

    On the main menu click View cases. The screen that opens depends on your setting of View cases. If it is set to:

    • Advanced view, then the Advanced view cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, click the case name to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, then click the Cases tab. Use the search filters to help locate your case. You can also click to open the FILTERS group which allows you to set your own default filter defining what is displayed on this tab, for example you may wish to set it to cases that you created which are currently open.

      For further information refer to Searching for a case.

    • Grid view, then the View cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed under My recent cases click it to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed under My recent cases then select your case from the table, using the search filters to help locate it if required. Note, by default the search is set to only display cases that you created; if you are not the original creator but an assignee then ensure you set Case filter to Assigned cases before clicking Search.
    • Tree view, then the View i-cases screen opens.
      • Click at the top-right of the screen to open either the View Cases or Advanced view cases screen and follow the above description.

  2. On the Manage case screen click Go to wizard and then click Mission setup.

  3. In Upload historical files click Select files. Windows Explorer opens. Navigate to the folder and select the required files. The files upload and a green circle alongside the file name indicates when the upload is complete.

    NOTE: The files you select must be the original files you received and not ones which you have edited.

  4. Click Save.

  5. You may now have notifications to resolve so that the files are assigned correctly, refer to Resolving notifications for further information.

To reassign a file such as a 999-999-9999 number

This procedure allows you to reassign a phone, vehicle or location for a file if it is not currently assigned to the correct one. This procedure can also be used if you have uploaded CDR or Timing Advance file into OSS-ESPA and a person is created with a 999 name as shown below.

Click here for a short video showing how to reassign files.

  1. For the case you want to reassign a file from, open the Manage case screen.

    On the main menu click View cases. The screen that opens depends on your setting of View cases. If it is set to:

    • Advanced view, then the Advanced view cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, click the case name to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, then click the Cases tab. Use the search filters to help locate your case. You can also click to open the FILTERS group which allows you to set your own default filter defining what is displayed on this tab, for example you may wish to set it to cases that you created which are currently open.

      For further information refer to Searching for a case.

    • Grid view, then the View cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed under My recent cases click it to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed under My recent cases then select your case from the table, using the search filters to help locate it if required. Note, by default the search is set to only display cases that you created; if you are not the original creator but an assignee then ensure you set Case filter to Assigned cases before clicking Search.
    • Tree view, then the View i-cases screen opens.
      • Click at the top-right of the screen to open either the View Cases or Advanced view cases screen and follow the above description.

  2. On the Manage case screen, click the file name you want to reassign.

    The Edit uploaded file screen opens.

  3. In Assigned to select the correct option and select Remove original person.

    NOTE: If you have additional files associate with the 999 number then do not select Remove original person until you assign the last file otherwise the remaining files are immediately deleted.

    NOTE: If you want to avoid creating 999 numbers, you can upload the standard CDR file first, which allows OSS-ESPA to create a person, and then you can upload and select the person the file is associated with before it is imported by OSS-ESPA.

  4. Click Save.

To assign a name and phone number if the IMSI displays for both

If a file does not contain a phone number but does contain an IMSI, then the IMSI number is used in OSS-ESPA for the person name and their phone number.

You can then simply edit the person name and phone number from the IMSI number to the correct details using the first procedure below. If you already have the person in your case and there is only one file using the IMSI name, then you may want to reassign the file to the existing person using the second procedure below.

  1. For the case you want to edit the name and phone on, open the Manage case screen.

    On the main menu click View cases. The screen that opens depends on your setting of View cases. If it is set to:

    • Advanced view, then the Advanced view cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, click the case name to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, then click the Cases tab. Use the search filters to help locate your case. You can also click to open the FILTERS group which allows you to set your own default filter defining what is displayed on this tab, for example you may wish to set it to cases that you created which are currently open.

      For further information refer to Searching for a case.

    • Grid view, then the View cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed under My recent cases click it to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed under My recent cases then select your case from the table, using the search filters to help locate it if required. Note, by default the search is set to only display cases that you created; if you are not the original creator but an assignee then ensure you set Case filter to Assigned cases before clicking Search.
    • Tree view, then the View i-cases screen opens.
      • Click at the top-right of the screen to open either the View Cases or Advanced view cases screen and follow the above description.

  2. On the Manage case screen, in People and devices, click the file IMSI number you want to edit.

    The People and devices screen opens.

  3. Click (or click and select Edit person) to display the personal details, then edit the name details.

  4. Click Save.

  5. Click to display the phone numbers, click the operator icon (or click and select Edit phone) for the phone you want to edit, then edit the phone number.

  6. Click Save.

    The person name and phone number are now both changed from the IMSI to the actual name and phone.

Click here for a short video showing how to reassign files.

  1. For the case you want to reassign a file from, open the Manage case screen.

    On the main menu click View cases. The screen that opens depends on your setting of View cases. If it is set to:

    • Advanced view, then the Advanced view cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, click the case name to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, then click the Cases tab. Use the search filters to help locate your case. You can also click to open the FILTERS group which allows you to set your own default filter defining what is displayed on this tab, for example you may wish to set it to cases that you created which are currently open.

      For further information refer to Searching for a case.

    • Grid view, then the View cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed under My recent cases click it to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed under My recent cases then select your case from the table, using the search filters to help locate it if required. Note, by default the search is set to only display cases that you created; if you are not the original creator but an assignee then ensure you set Case filter to Assigned cases before clicking Search.
    • Tree view, then the View i-cases screen opens.
      • Click at the top-right of the screen to open either the View Cases or Advanced view cases screen and follow the above description.

  2. On the Manage case screen, click the file name you want to reassign.

    The Edit uploaded file screen opens.

  3. In Assigned to select the correct option and select Remove original person.

  4. Click Save.

NOTE: When you delete a file it is permanently removed from the database and is therefore no longer available within the case to run an analysis on.

NOTE: If the file you want to delete is a drive data file then this process deletes the uploaded raw drive data file but it does not delete the processed drive data file which is still available to select in the ESPA analysis center screen's Cell footprint analysis and WiFi footprint analysis dialog boxes. Refer to To delete a drive data file that was uploaded using Case management's Manage files screen or the wizard for the complete procedure for removing a drive data file.

  1. For the case you want to delete a file from, open the Manage case screen.

    On the main menu click View cases. The screen that opens depends on your setting of View cases. If it is set to:

    • Advanced view, then the Advanced view cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, click the case name to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, then click the Cases tab. Use the search filters to help locate your case. You can also click to open the FILTERS group which allows you to set your own default filter defining what is displayed on this tab, for example you may wish to set it to cases that you created which are currently open.

      For further information refer to Searching for a case.

    • Grid view, then the View cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed under My recent cases click it to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed under My recent cases then select your case from the table, using the search filters to help locate it if required. Note, by default the search is set to only display cases that you created; if you are not the original creator but an assignee then ensure you set Case filter to Assigned cases before clicking Search.
    • Tree view, then the View i-cases screen opens.
      • Click at the top-right of the screen to open either the View Cases or Advanced view cases screen and follow the above description.

  2. On the Manage case screen, click the title Case files.

    The Manage files screen opens.

  3. In the available files table select the check-box next to the files you want to delete then click Delete selected.

  4. Click OK on the confirmation dialog box.

    The selected files are deleted from the available files table.

NOTE: If you uploaded a multi-location tower dump file it is not possible to download the original file as OSS-ESPA automatically separates the data and creates a separate file for each location in the file.

  1. For the case you want to download a file from, open the Manage case screen.

    On the main menu click View cases. The screen that opens depends on your setting of View cases. If it is set to:

    • Advanced view, then the Advanced view cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, click the case name to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, then click the Cases tab. Use the search filters to help locate your case. You can also click to open the FILTERS group which allows you to set your own default filter defining what is displayed on this tab, for example you may wish to set it to cases that you created which are currently open.

      For further information refer to Searching for a case.

    • Grid view, then the View cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed under My recent cases click it to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed under My recent cases then select your case from the table, using the search filters to help locate it if required. Note, by default the search is set to only display cases that you created; if you are not the original creator but an assignee then ensure you set Case filter to Assigned cases before clicking Search.
    • Tree view, then the View i-cases screen opens.
      • Click at the top-right of the screen to open either the View Cases or Advanced view cases screen and follow the above description.

  2. On the Manage case screen, in the Case files section click for the file you want to download.

  1. For the case you want to view a file from, open the Manage case screen.

    On the main menu click View cases. The screen that opens depends on your setting of View cases. If it is set to:

    • Advanced view, then the Advanced view cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, click the case name to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, then click the Cases tab. Use the search filters to help locate your case. You can also click to open the FILTERS group which allows you to set your own default filter defining what is displayed on this tab, for example you may wish to set it to cases that you created which are currently open.

      For further information refer to Searching for a case.

    • Grid view, then the View cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed under My recent cases click it to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed under My recent cases then select your case from the table, using the search filters to help locate it if required. Note, by default the search is set to only display cases that you created; if you are not the original creator but an assignee then ensure you set Case filter to Assigned cases before clicking Search.
    • Tree view, then the View i-cases screen opens.
      • Click at the top-right of the screen to open either the View Cases or Advanced view cases screen and follow the above description.

  2. On the Manage case screen, in the Case files section click for the file you want to view.

    The View file content screen opens.

  3. View the file details on this screen or click Export to XLS or Export to CSV to export the file and view in a tool of your choice.

  4. Once you are complete click Exit to return to the Manage case screen.

File import issues

When you attempt to import a file, a log file is automatically generated whether or not the file imports successfully. If you are having a file import issue you should refer to the log file as it may help you determine and resolve the issue.

  1. On the Manage case screen, in the Case files section click for the file you want to download the log for.

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