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The role of softswitch in NGN network

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 RECENT ADVANCES on DATA NETWORKS, COMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTERS

The role of softswitch in NGN network

ARIANIT MARAJ, SKENDER RUGOVA
Post and telecommunication of Kosova
Republic of Kosova, Dardania n.n.
Prishtina, 1000
[email protected], [email protected] , www.ptkonline.com

Abstract: - Nowadays service providers are focused in Next Generation Network, which is considered as a key on the
future of telecommunication technologies. NGN network has a lot of advantageous compared with traditional
telecommunication systems. This converged network allows the creation, deployment and management of all kinds of
services. One of the main components of NGN network is softswitch which controls VOIP calls. Softswitch enables
integration of different protocols inside NGN network. The main function of softswitch is to create network interfaces
between signaling gateways and media gateways. In this paper we will describe in details the role of softswitch in
NGN network, especially the role of softswitch in a simple call scenario in a concrete NGN network architecture
which is implemented in Telecom of Kosova (TK).

Key-Words: - Next generation network, softswitch, network interfaces, protocols, call scenario, applications.

1 Introduction market demands always change. Customers require

NGN network is designed to offer various multimedia different services with high quality. In order to fulfill
communications [4], which implies that NGN network those requirements is developed NGN network with an
guarantees high broadband capacities, multichannel advanced platform. Next Generation Networks as a
transport with high data rates, low latencies, low packet platform is able to offer ubiquitous connectivity and
loss and QoS [1]. NGN provides the capabilities intelligent interfaces [5] for human and machine
(infrastructure, protocols, etc.) to converge voice communication as well as pervasive services access,
services (traditionally provided by a circuit-switched bringing value to human life for its improvement and
network in Time Division Multiplex mode) and data new experiences [6]. It is proved that NGN network
services (traditionally provided by a packet-switched offers more services compared to PSTN network. NGN
network) into one common network infrastructure: network needs lower investments to achieve the same
IP/MPLS-based packet network [2]. It represents new functions. By creating dedicated virtual communication
technology and services that all operators want to have environment, NGN is able to disappear distance barrier
at their disposal. NGN technology enables converged between two users, handover problems etc.
IP/MPLS network services [3], mostly focused on NGN is packet based network, so it is oriented in VoIP
opportunities for service differentiation and service- services. The main features of NGN network are: packet
oriented technology. The convergent services are based based transmission; broadband capabilities with end-to
on packet switching rather than circuit switching end QoS, fixed-mobile convergence as well as wide
technology. [4]. In this paper we will describe in details range of services. Two international organizations as the
NGN network architecture, protocols, services but we IETF and ITU propose two different NGN network
will be focused in the main part of NGN network that is models, each one having its own set of features and
softswitch. Softswitch is considered as platform for protocols.
packet switching in NGN network. It is designed to According to IETF, NGN network topology model is
replace class 4 and 5 switches which are based on circuit based in Softswitch model which consists of:
switching technology. Also, here we will describe the - Media Gateways (MG): the role of media gateway is
the main functions of softswitch in NGN network in TK conversion of voice message from circuit format
and the role of softswitch in a simple call scenario in into packet format.
NGN network in TK. - Media Gateway Controllers (MGC): the main role
of MGC is to manage different connections in a
certain packet network. Also, has the feature for call
control.
2 Next Generation Network
NGN is a safe technology for the future. Nowadays

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SS7 MGC
SG
Network

IP
IP

IP/MPLS
PSTN TG
Backbone AG

IP Analog/ISDN
IP Phone

PC
IP
Phome

Figure 1: General NGN network architecture

- Signaling Gateway (SG): it is the interface between Most important types of services that are carried over
packet network and signaling network nº 7 (SS7) of NGN are:
the switched circuit network. 3.1. OAM Traffic
Whereas, the ITU defines the NGN network topology OAM traffic is again subdivided in categories depending
based on H323 standards. This ITU model includes: on the type of equipment:
- Gateway (GW): it is the interface between the IP - NGN OAM: OAM for/from NGN specific servers:
network and switched circuit network. softswitch server, open service platform, core and
- Terminal: may be any end-point of the network able edge routers etc
to establish duplex communications in real time - Access gateway OAM: to/from AGW and their
with any other H.323 terminal or any Gateway. network management centers
- Gatekeeper (GK): the Gatekeeper manages an H323 - Network OAM: to/from routers, switches, firewalls
zone, thus providing address translation of terminals and their network management
within one H323 zone.
NGN network is designed to become more than ISP 3.2. VOIP Traffic
(internet service provider). NGN network brings change VoIP traffic is a unique form of traffic in that it requires
in service network architecture and service network little bandwidth but very low latencies [5]. Call
management [6]. controlling protocols for VoIP traffic are: SIP, Megaco
signaling and RTP voice traffic.
SIP & Megaco are signaling protocols that will be used
to establish calls. Traffic will flow between terminal
3 Types of services that are carried over endpoints (AGW) and the NGN core equipments
NGN network softswitch and open service platform (OSP).
In the Internet, data packets that belong to traffic flow RTP traffic carrying the call will flow directly between
are not guaranteed. Said in other words, the Internet is the interested terminal endpoints (AGW, IP/MPLS
not suitable for real time applications, because network routers and media server).
capacity is not guaranteed and delays are not limited.
Thus, it is necessary to present an architecture that 3.3. Data Traffic
supports new services in the Internet and guarantees This traffic is pure Internet traffic between BRAS
QoS for real time applications. NGN network is able to (broadband remote access server) and DSL accesses
support those services.

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in the AGW & ISAM. This traffic must not be able gateway controller) for controlling media gateways
to interact with the VoIP world but should be carried (MG-s). This protocol allows the MGC to tell to the
across the IP backbone from the ADSL directly to the MG-s when to send and receive information
BRAS. The Internet security and standard practices towards/from different addresses. This protocol also
related to ADSL based access must be taken into is useful for sending all information to the MGC
account. from MG-s regarding with detected events such is:
on –hook, off hook etc. The equivalent protocol of
3.4. Supplementary services MEGACO according to ITU is H248.
Supplementary services that offers NGN network are: - SIP-Session Initiation protocol: is protocol that
Call Forwarding services, Fixed announcements, resides into application layer and is signaling
presentation Services, Call screening, outgoing call protocol. SIP plays a very important role for session
barring, 3 party conference, Explicit call transfer, Call creation for audio/videoconferences, interactive
hold, Call waiting, PBX Line hunting games and for call orientation towards IP network.
SIP is IETF standard which supports traditional
3.5. Intelligent services telephony services within IP domain such are:
Some Intelligent services that offer NGN are: Prepaid routing, identification, call establishment and other
Card service, free phone, Premium Rate, Televoting. services.
- H323 protocol: this protocol is for multimedia
3.6. NGN SIP traffic conferences, including here: voice, video and data in
SIP technology is the key for NGN deployment. SIP is packet switched networks. H323 standard can be
the IP based signaling used for the call handling of VoIP applied in networks that which offers different
calls. Some of the equipment also uses the MEGACO services: IP telephony, networks for offering voice
signaling (gateways) but this other IP based signaling and data, video and data etc. The main components
protocol will travel on roughly the same paths and of H323 protocol are: terminals, Multipoint Control
within the same LANs as the SIP signaling. As it is a Units (MCUs), Gateways, Gatekeeper, Border
signaling protocol, SIP will flow between a terminal Elements / Peer Elements.
endpoint and the NGN core elements. Terminal - Real time protocol: this protocol offers end-to-end
endpoints are the Trunking Gateway, the announcement voice transmission in real time. Whereas H323 is
server and all AGW nodes. NGN core elements are the used for data transmission in IP based networks, the
softswitch, media gateway controller (MGC), and open RTP protocol is used for data transmission in User
service platform.. Datagram Protocol (UDP). RTP together with UDP
offers functionality to the transport protocol. The
3.7. NGN RTP traffic RTP protocol identifies the type of load, enumerates
RTP is the IP based protocol used to carry voice in sequences, measures time etc.
NGN/VoIP networks. RTP traffic is sustained, - Real Time Control protocol (RTCP): is a copy of
composed of short UDP packets, heavy volume, requires RTP which offers control services. The main
high priority handling and small inter-packet delays in function of RTCP is identification of transport level
order not to impact the voice quality. RTP traffic always for one RTP source.
flows between 2 endpoint terminals; it never goes to the
NGN core elements as these only handle signaling
(SIP/MEGACO) flows. 5 Softswitch architecture
One of the main equipment that offers voice application
in NGN network is Softswitch. The main role of
4 Protocols used in NGN network Softswitch is to provide call control functions for VoIP
NGN is considered as converged network aggregating calls. Softswitch enables integration of different
different functionalities of existing network with protocols within NGN network. Call details for billing
common IP/MPLS backbone [7]. NGN network offers are generated in Softswitch also. Another important
interoperability using multiple protocols. The main function is interface creation with existing telephony
feature of NGN architecture is separation of service, networks PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)
transport and control layers, which are interconnected by through Signaling gateway and Media gateway.
open interfaces and use standards protocols as below: Softswitch is considered as amount of distributed
[8] elements through IP/MPLS network. In the figure below
- MEGACO is protocol which is sponsored from (see Figure 2) is client-server softswitch architecture.
IETF and ITU. It is used inside one MGC (media

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 RECENT ADVANCES on DATA NETWORKS, COMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTERS

Circuit switching solution Softswitch solution

Application & Service

Application & Service

Open and standard

Closet medium

interfaces
Call control & switching Call control & switching

Hardware & Media gateway &

transport layer trunk gateway

Figure 2. Client-server softswitch architecture

The main advantages of Softswitch against traditional telecommunication market, TK (Telecom of Kosova)
switches are: new services, flexibility in operation and has implemented its technological development strategy
maintenance, easy integration of different components and has finished migration to full IP/MPLS NGN
and networks, low cost etc. This technology enables network. Softswitch platform in NGN network in TK
connection between internet, wireless networks, cabling consists of four essential functions:
networks and traditional telephony network, which – Offers call control services and supports SIP,
results in one convergent network. MEGACO/H.248 protocols (Call and Session
Also this softswitch model opens opportunity Controller-CSC)
for third order developers. Lower layer is considered to – Supports advanced interconnections with PSTN
be the transport layer, which physically transports voice network (Media Gateway Controller-MGC)
and data. This enables client-server softswitch – Keeps note in detail for user location
architecture, known as “opposite” of main architecture (Subscription
in class 4 and 5. – Location Server-SLS)
Figure 3 illustrates the distributed architecture of – Controls AGW (Residential Gateway
Softswitch [9]. This model separates packet switched Controller-RGC)
hardware from call control, service logic and creation of Software models for softswitch in NGN network in TK
new services. This distribution enables high hardware are structured in 3 main layers: protocol interfaces,
flexibility. The lower layer is considered to be the call/session controller and management layer.
transport layer, which physically transports voice and Softswithes are simpler in that they do not require a
data services. small army of engineers to operate them. They are
smaller in that they take as little as one-thirteenth of the
Application real estate required of a circuit switch of similar scale.
server And finally, as the example of IP PBXs demonstrate,
they are becoming increasingly more convenient to use.
SIP Softswitch technologies enable the telecommunications
market to open the switching aspect to competition.
Signalling Softswitch also enables a service provider to bypass the
Softswitch
Gateway
SGCP central office and Class 4 and 5 switches. Softswitch is
cheaper both in purchase price and operating expenses
MGCP
than the circuit switches.
Media
Gateway

6 Role of softswitch in a simple call

Figure 3. Components of Softswitch architecture
scenario in NGN network in TK
In NGN network VOIP control subsystem consists of In order to see the call setup scenario in NGN network
Softswitch platform- fulfills users‟ requirements for and a role of softswitch in this call scenario, it is
voice and broadband multimedia services. In its efforts presented one system with all corresponding
to keep the leading position in Kosova‟s competitive components that enables this process.

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Figure 4: Call scenario in NGN network

This call scenario process includes 5 steps as shown 3. MMAS sends INVITE message to CSC. CSC_A
below (figure 2) [4]: figures it owns of the user and forwards the INVITE
towards RGC_A. RGC_A finds user in its local
1. User A goes off-hook and dials the destination database and then sends Megaco messages to the
number. In this case a MEGACO message is sent AGW of the destination user to set-up RTP context
from Access gateway to the RGC (residential and applies ringing tones. In this case phone user B
gateway controller) that contains an off-hook event starts to ring. RGC_A sends status message 180
and dialed number. RGC sends a SIP message to the RING back to the CSC_A. CSC_A sends the status
CSC server; this SIP message contains information message back to the MMAS who originated the
on the originating point and number of the Invite. Now we have intensive communications
destination user (E.164). CSC (call and session between CSC and MMAS generating invite
controller) proxies the INVITE message toward messages for originating side. Thereafter, CSC
MMAS, where MMAS checks and applies proxies‟ status message to RGC who originated the
originating side supplementary services if required Invite. RGC_A tells AGW User A to apply ring-
(e.g. OCB-Outgoing Call Barring) back tones (Megaco message), User A hears the
2. MMAS proceeds by sending an INVITE message ring-back tone. SDP (Session Distribution Protocol)
toward CSC of the originating side (CSC_A). CSC for user A and B is known at both endpoints. Now
forwards message to SLS to identify location of full RTP path will only be set when user B answers
destination user. SLS looks up in its database and the call.
finds the CSC that hosts the user and sends status 4. User B answers, RGC_A receives an off-hook event
message 302 Temporary Moved (contains the ID of from AGW. RGC_A sends status message 200 OK
the CSC) showing the location of USER B (in our toward CSC_A. CSC_A proxies the reply back to
case CSC_A). CSC forwards INVITE message to MMAS (terminating side), MMAS terminating side,
MMAS to process supplementary services on the forwards it toward origin. After reciprocal
terminating user. communication between CSC_A and MMAS and
generation of Invite messages, CSC proxies status

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 RECENT ADVANCES on DATA NETWORKS, COMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTERS

message to RGC who originated the Invite. RGC [3] B.Shatri, A.Abdullahu, S.Rugova, Arianit Maraj
informs AGW to complete the RTP path. The RTP „VPN creation in IP/MPLS Network in Kosova”- ICN
path is then completed over the IP network from LS 2008, The Seventh International Conference on
user A to LS user B. Now user A chats with User B. Networking-IEEE, April 13-18, 2008 - Cancun, Mexico
5. After User B hangs-up, on-hook event is sent to
RGC. RGC_A tells LS to remove RTP context for [4] S. Rugova, A. Maraj, “Analysis of Call scenario in
user B. RGC_A sends BYE message toward CSC_A NGN network, Proceedings of the 8th WSEAS
to terminate the call. Now we have a intensive International Conference on ELECTRONICS,
communications between CSC_A and MMAS HARDWARE, WIRELESS and OPTICAL
through call set-up but in opposite direction. Then COMMUNICATIONS (EHAC '09), ISSN: 1790-5117,
the CSC proxies BYE message to RGC who ISBN: 978-960-474-053-6
originated the Invite. RGC tells LS to remove RTP
context and apply tone. Call is terminated [5] Johan Zuidweg „Next generation intelligent
network” © 2002 artech house, inc.
As we can see the five steps described above the role of
softswitch is fundamental for call setup scenario. [6] Dr Jingming Li Salina, Pascal Salina, Next
Generation Networks-Perspectives and Potentials,
Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium,
Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 8SQ,
7 Conclusion England.
Softswitch as the key component of NGN network and
is designed to replace traditional hardware telephone
[7] NGN- Interconnection- S. K. Gupta, Advisor
switches by serving as gateways between telephone
(CN&IT) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
networks. Many concepts deployed in PSTN have been
translated into softswitched networks, including
[8] NGN protocols-Technology white paper
signaling, voice codec‟s and transport. Softswitch is
disruptive to legacy networks and equipment vendors
[9] Franklin D.Ohrtman, Jr, "Softswitch - Architecture
(makers of PBXs and Class 4 and 5 switches) in those
for VoIP"[BOOK-copyright 2003 by McGraw-Hill
elements of softswitch are cheaper, simpler, smaller and
Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. ISBN 0-07-
more convenient to use than their predecessors in the
140977-7
network. They are cheaper in purchase price, real estate
and so on. In this paper we have explained the NGN
network architecture, protocols used in NGN network,
services that supports etc. The main purpose of this
paper is to explain the role of softswitch in NGN
network. Here we took an example of a simple call
scenario in NGN network in TK and we have seen the
role of softswitch in call scenario in NGN network.

References
[1] Liliam Goloniewski “Telecommunications
essentials: the complete global source for
communications fundamentals, data networking and the
internet, and next generation networks” (book), Chapter
10, pg 283-327, copyright 2003 by Pearson Education,
Inc.

[2] Next-Generation Networks Focus Group”

Converging NGN Technical Framework – Principles
and Issues, Draft3 For Tia Tcngnfg Consideration June
13, 2005

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