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On Building An IPX

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15 views6 pages

On Building An IPX

Uploaded by

Vakaris Dobrovolskas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Building an IPX for Interconnecting 2G, 4G,

and 5G Networks

Objective:
The goal of this project is to design and implement an IPX (IP Exchange) for interconnecting
2G, 4G, and 5G networks. This IPX will facilitate experimentation, learning, and testing, while
maintaining a decentralized network architecture. It will allow for multiple independent IPXs to
peer or operate under a regional services model, with a few centrally managed items.

Centrally Managed Items:


1. IPv4 and IPv6 address space.
2. ASN (Autonomous System Number) assignments.
3. DNS (Domain Name System).
4. MSISDN (Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number) / telephone
numbers.
5. PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network).
6. IMSI format
7. DNS Realm format
8. Interconnect and routing standards.

A. Connectivity
For interconnecting networks, we will use a VPN overlay network connected over the internet.
After researching several options, WireGuard was selected as the VPN protocol due to its
flexibility and security. Here's why WireGuard was chosen:

• Dynamic IP Friendly: Works well with dynamic IP addresses.


• NAT Friendly: Handles Network Address Translation (NAT) efficiently.
• High Performance: Lightweight and faster than alternatives like OpenVPN and IPsec.
• Security: Uses modern cryptographic algorithms to ensure data privacy.
• Ease of Setup: Simple to configure compared to traditional VPN solutions.

More details about WireGuard can be found here.


B. Routing
Routing between networks will be managed using BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) to ensure
that routes are dynamically updated and efficient. Each network will peer with the IPX for route
exchange.

C. IPX Core Services


1. DNS
The IPX will provide root/core DNS services for the domains 3gppnetwork.org and
e164.openipx.net. Each connected network will create a conditional forwarder for these
domains. DNS delegation will point back to each network's DNS server, allowing each network
to control its own DNS records while still resolving the records of other connected networks.

2. Diameter Routing Agent (DRA)

A Diameter Routing Agent (DRA) will be deployed to manage Diameter-based routing for
LTE (4G) roaming. The IPX will maintain routing tables for Diameter messages to ensure proper
LTE roaming functionality.

3. SEPP (Security Edge Protection Proxy)

For 5G roaming, a SEPP will be deployed, and the IPX will manage the SEPP routing tables.
SEPP ensures secure communication between roaming partners in 5G networks, maintaining
data privacy and security.

4. Other Possible Services:

• BGP Looking Glass: A tool to view BGP routes and inspect network health.
• Active Network Map: A visual representation of the interconnected networks.
• SIP/RTP Proxy: To manage VoIP signaling and media streams.
• Certificate Authority: To issue certificates for securing communications.
• Voice Test Services: Including echo tests and calling number read-back for VoIP.

D. Voice Services
1. Voice Transport

Voice communication will be transported using VoIP (SIP for signaling and RTP for media
transport).

2. Voice Routing

We will use E.164 ENUM for voice routing. ENUM maps E.164 telephone numbers to domain
names in DNS, allowing IP-based systems to route calls using domain names instead of
traditional phone number routing.

More information about ENUM can be found here.

E. Roaming
LTE Roaming will use S8HR

simplified-volte-roaming-white-paper.pdf (metaswitch.com)

DNS’ role in S8-Home Routing Roaming | Nick vs Networking

Best Practices for SGW & PGW Deployment Architectures for Roaming

5G Roaming will need more research.

F. SMS Transport
SMS transport is still under discussion. Several options are being considered, including SIP
SIMPLE, MSRP, SMPP, Diameter, HTTP, and SS7. At this point, MSRP (Message Session
Relay Protocol) seems like the most suitable option for its ability to support SIP
SIMPLE/MESSAGE and RCS (Rich Communication Services).

Further research will be conducted to finalize this choice.


G. Miscellaneous Services
Other technologies that can be tested on this network include:

1. STIR/SHAKEN: Caller ID verification to prevent robocalls and caller ID spoofing.


2. SS7: Legacy signaling protocol used in telecommunication networks.
3. CNAM DIP Database: Caller ID lookup services.
4. OCS (Online Charging System) / CDR (Call Detail Records): For billing and charging
purposes.

H. Centrally Managed Items


1. IPv4 and IPv6 Address Space

• IPv4: The RFC 1918 private address space, specifically 10.0.0.0/8 and 172.16.0.0/12,
will be used to minimize IP overlap. Portions of this space will be allocated to each
network.
• IPv6: The private IPv6 address space fd00::/8 will be used.
• IP Allocation: Networks can request IP allocations from the IPX. These requests will be
processed on a first-come, first-served basis and must be approved by the IPX. In some
cases, the IPX may assign IP space directly.

2. PLMN

• Each network will use a unique PLMN. These must be globally unique within the IPX.
PLMN allocations will be assigned or approved by the IPX.

3. ASN

• The private ASN range (4200000000 to 4294967294) will be used for BGP peering.
ASNs will be assigned by the IPX to ensure no conflicts arise.

4. Telephone Numbers

• Telephone numbers will use the E.164 format and be managed by the IPX. The specifics
of number assignment and allocation are yet to be determined and will be discussed
further.

Conclusion:
This design aims to create a flexible, decentralized IPX network that fosters experimentation
with interconnecting 2G, 4G, and 5G networks. While the core services and routing will be
centrally managed, individual networks will maintain control over their own networks and DNS.
Future work will focus on finalizing SMS transport protocols and refining the management of
telephone number allocations.

IR.88 LTE and EPC Roaming Guidelines v20.0 (Current) (gsma.com)

IR.38-v3.0-1.pdf (gsma.com)

IR.34-v14.0.pdf (gsma.com)

IR.65-v31.0-1.pdf (gsma.com)

IR.67-v10.0.pdf (gsma.com)

IR.40-v8.0.pdf (gsma.com)

NG.105-v2.0.pdf (gsma.com)

NG.113-v6.0.pdf (gsma.com)

Cisco Prime Network Registrar - DNS in Mobile Networks - Cisco

OpenIPX.NET

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