Network Convergence: Services, Applications, Transport, and Operations Support (Hardcover)

The present information age is enabled by telecommunications and information technology and the continued convergence of their services, technologies and business models. Within telecommunications, the historic separations between fixed networks, mobile telephone networks and data communications are diminishing. Similarly, information technology and enterprise communications show convergence with telecommunications. These synergies are captured in the concept of Next Generation Networks that result from evolution to new technologies, enabling new services and applications.

Network Convergence creates a framework to aid the understanding of Next Generation Networks, their potential for supporting new and enhanced applications and their relationships with legacy networks. The book identifies and explains the concepts and principles underlying standards for networks, services and applications.

Network Convergence:

• Gives comprehensive coverage of packet multimedia, enterprise networks, third generation mobile communications, OSA/Parlay and developments in fixed networks.
• Gives an integrated view of diverse information and communications systems and technology through a common NGN Framework.
• Delves into protocols, APIs and software processes for supporting services and applications in advanced networks.
• Discusses a variety of applications of telecommunications supporting IT and IT enhanced by communications.
• Follows developments in operations support systems standards and links these to next generation networks.
• Includes a wealth of examples, use cases, tables and illustrations that help reinforce the material for students and practitioners.
• Features an accompanying website with PowerPoint presentations, glossary, web references, tutorial problems, and 'learn more' pages.

This essential reference guide will prove invaluable to advanced undergraduate and graduate students, academics and researchers. It will also be of interest to professionals working for telecommunications network operators, equipment vendors, telecoms regulators, and engineers who wish to further their knowledge of next generation networks.

 

Table of Contents

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

Conventions.

Companion Website.

Abbreviations.

Principal Graphic Symbols.

1 Setting the Context for Evolution and Convergence of Networks.

1.1 Historical Background to Present Networks.

1.2 Defining Present State Using Reference Models.

1.2.1 Silo Model for Vertically Integrated Networks.

1.2.2 Present State: Fixed and Mobile Networks with IN Overlay.

1.2.3 Present State: Data Service in Mobile Networks.

1.2.4 Present State: The Internet.

1.2.5 Present State: Enterprise Networking.

1.2.6 Present State: Switched and Leased-line Services.

1.3 Evolution and Convergence.

1.3.1 Initial Convergence Examples.

1.3.2 Features of Convergence.

1.4 The Next GenerationNetwork Concept.

1.5 Conclusion.

2 A Framework for Examining Next Generation Networks.

2.1 Characteristics of Evolving Networks.

2.1.1 Proliferation of Terminals and Access Networks.

2.1.2 Core Network Types.

2.1.3 Evolution of Service Architectures.

2.2 Dealing with Complexity.

2.3 Framework for EvolvingNetworks.

2.3.1 Layering.

2.3.2 Domains.

2.3.3 Planes.

2.3.4 Summary of the NGN Framework.

2.4 Examples of Application of Framework.

2.4.1 Legacy Networks Elements in the Framework.

2.4.2 FromCircuit Switch to Softswitch.

2.4.3 Conceptualising Convergence in Layered Model.

2.4.4 Drawing the Boundary of the Regulated Domains.

2.4.5 Digital Video Broadcasting in the Framework.

2.5 Conclusion.

3 Software Methodologies for Converged Networks and Services.

3.1 Development of Software Methodologies for ICT.

3.2 Software Processes in the NGN Framework.

3.2.1 Software Analysis and Design Requirements.

3.2.2 Functional Entities as Software Elements.

3.2.3 Physical Entities in the Framework.

3.2.4 Specification and Description Requirements.

3.2.5 Modelling.

3.3 High-level Analysis and DesignMethods.

3.3.1 The Reference Model of Open Distributed Processing.

3.3.2 Model Driven Architecture.

3.3.3 SDL andMSC.

3.3.4 A Legacy System Method: UFM.

3.3.5 Generalising High-level Methods.

3.3.6 Role of Software Architectures.

3.3.7 Software Modelling Notations.

3.4 Enterprise and Business Modelling Notation.

3.4.1 Enterprise Language.

3.4.2 UML Use Case Diagrams.

3.5 Object and Data Definition Languages.

3.5.1 UML Class and Object Diagrams.

3.5.2 Abstract Syntax Notation One.

3.5.3 Interface Definition Language.

3.5.4 Classical Telecommunications Protocols.

3.5.5 Method Calls as Application Protocols.

3.5.6 IETF Text-based Protocols.

3.5.7 HypertextMarkup Language.

3.5.8 Extensible Markup Language.

3.6 Dynamic Modelling Notations.

3.6.1 Activity, Communication and Robustness Diagrams.

3.6.2 Message Sequence Charts.

3.6.3 State Diagrams.

3.6.4 ConnectionModels.

3.7 Component and Interface Notations.

3.8 Distributed Systems.

3.8.1 Network Protocol-based Distributed Systems.

3.8.2 Remote Method Invocation.

3.8.3 Web ServicesModel.

3.8.4 CORBA-based Systems.

3.9 Creating a Unified Framework.

4 An NGN: the Managed Voice over IP Network.

4.1 Development of Packet Multimedia Standards.

4.2 Requirements on a Managed Voice Network.

4.3 Properties of Packetised Voice.

4.3.1 Key Properties of Speech.

4.3.2 Digitising Speech.

4.3.3 Reducing the Bit-rate.

4.3.4 Speech QualityMetrics.

4.3.5 Audio Processing for Conferencing.

4.4 General Concepts of Multimedia Communications.

4.4.1 Access Configurations.

4.4.2 Terminology.

4.4.3 Generalised Softswitched System Configurations.

4.4.4 Generalised Multimedia Call Signalling.

4.5 Signalling Plane for Packet Multimedia.

4.5.1 Real-time Transport Protocol.

4.5.2 Reliable Signalling Transport in Packet Networks: SCTP.

4.6 The H.323 Suite.

4.6.1 Development and Structure of H.323.

4.6.2 The H.323 Architecture.

4.6.3 Gateway Decomposition.

4.6.4 Addressing in H.323 systems.

4.6.5 H.323 Protocol Stacks.

4.7 Media Gateway Functions and Control.

4.7.1 Media Gateway Entities.

4.7.2 Media Gateway Control Protocol: Megaco.

4.7.3 Media Gateway Control Protocol.

4.8 Multimedia Communications Based on SIP.

4.8.1 IETF Multimedia Conferencing Protocols.

4.8.2 Architecture of SIPMultimedia Systems.

4.8.3 SIP Methods and Modes of Operation.

4.8.4 Session Description Protocol.

4.8.5 Use Cases for SIP.

4.9 Supplementary Services in Packet Telephony.

4.9.1 Supplementary Services in H.323.

4.9.2 Call Services in SIP Telephony.

4.10 ITU-T Evolutionary Protocols: BICC.

4.11 Voice on the Internet.

4.12 Conclusion.

5 Integrated Enterprise ICT Systems.

5.1 Drivers and Requirements.

5.1.1 Convergence in the Enterprise Domain.

5.1.2 CorporateRequirements.

5.1.3 Modelling Integrated Enterprise ICT Systems.

5.2 Contributions to Convergence.

5.2.1 Adoption of Commercial-off-the-Shelf Components.

5.2.2 TheMultimedia Softswitch.

5.2.3 Computer Telephony Integration.

5.2.4 Enterprise System Software Architecture.

5.3 Network Level Convergence.

5.4 Application and Service Level Convergence.

5.5 Conclusions.

6 Legacies and Lessons: Broadband ISDN, TINA and TIPHON.

6.1 Learning from History.

6.2 The Broadband ISDN.

6.2.1 B-ISDN Architecture.

6.2.2 Asynchronous Transfer Mode.

6.2.3 Call and Connection Control.

6.2.4 Routing and Call Control Protocols.

6.2.5 B-ISDN and IN.

6.2.6 Appraisal of B-ISDN.

6.3 TINA Architecture.

6.3.1 The TINA Architecture.

6.3.2 TINA Layers.

6.3.3 Planes: Hiding Physical Resources.

6.3.4 TINA and RM-ODP.

6.4 Business Model and Reference Points.

6.4.1 Generic Business Domains.

6.4.2 Interdomain Reference Points.

6.4.3 Business Scenarios.

6.5 TINA Service Architecture.

6.5.1 Service Architecture: Information Viewpoint.

6.5.2 Computational Viewpoint: the Service Components.

6.6 Network Resource Architecture.

6.6.1 Use Case 6: Convert Steam Binding to Network Connection.

6.7 Lessons from TINA for NGNs.

6.7.1 Achievements of TINA as an NGN.

6.7.2 Weaknesses of TINA.

6.8 TIPHON.

6.8.1 Objectives of TIPHON.

6.8.2 TIPHON Layered Model.

6.8.3 TIPHON Business Models.

6.8.4 TIPHON Domain and Interworking Model.

6.8.5 TIPHON Functional Architecture.

6.8.6 Registration and Mobility in TIPHON.

6.8.7 TIPHONMetaprotocol.

6.8.8 TIPHON Implementation using Established Protocols.

6.8.9 TIPHON and Multimedia Services.

6.8.10 Appraisal of TIPHON.

6.9 Conclusion.

7 Important NGNs: Third Generation Mobile Communication Systems.

7.1 Architectural Concepts.

7.1.1 Concept of a Public Land Mobile Network.

7.1.2 Structural Features of a PLNM.

7.1.3 Geographical Relationships in a PLNM.

7.2 Mobile Communication System Evolution.

7.2.1 Baseline: the Second Generation Mobile Network.

7.2.2 Identification of Mobile Network Generations.

7.2.3 Evolution of the Radio Access Network.

7.2.4 Development of the MSC.

7.2.5 Terminals in the 3G Context.

7.3 Services in the CS Domain.

7.3.1 Mobility Management in the CS Domain.

7.3.2 Call Handling in 3G Systems.

7.3.3 Setting Up Bearer Connections in the 3G CS Domain.

7.3.4 CAMEL-based Services in the CS Domain.

7.4 Packet-switched Domain: GPRS-based Systems.

7.4.1 GPRS-based Packet-domain Architecture.

7.4.2 GPRS Support Node Functions.

7.4.3 Mobility Management in the PS domain.

7.4.4 PacketTransport in GPRS.

7.4.5 Protocols Used in GPRS Access and Core.

7.4.6 GPRS and CAMEL.

7.5 IP Multimedia Subsystem.

7.5.1 Origins and Objectives of the IMS.

7.5.2 IMS Architecture and Components.

7.5.3 IETF Protocols used in IMS.

7.5.4 IMS ServiceModel.

7.5.5 Session Control.

7.5.6 Value-added IMServices.

7.5.7 The 3GPP2 All-IP Approach to 3G Networks.

7.6 Conclusion.

8 Opening the Network using Application Programming Interfaces.

8.1 Closed Network Evolution.

8.2 Opening the Network.

8.2.1 Business Models.

8.3 The OSA/Parlay Architecture.

8.3.1 Architectural Concepts.

8.3.2 API Definition Method and Technology Independence.

8.4 Framework Interfaces and Use Cases.

8.4.1 Use Case: Provisioning a Gateway Service.

8.4.2 Use Cases: An Application Gains Access to a Service Manager.

8.5 The OSA/Parlay Gateway.

8.5.1 Standard Service Capability Features.

8.5.2 Interface Definition Design Pattern.

8.5.3 Interaction in Communication-oriented SCFs.

8.6 Communication-orientatedUse Cases.

8.6.1 Call Control and User Interaction Interfaces.

8.6.2 Concept of a Call in OSA Parlay.

8.6.3 Interfaces and Interactions.

8.6.4 Network Event Detection and Reporting.

8.6.5 Call, Call Leg and Callback Object Creation.

8.6.6 User Interaction.

8.6.7 Handling a Triggered Notification.

8.6.8 Call Supervision.

8.6.9 Multimedia Media Stream Control.

8.6.10 Conference Control.

8.6.11 Data Session Control.

8.6.12 GenericMessaging.

8.6.13 Mobility, Account Management and Terminal Capabilities.

8.6.14 Presence and Availability.

8.6.15 Charging and Account Management.

8.6.16 Connection Management.

8.6.17 OSA/ParlayData Structures.

8.6.18 Sample Service.

8.7 ParlayXWeb Services.

8.7.1 The Case for a Simpler API.

8.7.2 The ParlayXWeb Services Architecture.

8.7.3 Parlay X Web Service Example: Audiocall.

8.7.4 Parlay X Implementation via OSA/Parlay.

8.8 OSA/Parlay API Implementation Issues.

8.8.1 Gateway-to-Network Interface.

8.8.2 Abstraction Revisited.

8.8.3 Service Deployment Scenarios.

8.8.4 Service Creation.

8.9 Other Approaches to Open Networks.

8.9.1 JAIN.

8.9.2 Open Mobile Alliance Service Environment.

8.9.3 The Service Delivery Platform Concept.

8.10 Conclusion.

9 Operations Support Systems.

9.1 Relationship of OSS/BSS to ICT Systems.

9.2 Evolution of OSS/BSS.

9.2.1 The OSI Network Management Model.

9.2.2 IETF Network Management Standards.

9.2.3 The Telecommunications Management Network.

9.3 The Telecommunications Operations Map.

9.4 Enhancement of the TOM: eTOM.

9.5 New Generation OSS.

9.6 Conclusion.

10 Migration from Legacy to Next Generation Networks.

10.1 Retrospect.

10.2 Reflecting on Evolution and Convergence.

10.2.1 The Evolution Metaphor, with Hindsight.

10.2.2 Market-oriented Objectives.

10.2.3 Promoting Convergence.

10.3 TechnologyMigration.

10.3.1 The Migration Process.

10.4 Is There a Target NGN?

10.4.1 Whither Fixed Networks?

10.4.2 Are Fixed and Mobile Networks Distinct?

10.4.3 Fourth Generation Mobile Communication Systems.

10.5 Managing Complexity: Avoiding Pitfalls.

10.5.1 Do Not Forget the Principles.

10.5.2 Be Aware of Leaky Abstractions.

10.5.3 SilosMay Still be Created.

10.5.4 Be Aware of Hype.

10.5.5 Handling The Great Debates.

10.5.6 Evolution is an Ongoing Process.

10.5.7 Revisit the Treasure House.

10.6 A Last Word.

Glossary.

References

Index.