ALCATEL 5020 SOFTSWITCH
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Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview ALCATEL 5020 SOFTSWITCH PRODUCT OVERVIEW Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 1/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 3 2 GENERAL ARCHITECTURE ................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 THE PROTOCOL INTERFACES ...................................................................................................................... 5 2.1.1 H.323 Interface ................................................................................................................................. 5 2.1.2 SIP Interface...................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1.3 SS7 Interface ..................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1.4 MGCP / H.248 interface ................................................................................................................... 7 2.1.5 IPDC/SLAP interface ........................................................................................................................ 7 2.2 THE FUNCTION MANAGERS ......................................................................................................................... 8 2.2.1 OAM-Manager .................................................................................................................................. 8 2.2.2 VPN-Manager ................................................................................................................................. 11 2.2.3 The Location-Manager.................................................................................................................... 12 2.2.4 The AAA-Manager .......................................................................................................................... 13 2.2.5 The Service-Manager ...................................................................................................................... 14 2.2.6 The Inter-Softswitch Manager ......................................................................................................... 15 2.3 THE HARDWARE PLATFORM ...................................................................................................................... 15 3 THE ALCATEL 5020 SOFTSWITCH APPLICATION PACKAGES ................................................. 17 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 4 THE ALCATEL 5020 SX IPO ..................................................................................................................... 17 THE ALCATEL 5020 SX LDB ................................................................................................................... 18 THE ALCATEL 5020 SX IPT ..................................................................................................................... 20 THE ALCATEL 5020 SX MUM .................................................................................................................. 25 THE ALCATEL 5020 SX RGC ................................................................................................................... 26 PRODUCTS RELATED TO THE ALCATEL 5020 SOFTSWITCH ................................................... 27 4.1 THE ALCATEL 8690 OPEN SERVICES PLATFORM AND 8688 MEDIA SERVER ............................................ 27 4.2 THE ALCATEL 5795 NMC ........................................................................................................................ 28 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 2/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 1 INTRODUCTION This document is intended to give an overview of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch product, its functionality, its capacity and its evolution for the future. Section 2 of this document describes the general architecture of the product. It explains all the functional modules of the softswitch that are used to provide VoIP services. Section 3 of this document describes the different models or application packages that are available on the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch product. Each of these models makes use of certain functions, explained in the previous section, to provide a specific application, e.g.: Internet offload Long Distance Bypass IP telephony Multimedia services Class 5 telephony service Finally, section 4 of the document gives more explanation on some other products that are closely linked to the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch. These products are The Alcatel 8690 Open Services Platform and the 8688 Media Server The Alcatel 5795 Network Management Center Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 3/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 2 GENERAL ARCHITECTURE The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch is based on a fully modular architecture, which consists of a Call/Session Control Element with Protocol Interfaces and Function Managers: Protocol Interfaces: allow other elements to make use of the Call/Session Control capability of the Softswitch. Examples are SIP, H.323, ... Call/Session Control: heart of the Softswitch Function Managers: the Call/Session Control makes use of these managers to perform certain functions like routing, AAA, billing, … O AM Mgr VPN Mgr Location Mgr AAA Mgr Function M a na gers Service Mgr InterSoft Switch Mgr Call/ Session Control SS7 I/ f IPDC I/ f Figure 1 H.323 I/ f H.248 I/ f MGCP I/ f SIP I/ f Protocol I nterfa ces Alcatel 5020 Softswitch architecture The modular architecture allows to group certain Protocol Interfaces, Function Managers and the Call/Session Control to build Application Packages. Examples of such application packages are (refer to par. 3): Internet Offload IP-Telephony Long Distance Bypass Multimedia service Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 4/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 2.1 The Protocol Interfaces 2.1.1 H.323 Interface General The H.323 Interface is responsible for the H.323 message and transaction handling. It is based on the RADVision H.323 stack and Gatekeeper API. The H.323 stack: takes care of the message handling provides compliance to the standards The Gatekeeper API extends this to provide basic GK functionality. This layer is not taking any decisions on its own; it is relying on instructions from the higher layers when handling sessions Protocol Compliance The H.323 Interface is compliant with H.323v3 and will evolve to support H.323v4. It supports the H.225.0 RAS and Call Signaling (Q.931). The interface supports both Direct and Gatekeeper Routed Signaling: Gatekeeper Routed Mode (GRC): Q.931 signaling goes through the Alcatel Softswitch. This is the preferred mode of operation Direct Endpoint Routed Mode (DRC): Q.931 signaling goes directly between the endpoints involved in the call The Alcatel Softswitch supports the different call scenarios: PC-to-PC Phone-to-Phone PC-to-Phone Phone-to-PC In order to be able to connect the Alcatel Softswitch with other Gatekeeperdomains, the H.323 interface provides support for inter-domain mechanisms like H.225.0 Location Requests (LRQs) and ClearingHouse interaction (based on OSP). Interoperability The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch can be used with an extensive (and still growing) list of 3rd party H.323 compliant products. Gateways: 3com, Lucent, Cisco, Vegastream, Pirelli, Fastlink, ... Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 5/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 2.1.2 Terminals: Siemens IP-Phone, Microsoft Netmeeting, OpenPhone, Snom phone… Gatekeepers: Cisco, NetCentrex, RADVision, Vocaltec, ... SIP Interface General The SIP Interface is responsible for the SIP message and transaction handling. It is based on the Ubiquity Proxy Server. Protocol Compliance The Alcatel Softswitch can act as proxy server, redirect server, registrar and outbound proxy in accordance with the RFC 2543bis09 (wit a few exceptionsand is evolving to RFC3261 in the near future. It has a/o support for forking and Record-Route header. The Alcatel Softswitch can run in (Call) Stateful and Stateless Proxy mode. Transaction Stateful/Stateless Proxy: this means that the Proxy keeps state for the duration of a SIP transaction. The Ubiquity Proxy used in the Alcatel Softswitch is an example of such a stateful Proxy. Call Stateful/Stateless Proxy: this means that the Proxy keeps state for the full duration of the call (this involves typically several SIP transactions). Keeping call state is needed when one wants to do billing with a Proxy or when control of Firewalls and NAT devices is needed. Most of the available Proxy's are NOT call stateful. The Alcatel Softswitch however can be stateful if needed (it is a configuration parameter). This allows the SIP-based Alcatel Softswitch to perform billing, provide extended services, … since these require call state information to be maintained. Interoperability Alcatel has participated to the several SIP bake-offs (SIP-IT) with the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch. The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch is interoperable with SIP based products (SIP Proxys, gateways, phones, clients, application servers) from Ubiquity, RADvision, Dynamicsoft , Cisco, Microsoft, Lucent, 3Com, Nuera, Mockingbird, Ericsson, Siemens, Pingtel, Snom Phone , … 2.1.3 SS7 Interface The SS7 interface of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch is full based on the former Alcatel 5424 Call Signaling Gateway (ACSG) and is necessary only if SS7 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 6/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview interconnectivity is required such as for long distance bypass applications or for internet offload. The following protocols can be supported by the platform: Standard ITU-T Q.76x Standard ANSI T1.113 Standard ETSIv2 ETS 300 356 Standard GF001-9001 (China) Standard Telcordia GR-317-CORE Standard Telcordia GR-394-CORE The SS7 interface of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch is able to support multiple ISUP variants at the same time on the same server. The only limitation is the ISUP generic parameters, e.g. timers, which are common to all concurrent ISUP variants. IDF files are referenced by an INI file. The Dynamic IDF file loading feature allows new ISUP variants to be supported, by maintaining the IDF files in the Oracle database. 2.1.4 MGCP / H.248 interface The MGCPv1 and H.248/Megaco protocol is supported by the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch to act as a media gateway controller. 2.1.5 IPDC/SLAP interface The IPDC or SLAP interface is supported to control third party Gateways and Remote Access equipment, especially for Internet Offload Applications (IPO). These interfaces allow the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch to control RAS equipment from Lucent (MaxTNT) and UTStarcom (Total Control 1000 previously from CommWorks). Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 7/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 2.2 The function managers 2.2.1 OAM-Manager The OAM Manager provides the means to do the provisioning, monitoring, maintenance, … of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch like: interfacing with databases (LDAP, ODBC, …) interfaces with SNMP viewers (Alcatel 5795 NMC, ...) interfacing with OAM tools like statistics, TMM, FMM, … Network management In order to allow the monitoring of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch, it is equipped with SNMP MIBs (Management Information Base). These MIBs can be used by SNMP viewers to monitor the MIB counters of the Softswitch. These counters provide information like the number of active calls, the number of failed calls, the number of messages (per type) handled by the system, the number of retransmissions, ... The MIBs also define some alarms, which can be send to the SNMP viewers to notify problems. Examples of alarms are: restart of the system, overflow of counters, unavailability of resources,... OAM Tools Web-Based Statistics At regular intervals, the Alcatel Softswitch provides statistics data to a Statistics Server. This data is then processed in order to be viewed via a Web-based interface both in graphical and table format. The statistical data can be global (min/max number of registrations per interval, number of calls, ...) but also endpoint specific (number of successful/rejected calls made by this endpoint, ...). Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 8/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview When running in VPN Wholesaling mode the information can be viewed per VPN (only by the authorised VPN operator). SEE Utility The SEE utility allows the Network Operator (or the VPN Operator in VPN Wholesaling mode) to monitor in real-time the active sessions controlled by the Alcatel Softswitch. The utility shows for each of the sessions an overview of the relevant session parameters: Calling Party, Called Party, Involved GWs, session duration, VPN,... Via a configuration menu it is possible to specify filters so that for example only the sessions with a duration longer then x are displayed. The See Utility allows the operators to terminate certain sessions by a simple mouse-click. When running in a VPN Wholesaling mode, the SEE utility will only allow VPN operators to view and manipulate the sessions of their VPN. Table Maintenance Module The information that is stored in the Oracle Database can be exported using a GUI-based tool called the Table Maintenance Module. This tool is particularly used to create procedures to export the Call Detail Record (CDR) information into a customizable CSV-file format (Comma Separated Value). It is e.g. possible to export only certain fields, format them in a customizable format,.... It is also possible to specify whether the exported information should be removed from the Oracle Database or be conserved after a successful export. Together with this tool a task scheduler is available which allows to schedule the export activity (e.g. start export every evening, once a week,....). File Maintenance Module Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 9/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview This GUI-based tool allows to manage the different logging files generated by the Alcatel Softswitch. It is for example possible to define procedures to ftp, zip, manipulate certain files based on certain criteria, like: creation time, size,... Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 10/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 2.2.2 VPN-Manager The VPN-manager allows the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch to operate in VPN Wholesaling mode: A5 020 SX A5 020 SX for VPN 1 A5 020 SX for VPN 2 A5 020 SX for VPN 3 It allows the operator to resell part of the functionality/capabilities offered by the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch to his customers Each customer uses its part as if it operates its own provisioning, management, ... This also allows the operator to focus on its core business instead of doing all the work for all its customers. All functionality provided can be customized for each customer. The Network Operator installs and operates the network composed of the IPTelephony Application Package of the Alcatel Softswitch, the IP backbone, the Voice Gateways, ... to provide the IP telephony functionality. Due to the implicit VPN-aware architecture of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch, call capabilities of the softswitch are available for all of the VPN's configured by the wholesaling operator. The wholesaling operator can however configure the management capabilities of each VPN, thus imposing restrictions. The Network Operator can then resell part of the resources in his network (including the IP-Telephony service) to his customers. Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 11/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview These customers can be Service Providers, Corporates,... They can typically operate their part of the network and the service independently of the Network Operator and of other customers. This allows them to populate the subscriberprofiles, the numbering plans, the service capabilities,... themselves. In some cases they might even use their own Voice Gateways to connect to the IP network. The customers then provide access to the service to their subscribers. In case of corporates these are the employees of the company whereas in case of service providers the service can be sold to end-users. The subscribers can typically access their profiles and change them as needed: change forwarding settings, change PIN, access their Voice Mail,.... When this VPN Manager is used, the full functionality of the IP-Telephony Application Package becomes VPN specific. This implies that all the functionality described below is VPN specific: configuration via the GUIs, numbering plans, routing tables, user management, service interaction,... 2.2.3 The Location-Manager The location manager adds routing functionality to the Softswitch. This routing functionality can be either cost- or resource-based. The routing functionality can be implemented by the location manager itself or it can be provide interfaces to external systems for routing via protocols like RADIUS or LDAP. The Call routing algorithm implemented by the Location manager is a Least Cost Routing algorithm and also allows to distribute the load over different possible routes. Furthermore the Location Manager is also responsible for number manipulations (digit insertion or removal) and the support of Private Numbering Plans (PNP). Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 12/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 2.2.4 The AAA-Manager The AAA-Manager adds Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) functionality to the Alcatel Softswitch. The Network and/or VPN operators use this AAA-functionality to control the usage of the IP-Centrex service. The Softswitch can provide the AAA functionality itself or provide interfaces (RADIUS, LDAP,...) to 3rd party AAA servers. For each call/session, the AAAManager can contact an AAA-server to authenticate and authorize it. When running in the VPN Wholesaling mode the AAA-Manager supports multiple AAA-servers (e.g. each VPN uses its own set of AAA-servers to authenticate and authorize its subscribers). Figure 2 Support for multiple AAA servers The use of different AAA-servers for each VPN allows the VPN operators to independently of each other manage their subscribers. For each call/session the AAA-Manager decides in real-time which AAA-server to use and proxies the AAA-requests to that server. Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 13/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 2.2.5 The Service-Manager The Service-Manager allows the Alcatel Softswitch to connect to Advanced Application Servers. These are external servers implementing dedicated tasks like routing, number manipulations, .... This Service-Manager provides an API on the Softswitch allowing external servers to alter the Softswitch' behaviour. The API is called OPSI: Open Policy Service Interface. It is an Alcatel Proprietary interface, which is open and documented. This means that the OPSI interface is distributed to 3rd parties on request allowing them to write external servers 'on top of' the Softswitch. OPSI-Service SoftSwitch Call State Machine Figure 3 Alcatel Softswitch OPSI interface The points at which the Softswitch can escape from its default behaviour are called 'hooks'. Several hooks are available to provide advanced service interaction. Via the GUIs it is possible to group certain hooks into services and configure the Application Server responsible for delivering the service. This Service-Manager (OPSI) can be used to implement the screening requirements. Screening is about allowing or blocking certain incoming and/or outgoing calls. The allowed calls are listed in a so-called whitelist, the calls which are not allowed are listed in blacklists. This functionality is available per VPN and is typically used to prevent certain subscribers from placing certain calls (e.g. no Premium rate calls, no international calls,...). Besides the OPSI API, the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch support also a SIP API towards the Alcatel Open Service Platform (8690 OSP) or any other SIP application platform for providing advanced multimedia services (see also par. 3.4) Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 14/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 2.2.6 The Inter-Softswitch Manager The Inter-Softswitch manager allows the Softswitch to interconnect with other Softswitches (Alcatel or 3rd party), H.323 Gatekeepers and SIP PX Servers. Therefore the Inter Softswitch Manager uses different mechanisms/protocols to do so: H.323 LRQ mechanisms in case the network is divided into several H.323 zones (Alcatel 5020 Softswitch sends LRQ to other GKs to verify if they are willing to accept the inter-domain calls) OSP (Open Settlement Protocol) for Clearinghouse support. SIP(-T) for inter MGC - calls. 2.3 The hardware platform The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch runs on HW of the HP/Compaq Alpha Server family with Tru64UNIX as the operating system. Alpha Servers DS1x, DS2x ,ES4x and even GS80 are used to build system capacity. 5020 SX The following table gives an overview of the performance figures of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch for the different HW configurations for a typical IPT application (H.323 based, 5 minutes call duration). Off course depending on the type of application (IPO, IPT, LDB, MuM) and the type of protocols used the performance figures can change. Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 15/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview Performance for Pure H.323 calls Entry level DS10 cluster Medium range DS25 cluster High End ES45 cluster High End GS80 cluster Min Max Min Max Min Max Min max 1 1 1 2 2 4 4 8 17,9 17,9 32,7 61,9 64,7 115,1 115,1 199,1 BHCA 64.440 64.440 117.720 222.840 232.920 414.360 414.360 716.760 Concurrent sessions 5.370 5.370 9.810 18.570 19.410 34.530 34.530 59.730 512 512 512 1024 1024 2048 2048 4096 2 x 36 6 x 18 2 x 36 6 x 18 3 x 36 12 x 18 3 x 36 12 x 18 3 x 36 12 x 18 3 x 36 12 x 18 3 x 36 12 x 18 3 x 36 12 x 18 CPUs/node CAPS (peak) Memory (MB) per node Disk space (GB) in server and storage Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 16/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 3 THE ALCATEL 5020 SOFTSWITCH APPLICATION PACKAGES In order to provide the VoIP and converged voice-data services, several application packages or models are available on the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch. The different application packages of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch all share the same base platform. This base platform contains the protocol interfaces (H.323, SIP, IPDC, MGCP, ...) and the call and session control layer. A particular model/application of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch is obtained by combining the required protocol interfaces, call/session control and Common Function Managers. The Alcatel 5020 SX IPO: The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch IPO is used to provide IP-Offload functionality to help off-load internet traffic as soon as possible from the PSTN in various ways. The Alcatel 5020 SX LDB: The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch LDB is used to provide IP-based Long Distance Bypass. It can be used to bypass both trunk and toll exchanges. The users are classical PSTN users connected to the IP network through IP Gateways. The Alcatel 5020 SX IPT: The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch IPT is used to provide IP based Telephony and multimedia services to both native IP-terminals and subscribers connected to the IP-network through IP Gateways (residential and carrier). The Alcatel 5020 SX MuM: The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch MuM is used to provide advanced MultiMedia services to native IP subscribers. The Alcatel 5020 SX RGC: The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch RGC is used to provide Class 5 telephony services to various access or residential gateways using Megaco, MGCP or NCS protocols. 3.1 The Alcatel 5020 SX IPO This model of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch is used to provide IP Offload functionality. The Alcatel 5020 SX IPO is the former Alcatel Call Signaling Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 17/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview Gateway (A5424 CSG) and can be used for the following solutions: SS7-NAS, Internet Call Diversion, Grooming and PRI-Tower. SS7-NAS The SS7-NAS solutions allows to connect Remote Access Servers (RAS/NAS) to PSTN switches using IMTs (Inter-Machine Trunks) instead of PRI. Internet Call Diversion (ICD) The ICD solution is used to offload the data dialup to ISP POPs from the PSTN to the Data Backbone, by a combined use of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch and RAS gateways. The gateways are connected to the PSTN switches using IMTs. Grooming The grooming solution enables service providers to groom data and voice traffic at the interconnection point with the same solution, without installing a LEX. The voice traffic is split-off and sent via SS7 trunks to the TDM backbone of the service provider. Data calls are terminated on the gateway. PRI-Tower The PRI-Tower solution provides functionality similar to the ICW except it has the added capability of back-hauling PRI traffic across the packet network and then exiting on a PRI interface. 3.2 The Alcatel 5020 SX LDB The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch LDB can be used to implement long distance bypass applications based on: H.323 (+ IPDC) MGCP or Megaco It offers the possibility for operators to offer cheap IP based long distance telephony, bypassing trunk and toll exchanges. Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 18/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview The newest version of the LDB solution (release 3) will also support - the connection of PRI's to the network using Sigtran (IUA/SCTP) to tunnel the PRI signaling to the Softswitch - the use of an external signaling gateway (Alcatel 5023 RSG) that tunnels the SS7 signaling channels in a standard way using Sigtran (M2UA/SCTP) to the Softswitch. This is especially useful in case no separate SS7 signaling network is available - interworking with other Softswitch using SIP-T signaling. Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 19/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 3.3 The Alcatel 5020 SX IPT The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch IPT (IP Telephony) is used to provide IP based telephony and multimedia services to both native IP-terminals and subscribers connected to the IP-network through IP Gateways (residential and carrier). The IPT application allows any of the following call scenario's: PC to phone Phone to PC PC to PC A detailed architecture of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch IPT solution is depicted below. It is composed of layers each providing dedicated functionality. Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 20/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview Radius OPSI OSP LDAP SNMP ... A5020 SX Common A5735 Function SMCMa nagers RADI US + Radius+ GK Control Function Control Logic Protocol Independent A5735 H.323/EGK SIP Interworking gkd SI P Ca ll Control Proxy Control Function Function RADVisionH.323 Stack Protocol + GK API + Control logic Handling Core H.323 GatekeeperRADVision Stack + GK API Basic SIP PX Server As explained before in the general architecture of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch, it consists of a number of protocol interfaces (here H.323 and SIP), a call/session control layer and a set of common function managers. The H.323 Protocol Interface The Core H.323 Gatekeeper takes care of the H.323 message and transaction handling and is already described in the general architecture of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch. The GK Control Function brings the H.323 specific session and call control to the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch. This layer is controlling the behaviour of the Core H.323 Gatekeeper (decides which messages to create and send). The GK Control Function gets its instructions from the various Function Managers. This layer also hides all the H.323 specifics for the Common Function Managers. The SIP Protocol Interface The SIP PX Server is part of the SIP Protocol Interface. It takes care of the SIP message and transaction handling. It does not take any decisions on its own, but relies on instructions received from higher layers. This Basic SIP PX Server provides the compliance to the SIP RFCs (RFC326x) and the interoperability with 3rd party SIP compliant elements. The Proxy Control Function brings the SIP specific session and call control to the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch. This layer is controlling the behaviour of the Basic SIP PX Server (decides which messages to create and send). The PX Control Function gets its instructions from the various Function Managers. This layer also hides all the SIP specifics for the Common Function Managers. The SIP Call Control adds SIP Call Stateful layer to provide functions requiring call state like call-based accounting and firewall control. Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 21/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview The H.323/SIP interworking function is used for interconnecting H.323 and SIP networks. It is integrated in the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch and will support basic call interworking in a first phase and also service interaction in a second phase. The Common Function Managers are already described in the general architecture of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch: The OAM Function Manager: brings OAM capabilities to the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch The VPN Function Manager: allows to operate the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch in VPN wholesaling mode The Location Function Manager: provides routing capabilities The AAA Function Manager: brings AAA functionality to the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch The Service Function Manager: provides interfaces to external servers to provide specific services The Inter-Domain Function Manager: allows to connect the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch to other softswitches The services in the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch IPT are provided using: Build in common function managers' capabilities like traditional PSTN services, IP-centrex, … OPSI: through the OPSI OpenCallAPI services can be provided on the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch. SIP: through the SIP-API, advanced multimedia services can be provided in combination with an Application Server Platform The advanced services supported by the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch IPT, both builtin and through OPSI or other application platforms, are described separately. The built-in services are standardly supported by the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch. In SIP networks the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch can connect to Application Servers to provide services. Examples of such Application servers are the Alcatel Open Service Platform (A8690 OSP) or any other third party Application Server (Ubiquity ASB, Sylantro, Broadsoft, …) With respect to the basic telephony services supported by the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch IPT, certain services can only be considered as deployable in case also the endpoints support these services (e.g. H.450 based supplementary services). A summary of the basic telephony services supported by the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch IPT is given below: Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 22/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview Numbering related features: The services below are applicable to both H.323 and SIP. Numbering related services Comment E.164 addressing Also aliases and SIP URIs are supported Support for private and (inter)national numbering plans Configurable per VPN Abbreviated/short code dialling Direct Dialing In (DDI) Sub-addressing Closed User Group (CUG) Supported through VPN management Line/Trunk hunting Trunk hunting according to available resources in the GW. Voice VPN With PNP and supplementary services as indicated in the next table Speed Dialing Supplementary services Supplementary services Comment Calling Line Identification Presentation Supported by default by H.323 and SIP Calling Line Identification Restriction Supported for H.323 via H.450.8 Connected Line Identification Presentation Supported for H.323 via H.450.8 Calling Name Identification Presentation Supported for H.323 via H.450.8 Calling Name Identification Restriction Supported for H.323 via H.450.8 Call Transfer Supported for H.323 via H.450.2 and for SIP as defined in RFC2543 Call Forwarding Unconditional, on No Reply or on Busy Via H.450.3 for H.323 Selective Call Forwarding Can be supported via OPSI for H.323 and SIP if required. Call Waiting (with calling number/name display) Supported for H.323 via H.450.6 (Q1 2004) Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview This service can also be supported as an OPSI service for both H.323 (in case CPE does not support H.450.3) and SIP if required. 23/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview Supplementary services Comment Message Waiting Indication Supported for H.323 via H.450.7 (Q1 2004) Call Hold Available for SIP Supported for H.323 via H.450.4 (Q1 2004) Call Park/Pick-up Supported for H.323 via H.450.5 (Q1 2004) Outgoing Call Barring Incoming Call Barring The IPT application today provides services for native IP telephony terminals (typically in a business environment). In order to be able to provide similar services (limited to the voice component) to black phone terminals behind Residential gateways, the IPT solution is currently extended with an additional subsystem, i.e. the RGC. This RGC or "Residential Gateway controller" will provide Class 5 telephony services to users behind residential or access gateways using Megaco, MGCP or NCS. Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 24/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 3.4 The Alcatel 5020 SX MuM The Alcatel 5020 SX MuM builds on the IPT model to provide advanced multimedia services for native IP users (both fixed and mobile). The Alcatel 5020 Multimedia Softswitch is developed within the framework of the complete Alcatel multimedia solution with several other elements (Home Subscriber Server - HSS, Multimedia Application server MMAS, …). The Alcatel multimedia softswitch solution will become available in several steps. Release 0.9 intended for customer lab trials containing the basic building blocks (Alcatel 5020 Mum, Alcatel MMAS, Alcatel HSS) and providing some application prototypes e.g. Presence, Instant Messaging, Voice VPN, Click2 services. Release 1.0 with an extended set of applications and partial alignment with the 3GPP architecture and including QoS and security mechanisms. Release 2.0 with a broader application portfolio, full alignment with the 3GPP archittecture (R5 - IMS) and improvements for end to end QoS and Management and provisioning. Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 25/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 3.5 The Alcatel 5020 SX RGC The Alcatel 5020 SX RGC or Residential Gateway Controller applications is the newest application currently being developed on the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch platform. This application will offer basic Class 5 telephony services to a variety of access equipment using Megaco, MGCP or NCS protocols. Together with the Alcatel 1540 Litespan Access Gateway, this allows to deploy a Class 5 network using pure NGN technology. The Class 5 services supported in the first release of this application will be gradually extended to cover all commonly used services today. Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 26/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 4 PRODUCTS RELATED TO THE ALCATEL 5020 SOFTSWITCH 4.1 The Alcatel 8690 Open Services Platform and 8688 Media Server These two products are closely related to the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch, especially when advanced and multimedia services are offered in a NGN context to broadband users. The Alcatel 8690 Open Services Platform enables operators to generate additional revenue streams by offering new value-added services to their customers. It is an open IT-based system featuring high capacity, unprecedented scalability and telecom-level reliability. More importantly, it provides comprehensive support for the rapid development of attractive new services and their market introduction. The Alcatel 8690 OSP is the basic platform that is used for Alcatel's Multimedia Application Suite (8605). The A8605 Multi Media Application Suite (MMAS) is a pre-integrated suite of applications and capabilities for multimedia conversational applications. It is based on the A8690 Open Services Platform release 2.3. MMAS 1.0 is a limited version that allows an early introduction in the network of Multimedia applications. It includes an enhanced multimedia call handling application called MCN (Multimedia Community Network) and a Video Conferencing application (MMIC) in a trial version. The integrated Presence Server manages and distributes the presence information to the users. Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 27/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview The Alcatel 8688 Media Server provides the announcements in Alcatel's next generation network (NGN). This network comprises the Alcatel 5020 SoftSwitch and the Alcatel Multimedia Application Server. This new product also provides the voice bridging capabilities for audio-conferencing services. The Alcatel 8688 Media Server provides these advanced resource capabilities required for the next-generation data networks. In one sense the A8688 is a packet network evolution of the PSTN Specialized Resource Point (SRP), in that it provides standards-based audio user interaction under intelligent application control. However, the Media Server extends this concept by providing resources for voice, video, and data media streams. 4.2 The Alcatel 5795 NMC The Alcatel 5795 NMC provides all the functions and capabilities to manage the offered Alcatel VoIP products in particular, and any SNMP supporting device in general. It offers the operator an integrated network view of the installed equipment, and allows to drill down into the network elements to perform network device specific management actions, such as configuration and fault management. The Alcatel 5795 NMC is based on the ALMA EXPERT Network management platform and considers the network from the viewpoint of an SNMP Manager. The SNMP manager can read or write information to and from the managed network elements or SNMP agents. A management application generally offers the following services: Fault monitoring and management Configuration management Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 28/29 Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview Accounting management Performance monitoring and management Security management These are also known as the FCAPS functions or services. The NMC provides all these services with the exception of Accounting management which is not supported by the Alcatel 5795 NMC but which is implemented in the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch. This powerful application, combining network and element management functionality, presents the operator a user-friendly graphical interface, composed of a number of task specific windows in order to allow the operator to manage it's network in a structured and surveyable way. The NMC uses expert system technology to control the network devices and to analyze and correlate the vast amount of alarm and management information generated by or retrieved from the network devices. The operator is presented with a clear, concise description of any faults, highlighting those that are the most urgent and suggesting possible courses of actions. Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview 29/29
