E4-E5 (CFA)-Migration to NGN Rev 15-03-2011

Chapter 9

Migration to NGN

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MIGRATION TO NGN

Telecom Network Operators are in the process of migration to NGN (Next

Generation Network), to provide multimedia and innovative value added services to their
customers. Presently most of the fixed line subscribers are served by TDM exchanges
deployed throughout the country. In this network it is very difficult to implement any
new service. Either it is not possible or if possible then it takes lot of time to implement
the new service in the network.
In the existing PSTN/ISDN network, subscribers are connected to the main
telephone exchange either directly or through access network consisting of RSU/RLU or
AN. Typically the signaling between RSU/RLU and main exchange is vendor specific,
hence RSU/RLU of one vendor cannot be connected to main exchange of other.
However some access networks support V5.2 interface and hence can inter work with
the switch of any other vendor. xDSL modems are used at the subscriber's premises for
broadband access over existing copper lines. Subscribers are able to select narrowband
and broadband access at the same time. Voice traffic is transported over PSTN and
controlled by a hierarchy of local exchange (LE) and trunk exchange (TE) circuit
switches. All the voice related signaling (ISUP and INAP) is handled by the CCS7
signaling network. Value Added Services are provided either by switches or through the
Intelligent Network (IN). The Internet connectivity is provided either through
narrowband (PSTN or ISDN) dial-up services or through broadband ADSL (with voice
split off) as a separate service.
NGN supports variety of end user equipment, from legacy terminals to
sophisticated mobile terminals, IP phones and computers. Various communicating
patterns, such as one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many and many-to one are possible.
Open and standard interfaces and APIs to interconnect within and outside the network is
an important feature of NGN.

Migration from PSTN to NGN is required because of following:

• Network convergence – one network for voice, data and video

• OPEX and CAPEX savings
• New service opportunities
• Non availability of spare parts of the exiting TDM exchanges

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Migration from PSTN to NGN

There cannot be one general approach for migration. Migration from PSTN to NGN is
operator specific depending on market requirements and operator’s business strategy.

There may be two possible approaches for migration from PSTN to NGN as explained
below. However, these phases are implemented in accordance to business and strategic
needs of a service provider.

1. IMS deployment: This is 3GPP standard for evolution of PLMN into NGN. IMS is
still in development phase.

2. Soft switch deployment: In this approach the Soft switch and Gateways are used. This
is the approach followed for evolution of PSTN to NGN scenario.
Further in soft switch approach there are two types of NGN architecture:
(i) Class -4 NGN Architecture
(ii) Class -5 NGN Architecture

As the PSTN is organized in a hierarchical manner i.e. in the form of TAX network
(Lev-I and Lev-II TAX) and local exchanges. The TAX exchanges are called class-4
switches and NGN based TAX is called Class-4 NGN Architecture. Similarly local
exchange is called class-5 switch and NGN concept implemented in access network is
called Class -5 NGN Architecture.

For migration the operators may first go for Class 4 NGN Architecture and then
Class-5 NGN Architecture or some operators may follow reverse approach. BSNL has
adopted the first approach and we have installed Class-4 NGN Architecture i.e. IPTAX.
In a phased manner the TAX network will be replace with the IPTAX and simultaneously
NGN will also be implemented in the access network.

The soft switch architecture (general consisting of class 4 and class 5) has been
shown in Fig.1 below

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NGN: Soft Switch Architecture

App. Server
SIP Signaling IP
Media Server End Points
Server Enterprise
SIP Gateway
Signaling
Gateway

SS7 ISDN SOFTSWITCH

SOFTSWITC H
Other Provider’s
Session Bo ard er Core Network
BSNL’s
Core C ontroller
Media Network
Gateway Management,
Trunking OSS, BSS,
Gateway Billing
Access Line Access IP
SIP Gateway End Points
SIP(T)/SIP(I) Gateway
Access Home
Sigtran Gateway
MGCP/H.248 Gateway Line Access
Gateway
AAA, etc.

Soft switch

Also known as Call Agent or Media Gateway Controller:

–Performs Call control, signaling and interworking, Traffic measurement and recording
functions
–Provides Addressing, Analysis, routing and charging facilities

Trunk Media Gateway

Performs the functions of

• Voice encoding & Compression

• Packetization of voice channels

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Signaling Gateway

Provides interworking function between SS7 network and IP network

Access Gateway

Performs the functions of

• Providing interface to an Access network like DLC, AN RAX, RSUs, ISDN PRI. The
interface is based on E1 or STM-1.

Line Access Gateway

Line Access Gateways provide the interface to a single subscriber line. It is a two wire
interface.

Central to the NGN architecture is the Soft Switch, which is a call server that
allows multiple application services to run concurrently. The Multi-service Gateway
facilitates Voice, Video and Data services to be accessed by the customer via the feature
rich edge. Typical features include Layer-2 and Layer-3 VPN services, VPLS services,
Firewall services and Network Address Translation (NAT) services. The SIP
Signaling server provides signaling interface to IP End points in a Broadband
environment. The Application and Media servers work in conjunction with the Soft
Switch to deliver the specific application and the media related functions (such as an
IVRS module) to the customer.

The Operations and Management of the Soft Switch require OSS – BSS
systems, which facilitate service provisioning, service assurance and service billing.
These are implemented alongside the Soft Switch.
NGN can almost revolutionize the service delivering capability over
multimedia (i.e. voice, video and data), but an important aspect is to integrate existing
investments in voice dominated Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) with NGN
in a transparent way so that the overall service offerings are not perceived as being
sourced from two networks – one a superior modern network and another that is a legacy.
This is made possible through Media Gateways that form the intermediaries between the
TDM based PSTN and the IP-based NGN. Media Gateways can broadly be classified into
Trunking Gateways and Access Gateways. The Trunking Gateways provide connectivity
to the Local Switches through standard SDH interfaces, typically over E1 or STM-1
lines. The Access Gateways provide interfaces to customers over TDM links. There is
also the Signaling Gateway that connects the SS7 Signaling system in a PSTN Switch to
the Soft Switch.

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NGN infrastructure set up, site specifications and other details has to be planned
to integrate NGN elements at the edge routers of MPLS network.

After commissioning and acceptance testing, voice trunks and signaling links
from existing Local Exchanges (LEs) may be shifted to the Trunk Media Gateway
(TMG) and Signaling Gateway (SG) respectively in phased manner. Network
performance is to be observed continuously as there may be some problem in inter
working due to non compatibility between certain new elements added in the network.
Finally, the TMG and SG may be loaded up to 80%. The existing new technology TDM
TAX exchanges may also continue to work till the life of exchange is expired and spares
are available. This approach guarantees full protection of TDM investments, while
providing the operator with a fully fledged trunking-over-packet network, as well as
continued access to switch based and IN based Value Added Services.

Evolution of Present Networks to NGN: Related Issues

The evolution of networks to NGNs must allow for the continuation of, and
interoperability with, existing networks while in parallel enabling the implementation of
new capabilities. There are some important issues which are to be addressed properly
for migrating from PSTN to NGN. Some important issues are described below:

QoS (Quality of Service)

The basic criterion for QoS evolution is ‘subjective user satisfaction’, e.g. speed,
accuracy, reliability, and security. This involves identification of parameters that can be
directly observed and measured at the point at which the service is accessed by users
and network providers. Flexibility within the global end-to-end NGN architecture is
essential to allow for each recognised operating agency’s different regulatory
environment, service offerings, geographic span, and network infrastructure. These
factors need to be taken into account when agreeing on parameters for, and levels of,
QoS for NGN.

Interoperability

Considering that the NGN will involve a broad series of protocols (including various
profiles) at both service and network levels, it is essential to ensure interoperability
between different systems and networks.

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Security

Security is as crucial to the NGN as it is in today’s network environment. Within the

NGN, security issues interrelate with architecture, QoS, network management, mobility,
charging and payment.

Generalized Mobility

NGN will give users and devices the ability to communicate and to access services
irrespective of change of location or technical environment. The degree of service
availability may depend on several factors, including access network capabilities,
service level agreements between the user's home network and visited networks, etc. It
includes the ability to communicate from various locations using a variety of terminal
equipment, with or without service continuity while in transit or while changing access
means.

Sample Questions:-

1) Presently Fixed line subscribers are served by:

a) TDM Exchange
b) NGN
c) Mobile Network
d) Data Network

2) It Takes lot of times to implement new services in the present Network:

a) True
b) False

3) IPTAX is which type of NGN Architecture

a) Class-5 NGN
b) Class-4 NGN
c) Not NGN
d) Sometimes Class-4, Sometimes Class-5

4) BSNL Has adopted NGN Migration with the approach of replacing first:
a) Tax Changes
b) Local Exchanges
c) Has not finalized yet about Migration
d) None of the above

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5) In NGN single subscriber line is terminated on:

a) Access Gateway
b) Line Access Gateway
c) Media Gateway
d) SoftSwitch

ANSWER KEY(NGN MIGARTION)

1 a
2 a
3 b
4 a
5 b

xxxx

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