Next Generation

Network
ZTE-University
By: Jay Shankar Singh

Topic Covered
1. NGN Overview
2. NGN Architecture
3. Media Gateway Overview
4. MSG9000 Architecture
5. Softswitch/Media Gateway Controller Overview
6. Softswitch Architecture
7. NGN Protocols
1. SIP
2. H.248
3. SIGTRAN
8. Advantages of NGN.

Next Generation Network

The Next Generation Network (NGN) is a popular phrase used to describe the
network that will replace the current PSTN network around the world today used to
carry voice, fax, modem signals, etc. By definition, the NGN is essentially a
managed IP-based network that enables a wide variety of services. Among those
services are VOIP, videoconferencing, Instant Messaging, e-mail, and all other kinds
of packet-switched communication services. Its a concept for defining and
deploying networks, which due to their formal separation into different layers and
planes and use of open interfaces, offers service providers and operators a platform
which can evolve in a step-by-step manner to create, deploy and manage
innovative services.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in its recommendation Year 2001 has
defined NGN as a packet based network able to provide services including
Telecommunication Services and able to make use of multiple broadband, QoSenabled transport technologies and in which service-related functions are
independent from underlying transport-related technologies. It offers unrestricted
access by users to different service providers.
It enables unfettered access for users to networks and to competing service
providers and/or services of their choice. It supports generalized mobility which will
allow consistent and ubiquitous provision of services to users.
Above all we can say NGN is:
Separation of call and services
Separation of call control and bearer
Next Generation Services Converged (quad-play, voice, data, video, mobile)
i.e. Service-driver Network. Base on IP, including voice, fax, data, video and
multimedia.
Next Generation Access High speed (Broadband) IP based connectivity
(ADSL,VDSL, Wi-Max, FTTH.
Standard Protocol
Next Generation Architecture Service oriented, layered (transport, control,
application)
Next Generation Interconnect Capacity and Quality based

NGN Architecture

The NGN architecture incorporates:

Support for multiple access technologies: The NGN architecture offers the
configuration flexibility needed to support multiple access technologies.
Distributed Control: This will enable adaptation to the distributed processing
nature of packet-based networks and support location transparency for distributed
computing.
Open Control: The NGN control interface is open to support service creation,
service updating, and incorporation of service logic provision by third parties.
3

Independent service provisioning: The service provisioning process is separated

from transport network operation by using the above mentioned distributed open
control mechanism. This is intended to promote a competitive environment for NGN
development in order to speed up the provision of diversified NGN services.
Support services in a converged network: This is needed to generate flexible,
easy-to-use multimedia services, by tapping the technical potential of the
converged, fixed-mobile functional architecture of the NGN.
Enhanced security and protection: This is the basic principle of an open
architecture. It is imperative to protect the network infrastructure by providing
mechanisms for security and survivability in the relevant layers.
Functional entity characteristics: Functional entities incorporate the following
principles:
Functional may not be distributed over multiple physical units but may have
multiple instances.
Functional entities have no direct relationship with the layered architecture.
However, similar entities may be located in different logical layers.

Servic

SHLR

Supporti
ng

APPS

OAM
Contro

NM
S

IP Network

Core

Access

Softswit
ch

Softswit
ch

TG

SG

AG

BGW

Intellig
Intellig
ent
ent
Termin
Termin
al
al

Other
Other
NGN
NGN

Broadband
Broadband
Access
Access

PSTN/PHS
PSTN/PHS

H
H
G
G

IP
IP
Phone
Phone

IP
IP
TV
TV

NGN Architecture

Access Layer
Access layer of the NGN architecture has following functions:
4

BACN

Billi
Billi
ng
ng

Connecting subscribers (Legacy/IP based),

AN & PABX and trunks from PSTN, ISDN, and
PLMN etc.
Converting the formatting of information
(circuit to packet or packet to circuit) before
transmitting it.
The components of the access layer are:
TG (Trunk Media Gateway): It resides between circuit switched (CS) network and
the IP network. It converts format between pulse code modulation (PCM) signal
flow and IP media flow. It supports functions such as packetisation, echo control etc.
It can have integrated signaling gateway functionality also, The MGW can connect
devices, such as the PSTN exchange, private branch exchange (PBX), access
network device and base station controller (BSC).
AG (Access Gateway): It acts as the line side interface to the core IP network and
connects subscribers with analog subscriber access, integrated services digital
network (ISDN) subscriber access, PABX and x digital subscriber (xDSL) access.
IAD (Integrated access device): It is a devices used to access subscribers
(Analog, ADSL, IP) in the NGN. It access data of subscriber terminals, voice services
and video services to the packet network. It works as Access Gateway local
exchange.
SG (Signaling Gateway): Its works to accomplishing signaling translation to IP.
The SG provides the signaling interface between the IP network and the PSTN
signaling network. It terminates SS7 links and provides Message Transport Part
(MTP) Level 1 and Level 2 functionality. Each SG communicates with its associated
circuit switch (CS) to support the end-to-end signaling for calls.
BGW (Broadband Gateway): BGW interconnecting public network and private
network. The access network provides connectivity between the customer premises
equipment and the access gateways in the service providers network.

Multi Services Gateway/Media Gateway (MSG/MG):

A node that works as a facilitating adapter for the user plane between different
networks, in a layered network architecture.
Connects the Mobile Core Network with other networks e.g. WCDMA, GSM,
PSTN
Bridges different transmission technologies
Process the connectivity layer, adding services to end-user connections.
In the next generation network based on Softswitch technology, ZXMSG 9000 can
be used as trunk gateway (TG), signaling gateway (SG) ,access gateway (AG) and
media resource server (MRS). It can also act as an integrated gateway
(TG/SG/AG/MRS) by deploying different circuit boards on the same equipment.

ZXMSG 9000

ZXMSG 9000 Functions

As a carrier-class, high capacity integrated media gateway ZXMSG 9000

includes:
TG
(As TG, maximum capacity = 336000 ports)
Can be used as major TG node. In charge of inter-connecting PSTN
network via trunk cable with IP core network via Ethernet cable and
accomplishing voice translation from PSTN/ISDN to IP and vice versa
Can be used as the Transit Switch and Toll Switch in the existing fixed
network
SG
(As SG, maximum signal transaction capacity > 2M MSU/s. maximum
64Kbits/s signaling link = 6144 maximum signaling networks= 255;
maximum SCTP LINKS=2560; maximum DPC number=2048; maximum
signaling route number=4096 ;)
Support SS7 MTP message processing and network management in
the SCN
Support
SIGTRAN,
signal
adaptation
protocol
M3UA,
M2UA,M2PA,SUA,IUA,V5UA
Support SCTP, ensuring message transferring reliability
multiple No.7 signaling network Support
ITU-T,ANSI,CHINA SS7 Support
Support STP function
AG
(As AG, maximum capacity = 1,000,000 ports)
Support access to analog subscriber
Support access to traditional PBX
Support standard V5.2 interface
Support access to remote module
Support access to xDSL, ISDN subscriber

ZXMSG 9000 Hardware Architecture

ZXMSG9000 device can be divided into three major units according to their
functions: Backplane Central Control Unit (BCTC), Backplane Circuit Switch Network
(BCSN), and Backplane Universal Management/Service Access unit (BUSN/BUMA)

ZXMSG 9000 System operating principle

Backplane Central Control Unit (BCTC)

As the control center, BCTC unit monitors system function unit/circuit boards,
establishes message links and provides the software operating platform to satisfy
various service requirements. It could also process the signal transactions. Its a
control shelf in MGW i.e. carries the signaling processing circuit, control circuit,
carries out the call control logic transaction.

Standard BCTC configuration

BCTC consists of operating management processor (OMP), call control processor
(CMP), universal interface management circuit (UIMC), IP-side interface (SIPI) and

control hub (HUB).

7

Main control slot9, 10 which can not be used by other service circuit but UIMC,
carrying the communication inside the BCTC. Normal slot1~8 11~14, which can
be used by many control circuits, including CMP, OMP, or SIPI. And Switching control
slot15~16, which can be used by either CHUB or CLKG.

Card Detail:

OMP (Operating Main processor) 2 CPUs, standby/active mode, Data

configurations stored in build-in hard driver, provide alarm management ,net
management. Its CPU2 work as Route Processing Unit; OMPs back boardRMPB configuration as below:
OMC1: The primary OMC network interface (used for interface operation and
maintenance of external networks)
OMC2: The secondary OMC network interface (used for interface operation
and maintenance of external networks)
GPS485: Full duplex GPS485 interface (used to manage the GPS in the
system and is connected to the GPS)
PD485: Semi-duplex PWRD485 interface (used to manage the power supply
in the system and is connected to the PWRD)
RS232: The management interface 232
DEBUG1-232: The DEBUG 232 interface of the primary CPU system
DEBUG2-232: The DEBUG 232 interface of the secondary CPU system
CMP (Call management processor): 2 CPUs, standby/active mode, provide
the transaction for control protocol and signal protocol, such as H.248,m3ua
UIMC (universal interface management card) standby/active mode, provide
the Ethernet communication for all of the functional cards in the same shelf;
No T-NET/TFI interface, It provides two 24+2 switching HUBs. The back boards
corresponding to the UIMC include RUIM2 and RUIM3.
CHUB (Call HUB) standby/active mode, Every resource shelf provides 2 FE
connecting with CHUB; CHUB itself provides 46 FE interfaces for external
frames and 1 GE interface to connect with UIMC
SIPI (Signaling IP Interface): IP interface for signaling, standby/active mode,
providing several FE interfaces for external IP network. It provides four 100M
Ethernet interfaces for external networks.

Backplane Universal Management/Service Access unit (BUSN/BUMA)

BUSN sub-system provides the functionality of processing service unit (with
protocols), implements the translation of internal media stream and signal streams
which can get access to subscriber unit and E1/T1 trunk/signaling link

Standard Configuration of BUSN

Note: Main control slot 9, 10can not be used by any other service board but UIMT.
UIMT: Provide LAN switch & synthesized TDM circuits; 2 FE interfaces
connecting with CHUB in control frame; a pair of 8K fiber cable connecting
with BCSN. It provides two 24+2 switching HUBs, one 16K switched network,
two pairs of TDM optical fibers. And the backboard corresponding to the UIMT
is RUIM1.
DTB: 32E1/T1 (Leads out RS232 transceiver signals and 8KBase clock
signals)
VTCA: 960VOIP, It implements media stream conversion between the PSTN
side and IP Side.
SPB: SS7 process board,128 NO7 signal links, It implements Narrowband
signaling processing, MTP1, MTP2 signaling processing and it provides 4 subcard, 32 link / sub-card.
SDTB: STM-1interface, one card can provide 84T1/63 E1 interfaces
NIPI: IP interface for media,1000M,Fiber ,10000 RTP port
MRB: It provides 480 channels of Tone/Voice, DTMF Detection/Generation,
MFC Detection/Generation, and Conference Call, which can be configured as
TONE/ CONF/ DTMF/MFC/CID. And Its include 120 Channels constitute one
basic sub-element.

Backplane Circuit Switch Network (BCSN):

The major function of BCSN is to implement the inter-connection of TDM switching
network. Adapting 3G platform BCSN frame to this unit and can support up to
256Kx256K capacity. Can also be configured with different capacity according to
customers requirements (from 64K to 256k)

1
32MH

6
W
DTU/
TCU

TF
I

BCS
N

LVD
S

TF
I

LVD
S

TSN
B

64k64k

1
32MH

6
W
DTU/
TCU

LVD
S

TF
I

1
32MH

6 DTU/W
TCU

LVD
S

1
32MH

6 DTU/W
TCU

TF
I

CLK
G

BCSN Structure
In BCSN shelf, TSNB board can be configured according to different requirements.
Its
a

T
F
I

T
F
I

T
F
I

T
F
I

T
S
N
B

T
S
N
B

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

U
U
I
I
M M
C
C
R
R
U
U
I
I
M 9M
U
U
2
3

T
F
I

T
F
I

T
F
I

T
F
I

C
L
K
G
R
C
L
K
G
1

C
L
K
G
R
C
L
K
G
2

resource shelf i.e. Its a TDM switching unit with capacity from 64k to 256k. This unit
can occupy TSNB, TFI, CLKG, UIM.
BCSN Standard Hardware Architecture
TSNB(T-Net switching network board): 64K-256K; It provides 64K
circuit/timeslot switching function and it can be expanded to 256K and It
works in active/standby mode
TFI (T-Net fiber interface) It provides 8 pairs of optical fibers connected to
the active or standby UIMT and 8K time slot connecting with resource
shelves; it requires 4 pairs of TFIs to serve a 256K T-Net board
UIMC (Universal Interface management card) It provides 2 FE interfaces
connecting the control signals with control shelf
CLKG (clock board): Its mostly used in BCSN to clock synchronization

Core Layer:

The core layer functions provide the connectivity for all

components and physically separated functions within the NGN. These functions
provide support for the transfer of media information, as well as the transfer of
control and management information.
The core layer is composed of devices, such as routers and layer 3 switches that are
located in the backbone network and in the MAN. The primary function of the IP core
network is to provide routing and transport of IP packets. It adopts the packet
switching technology and provides subscribers with a common, integrated platform
of data transport which ensures: High reliability, QoS assurance, High capacity.

Control Layer

The network control layer adopts the software switching or soft-switching

technology to achieve:
Primary real-time call control
Connection control

Softswitch (SS/MGC):

In NGN Softswitch is a programmable device that

control Voice over IP (VoIP) calls. It enables correct integration of different protocols
within NGN. The most important function of the Softswitch is creating the interface
to the existing telephone network, PSTN, through Signaling Gateway (SG) and Media
Gateway (MG). However, the Softswitch as a term may be defined differently by the
different equipment manufacturers and have somewhat different functions. It
control one or more gateways.
The softswitch, also known as Media Gateway Controllers (MGC), Call Servers (CS)
and Call Agents is the core device in the NGN. The softswitch is located in the
service providers network and handles call control and signaling functions, typically
maintaining call state for every call in the network. A softswitch interacts with
Application Servers to provide services that are not directly hosted on Softswitch.
Important functions of Softswitch are:
Call Control
Media Gateway Access Control
Signaling Gateway Control
Border Gateways Control
Resource allocation
10

 Protocol Processing
Routing
Authentication
Charging
Softswitches also act as Signaling Switching Point (SSP) to provide access to IN
services to SIP users.
The softswitche also provides services such as:
Basic voice services
Multimedia services
Softswitch(ZXSS10 SS1b) hardware architecture as below:

SS Standard Hardwar Archtecture

11

SS Board Details:
SC (System Control Card): It includes CPU (MPC7410, MPC750), RAM, IDE,
Ethernet Interface, Serial bus (RS-485/RS-232), and Power Supply. SC card monitor
the hardware and software status of other boards, it control the other board in the
shelf. It takes file backup i.e. Software version, CLI script etc. It has a HD with min.
capacity of 20 Gb and upgraded till 40 Gb. It act as active-reserve switch.

SSN board (System Switching Network): There is CPU, RAM and Switching
Chip contain in this card. It has 24 Ethernet Interface with speed of 100M, in which
13 for SPC cards, 2 for SC cards, 6 for NICs and others are for DB server and shelf
cascading. And It provides Ethernet switching platform.

NIC (Network Interface Card): It has CPU, RAM and Ethernet Interface for IP
network. Ethernet Interface in NIC used to connect with outer network with
Softswitch. It distributes the Protocol and other packet among SPCs.

SPC (System Protocol Card): It has CPU, RAM and one 10Base-T Ethernet
Interface and It functioning to control Protocol and call processing. Its capacity is
60K i.e. 60,000 subscribers per SPC.

SSNI board (System Switching Network Interface): This board is using to

connect DB Server /Billing Server and CDR Server.

SS1B Shelf Cascading:

CSN (Cascade Switching Network): Its inserted in Slot 7 and Slot 8 of the main
shelf of SS. It provides 24 Fast Ethernet and 2 GE for Ethernet Switching. And works
in the active/standby mode.

Master Shelf Card Slot Position

CSNI (Cascade Switching Network Interface): It provides Ethernet connection
for CSN board.
GNIC (Gigabit Network Interface Card): It provides 1 GE and 4 FE ports used to
connect to the external network.
CDR Generation: Call flow to Softswitch i.e. CDR generates to SPC card and
subscriber information save at SC & SPC cards of Softswitch.
External
External
Network
Network

NIC

SPC

12
SSN

CDR Generation

Service Layer

The service layer provides value-added services (VAS) and operation support
functions, The components of the service layer are:
SHLR: Smart Home Location Register is storing subscribers data.
Application Server: It produces and manages logics of value-added services (VAS)
and intelligent network (IN) services, providing a platform for a third party to
develop services through open APIs. The application server is the result of
separating service from call control. It helps to develop supplementary services.

NGN Protocols:
In NGN environment the media stream consist of audio, video or data, or a
combination of any of them. It is transported through RTP/RTCP (Real time control
protocol). Control signaling messages are transported by control streams using
signaling protocols like SIGTRAN, H.248, H.323 & SIP etc.

SIP: Designed by the IETF, the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is an applicationlayer control protocol for multimedia communication over IP network. It is used for
creating, modifying and terminating two party sessions, multiparty sessions and
multicast sessions (one sender and many receivers). These sessions include audio,
video and data for multimedia conferences, instance messaging, and Internet
telephone calls etc. It works between Softswitches.

SIP
User Part
MTP

UDP
IP
MAC
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is an application-layer control protocol that can
establish, modify and terminate multimedia sessions or calls. It is the core protocol
of IETF multimedia data and control architecture. It can be easily expanded,
13

conveniently achieved, and suitable to implement Internet-based multimedia

conference systems.
The NGN Soft-Switch system interconnects with other Soft-Switch systems and SIP
domain devices via SIP signaling, achieving the call control functions between them.
E.g. Window live Messenger, Skype

SIP Messages Request/Reply

SIP components rely on the interaction of SIP messages to communicate with each
other, the messaging mechanism is based on Client/Server, and can be divided into
two categories (request and reply)
SIP uses the following request methods:
INVITEIndicates that a user or service is being invited to participate in a call
session.
ACKConfirms that the client has received a final response to an INVITE
request.
BYETerminates a call and can be sent by either the caller or the callee.
CANCELCancels any pending searches but does not terminate a call that
has already been accepted.
OPTIONSQueries the capabilities of servers.
REGISTERRegisters the address listed in the To header field with a SIP
server.
REFERIndicates that the user (recipient) should contact a third party for use
in transferring parties.
NOTIFYNotifies the user of the status of a transfer using REFER. Also used
for remote reset.
The following types of responses are used by SIP:
SIP 1xxInformational Responses
SIP 2xxSuccessful Responses
14

SIP
SIP
SIP
SIP

3xxRedirection Responses
4xxClient Failure Responses
5xxServer Failure Responses
6xxGlobal Failure Responses

SIP Call flow:

The call flow scenario is as follows:

1. User A calls User B.
2. User B answers the call.
3. User B places User A on hold.
4. User B takes User A off hold.
5. The call continues.

H.248:

H.248 is an ITU recommendation that defines Media Gateway Control

Protocol. It is the result of a joint collaboration between the ITU and the IETF. It is
also referred to as IETF MEGACO, which defines a centralised architecture for
creating multimedia applications, including VOIP. In many ways, H.248 builds on and
extends MGCP. It is used as a media gateway control protocol between Softswitch
(MGC) and a Media Gateway (MG). Compared to the MGCP protocol, the H.248
protocol is more flexible and can support more types of access technologies and
mobility of terminations.
15

H.248 Diagram
H.248 Protocol Stack:
The H.248 application in NGN supplies a framework for building gateways and
controllers on the top of the H.248 protocol stack. Some key features are:
Carrier-class high availability, process supervision, soft code upgrade etc.
Scalable distributed implementation with ability to distribute an MG or MGC
over several NGN nodes
Flexible architecture dynamic run-time configuration in order to select
encoding methods, transport mechanisms, timers etc.
H.248 stack supports interactive multimedia communication using decomposed
gateway architectures.

Terminology Interpretation:
a) Termination: Termination is logical entity on the MGW, which initiates/receives
media stream. Termination is identified with Termination ID. There are 3 types of
termination:
Semi-permanent termination: Semi-permanent termination represents the
physical entity. For example, for a TDM channel, as long as this channel exists
in the MGW, the termination exists.
Temporary termination: Temporary termination only exists during the
calling procedure, such as RTP media stream. Once the calling ends, the
termination eliminates.
Root termination: Refer to the entire MGW (from Softswitch to MGW)
b) Context: means the relationship between groups of terminations. If context
involves more than two terminations, it describes the topology (receiver/sender),
media blending and/or switching parameters. And a null context represents
terminations that havent relationship with others.
When a call is originated, the H.248 protocol can use commands to add
terminations corresponding to calling and called parties in the context
16

H.248 Commands
MG
C

M
G

Add
Modif
y
Subtrac
t
Move
AuditVal
ue
AuditCapabil
ity
Notify
ServiceChan
ge

Above commands are running between Softswitch (MGC) and Media Gateway. Six
commands i.e. Add, Modify, Subtract, Move, AuditValue, and AuditCapability are
running from Softswitch and for every command from Softswitch, the Notify
command is responded by Media Gateway. And ServiceChange command is running
from both Media Gateway and Softswitch to get registered once in the scenario.
i.
ii.

Add: To Add the termination to the context

Modify: To change the property, event or signal parameter of
Termination
iii.
Subtract: To delete the termination from context and delete the
context as well if there is no more termination.
iv.
Move: Move a termination from one context to another i.e. call
waiting turn to answering mode.
v.
AuditValue: To obtain the all possible event, current status, signal
information of a termination.
vi.
AuditCapabilities: To check the MGW connectivity with Softswitch
and obtain the possible capacity i.e. characteristics, event, signal of
a MGW.
vii.
Notify: After every command executed from SS, MGW sends an
acknowledgement to SS through Notify command.
viii. Service Change: Its the command which used by both MGW and
Softswitch to register each other.

H.248 Call Flow Scenario:

The call establishment between two residential users is considered in this example.
The all two IAD (Residential gateways) controlled by MGC/Softswitch. The call
17

scenario assumes the implementation of analog line supervision package, RTP

package, generic package, DTMF detection package, call progress generator
package, and the Network package in the successful call between two residential
gateways.

In all the telephone scenarios explained in this draft, once the call is terminated by
either the calling party or the called party, the other user hears a busy tone. A dial
tone can be applied for the user to initiate another call. But for simplicity busy tone
is applied so that the user goes onhook before initiating another call. It is assumed
18

in the call scenarios that the registration of the MG with the Softswitch/MGC is done
already.

SIGTRAN:

SIGTRAN (Signaling Transport) is a protocol stack defined by the

SIGTRAN workgroup of the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) for transport of
switched circuit network (SCN) signaling over IP networks.
This protocol stack supports the inter-layer standard primitive interface defined in
SCN signaling protocol hierarchy model so as to ensure utilization of the existing
SCN signaling application without modification. It uses the standard IP transport
protocol as the transmission bottom layer, and satisfies the special transmission
requirements of SCN signaling by adding its own functions.
SIGTRAN is a protocol stack that mainly includes three protocols: SCTP,M2UA, and
M3UA.
SIGTRAN supports transmission of SCN (Switched Circuit Network) signaling
via IP network.
SIGTRAN is responsible for the communication between SG and MGC, with
such two functions as
adaptation
transmission
In NGN softswitch system, SIGTRAN is used to bear and adapt interworking between
SS7 of SCN and IP network softswitch control system, acting as a bridge for
signaling conversion.

Advantages of NGN:
NGN makes use of best of both the worlds (flexibility, efficiency & Innovativeness of
IP and QOS, Security, Reliability, Customer-friendly features of proven PSTN

Advantages for service providers

Reduced CAPEX due to integrated and efficient IP-based technology
(Packetized Network)
Reduced OPEX due to transmission cost saving, less power
consumption, less space requirement, less O&M costs
Ability to offer increased range of services
More flexibility increasing market penetration by offering personal
service customization and management
There is no need for separate voice and data networks

Advantages for subscribers

Reduced call charges
New innovative services
Single connection and bill for voice, data, video, mobile (Quad play)
Better QoS
Faster speed

19

Note: As discussed with Faculty, its observed that to configure a

fresh NGN site it will take Min 15-17 days and its including Media
Gateway and Softswitch configuration only except hardware
installation. This is only an assumption.

20