SIP Signaling Router Application Handbook

The exclusive guide for solving next-gen network challenges with SIP

www.tekelec.com Upgrade Your Next-Gen Network Today | 1

The intent of this handbook is to provide operators with a useful reference guide for how they can use a SIP Signaling Router (SSR) to solve many of their next-generation network challenges. Found at the heart of most global networks, Tekelecs market-leading, mission-critical, high-performance network solutions enable the secure and instant delivery of calls and text messages for more than one billion mobile and fixed-line subscribers. The companys signaling and session management solutions allow telecom operators to manage diverse applications, devices, technologies and protocols, across existing and evolving networks, to meet the demands of todays consumer. Tekelec ensures telecom operators have a clear migration path to SIP-based IP networks, and whatever comes next, with the flexibility to deploy solutions at a pace dictated by their business needs. For more information please call 888.628.5521 or +1.919.460.5500 Visit our web site at www.tekelec.com

The information presented is for demonstration purposes only and is not intended to represent any particular company. Any similarities are purely coincidental. Actual performance results depend on particular network configurations, capacity and other technical requirements.

Table of Contents
Introduction The Challenge SIP Signaling Router Use Case 1: Enhanced Application Server Selection Use Case 2: SIP Trunking Use Case 3: SIP Number Portability Use Case 4: Centralized SIP Routing Use Case 5: Specialized SIP Proxy Summary About Tekelec Appendix-1: Acronyms 3 4 4 5 9 14 18 22 26 27 27

Introduction The benefits of next-generation, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) networks are compelling for operators worldwide. Deployments cut across all types of telecom operators from the largest incumbents to the smallest regional players. Providers see VoIP and session initiation protocol (SIP)-based services as an opportunity to cut their operating expenses and boost their bottom line with new revenue. Delivering VoIP and SIP services to consumer and enterprise customers enables providers to expand their subscriber base. And, SIP facilitates the interworking of real-time applications with voice and video to create new, multimedia services. However, as VoIP and SIP traffic and applications grow, so do the requirements placed on the network to support them. Many operators are discovering that their current next-generation networks (NGNs) are based on an outdated, voice-centric, softswitch architecture, which does not support multimedia services, access independence, backward network compatibility or network growth.
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The Challenge Unlike signaling system 7 (SS7) and Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) networks, which are hierarchical, there is no separate signaling and session control layer at the core of the NGN. From a signaling perspective, each NGN network element must handle all application-layer related tasks such as routing, traffic management, redundancy and service implementation. All possible routes must be defined at each node, creating a logical, mesh-network routing architecture. Expanding the NGN without a framework that offloads session and signaling tasks from the edge elements is complex and costly. SIP Signaling Router Tekelecs SIP Signaling Router (SSR) solution, a SIP proxy with enhanced routing capabilities, creates a signaling and session control framework for NGNs by implementing SIP routing functionality in the core network. The SSR enhances routing capabilities and increases service and network flexibility by relieving endpoints of session management duties. The resulting architecture allows the NGN to grow systematically in response to increasing demand for VoIP and multimedia services. The SSR solution is based on 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications and offers adaptations for interworking with non-3GPP-compliant IP environments. It provides seamless interworking and creates an evolution path to future technologies such as IMS, long term evolution (LTE) and WiMAX. This handbook explores five use cases that demonstrate the applications and associated benefits of deploying Tekelecs SSR in NGN networks. They include: Enhanced application server selection SIP trunking SIP number portability Centralized SIP routing Specialized SIP proxy

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Use Case 1:
ENHANCED APPLICATION SERVER SELECTION
Address = voipsvc.CompanyA.com
VoIP AS

Hosting Subscriber A through Z

Problem:
The operator, Company A, provides VoIP services to small enterprise customers, using a SIP enterprise application server (AS) and SIP phones. The SIP AS provides voice features such as find-me, follow-me and simultaneous ring. Each subscriber must be identified and registered on the SIP AS platform. Prior to shipping, Company A configures each SIP phone with the address of the SIP AS, which is voipsvc.CompanyA.com. The SIP phone uses this address for registration and to make voice calls.

Company A IP Network

voipsvc.CompanyA.com

voipsvc.CompanyA.com

voipsvc.CompanyA.com

voipsvc.CompanyA.com

voipsvc.CompanyA.com

voipsvc.CompanyA.com

Figure 1: Subscribers are identified and registered on the SIP AS platform.

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Company A has developed a solid reputation for its service quality, and its subscriber numbers have grown significantly. To support current and future growth, the company deploys three additional application servers, each with its own address. Subscribers are now distributed among four application servers.

voipsvc1.CompanyA.com voipsvc3.CompanyA.com voipsvc2.CompanyA.com voipsvc4.CompanyA.com

Sub A-F

Sub G-M

Sub N-S

Sub T-Z

Company A IP Network

Figure 2: How can Company A easily map subscribers to the application servers? 6 | SSR Application Handbook

This new configuration poses a number of problems. With four application servers in the network, how does the SIP phone know which AS to request? And, since the SIP AS address is configured on the SIP phone, each time a customer is assigned to another application server, the address programmed on the SIP phone must be reconfigured. From a technical perspective, the problem is the result of a tight coupling between the SIP endpoints the SIP phones and the SIP AS. Any changes to the physical network, such as adding a new application server, have a direct impact on the way the SIP phones access a service. As a result, complex provisioning is increasing operational costs, and quality of service is being impacted by service disruptions due to provisioning errors. Company A needs a solution that will allow the company to: Manage growth without sacrificing quality of service. Make changes to its application server assignments without reconfiguring the phones that are already in service.

solution:
Company A deploys the SSR solution in its network to shield the endpoints from changes in the physical network. Through a process called abstraction, the phones are decoupled from direct knowledge of the complex and changing network. The SIP phones just have to be configured with a single abstract address voipsvc.CompanyA.com. Endpoints send requests to the SSR, which resolves the voipsvc.CompanyA.com address to the appropriate SIP AS platform and routes the request to that platform. Since the endpoint only deals with an abstract view of the network, it is not impacted by changes in the physical network such as adding a new application server. Regardless of changes in the SIP AS topology, the address on the SIP phone remains the same, and no reconfiguration is necessary.

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Benefits:
By deploying the SSR solution, Company A: Creates a flexible architecture free of endpoint constraints. Saves capital costs by simplifying subscriber management and maximizing the efficiency of application servers through load sharing and flexible subscriber management. Can explore different business models such as using third-party, hosted services. Creates a foundation for multimedia services.

voipsvc1.CompanyA.com voipsvc3.CompanyA.com voipsvc2.CompanyA.com voipsvc4.CompanyA.com

Sub A-F

Sub G-M

Sub N-S

Sub T-Z

Forward the request to correct AS platform where Nick is assigned

Consult internal routing policy A number directed routing

SSR
Request to voipsvc.CompanyA.com

Nick

Figure 3: Endpoints are shielded from changes in the physical network. 8 | SSR Application Handbook

Use Case 2:
SIP TRuNkINg

Local Network 3 Local Network 2 Local Network 4

Problem:
Company B is a long-distance (LD) operator that provides service to local phone companies. The company has a number of points of presence (POPs) conveniently located near the networks it serves. The local phone companies provide service to enterprise customers via primary rate interfaces (PRIs) to private branch exchanges (PBXs).

POP

POP Company B

POP

POP
PBX

Local Network 1

PBX

Figure 4: Company B provides service to local phone companies. www.tekelec.com | 9

With deregulation, Company B decides to enter the local service market and offer fixed-line services directly to enterprise customers. Company B can deliver substantial savings by cutting out the middle men, the local phone companies. With SIP trunking, Company B can enable business customers with IP PBXs to use their Internet connection to provide off-net service. In addition to voice services, Company B wants to create a foundation for delivering multimedia services to its enterprise customers in the future. Company B faces several challenges and needs a solution that will enable the company to: Provide enterprise voice service immediately while laying the foundation for future multimedia SIP services. Maintain low start-up cost without compromising the long-term plan.

The company could implement a softswitch-based solution, but that alternative has a number of disadvantages. Since it is based on a per connection cost model, the approach can become costly very quickly. The softswitch-based model is voice centric and may not be suited to delivering multimedia services. Softswitch implementations usually are deployed with the switch vendors choice of application server, so it is difficult to gain the economy of a best-of-breed solution.

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Local Network 2

Local Network 3

Local Network 4

POP

POP Company B POP

POP
SIP Trunking directly from Enterprise to Company B

Local Network 1

IP PBX

Figure 5: SIP trunking enables enterprise customers to use their Internet connection for off-net services.

IP PBX

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solution:
By implementing Tekelecs SSR solution, Company B can use a session-based approach, which balances cost and flexibility. The SSR creates a SIP signaling and session control layer that routes on-net calls (IP PBX to IP PBX) over the VoIP network, off-net local calls (IP PBX to local numbers), and off-net long-distance calls (IP PBX to long-distance numbers). A public switched telephone network (PSTN) gateway handles IP PBX to PSTN calls. In the process, the company also creates a framework that is based on Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and 3GPP standards for the delivery of multimedia services. The solution enables Company B to create a volume-based cost structure and reduces costs by allowing the company to select best-of-breed application servers.

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Benefits:
With the SSR solution, Company B can compete with local telephone companies by offering SIP trunking to enterprise customers. The company receives additional benefits that include: Laying the foundation for multimedia services. Saving money by maximizing the capacity of application servers through load sharing and flexible subscriber management. Creating a SIP peering point to interconnect with other VoIP providers.
Local Network 2

Local Network 3 Local Network 4

POP

POP

POP
Easily add best-of-breed SIP AS for new services
SIP AS

PSTN GW

SSR

POP
IP PBX

Local Network 1

IP PBX

Figure 6: SSR creates a SIP signaling and session layer to route on- and off-net calls. www.tekelec.com | 13

Use Case 3:
SIP NumBER PORTABILITy

Problem:
Company C, a long distance operator, entered the local calling service market by deploying Tekelecs SSR solution to build a SIP trunking infrastructure. Company C is an operator in the call routing sequence immediately prior to the terminating operator. So, its customary for Company C to perform number portability, or NP service, for VoIP calls from their SIP trunking service. The company could simply dump calls onto the PSTN gateway and use its existing time division multiplexing (TDM)-based, number portability solution to route calls to the correct network. However, to do so, there must be adequate intelligent network capacity to handle the increased traffic, and the terminating network must be TDM. If the terminating number is an IP PBX or belongs to another VoIP provider, the call must be shuttled from VoIP to TDM and back to VoIP again. Running pure VoIP calls over the TDM network to perform NP wastes capacity on the PSTN gateway and degrades voice quality.

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Local Network 2
919-460-5500

Local Network 3

Local Network 4
Ported in from NW2

POP

POP

POP

919-460-5500 VoIP Operator

PSTN GW NP DB

SSR

POP
IP PBX

Local Network 1

IP PBX

Figure 7: Calls destined for a VoIP provider or IP PBX must be routed over the TDm network.

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solution:
Company C could replicate an NP solution in its SIP domain, but that is an expensive approach. A more cost-effective and efficient method is to make the TDM-NP solution available to the SIP network. The TDM-NP database can be accessed using the SSRs SS7 access feature. This capability allows the SSR to augment its routing capabilities with data from the SS7 domain. The SSR provides NP services to the SIP domain in one of three ways: Number portability corrected forwarding proxy: The SSR receives a request from an originating user agent (UA) such as an IP PBX. The SSR performs the NP function and then forwards the request to the appropriate SIP endpoint for call completion. Number portability corrected redirect server: The originating UA sends a request to the SSR, which performs the NP function to determine the endpoint destination. The SSR then sends a SIP redirect message to the UA that instructs the UA to forward the request to the appropriate destination. Number portability corrected forwarding application server: After receiving a request from the originating UA, the SSR performs the NP processing to locate the called number. It modifies the request with the destination information and sends it back to the originating UA. The UA then proxies the call to the appropriate SIP endpoint.

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Benefits:
Since NP is deployed through a standard SIP framework, the approach can be used in the next-gen network as well as a future IMS network. End-to-end media transparency is maintained, so the NP solution can be applied to voice service AND any other type of multimedia service such as a video or IPTV. The SS7-access feature used for the NP application also supports access to other SS7-based applications like toll-free and message-waiting indicator as well as HLR mobility information for wireless operators.
TDM Domain

TDM Device

AIN/INAP

NP DB

AIN/INAP

SIP

SIP

SIP Device

SSR
Media Transparency

SIP Device

SIP Domain

Figure 8: SSR accesses TDm-NP database using SS7 access feature.

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Use Case 4:
CENTRALIzED SIP ROuTINg

TDM Client

Company D Network
POP SS SS POP

TDM Client

Problem:
Company D, a Southeast Asia hub provider, offers voice transit and signaling services to fixed-line and mobile operators. The company deployed softswitch technology to take advantage of lower IP transport costs. Softswitches, which serve as POPs, are installed throughout Southeast Asia in a fully meshed framework. Every switch must be defined in the translation table of every other switch.

TDM Client POP SS TDM Client POP SS

Voice Text Multimedia

SS POP

TDM Client

TDM Client POP TDM Client

SS TDM Client SS POP SS POP

POP

TDM Client

SIP Client

Figure 9: Softswitches, serving as POPs, form a fully meshed architecture. 18 | SSR Application Handbook

Company D would like to expand its network to serve other Asian markets. The company also plans to enhance its portfolio by offering transit services for text messaging and multimedia applications. And, it would like to provide SIP peering as an alternative to TDM to other VoIP providers.

Company D must address several complex issues related to growing its network, including how to:

Expand its network AND keep network operation costs low. Offer voice and non-voice services AND reduce capital costs. Prevent degradation as media flows through The new business plan presents a number of issues for its network. the meshed, softswitch network. Expanding the network requires the addition of new softswitches to increase Like many operators, Company D views these as three, capacity. Provisioning is complex as each new piece of unrelated challenges. As a result, they deploy multiple, equipment must be provisioned with the routing entries point solutions, which increase long-term CAPEX and for all of the existing softswitches. And, the existing OPEX. However, if Company D took a holistic view of the softswitches must be updated with the routing entries network, they would see that they are, in fact, all related. for the new equipment. Since routing is based on A piecemeal approach will not address the challenges pre-defined SIP trunks, route management becomes because solving one problem likely worsens another. increasingly complex as the network expands. Service and subscriber data are tightly coupled with the softswitch, making it difficult to change an existing service or add new applications uniformly.

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solution:
Company D creates a SIP-based reference architecture over its existing network by deploying the SSR as a SIP proxy. With this approach, all calls are routed by default from the softswitch to the SSR. The SSR makes layer-5 SIP routing decisions based on advanced routing algorithms and forwards the request to the appropriate SIP destination.

Benefits:
The company now has a centralized SIP signaling and session control framework that: Acts as a route manager for all of the softswitches, relieving them of routing functions. Eliminates the mesh network, so there is no longer a need to provision translation tables on each and every switch. Maintains end-to-end media transparency so the endpoints can communicate using any media voice, text, video, or data streaming. Preserves media quality because there is no decoding/encoding required in the network. Provides a centralized SIP monitoring point.

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SIP Client POP SS POP TDM Client

TDM Client POP SS TDM Client POP SS TDM Client POP SS

Company D Network

TDM Client SIP Signaling Router SIP Signaling Router SS POP TDM Client SS POP TDM Client SS TDM Client POP SS POP POP SIP Client

TDM Client

Figure 10: SSR creates a SIP-based reference architecture. www.tekelec.com | 21

Use Case 5:
SPECIALIzED SIP PROXy
Company E Mobile MSC SMSC

Problem:
Company E is a provider of fixed and mobile services. The company maintains its operation as two, separate businesses Company E Telecom and Company E Mobile. The fixed and mobile networks are loosely coupled through TDM peering. Each network views the other as a foreign network.

HLR

Company E Telecom
Switch SCP Softswitch

Figure 11: Company Es network before consolidation. 22 | SSR Application Handbook

Company E wants to consolidate the networks and create a single operating entity Company E to reduce its operating costs. The company also plans to expand its offerings with integrated mobile and fixed services, mobility solutions for fixed-line enterprise customers and future multimedia services. Since Company E already has some SIP deployments in its fixed-line network, it has decided to take the opportunity to upgrade its underlying wireless network technology to SIP as well. By doing so, the company can lower the cost of network integration and create a future path for multimedia services. Company Es plan is to cap its existing TDM-based mobile switching centers (MSCs) and begin deploying SIP-capable mobile softswitches. Its strategy is to interconnect the mobile softswitches with the existing wireline SIP softswitches.

Company E

Figure 12: Company E connects mobile and wireline softswitches with SIP technology. www.tekelec.com | 23

However, Company E faces a problem common to many operators: different vendors supply the mobile and landline softswitches. The softswitches are unable to establish sessions because the vendors use different SIP implementations. The two vendors refuse to recognize the interoperability issue as a problem, but they gladly will provide a customized solution to Company E if the company is willing to pay for it. Company E is caught in a situation called vendor lock-in. As long as the company deploys equipment from a single vendor, there is no problem. But, when it introduces equipment from another vendor, interoperability problems arise. This situation creates significant challenges for the company. How can it solve the interoperability issue without spending an excessive amount of money for a customized solution or being forced to purchase all of its equipment from a single vendor?

How can the company avoid the same problem in the future as it brings new elements from other vendors into the network?

solution:
Company E deploys the Tekelec SSR as a protocol mediation point between the different vendor products. This approach creates an architectural solution that is independent of the endpoints and eliminates interoperability problems. The SSR solution, which is deployed in the signaling layer, can be implemented in one of two ways: directly on the SSR, or by having the SSR proxy to an external application which provides the protocol mediation. With the SSR solution, Company E creates a SIP-based, NGN reference architecture over its existing network. In this role, the SSR acts as a proxy server to route SIP traffic between the mobile and landline softswitches. It also forms a mediation point that fixes protocol variations on the fly between the softswitches.

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Benefits:
Company E now has the SIP signaling and session control framework that solves its immediate interoperability needs and: Creates the foundation for a multi-vendor environment and future multimedia services. Enables the company to choose best-of-breed products, avoiding vendor lock-in. Provides a centralized SIP monitoring point.

Not My Fault Endpoint Equipment from Vendor 1

Fix up

SSR

Fix up

Endpoint Equipment from Vendor 2

Not My Fault
Figure 13: SSR acts as a mediation point between softswitches and routes traffic between them. www.tekelec.com | 25

summary
The current NGN architecture has no core signaling and session framework, which greatly limits its expansion capabilities. History shows that the signaling and session control layer is critically important to any large-scale network architecture. Having softswitches and other endpoints perform layer-5 session management may be sufficient for fairly small deployments and simple management tasks. But, as the network expands, the lack of a capable session framework introduces a host of network issues. A suitable session framework that offloads the various signaling and session tasks from the edge NGN elements enables NGN networks to expand efficiently and avoids the pitfalls created by a pointto-point, virtual-mesh routing network. Just as core routers are used to minimize the routing burden on IP endpoints, layer-5 SIP routing capability can be used to reduce the routing burden on NGN endpoints by centralizing session management tasks at the network core instead of at each endpoint. The resulting architecture can expand systematically to support VoIP subscriber growth, deliver advanced multimedia services and create the foundation for future technologies and services.

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about Tekelec
Found at the heart of most global networks, Tekelecs market-leading, mission-critical, high-performance network solutions enable the secure and instant delivery of calls and text messages for more than one billion mobile and fixed-line subscribers. The companys signaling and session management solutions allow telecom operators to manage the diverse applications, devices, technologies and protocols, across existing and evolving networks, to meet the demands of todays consumer. Tekelec ensures telecom operators have a clear migration path to SIP-based IP networks, and whatever comes next, with the flexibility to deploy solutions at a pace dictated by their business needs. For more information, please visit www.tekelec.com.

Appendix-1: Acronyms used in this document 3GPP AS HLR IETF IMS IP IP PBX LD MSC NGN NP POP PRI SCP SIP SMSC SS7 SSR TDM UA VM VoIP 3rd Generation Partnership Program Application server Home location register Internet engineering task force Internet protocol multimedia subsystem Internet protocol Internet protocol private branch exchange Long distance Mobile switching center Next generation network Number portability Point of presence Primary rate interface Service control point Session initiation protocol Short message service center Signaling session 7 SIP signaling router Time division multiplexing User agent Voice messaging Voice over Internet protocol www.tekelec.com | 27

Corporate inquiries: Tekelec 5200 Paramount Parkway Morrisville, North Carolina 27560 (USA) Phone: 888.628.5521 Phone: +1.919.460.5500 FAX: +1.919.460.0877 Europe, middle East and Africa inquiries: Tekelec Katherine House 85 The High Street Egham, Surrey TW20 9HF United Kingdom Phone: +44.1784.437000 FAX: +44.1784.477121

Singapore-Asia-Pacific inquiries: Tekelec Singapore Pte Ltd 15 Hoe Chiang Road #06-06 Tower 15 Singapore 089316 Phone: +65.6796.2288 FAX: +65.6796.2299 Caribbean and Latin America inquiries: Tekelec Caribbean & Latin America (CALA) 5200 Paramount Parkway Morrisville, North Carolina 27560 (USA) Phone: +1.919.460.5500 FAX: +1.919.460.0877 All sales related inquiries contact: sales@tekelec.com www.tekelec.com

2009 Tekelec. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. TKLC-HB-001-NA-01-2009