SWITCHING

Knowledge sharing program for NDTians

What is Switching
• (definition ITU-T) “The establishment on demand,
of an individual connection from a desired inlet to a
desired outlet within a set of inlets and outlets for
as long as is required for the transfer of
information.”
 Evolution of Switching systems
1. Manual Board ( Telephone Operator Positions)-Manual

Circuit switching
2. Strowger Switch-Semi Electronics (Mechanical + Electronics)
PSTN

3. Cross Bar Switch-Semi Electronics (Mechanical + Electronics)

4. Digital ( TDM ) Switch-Fully Electronics (Digital)

5. Soft switch ( NGN) -IP

Packet switching
NGN

6. IMS ( IP Multimedia Subsystem) -IP

Manual Board ( Telephone Operator Positions)
Strowger Switch
Cross Bar switch
TDM switch
Switching techniques

Circuit switching Packet switching

Circuit switching Packet switching

Dedicated path between source and No dedicated path
destination
All packets use same path Packets travel independently

Reserve the entire bandwidth in advance Does not reserve

Bandwidth wastage No bandwidth wastage

Circuit Switching
A type of communications in which a dedicated channel (or circuit) is established for the
duration of a transmission. The most common circuit-switching network is the telephone
system, which links together wire segments to create a single unbroken line for each
telephone call.
Circuit-switching systems are ideal for communications that require data to be
transmitted in real-time.
Circuit-switching networks are sometimes called connection-oriented networks.

Packet Switching
Refers to protocols in which messages are divided into packets before they are sent. Each
packet is then transmitted individually and can even follow different routes to its
destination. Once all the packets forming a message arrive at the destination, they are
recompiled into the original message. Most modern Wide Area Network (WAN)
protocols, including TCP/IP, X.25, and Frame Relay, are based on packet-switching
technologies. Packet switching is more efficient and robust for data that can withstand
some delays in transmission, such as e-mail messages and Web pages.
Voice over TDM -E1
Common characteristics value
Sampling frequency 8kHz
Number of bits in each code 8
Bit rate 2048kbits/s
PSTN Elements
PSTN Core and Access Network
Functions in PSTN Switch
Call control Function in PSTN
PSTN Switching Hierarchy
ISC ISC International Switching Center (Class 1)

TSC TSC TSC Tertiary Switching Center (Class 4)

MSU MSU MSU Master Switching Unit (Class 5)

RSU RSU RSU Remote Switching Unit

Note: Class 2 and 3(Trunk Switching Centers) can be seen in large countries
NGN (Next Generation Network)

The general idea behind the NGN is that one network

transports all information and services (voice, data,
and all sorts of media such as video) by
encapsulating these into IP packets.
What is NGN
• Next Generation Network (NGN) is a service-oriented network.

• Through the separation of service and call control, as well as call control and

bearer, the service-independent architecture is implemented, which makes

services independent of network.

• NGN is a kind of open and integrated network architecture.

• NGN is a kind of brand-new network integrating voice, data, fax, and video

services.
 NGN Architecture

Service Management layer

Network control layer

Core switch layer

Edge access layer

Service Management Layer is an IT platform that plays the
role of an intelligent service creation environment extending
their functionality in order to cover the new network scenario.

Network Control layer is the call server that provides call

control functions and also provides the control of the media
gateway

Core Switch Layer is the network handling converged

services based on IP

Edge Access layer elements includes different Media

Gateways that support connection to and from the access
network with the core network
NGN Elements
Soft Switch
Referred to as Call Agent or Media Gateway Controller (MGC)
Functions
Controls Media Gateways
Call control
Digit analysis
CDR collection
Signaling analyzing
Call routing
Application Servers
Supports service execution

Media Resource Server -MRS

Playing of announcements
Conference call handling
Message Server
Sending Massagers
NGN Elements
Trunk Media Gateway (TMG)
Allows interworking between TDM telephony network to packet-based network
Signaling conversion ( e.g. C7 to SIGTRAN)
E1 connection with PSTN network
Media Transcoding

Accesses Media Gateway (AG)

Allows the connection of subscriber to the packet network
Convert the traffic flows of analog signal to packet network
MSAN (Multi service Access Node) is commonly used name for AG
e.g.
Telephone line connection
Broad Band service
Data service
IP TV service
NGN Elements
SBC (Session Border Controller)
– Topology Hiding
– Firewall/NAT Traversal
– Call Admission Control
– Network Security
– Protocol Translation
– Media Trans-coding
– Lawful Intercepts

SBC connects trusted network with untrusted network

NGN Protocols
MGCP/H248/SIP MGCP/H248/SIP

SIP-T

Media Resource Server Media Resource Server

Soft switch HQ Soft switch Welikada DR (MRS)
(MRS)
MGCP/H248/SIP

SIP

MPLS Network H.248

Session Border Controller SIGTRAN Trunk Media Gateway
(SBC)

C7
R2

PSTN
MGCP POI
H.248 SIP DID/DOD
SIP

Access Media Integrated Access

Gateway Soft-phone Device
(MSAN) (IAD)

SIP PBX (SIP Trunk)

NGN Protocols
SIP - Session Initiation Protocol
Call (session) connection, Interconnection
SDP - Session Description Protocol
Defines sessions
H.248 - Media Gateway Control
Call connection
Emulate R2 signaling in NGN networks
MGCP - Media Gateway Control Protocol
Media Gateway Control
Call connection
SIGTRAN - Transport SS7 signaling in NGN (IP) networks
RTP - Real Time Transport Protocol
Call (Media) transporting
NGN Services
Voice Telephony: Call Waiting, Call Forwarding , Call conference
etc.

Voice portal: Provides callers with anywhere ,anytime access to

information like news, weather, stock market, account balances
using simple voice commands.

SIP Trunks: Interconnection trunks with customer PBX

Hosted and transit services for enterprises(IP Centrex, U-path)

Number portability
IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem)
IMS
IMS, IP multimedia subsystem, itself is not a
technology, but rather it is an architecture
IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) is an emerging architectural
framework, based on SIP and IP, for offering multimedia and VoIP
services, as well as fixed mobile convergence. IMS has been
standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)
IMS Architecture
• AS Application Server
• BGCF Breakout Gateway Control Function
• CCF Charging Collection Function
• CSCF Call Session Control Function
• HSS Home Subscriber Server
• IBCF Interconnection Border Control Function
• I-CSCF Interrogating CSCF
• IMS AGW IP Multimedia Subsystem Access Gateway
• IMS MGW IP Multimedia Subsystem Media Gateway
• MGCF Media Gateway Control Function
• MRB Media Resource Broker
• MRF Multimedia Resource Function
• MRFC Multimedia Resource Function Controller
• MRFP Multimedia Resource Function Processor
• P-CSCF Proxy CSCF
• S-CSCF Serving CSCF
• SGW Signaling Gateway
• SLF Subscriber Location Function
IMS Protocols
 SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)
 SIP is an simple, flexible protocol for creating, modifying, and
terminating sessions
 Works independently of underlying transport protocols

 Diameter
 The Diameter base protocol is intended to provide an
Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) framework for
applications
 Base on RADIUS protocol

 H.248 (Media gateway control protocol )

 For the AGCF to control the AG
• SIP(Session Initiation Protocol) is the protocol used
in IMS for controlling multimedia sessions
(signaling).
• RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) is the protocol
used in IMS for carrying multimedia sessions traffic
(media).
Application servers
• RCS (Rich Communication Suite)
UC (Unified Communication)
Signaling
What is Signaling
An exchange of standard code information between
devices in the network

Functionalities
• setup
• Control
• Terminate
Signaling types Used in
Telephone Networks
• Channel Associated Signaling (CAS)– each voice
(data) channel has assigned a separate signaling
channel.
Ex. R2

• Common Channel Signaling (CCS)– the signaling

assigned to all voice (data) channels or to a group
of channels is accomplished on a common channel
used specially for this operation.
Ex. SS7
Line Signaling
Signaling used in copper line ( Exchange/MSAN to telephone line).

ON HOOK – When keep the hand set

OFF HOOK-when lift the hand set

DTMF- When dialing digits, CLI , IVR

FSK- CLI

Flashing- when use conference call, Call waiting

Polarity Reversal- Call Box and private metering

• Trunk signaling – used on trunk lines between
exchanges of the public network, between a PBX
and a local exchange or between two PBXs.
Ex. R2, SS7

• In-band signaling – the signaling is transmitted

in the same frequency band as the speech signal.
Ex. DTMF

• Out-band signaling – the signaling is transmitted

outside the frequency band of the speech signal.
Ex. SS7
Signaling Evolution
•R2
•SS7
•MGCP
•H.248
•SIP
R2 Signaling
Based on circuit switching
There are two type of signals used in R2 signaling,
1. LINE SIGNALLING
To indicate the status of the hand sets
(Out band signals)
2. REGISTER SIGNALLING
To send the dialing information and the call
progress (in band signals)
SS7 Signaling
SS7 call setup
ISUP massages
• IAM – Initial Address Message
• ACM – Address Complete Message
• ANM – Answer Message
• REL – Release Message
• RLC – Release Complete
IAM
• –Originator and terminator numbers
• –Nature of Origin (Customer/Test terminal/payphone etc.)
• –Reservation of voice path (why? Out band signaling)
ACM
• –Nature of terminator(Customer/Test terminal/payphone etc.)
• –Charging information
ANM
• –Start of charging
• –Establishment of voice path
REL
• –End of charging
• –Release of voice path
RLC
• –Release of allocated all resources
SIGTRAN
SIGTRAN (Signaling Transport) a family of protocols
that provide reliable datagram service and user layer
adaptations for Signaling System 7 (SS7) on an
Internet Protocol (IP).
In simple which is used to carry PSTN SS7 signaling
over IP.
SS7 vs SIGTRAN
H.248/ MEGACO
H.248 is a signaling protocol that enables switching
of voice, fax and multimedia calls between the PSTN
and IP networks. It is based on the term Media
Gateway Controller (MGC) and is used between the
Media Gateway and Media Gateway Controller in a
VoIP network
H.248 Massages

• –ServiceChange
• –Notify
• –Add
• –Modify
• –Subtract
• –Move
• –AuditValue
• –AuditCapability
SIP
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a signaling protocol
used for initiating, maintaining, modifying and
terminating real-time sessions that involve video,
voice, messaging and other communications
applications and services between two or more
endpoints on IP networks.
SIP Massages
• INVITE
– Initiates Sessions/Calls
– Session description included in message body offers
supported applications to request recipient:
audio, video, …
• ACK
– Confirms Session Establishment
– Can only be used with INVITE
• CANCEL
– Cancels a pending INVITE
• BYE
– Terminates Sessions
SS7 to SIP Mapping
•IAM = INVITE
•ACM = 180 RINGING
•ANM = 200 OK
•RLS = BYE
•RLC = 200 OK
SIP call setup
CODECs
• Codecs are used to convert an analog voice signal
to digitally encoded version. Codecs vary in the
sound quality, the bandwidth required, the
computational requirements, etc.

• G.711 (64kbps)
• G.729 (8kbps)
• G.722.2/AMR-WB (23.85/23.05/19.85/18.25/15.85/14.25/12.65/8.85/6.6 kbps)
Fax Protocols
T.30 – Analogue protocol used to control and transmit faxes

T.38 – Digital protocol that allows faxes to be passed over a data network

T.38 protocol doesn’t replace T.30, it sits on top of it, and makes it
compatible for transmission over a computer network
QOS of VOIP
What is Quality of VoIP?
In VoIP, quality simply means being able to listen and speak in
a clear and continuous conversation, without interruption.

Quality depends on the following factors:

Latency: Delay for packet delivery

Jitter: Variations in delay of packet delivery

Packet loss: Too much traffic in the network causes the

network to drop packets
MOS (Mean Opinion Score)
MOS measures subjective call quality for a call. MOS
scores range from 1 for unacceptable to 5 for
excellent.
Traffic Analysis
The condition of a Call with phases it
passes through a Network
Traffic/usage
Traffic (usage) is a measurement of volume of
Telephone Calls passed through a Telephone
Exchange in a specified time period.
Traffic types in Exchange
• Internal Traffic
• Outgoing Traffic
• Incoming Traffic
• Transit Traffic
• Various Traffic (Ex. Traffic towards Announcement)
Terms in Telephony Traffic
Call Attempt
A call attempt is an attempt to set up a connection
with one or more devices attached to a
telecommunication network
Call Attempts are some times called as Bids,
Tentative Calls
Terms in Telephony Traffic
Seizure
An attempt become a call seizure when it secured a
path to set up a connection with one or more devices
attached to a telecommunication network
Call Seizures are some times referred as processed
calls
Terms in Telephony Traffic
Completed /Answered Calls
No. of Calls ended with conversation or called
subscriber ( B –number ) lifting of Handset of
Telephone

Rejection
An attempt become a call rejection when it is
rejected by the system, may be due to insufficient
equipment or capacity in the telecommunication
network

Attempts = Seizures + Rejections

Terms in Telephony Traffic
•A/S Ratio – ASR
ratio of answered calls with respect to number of
Bids (attempts)
( Answered Calls/ Seizures ) x 100%

• A/B Ratio – ABR

ratio of answered calls with respect to number of
Seizures (processed)
( Answered Calls)/ (Seizures+ Rejections ) x 100%
Terms in Telephony Traffic
Conversation Time
During a successful call over a telephone network,
the time taken for actual talking phase

Holding Time- HT
Circuit usage time between two exchanges (whether
an actual conversation occurred or not)
HT=Dialing Time + Processing Time+ Conversation
Time+ Clear Down Time
Terms in Telephony Traffic
Busy Hour Call Attempts –BHCA
The number of call attempts to a Telephone
exchange during the busiest hour of the day
Terms in Telephony Traffic
CCR - Call Completion Ratio
The completed call attempts during the busy hour.
This indicator takes into account outgoing, incoming,
and local calls.
CCR = Total number of completed calls x 100
Total number of call handled
“Completed call” means a call, which ends in a
conversation or charging message
“Call handled” means a call processed by a system.
incomplete dialing is not taken into account
Terms in Telephony Traffic
Erlang [E]
A unit of measurement of traffic density in a
telecommunications system. The erlang describes
the total traffic volume of one hour
Terms in Telephony Traffic
• Erlang B -- the most commonly used traffic model.
Erlang B is used to work out how many lines are
required if the traffic figure during the busiest hour
is known. This model assumes that all blocked calls
are cleared immediately.
• Erlang C -- this model assumes that all blocked calls
are queued in the system until they can be
handled. Call centers can use this calculation to
determine how many call agents to staff, based on
the number of calls per hour, the average duration
of calls and the amount of time calls are left in the
queue.
Traffic Formula
Total Traffic (E) = BHCA x MHT (Hrs)
Thank You