Converged Fixed-Mobile solutions:

The TISPAN_NGN approach

(Sophia, 22 November 2004)

Christian Julien
(ETSI Secretariat)
TC TISPAN TO

christian.julien@etsi.org
1

Agenda
1. TISPAN_NGN Project: Steps and
Requirements
2. TISPAN_NGN Status: architecture outline
3. How the use of 3G UMTS IMS in NGN will help
Fixed-Mobile convergence for Multimedia
4. Some important issues to be taken care of
5. Summary

TISPAN_NGN Genesis
TISPAN: Telecommunication and Internet

converged Services and Protocols for Advanced

Networking

results from the combination, in September 2003, of :

SPAN, formed as a Technical Body from the joining of SPS
(Services, Protocols & Switching) and NA (Network Aspects)

SPAN = Services and Protocols for Advanced

Networks
TIPHON, formed in 1997 as an ETSI Project to study VoIP and
subsequently extended to any Telecom (including Multimedia)
services over IP

TIPHON = Telecommunications and Internet Protocol

Harmonization Over Networks
3

TISPAN_NGN Synergy
The working groups of the TC TISPAN have been
carefully defined to cover the needs of the industry in
specific technical areas of competence
Each project follows a particular technical subject and
co-ordinates across the competence groups
The following slide gives an summary of the way the
new TC leads the way in standardisation

PROTOCOLS

NUMBERING &
ROUTEING

QoS

TESTING

ARCHITECTURE

F-MMS

SERVICES

8 Working
Groups

DTM (Dynamic asynchronous

Transfert Mode)

OSA (Open Service Access)

EMTEL
(EMergency TELecommunication)

NETWORK
MANAGEMENT
Telecom Equipment Identity

SECURITY

Tispan_NGN

TISPAN_NGN Synergy
Projects

Etc as needed

Technical approach
Goals

Services

Security
Architecture &
Requirements

Testing

Specification

Protocols,
Interworking etc.

Definition

QoS

Naming &
Addressing

Network & Service Management

Capabilities

Typical Services and basic

features
Service Capabilities
(building blocks)
QoS, Security, Naming and
Addressing

Architecture and
Requirements

Network and Service

Management (NGN OSS)

Protocol Selection and

Profiling

Evaluation & Modification

(fit for purpose)

Test Specification and Test

Suites (to facilitate
interoperability)
6

_NGN goals & Technical overview

The Next Generation Network will eventually
provide:

A multi-service multi-protocol, multi-access, IP based network

- secure, reliable and trusted
Multi-services: delivered by a common QoS enabled core
network.
Multi-access: diverse access networks; fixed and mobile
terminals,
Not one network, but different networks that interoperate
seamlessly

An enabler for Service Providers to offer

real-time and non real-time, communication services
between peers, or in a client-server configuration.

Nomadicity and Mobility

of both users and devices
inter and inter-Network Domains, eventually between Fixed and
Mobile networks

My communications services always reachable,

everywhere, using any terminal.

_NGN Wide range of services

Person-to-Person Communication Services
Conversational

Voice call
Video call
Chat call
Multimedia call

Messaging

e-Mail
SMS

EMS
MMS
IM

Content-on-demand
Browsing
Download
Streaming
Push
Broadcast
Peer-to-Peer
8

_NGN key assumptions

Support of a wide variety of
services

Conversational

Streaming

TV Broadcasting

Messaging

Web

Support of fixed and mobile converged services

Well
defined
interfaces
between
control
and
applicatio
ns

Control Functions

Independenc
e between
control and
transport

Packet-based transfer

Backbone
DSL/ATM
DSL/Ethernet

Cable Network

UTRAN/GPRS

Support of a wide variety of terminals

WLAN

_NGN high level Roadmap

Towards a converged Wireline and Wireless NGN
Release 1 Release 2
xDSL,
WLAN

FTTx

Release 3

Fully
Nomadic

???

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Release 1 bringing Multimedia services

Nomadicity/user-controlled roaming
xDSL access focus; Access Network Attachment Subsystem

Release 2 optimizing access resources usage

According to user subscription profile and service use
Corporate users specific requirements

Release 3 introducing full (inter-domain) Nomadicity

Inter-network domain nomadicity/user-controlled roaming
Higher bandwidth access (VDSL, FTTH, Wi-max )
10

Agenda
1. TISPAN_NGN Project: Steps and
Requirements
2. TISPAN_NGN Release 1 Status:
architecture outline
3. Why the use of IMS in NGN will help FixedMobile convergence for Multimedia
4. Some important issues to be taken care of
5. Summary

11

_NGN Release 1 scope

Ongoing discussion
Being consolidated meeting after meeting
Stabilized at TISPAN#4 (sept.) & #4bis (nov.) meetings

Major service capabilities under consideration

Real time conversationnal services (Voice, Videotelephony)
Messaging (Instant Messaging, MMS), Presence Management
Legacy services emulation enabling legacy PSTN/ISDN
migration towards NGN
Content delivery such as VOD, Video Streaming, TV-Channel
distribution (if inputs and resources available)

Network Architecture basis

ADSL access prime focus, possibly WLAN (may be deferred to
Release 2)
3G/UMTS IMS sub-system reused as basis for real-time
Conversationnal services (SIP-based session control)

Objective: mid-2005
Pragmatic bottom-up approach for Release 1
Not excluding Top-down (TIPHON-like) approach for preparing
future TISPAN_NGN Releases
12

_NGN architecture design principles

A sub-system oriented approach, enabling:
The addition of new subsystems over the time to cover new
demands and service classes.
To import subsystems from other standardisation bodies.
Flexibility to adjust the architecture.

IP connectivity is provided using two subsystems:

Network Attachment Subsystem (NASS)
Ressource and Admission Control Subsystem (RACS)

First service-oriented subystems include:

The 3GPP IMS suitably adapted to accomodate xDSL-based
access networks requirements (joint effort with 3GPP), supporting
multimedia services and PSTN/ISDN Simulation.
A PSTN/ISDN Emulation subsystem specifically tailored to allow
TDM equipment replacement, while keeping legacy terminals
unchanged.

13

_NGN Architecture overview

Applications

Based on
3GPP IMS R6

Other Multimedia
Subsystems

IP Connectivity
Access Network
And related functionality

(RTSP -based)
Streaming services

Network
Attachment
Functionality

(SIP -based)
IP Multimedia Subsystem
(Core IMS)

PSTN

(SIP - I based)
PSTN/ISDN Emulation
Subsystem

Resource and
Admission Control
Functionality
GW

GW

GW

GW

Access Transport
Network
IP

Core Transport Network

3GPP IP-CAN

14

_NGN detailed overview

Applications

Based on

3GPP IMS

IP Connectivity
Access Network
And related functionality

Data
Base

Other Multimedia
Components
Streaming Services
(RTSP based)

PSTN / ISDN Emulation

(SIP-I based)

Network Attachment
Functionality
NASS

GW

NGN
Terminals

Customer
Networks

NGN
Terminals

Resource and Admission

Control Functionality
RACS

Go
interface

GW

Legacy
Terminals

IP

Access Transport
Network

PSTN / ISDN

Legacy
Terminals

Gq
interface

Legacy
Terminals

TGW

Core transport
Network

Other Networks

ICF

IP Multimedia
Component (Core IMS)
(SIP based)

MBG

3GPP IP-CAN
3GPP Terminals

15

IMS background (1/3)

IMS introduced in 3GPP Rel5, and further enhanced
in Rel6:
IP Multimedia domain for call control based on
SIP
3GPP specifies features to fullfill operator
requirements, e.g.:
QoS control
Charging
Security
Subscription profiles
Interworking with other networks (CS/PSTN)

IMS provides building blocks allowing faster

integration and deployment of IP multimedia
services
16

IMS background (2/3)

IMS allows operators to have more control on the
service level than with GPRS only:
Service level awareness
Correlation between the SIP application layer and
the transport in PS domain
Access to services in correlation with a
subscription profile (e.g. basic, silver, gold)
Better control on the packet resources used
3GPP IMS Releases:
Release 5: frozen since March 2003
Release 6: freezing in December 2004
Release 7: Starting. Stage 1 requirements being
currently defined
17

IMS background (3/3)

User Ids
User profile
roaming

security

QoS
policy
control

SIP

InterWorking
CS/PSTN
Basic
Call
Control

charging
Service logic
APIs

18

IMS Registration and Call

Legend

Call Flow

IMS SIP: CSCF Call State

Control Functions
Proxy- UE Interface, Local
Services
Interrogating- Home Network
Contact Point
Serving- Session Control,
Service Invocation, AS &
HSS Trigger, Charging,

Signaling path

Register & find user Home

Register & Download IMS user Profile

Register & Retrieve required SCSCF & its capabilities

INVITE UE#2 into call

Choose correct S-CSCF

Upon Acceptance, Data Path is Set-up

Content path

Application
Servers

I-CSCF
2

HSS

P-CSCF
1

IP MULTIMEDIA
SUBSYSTEM

S-CSCF

UE #1

SGSN

GGSN

UMTS PACKET DOMAIN

GGSN

SGSN

UE #2

UMTS PACKET DOMAIN

20

IMS Architecture
HSS

IMS

Control
Plane
Traffic
Plane

Cx
I-CSCF

P-CSCF

Go Gi

UTRAN

SGSN

PS Domain

GGSN

Other IP/
IMS network

Cx

Mw

UE

The HSS holds the IMS

service profile of the
subscribers.
I-CSCF

S-CSCF

Mm

Gi
CSCFs are the IMS entities
responsible of the call S-CSCF
control:interconnects to
external IP networks and
there are 3 types of CSCFs
other IMS networks.
depending on their role:
P-CSCF (Proxy CSCF) If THIG is used by the
operator
hide its
internal
The PS to
domain
provides
S-CSCF (Serving CSCF)
configuration,
the
the
IP
bearer
to
access
to
I-CSCF (Interrogating CSCF)
connection
the IMS, i.e.toa external
PDP context.
networks goes through an ICSCF.

21

IMS Architecture
Control
Plane
Traffic
Plane

HSS

IMS

Cx
I-CSCF

In Release 6, the PDF

can be separated
from the P-CSCF.
Those two entities
are then connected
through the Gq
interface.

I-CSCF

Cx

Mw
The MRF is used
for
multiparty
P-CSCF
call control

Mm

S-CSCF

Mk

Mr

Mi

MRF

Gq Go Gi

Other IP/
IMS networ

Mg

BGCF
Mj

Gi

UTRAN

PDF
Go

UE

IMSMGW

SGSN

PS Domain

Gi
GGSN

MGCF
Mn

SGW

Those entities
are
responsible
for
interworking
between IMS
and CS
domain/PSTN

Legacy/
PSTN
22

_NGN IMS-based subsystem

Applications
Other
subsystems

Service Layer

PSTN/ISDN
Emulation
subsystem
Resource and
Admission Control
Subsystem

PSTN/ISDN

Customer Premises Equipment

IMS

Network
Attachment
Subsystem

Transport Layer

Transport Functions

23

Core IMS use in the NGN architecture

NGN
specific

Rf/Ro

impacted

Sh

AS

Network
Attachment
Subsystem

Dh

ISC

Cx

SIP

SLF
S-CSCF

Core

CoreIMS
IMS

Rf/Ro

Mi

Mw/Mk/Mm

MRFC

MGCF

Ie

Mn

Resource and Admission Control Subsystem

A-BGF

UE

MRFP

SGF

PSTN/ISDN

Mp

Ic

Id

Gq

Gm

IBCF

Ia

Mi
Mj

Mg

IWF

Other IP Networks

BGCF
Mr

P-CSCF

Dx

I-CSCF

Mw

Mw

H.248
DIAMETER

Cx

Ib
Mw

If

Charging
Functions

HSS

T-MGF

IP Transport (Access and Core)

I-BGF

24

_NGN standards built on 3GPP IMS specs

Use the core IMS as one of the high-level
components of the overall NGN architecture,
with initial focus on xDSL
xDSL-based access networks provide access to IMS and
other subsystems (e.g.; streaming)
xDSL-based access networks as a new type of IPConnectivity Access Network for the IMS

Complement the IMS with other subsystems

A resource and admission control subsystem
A network attachment subsystem
A PSTN/ISDN Emulation Subsystem
Other multimedia subsystems and applications
25

Differences between xDSL and

3G Radio Access
Differences which impact the IMS-SIP specifications:
Wireline versus Wireless: The constraints in terms of bandwidth scarcity,
security, transmission delay are different
Terminals: Less stringent requirements are likely to be placed on NGN
terminals (e.g. support of IPv6, availability of USIM/ISIM, codecs...)
Location Information: Location information is different in nature and
usually not available at the UE
Resource management:: Explicit resource reservation signalling not
available in terminals and access network edge points; no dedicated
channel for signalling
Regulatory issues: Different contexts leading to different constraints
Terminals vs Users: Users are not always tied to terminals

Details being discussed between 3GPP (IMS R6 and R7) and

TISPAN
26

IP Connectivity control
IP connectivity is provided using two control subsystems,
which play a role similar to the 3GPP GPRS procedures
Network Attachment Subsystem
IP address allocation (e.g.; using DHCP).
Authentication, taking place at the IP layer
Authorisation of network access
Location management, taking place at the IP layer,
...

Ressource and Admission Control Subsystem

Admission Control
Gate Control
...
27

_PSTN/ISDN Emulation Subsystem

Applications
Other
subsystems

Service Layer

PSTN/ISDN
Emulation
subsystem
Resource and
Admission Control
Subsystem

PSTN/ISDN

Customer Premises Equipment

IMS

Network
Attachment
Subsystem

Transport Layer

Transport Functions

28

Emulation vs Simulation
PSTN/ISDN service continuity in NGN:
PSTN/ISDN Simulation
"Provides PSTN/ISDN service capabilities and interfaces using
adaptation to an IP infrastructure"
The provision of PSTN/ISDN-like services to advanced terminals (IPphones) or IP-interfaces. There is no strict requirement to make all
PSTN/ ISDN services available or identical, although end users expect to
have access to the most popular ones, possibly with different ergonomy.

PSTN/ISDN Emulation
"Provides PSTN/ISDN-like service capabilities using session
control over IP interfaces and infrastructure"
Mimicking a PSTN/ISDN network from the point of view of legacy
terminals (or interfaces) by an IP network, through a gateway. All
PSTN/ISDN services remain available and identical (i.e. with the same
ergonomics); such that end users are unaware that they are not
connected to a TDM-based PSTN/ISDN.
29

_PSTN/ISDN Emulation subsystem

Two approaches under discussion:
Softswitch approach ('Monolithic architecture')
A shortcut to refer to (often already existing) implementations
based on use of call control software (ported from legacy switches).
Not requiring standardisation of the internal structure of the
PSTN/ISDN emulation subsystem, only external interfaces

IMS-like approach
Re-use (all or part) of the IMS functional architecture to specify the
internal structure of the PSTN/ISDN Emulation subsystem

Towards a compromise agreement:

Functional architecture, physical implementation examples
Standardisation of external interfaces: H.248 profile, network SIP-I

An IMS-like functional architecture does not prevent the

implementators to build a physical architecture using only
softswitches (MGC) and media gateways (MGW).
30

IMS and PSTN/ISDN Emulation

Many similarities
Two session-based control subsystems:
For supporting multimedia conversational services and PSTN/ISDN
services simulation (IMS)
For supporting PSTN/ISDN services emulation

Above a managed IP network

Supporting operators requirements
Quality of service, Security, Charging capabilities, Regulatory
constraints....

Clear Benefits
Enables the deployment of common control platforms
Towards a unique infrastructure for supporting multimedia services and
TDM- switches replacement

Enables service convergence

new voice services available to all types of subscribers

Enables the scope of nomadism to be extended to legacy access

lines.
31

_Emulation typical configurations

H248

SIP-I

SIP may also be

used if the set of
services to be
emulated is
limited and/or
downgraded
emulation is
considered
acceptable (e.g.
second line).

H248
RGW
or
AGW

RGW
or
AGW
DSS1/IUA

H248

S/T

SIP-I

H248

RGW
or
AGW

V5.2/V5UA
V5.2

H248

SIP-I

AN

H248

RGW
or
AGW

H248
RGW
or
AGW

SIP-I
H248

ISUP

PSTN
/
ISDN

TGW

32

_Network Attachment Subsystem

Applications
Other
subsystems

Service Layer

PSTN/ISDN
Emulation
subsystem
Resource and
Admission Control
Subsystem

PSTN/ISDN

Customer Premises Equipment

IMS

Network
Attachment
Subsystem

Transport Layer

Transport Functions

33

_Network Attachment Subsystem

Main functionalities
IP address allocation (e.g.; using DHCP).
Authentication and authorisation, taking place at the IP layer
Access network configuration, based on user profiles.
Location management, taking place at the IP layer

Replaces the 3GPP PS Domain / GPRS procedures

for authentication and location management
Outstanding Issues
Interactions between authentication at the network attachment
level and at the SIP level.
Alignement with DSL Forum Architecture
One NASS per access network or one NASS for several
access networks?
34

_NGN NASS current architecture

Service control
subsystems and
applications
e2

Resource
and
Admission
Control
Subsystem

e4

CLF
a2
CDCF

CNG

UAAF

NACF

e3

TE

a4

a1
e1

PDBF

a3
AMF

35

_Resource and Admission Control

Applications
Other
subsystems

Service Layer

PSTN/ISDN
Emulation
subsystem
Resource and
Admission Control
Subsystem

PSTN/ISDN

Customer Premises Equipment

IMS

Network
Attachment
Subsystem

Transport Layer

Transport Functions

36

_NGN RACS description

Main Functionalities:
Session Admission Control.
Gate Control (including NAPT)

TISPAN R1 : No interactions between RACS in

different networks
Need to support both push and pull procedures
Push mode required for ADSL-based access networks

Issues for future releases:

Admission control at core network boundaries.
Cooperation between peer ressource control subsystems

37

_NGN RACS status

Provides a Gq-like interface to TISPAN
Subsystems and applications
Controls transport ressources at the boundary
between the access and core networks
Using a Gate Control Protocol
May also control NAPT at core network boundaries
TISPAN has recently approved an H.248-based
Gate Control Profile
An alternative COPS-based or SNMP-based
standards may be pushed by some vendors at a
later stage

38

Agenda
1. TISPAN_NGN Project: Steps and
Requirements
2. TISPAN_NGN Release 1 Status: architecture
outline
3. Why the use of IMS in NGN will help FixedMobile convergence for Multimedia
4. Some important issues to be taken care of
5. Summary

39

Why IMS in NGN ?

IP Multimedia Substem generally fulfills the
NGN requirements for conversational services
For managed, carrier operated telecom network
With Release 6 becomes applicable to a range of access
network types (3G RAN, WLAN)
IMS access (technology) independence

Whole Telecom industry benefit

Will enable simple and effective interworking between
Cellular and Wireline
Growing IMS market, encouraging greater usage
Wider choice of IMS suppliers
Market stimulation, decreasing costs (thanks to shared
development/deployment costs)

40

Benefits of IMS use in NGN

TISPAN_NGN has taken the lead in adopting 3G IMS as a key
base component in the NGN architecture

It needs adaptions to support xDSL access (on-going)

Still a number of issues to be addressed (Identifiers, Security,
IPv4/v6 interworking and transition )

A promissing major step to enable smooth Fixed-Mobile

convergence for Multimedia:

Consolidating the IMS and Service Platforms access & transport

technology independence
Enabling seamless service interworking
An effective basis to support Nomadicity and Mobility features

Still a number of challenges ahead

Resource optimization and transport technology evolution

QoS insurance for Real time services
Identifiers, Security

But a significant step is being taken to enable the Multimedia

Fixed-Mobile convergence in TISPAN_NGN Release 1
41

Agenda
1. TISPAN_NGN Project: Steps and
Requirements
2. TISPAN_NGN Release 1 Status
3. Why the use of IMS in NGN will help FixedMobile convergence for Multimedia
4. Some important issues to be taken care of
5. Summary

42

_NGN IMS-related issues

A promissing approach but many challenges, e.g.
Resource and QoS control in access (and end-end)

QoS insurance (IP flow differenciation)

Policy control (G0) interface

Services interoperability

Services are not (yet) standardized in 3GPP

TISPAN_NGN is intending to standardize a minimum set
Interworking with Legacy networks and Platforms

Terminals

IP addresses, (Line & Personal) Identifiers, SIP Client (Profile)

IT adaptation and integration

Flexible NGN-OSS
Provisioning, Charging and Billing

To enable use of IT(IP)-based technology in Telecom carriers grade

environment.
43

Using Gq interface in NGN

Gq Interface is located between Multimedia
Subsystem(s) and Resource and Admission
Control Subsystem (RACS)
Gq is used by different subsystems (not only IMS)
and multiple Access Networks
Gq is used to access the following functions:

Resource reservation
Admission Control
NAT Control
Gate and Policy Control

44

Gq interface Extensions
Support for network initiated resource reservations
Besides Pull Model the Push model shall be supported.

Support for requesting Address and Port Translation

Parameters for NAT type of scenarios., e.g.
interworking of different (private/public) IPv4 address spaces,
query and allocate NAT bindings
Possibly IPv4/IPv6 interworking

Gate control and service and network policy control

Parameters to access those functions

45

Agenda
1. TISPAN_NGN Project: Steps and
Requirements
2. TISPAN_NGN Release 1 Status: architecture
outline
3. Why the use of IMS in NGN will help FixedMobile convergence for Multimedia
4. Some important issues to be taken care of
5. Conclusion

46

_NGN summary
A strong industry demand
For new generation Multimedia services on xDSL access
For preparing replacement of soon becoming obsolescent PSTN

For a first Release of specifications by mid-2005

Giving main standards directions
With realistic and implementable solutions

ETSI TISPAN taking the lead to propose an architecture basis

consisting of a range of subsystems:
Maximizing Wireline and Cellular convergence, through adoption of
3G/UMTS IMS component for support of conversational services
Access network attachment Subsystem, Resource and admission
control sub-system preparing for next Releases

TISPAN collaborating with 3GPP to accommodate Wireline

access network requirements by IMS
A 1st Workshop held last June, a further one next year
To coordinate the IMS specifications evolutions to support various
Wireless and Wireline access technologies

Other collaborations very welcome

ITU-T NGN Focus Group, ATIS is eager to cooperate
European IST projects e.g. which is considering IMS in the scope of
their system architecture too.
47

Acronyms

CSCF
IMS
IWF
GPRS
HSS
MRF
MGCF
SIP
SLF
UMTS
UTRAN

Call State Control Function

IP Multimedia Services
Inter-Working Function
General Packet Radio Service
Home Subscriber Function
Multimedia Resource Function
Media Gateway Control Function
Session Initiation Protocol
Subscriber Location Function
Universal Mobile Telecom. System
Universal Telecom. Radio Access Net.

48

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION

Questions/Comments ?
ETSI TISPAN Portal:
http://portal.etsi.org/Portal_Common/home.asp

49