SUBMITTED BY : CHARU MATHUR EC-A-23 090320

OVERVIEW
Introduction to IMS
Need for IMS Standards

Overview of architecture
Architecture Services Security Advantages

INTRODUCTION
An Architecture for real time multimedia (Voice, Data , Video and

Messaging) services using a common IP network.

It defines a layered architecture Defined with Open Standards from 3GPP (GSM community) and ETSI Designed for both Wireless and Wire line Networks and for Fixed and Mobile

Convergence (FMC)
A Solution for Service Transparency
Capable of Interworking with PSTN (i.e. legacy IN-based services) Relies solely on SIP as the primary Session Control Protocol The core IMS elements use IP only. IMS envisages a network core that can work with various kinds of access

technologies.

CELLULAR NETWORKS
1G - Used analog transmission and provided only circuit switched voice

telephony
2G - Fully digital. Offered both voice & CS data services 2.5G - Addition of Packet Switched Data services to 2G Networks. 3G -Provides (or try to) all services over PS (including voice telephony)

IMS TIMELINE

NEED FOR IMS

In Wire line there has been a long term move towards a Voice over Packet (VoIP) replacement for the PSTN

Drivers have always been to reduce OPEX in fixed line networks by optimising bandwidth usage, and replacing outdated TDM switching fabric
IMS is born out of a need for feature rich services Bandwidth requirements and their impact on capacity for the Radio interface (GSM, GPRS, 3G).

Deliver person-to-person real-time IP-based multimedia communications (voice or video telephony) as well as person-to-machine communications (gaming service)
Fully integrate real-time with non-real-time multimedia communications(e.g. live streaming and chat). Enable different services and applications to interact (e.g. combined use of presence and instant messaging). Easy user setup of multiple services in a single session or multiple simultaneous synchronized sessions.

CONCEPT BEHIND IMS

A multi-media session between 2 IMS users , between an IMS user and a user on the Internet, and between 2 users on the Internet is established using exactly the same protocol. Moreover, the interfaces for service developers are also based in IP protocols.

This is why the IMS truly merges the Internet with the cellular world
it uses cellular technologies to provide ubiquitous access and Internet technologies to provide appealing services.

IMS STANDARD INITIATIVES

3GPP and 3GPP2 Have both defined the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) IETF - Internet Engineering Task Force Provide the definitions for SIP, SDP and other protocols underlying IMS IMS is driving some of the work in IETF OMA - Open Mobile Alliance Defining services for IMS architecture, e.g. Instant Messaging, Push-to-Talk ITU - International Telecommunication Union Provides protocol definitions used by IMS ETSI - European Telecommunications Standards Institute TISPAN is merger of TIPHON (VoIP) and SPAN (fixed networks) Agreement on reuse of 3GPP/3GPP2 IMS in comprehensive NGN plans ANSI - American National Standards Institute Provides protocol definitions used by IMS ATIS - Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions Addressing end-to-end solutions over wire line and wireless Nearing agreement to use 3GPP/3GPP2 IMS

IMS ARCHITECTURE OVERVIEW

To maximize flexibility IMS organizes its functionality in three layers.

IMS ARCHITECTURE OVERVIEW

Transport & Endpoint Layer

Initiates & terminates the signaling needed to setup & control sessions, provides bearer services between the endpoints. Media gateways are provided to convert from/to analog/digital voice telephony formats to/from IP packets using RTP. IMS signaling is based on SIP on top of IPv6
The session control layer

provides functionality that allows endpoints to be registered with the network and sessions to be setup between them. It also contains the functions that control the media gateways and servers so as to provide the requested services
The application server layer

allows sessions to interact with various AS entities. In this layer multiple sessions may be coordinated to provide single application.

IMS ARCHITECTURE OVERVIEW

Support
-

a wide range of services, both telephony & non-telephony oriented. All these services are provided over IP, end-to-end. Some of them are the followings: Voice & video telephony Instant Messaging Chat Rooms Video Conferencing Multiparty Gaming

BROADVIEW OF IMS ARCHITECTURE

BROADVIEW OF IMS ARCHITECTURE

Access Network The user can connect to an IMS network using various methods, all of which are using the standard Internet Protocol (IP).

Direct IMS terminals can register directly into an IMS network. Fixed access, mobile access and wireless access are all supported.
User Database The HSS (Home Subscriber Server) is the master user database that supports the IMS network entities that are actually handling the calls/sessions. It contains the subscription-related information, performs authentication and authorization of the user, and can provide information about the physical location of user. A SLF (Subscriber Location Function) is needed when multiple HSSs are used.

BROADVIEW OF IMS ARCHITECTURE

BROADVIEW OF IMS ARCHITECTURE

Call/Session Control
Several types of SIP servers, collectively known as CSCF, they are used to process SIP signaling packets in the IMS. 1) P-CSCF (Proxy-CSCF) 2) I-CSCF (Interrogating-CSCF) 3) S-CSCF (Serving-CSCF)
1) P-CSCF (Proxy-CSCF) It is a SIP proxy that is the first point of contact for the IMS terminal. It can be located either in the visited network or in the home network. It has terminal which will discover its P-CSCF with either DHCP, or it's assigned in the PDP Context (in GPRS).

BROADVIEW OF IMS ARCHITECTURE

2) I-CSCF (Interrogating-CSCF) It is a SIP proxy located at the edge of an administrative domain. Its IP address is published in the DNS records of the domain, so that remote servers can find it, and use it as an entry point for all SIP packets to this domain. The I-CSCF queries the HSS using the DIAMETER Cx and Dx interfaces to retrieve the user location, and then route the SIP request to its assigned S-CSCF. It can also be used to hide the internal network from the outside world, in which case it's called a THIG (Topology Hiding Interface Gateway).

3) S-CSCF (Serving-CSCF) It is the central node of the signaling plane. It's a SIP server, but performs session control as well. It's always located in the home network. The S-CSCF uses DIAMETER Cx and Dx interfaces to the HSS to download and upload user profiles. It has no local storage of the user.

BROADVIEW OF IMS ARCHITECTURE

BROADVIEW OF IMS ARCHITECTURE

Application Servers Application servers (AS) host and execute services, and interfaces with the S-CSCF using SIP. An AS can be located in the home network or in an external third-party network. An AS offers value added IMS services. They may be SIP AS, OSA, OCA,CAMEL IMSSF an AS can communicate with the HSS the serving-CSCF to AS interface is used to provide services residing in an AS. two cases are possible : -serving-CSCF to an AS in home network -serving-CSCF to an AS in a trusted external network

Media Servers
A MRF (Media Resource Function) provides a source of media in the home network.
It's used for Playing of announcements, Multimedia conferencing, Text-to-speech conversation (TTS) and speech recognition, Real time transcoding of multimedia data.

Each MRF is further divided into :

BROADVIEW OF IMS ARCHITECTURE

Breakout Gateway A BGCF (Breakout Gateway Control Function) is a SIP server that includes routing

functionality based on telephone numbers. It's only used when calling from the IMS to a phone in a circuit switched network, such as the PSTN or the PLMN.
PSTN Gateways A PSTN/CS gateway interfaces with PSTN circuit switched (CS) networks. A SGW (Signaling Gateway) interfaces with the signaling plane of the CS. It

transforms lower layer protocols as SCTP into MTP, to pass ISUP from the MGCF to the CS network. A MGCF (Media Gateway Controller Function) does call control protocol conversion between SIP and ISUP, and interfaces with the SGW over SCTP. A MGW (Media Gateway) interfaces with the media plane of the CS network, by converting between RTP and PCM.

BROADVIEW OF IMS ARCHITECTURE

BROADVIEW OF IMS ARCHITECTURE

Charging Definitions: Offline charging is applied to users who pay for their services periodically
whereas Online charging is applied to a user who pay credit-based charging which is used for prepaid services.

Offline Charging : All the SIP network entities involved in the session use the
DIAMETER Rf interface to send accounting information to a CCF (Charging Collector Function) located in the same domain. CCF collects all this information, and build a CDR (Charging Data Record), which is send to the billing system (BS) of the domain.

Online charging : The S-CSCF talks to a SCF (Session Charging Function), which looks
like a regular SIP application server. The SCF can signal the S-CSCF to terminate the session when the user runs out of credits during a session. The AS and MRFC use the DIAMETER Ro interface towards a ECF (Event Charging Function), that also communicates with the SCF.

REGISTRATION
Step 1: MS sends a SIP REGISTER message to P-CSCF Step 2: P-CSCF examines home domain

name and forwards the message to ICSCF. Step 3: I-CSCF queries HSS on S-CSCF capabilities. Step 4: HSS responds, Step 5: I-CSCF selects a S-CSCF and forwards the message to it. Step 6&7: Selected S-CSCF interacts with the HSS. Final step: S-CSCF returns a SIP 200 OK message to MS via I-CSCF and PCSCF.

SERVICES

SERVICES

SERVICES

SERVICES

SERVICES

SERVICES

SERVICES

SERVICES

IMS IN IPTV

SERVICES

SECURITY
The IMS architecture identifies five different security associations within the IMS. Mutual authentication between the UE and the IMS. The HSS delegates this to the S-CSCF but the HSS is responsible for generating the keys and challenges. Secure link and security association between the UE and P-CSCF for authentication of data origin. Provide internal security for the link between the CSCF and HSS. This is known as the Cx interface. This association plays an important role in securing the keys and challenges during the UE registration process. Provides security between the P-CSCF and other core SIP services when the UE is roaming in a Visited Network (VN). Provides security between the P-CSCF and other core SIP services when the UE is operating in the Home Network (HN).

IMS ADVANTAGES
Advantages over other existing systems: The core network is independent of a particular access technology Integrated mobility for all network applications Easier migration of applications from fixed to mobile users Faster deployment of new services based on standardized architecture An end to unique or customized applications New applications such as presence information, videoconferencing, Push to talk over cellular (POC), multiparty gaming, community services and content sharing. Evolution to combinational services, for example by combining instant messaging and voice User profiles are stored in a central location Secure communication Faster service development and easier access to service Integrated, interoperable services and personalised communication

IMS ADVANTAGES
Advantages over free VoIP: Quality of Service : The network offers no guarantees about the amount of
bandwidth a user gets for a particular connection or about the delay the packets experience. Consequently, the quality of a VoIP conversation can vary dramatically throughout its duration.

Charging of multimedia services : Videoconferences can transfer a large

amount of information, but the telecom operator can't charge separately for this data. Some business models might be more beneficial for the user (for instance: a fixed price per message, not per byte); others might charge extra for better QoS.

Integration of different services : an operator can use services developed by

third parties, combine them, integrate them with services they already have, and provide the user with a completely new service. For example: if voicemail and textto-speech is combined, a voice version of incoming text messages can be provided for blind users.