Advanced Telecommunication

Networks
A Framework for Examining Next
Generation Networks

CONTENT
1 Characteristics of Evolving Networks
1.1 Proliferation of Terminals and Access Networks
1.2 Core Network Types
1.3 Evolution of Service Architectures
2 Dealing with Complexity
3 Framework for Evolving Networks
3.1 Layering
3.2 Domains
3.3 Planes
3.4 Summary of the NGN Framework
4 Examples of Application of Framework
4.1 Legacy Networks Elements in the Framework .
4.2 From Circuit Switch to Soft-switch
4.3 Conceptualizing Convergence in Layered Model .
4.4 Digital Video Broadcasting in the Framework
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Characteristics of Evolving Networks

Convergence allows an increased number of services to be supported
by common facilities.
However, the total set of facilities is not common and, paradoxically,
there is a proliferation of facilities.

Characteristics of Evolving Networks

Proliferation of networks, access methods, telecommunications

services, terminals and IT/Internet services
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Characteristics of Evolving Networks

Proliferation of Terminals and Access Networks
Traditional fixed line phone and fax as well as the ISDN phone
and videoconference terminal.
2G mobile phones, originally supporting circuit-switched voice
and data,
2.5G packet-mode GPRS data, personal digital assistants
3G mobile phones offer enhanced data services such as
videophone and high-speed Internet access.
Devices connected to a cable modem or the set-top unit in Digital
Video Broadcast have both broadcast reception and interactive
capability.

Characteristics of Evolving Networks

Proliferation of Terminals and Access Networks
3G mobile phone has a standard 3G air interface and is also fitted
with WiFi (Ethernet wireless LAN) and Bluetooth.
3G interface, the access network and the core network
together support real time services (voice and video), messaging
(SMS and MMS) and Internet services (e-mail,Web browsing,
transactional services and file transfer) limited only by the screen
and keypad of the phone.
Multifunction terminal represents the convergence of several
services to the user and a unified, standards-based approach to
facilities provision to the telco, that is technology convergence.

Characteristics of Evolving Networks

Proliferation of Terminals and Access Networks
4G network envisages multiple, heterogeneous access networks
but with mechanisms for seamless access to an IP core network.
In the access area, convergence is likely to take the form of
interworking mechanisms to give seamless roaming rather than
merging of actual access networks.
Terminals may in fact become more complex, for example with
multiple radio frequency front ends: mobile network, wireless LAN
and Bluetooth.
Seamlessness from the user point of view is embodied in session
control and mobility management as well as compatible quality of
service for different access mechanisms.

Characteristics of Evolving Networks

Core Network Types
Circuit-switched networks
Internet Protocol, both versions 4 and 6 networks- unmanaged
(offers no performance guarantees) and managed (use both a
quality of service mechanism such as DiffServ and MPLS virtual
circuit-based switching).
Asynchronous Transfer Mode networks - filling the managed
multiservice core network role, but are being supplanted by MPLS
networks.
Frame Relay - intended to provide the core connections between
local area networks to create wide area networks.

Characteristics of Evolving Networks

Evolution of Service Architectures
A service architecture is an arrangement of computing elements,
control logic, data and communications protocols intended to
support a service or category of services.
In the service and application areas, we are concerned with the
generic control of connections and the logic to created valueadded services.

Characteristics of Evolving Networks

Evolution of Service Architectures

Evolution paths for call control,

services and applications

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Dealing with Complexity

Use of levels for describing a GSM system

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Dealing with Complexity

Modelling is a formal way of describing the system or object of interest
that ensures a consistent description for a specific purpose.
Abstraction hides unnecessary detail of the system or object of interest,
exposing only the detail required for the purpose at hand.

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Dealing with Complexity

Illustrating the process of abstraction applied to physical components,

namely links, in circuit- and packet-switched networks
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Dealing with Complexity

Illustrating the process of functional abstraction applied to physical

components, namely switches and routers, in circuit and packet
switched networks.
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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks

Classification of methods used for describing an ICT system

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
An ICT system is viewed as made up from building blocks that are
structured to create the system
physical entities (PE)
functional entities (FE).
Physical and functional entities are different types of views on system
constituents.

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Structure of the ICT system the way the building blocks are
arranged and grouped to reduce the complexity of the description.
Methods used to describe ICT systems:
Layers describe any hardware and software functional groups with
clientserver type relationships.
Domains - corresponding to related functions or administrative
responsibilities.
Planes - generally, but not always, peer-to-peer or user-to-provider
relationships exist between domains within a layer.

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Layering
Layering is a method of partitioning an ICT system that identifies
separations of functionality into subsystem where any two adjacent
sections have a clientserver relationship.
One subsystem, usually depicted as the lower layer, provides services
that can be requested by the other, depicted as the upper layer.
Each layer has characteristic functionality that is not generally found
in another layer.
Functional entities do not straddle layers while physical entities may
do so. Inter-layer relationships are represented by reference points,
applications programming interfaces or protocol service access
points.
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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Layering

Four established methods of using layering to manage complexity 19

A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Layering

Layers used for partitioning ICT systems with reference points

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Layering
1. Application Layer: the locus of ICT application logic that may be in the
telco or in an application service provider (ASP) domain.
2. Service Control Functionality (SCF) Layer: the locus of generic, stable
and robust functionality to support realtime and information services
using network connectivity. This layer is accessible to the Application
layer through an open, secure API.
3. Resource Control and Management Functionality (RCMF) Layer: is the
locus of functions that allow fulfillment of requests from the SCF layer
for stream flows, messaging and access to network data in the
transport layer. Functionality in this layer may relate to the control of
resources for individual service instances or the broader management
of resources. Resource control functionality (RCF) is a subset of the
RCMF layer functions.
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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Layering
4. Switching Control and Management Functionality (SCMF) Layer: the
part of the transport layer concerned with routing of flows at the packet
level and making physical connection to resources and gateways.
Aggregate flow, per flow and best effort mechanisms are in general
supported. This layer may similarly have service instance related
control functions or broader management functions.
5. Transmission Control and Management Functionality (TCMF) Layer:
provides the means of carrying high volumes of packets as well as TDM
streams between elements such as switches. Control and management
of this layer does not take into account individual flows. Functions in
this layer are predominantly management functions.

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Layering

Illustrating aspects of the definitions of SCF, RCMF and Switching layers

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Layering

NGN Framework layers and

sub-layers, with examples
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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Layering

Recasting content as a serving resource

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Domains
A functional domain is one in which a related set of distinctive technical
functions is performed in one or more layer.
The functions may be technical, business or regulatory. Business,
administrative and regulatory domains in general span one or more
functional domain. A domain may cut across some or all of the layers.

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Domains

Layers and functional domains used for partitioning resources

and functional areas of facilities
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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Domains
Technical functional domains (TFD) :
The Customer Premises TFD accommodates terminals and, if present,
customer premises networks which must interwork with the telco
network infrastructure via an access network.
The Access Network TFD represents the circuit- or packet-mode
transport from the CPE to the edge of the network, supported by
transmission and resource control.
The Edge TFD is the point at which network-wide switching or routing begins
and the user accesses network services. In the PSTN case, we regard the end
exchange as an edge element. In a packet network the edge elements could be
paired IP routers.

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Domains
The Core Network TFD provides edge-to-edge transport, using one of
a number of switching/routing paradigms. In fixed networks, core
network functions have originating, transit and terminating roles. Mobile
networks distinguish additional network roles including home network,
visited network and serving network.
The Gateway TFD accommodates elements between two networks
performing a transport, signalling or media adaptation function. A
gateway may have admission control and may generate accounting
information.

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Domains
Inter-network gateways appear between core networks, for example
the Gateway MSC in a GSM network.
A media gateway (MG) adapts the bearer traffic between switched
circuit and packet networks and maintains connections between
packet- and circuit-mode bearers.
A signalling gateway adapts control and management messages from
one protocol stack to another. Service Control Points are joined by an
interworking function.
A residential gateway (RG) may occur between the CPE and the
access network. In general, an access gateway occurs where an
access network meets the Edge.

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Domains
Technical functional domains are often grouped into administrative
domains. For example a telephone connection may pass through an
originating network, one or more transit networks and a terminating
network. Each network is the responsibility of a particular telco and is
referred to as an administrative domain.

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Domains
A business functional domain is usually mapped onto a representation
of the ICT system by layer and technical functional domain.
Business domains have been vertically integrated.
Both technological and regulatory changes are leading to new forms of
business domains.
With convergence, the traditional divide between telecommunications,
information services and entertainment starts to disappear.
Similarly, the end-to-end paradigm of the Internet and the centralised
service paradigm of telco networks are not the only models.

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Domains
A regulatory domain is the area in which a regulator applies a particular
set of policies and regulations.
A broadcast regulator treated the broadcaster and the signal distributor
separately.
A telecommunications regulator may have treated fixed and mobile
networks separately.
In general, new types of regulatory domains can be drawn on the
backdrop of the layer-technical domain grid using the interlayer and
inter-technical domain boundaries.

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Planes
The concept of a plane is used to capture a crosscutting concern.
A plane is defined by selecting entities that relate to the particular
concern from the two dimensional field of layers and technical domains.
The control application and its supporting protocol stack are termed the
Control Plane.
The user application and its information transfer protocol stack form the
User Plane.
The Operations, Administration and Maintenance System (OAM) in
ISDN must interact with all protocol layers to ensure proper operation.
The Management Plane is depicted as cutting across all layers of both
protocol stacks.
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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Planes

Protocol stacks showing ISDN-style Control, User and Management Planes

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Planes
The Control Plane reflects all actions required to initiate, control and
terminate calls and services. These actions are viewed in the NGN
Framework at the application level.
The Data Plane encompasses all data resources needed to deliver a
service.
The Management Plane encompasses all concerns of business
and operations support.
The Signalling and Distribution Plane (S&DP) reflects the fact that any ICT
system is essentially distributed across space and is controlled and
managed by processes hosted on different computing nodes
communicating over a network. Signalling is not allocated to an explicit
layer: signalling cuts across layers.
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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Planes

Layers and planes used for partitioning resources and functions 37

A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Summary of the NGN Framework
1. The five layers provide the basic horizontal organisation of the
framework. Layers have a client (upper)server (lower) relationship. It
is recommended that the layering scheme be followed with possible
variations. Sub-layers may be introduced provided that they also have
a clientserver relationship. Only those layers relevant to a particular
ICT system need be used. Layers may be merged if there is no benefit
in exposing the interlayer interface.
2. Physical entities represent the typical physical building blocks of an
ICT system. A PE may straddle layers.

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A Framework for Modelling and Abstracting

Evolving Networks
Summary of the NGN Framework
3. Functional entities represent grouped functionality that resides within
a single layer.
4. Technical functional domains reflect groups of related functionality/
across layers. A TFD may cross one or more layer. The choice of TFDs,
CPE, Access, Edge, Core and Gateway, avoids physical and functional
entities falling on a business or regulatory domain boundary.
5. Inter-TFD and inter-layer boundaries are useful in drawing the
boundaries of business, administrative and regulatory domains.
6. Selection of functional entities across layers and technical domains
that relate to a particular concern is a plane. The following planes are
recommended: Control, Management, Data and Signalling and
Distribution. Otherwise the list of planes is open-ended.
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Examples of Application of Framework

Legacy Networks Elements in the Framework

Mapping of legacy PSTN/IN physical and functional entities onto NGN

Framework
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Examples of Application of Framework

From Circuit Switch to Softswitch

Illustrating the effect of locking call control to switching node in a

circuit-switched network
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Examples of Application of Framework

From Circuit Switch to Softswitch

Separation of softswitch-based call control signalling and media

transfer in packet network

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Examples of Application of Framework

Conceptualising Convergence in Layered Model
Services and applications is an area of considerable potential
convergence. Legacy service control in switched circuit networks is
based in the switches and in external IN platforms.
The telephony network is a closed network: only the telco can offer
services.
The end-to-end model of the Internet is open since all intelligence
resides in end stations and the network provides only packet transport.
Anyone can provide services.

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Examples of Application of Framework

Conceptualising Convergence in Layered Model
Open network or Open Service Access (OSA) models for allowing
applications to access network functionality are embodied in standards
such as OSA/Parlay and JAIN.
Similarly, the Parlay X standard seeks to allow the creation of Web
Services that can invoke well-defined communications functions.
These developments create a convergence between IT applications,
Web services and telecommunications networks.

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Examples of Application of Framework

Conceptualising Convergence in Layered Model

Points of integration and diversity of access networks

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Examples of Application of Framework

Conceptualising Convergence in Layered Model

Horizontal model for convergent environment with typical

elements assigned to layers
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Examples of Application of Framework

Digital Video Broadcasting in the Framework
Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) encompasses standards for
encoding, multiplexing and distributing digitally encoded signals.
Several distribution modes are described in various standards:
satellite (with master antenna and cable distribution),
terrestrial radio,
cable and multichannel multipoint distribution systems (MMDS).
Digital video broadcast distribution networks offer significant
broadcast downlink capacity in the undirectional broadcast channels.

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Examples of Application of Framework

Digital Video Broadcasting in the Framework

Reference model for Digital Video Broadcast systems overlayed on

the NGN Framework. The interaction channel is carried a separate
network.
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Examples of Application of Framework

Digital Video Broadcasting in the Framework

Reference model for Digital Video Broadcast systems overlayed on

the NGN Framework. The interaction channel is carried in the same
network as the broadcast channel.
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