Packet Telephony Feature Article

Veraz Networks has announced the launch of its ControlSwitch Release 6.0. To be demonstrated at Supercomm, the new product will feature a programmable subscriber services management subsystem with common residential and SOHO service sets built from customizable subscriber service building blocks. The Veraz ControlSwitch is the only widely-deployed carrier softswitch and service delivery platform that can offer on-the-fly programmability for both network services as well as subscriber services.

With its layered and distributed subsystem architecture design and multi-protocol signaling mediation, the centrally managed and fully programmable ControlSwitch 6.0 includes customizable subscriber service building blocks that can be made accessible across any access network and user device via a multi-protocol access signaling mediation tier.

Existing network investments can be preserved while leveraging the innovation and flexibility of carrier-grade next generation networks and services provided by and accessed via the ControlSwitch. This is significant because of the increased importance of harmonizing a service providers TDM and IP networks to optimize network efficiency and maximize service revenue generation.

Today, service providers of all sizes are looking for solution vendors that can help them protect their existing TDM investments while providing a clear path to new revenue streams and next-generation, IP-based architectures, said Brian Partridge, senior analyst, The Yankee Group. The multi-tier programmability of the new ControlSwitch enhancements position Veraz Networks well to meet these needs.

With Release 6.0, the Veraz ControlSwitch is able to address a larger audience in greenfield and emerging markets seeking basic voice features at a very cost-effective starting price point, said Doug Sabella, CEO of Veraz Networks. We are taking next-generation service delivery to the highest level by empowering providers to create, customize and manage any service on-the-fly. This will become a necessity as VoIP continues its growth in the residential sector.

On-the-fly Service Enhancements
Three new software modules are now available in Release 6.0: the Subscriber Manager (SM), the Subscriber Data Access Point (SDAP), and the Access Signaling Element (ASE). With the inclusion of the Subscriber Service Management Subsystem (composed of the SM and SDAP), the existing programmable service logic layer and programmable service policy layer now offer on-the-fly service programmability for both network services as well as subscriber services. This on-the-fly programmability provides carriers with the ability to create and deliver complex services within weeks or even days. Release 6.0 builds on Verazs solution concept of any application, any network, any device with network services (e.g., 800 translations, automatic collect calls, etc.) and subscriber services (e.g, call waiting, call forwarding, etc.) residing within the ControlSwitch or combined with services from disparate service delivery platforms including traditional Intelligent Network as well as IP-based application servers such as for Verazs recently announced IP Centrex and Pre-paid solutions.

Subscriber Service Management Subsystem
The Subscriber Data Access Point (functionally equivalent to the HSS in the 3GPP IMS or UPSF in TISPAN) processes real-time subscriber related data queries and real-time device registration queries from the Service Execution Element. The Subscriber Manager (SM) provides the business logic for managing the SDAP subscription data, combining information related to subscribers, their services and devices. The web-based interface provides access to a built-in operator CRM and a subscriber self-care portal to speed initial deployments. In addition, a variety of programmatic interfaces are available to integrate with the operators existing OSS/BSS systems.

Access Signaling Element (ASE)
ASE elements introduced in release 6.0 represent protocol specific signaling proxies (IMS Equivalence: P-CSCF) that enable the dynamic binding of physical resources to processing elements in the system. This results in efficient processing resource utilization in large scale deployments and enables operators to support seamless mobility of subscriber devices and services.

Policy Layer Enhancements
ControlSwitch 6.0 leverages the existing programmable policy layer with new policy parameters in the Policy Engine (PE) (equivalent to an SLF in IMS / TISPAN and the policy data for application and control elements, e.g., ASF, BGCF) enabling unlimited subscriber service scalability in addition to unlimited network service scalability.

Service Logic Layer Enhanced with Subscriber Service Templates
Leveraging the programmable service logic of the Service Execution Element (SEE) (IMS / TISPAN Equivalence - protocol agnostic call logic for application and control elements, e.g. ASF, I/S-CSCF, BGCF), initial service templates are now being made available using Release 6.0 for standard subscriber services for residential and SOHO users. Subscriber service logic is created independent of device protocol (e.g., SIP, MGCP, H.323, H.248, and PSTN endpoints). Availability of subscriber service templates provide service providers with the flexibility and cost/time savings to deliver compelling services that combine in-switch network services using the ControlSwitch, with enhancements from application servers and traditional Intelligent Networks (IN). New services are then deployed instantly throughout a network, and are immediately available for use by both VoIP and traditional PSTN endpoints. Similarly, new subscriber services can be used in combination with any application from 3rd party application partners.

Mediation Layer Enhancements
ControlSwitch 6.0 enhances the existing protocol and signaling mediation layer with dynamic binding enhancements provided by the new ASE elements for improved resource utilization and device mobility. Existing signaling and control elements that are leveraged include: CCE (IMS Equivalence: MGCF, MRFC, AGCF, S-CSCF session control), ICE (IMS / TISPAN Equivalence: IBCF, IWF, interface to 3rd Party ASF, S-CSCF session control), and SG (IMS / TISPAN Equivalence: SGF) for any to any interworking. Through the use of protocol specific (SIP, MGCP, H.248, H.323) signaling and control elements ControlSwitch subscriber services can be offered not only to broadband end user devices but also network based access gateways connecting traditional and next generation DLCs and PBXs.