SIP Signaling & Session Control for All Seasons

By Dan Bantukul, Director, Product Management and Ben Campbell, Principal Engineer, Tekelec

Introducing Tekelec’s TekCore Session Manager

Tekelec has developed the TekCore Session Manager to deliver advanced services over virtually any network to any device. Built to 3GPP standards, TekCore enables operators to offer next-generation, multimedia services, without the overhead of deploying a full-scale IMS network. Carriers can implement the functionality they need to begin rolling out new services, while creating an evolution path to the IMS architecture.

IMS technology will be deployed incrementally over time and in conjunction with existing TDM and NGN networks. The TekCore Session Manager provides the network interworking required to facilitate communications and bridge services between subscribers in all domains — without the need to replicate existing services. Subscribers will have access to TDM and NGN services as well as future IMS-based services. Operators benefit from the ability to leverage existing investments while capitalizing on the revenue-generating opportunities that IMS services offer.

TekCore for Upgrading the NGN. The NGN must grow in both signaling and bearer capacity to handle the expected increases in VoIP subscribers. However, the current softswitch-based architecture has no core signaling infrastructure, which greatly limits expansion capabilities. Without core signaling, various problems arise during NGN expansion, including: scalability and availability issues, greater routing and service complexity, increased interoperability testing and higher operations costs.

Tekelec developed the TekCore SIP Signaling Router (SSR) capability to provide a core signaling and session framework for the proper expansion and optimization of the NGN. Similar to the SS7 signaling network in the TDM network, Tekelec provides SIP signaling and IMS session control technology for the NGN. The TekCore SSR function allows operators to expand and upgrade the NGN, providing NGN subscribers seamless access to IMS-based services and laying the foundation for the eventual migration to an IMS architecture.

TekCore for IMS Core Session Management. The TekCore Session Manager is a purpose-built Call Session Control Function (CSCF) platform for the IMS core. Residing on an advanced telecommunications computing architecture (ATCA) platform, with strict adherence to standards, TekCore forms the foundation for SIP-based multimedia services. The high-density ATCA platform supports multiple applications on a single platform — reducing operator equipment, maintenance and back office integration costs, while maximizing revenues.

Designed from the ground up as a core network element, the TekCore Session Manager provides the high level of carrier-grade robustness that operators have come to expect from Tekelec. The architecture supports maximum fault tolerance via high availability and geographically redundant configurations.

Bridging the TDM, NGN and IMS Domains. TekCore can be deployed in both NGN and IMS networks — serving as a SIP signaling router when deployed in the NGN and as a CSCF in the IMS environment. TekCore is designed to interwork seamlessly with Tekelec’s industry-leading EAGLE® 5 Integrated Signaling System (ISS), providing the signaling/session bridge between SS7 TDM, NGN and future IMS networks. The TekCore SSR function interworks with SS7 networks through integration with the EAGLE® 5 ISS, as well as directly with the IMS session management layer over an Mw interface. The bridging capabilities provide additional revenue opportunities as the NGN operator benefits from the ability to offer both traditional and IMS services to customers in either domain.

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