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Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
ALCATEL 5020 SOFTSWITCH
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
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Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 3
2
GENERAL ARCHITECTURE ................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 THE PROTOCOL INTERFACES ...................................................................................................................... 5
2.1.1 H.323 Interface ................................................................................................................................. 5
2.1.2 SIP Interface...................................................................................................................................... 6
2.1.3 SS7 Interface ..................................................................................................................................... 6
2.1.4 MGCP / H.248 interface ................................................................................................................... 7
2.1.5 IPDC/SLAP interface ........................................................................................................................ 7
2.2 THE FUNCTION MANAGERS ......................................................................................................................... 8
2.2.1 OAM-Manager .................................................................................................................................. 8
2.2.2 VPN-Manager ................................................................................................................................. 11
2.2.3 The Location-Manager.................................................................................................................... 12
2.2.4 The AAA-Manager .......................................................................................................................... 13
2.2.5 The Service-Manager ...................................................................................................................... 14
2.2.6 The Inter-Softswitch Manager ......................................................................................................... 15
2.3 THE HARDWARE PLATFORM ...................................................................................................................... 15
3
THE ALCATEL 5020 SOFTSWITCH APPLICATION PACKAGES ................................................. 17
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
4
THE ALCATEL 5020 SX IPO ..................................................................................................................... 17
THE ALCATEL 5020 SX LDB ................................................................................................................... 18
THE ALCATEL 5020 SX IPT ..................................................................................................................... 20
THE ALCATEL 5020 SX MUM .................................................................................................................. 25
THE ALCATEL 5020 SX RGC ................................................................................................................... 26
PRODUCTS RELATED TO THE ALCATEL 5020 SOFTSWITCH ................................................... 27
4.1 THE ALCATEL 8690 OPEN SERVICES PLATFORM AND 8688 MEDIA SERVER ............................................ 27
4.2 THE ALCATEL 5795 NMC ........................................................................................................................ 28
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1
INTRODUCTION
This document is intended to give an overview of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch
product, its functionality, its capacity and its evolution for the future.
Section 2 of this document describes the general architecture of the product. It
explains all the functional modules of the softswitch that are used to provide
VoIP services.
Section 3 of this document describes the different models or application
packages that are available on the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch product. Each of
these models makes use of certain functions, explained in the previous section,
to provide a specific application, e.g.:
 Internet offload
 Long Distance Bypass
 IP telephony
 Multimedia services
 Class 5 telephony service
Finally, section 4 of the document gives more explanation on some other
products that are closely linked to the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch. These products
are
 The Alcatel 8690 Open Services Platform and the 8688 Media Server
 The Alcatel 5795 Network Management Center
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2
GENERAL ARCHITECTURE
The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch is based on a fully modular architecture, which
consists of a Call/Session Control Element with Protocol Interfaces and Function
Managers:

Protocol Interfaces: allow other elements to make use of the
Call/Session Control capability of the Softswitch. Examples are SIP,
H.323, ...

Call/Session Control: heart of the Softswitch

Function Managers: the Call/Session Control makes use of these
managers to perform certain functions like routing, AAA, billing, …
O AM Mgr
VPN Mgr
Location
Mgr
AAA Mgr
Function
M a na gers
Service
Mgr
InterSoft Switch
Mgr
Call/ Session Control
SS7 I/ f
IPDC I/ f
Figure 1
H.323 I/ f
H.248 I/ f
MGCP I/ f
SIP I/ f
Protocol
I nterfa ces
Alcatel 5020 Softswitch architecture
The modular architecture allows to group certain Protocol Interfaces, Function
Managers and the Call/Session Control to build Application Packages.
Examples of such application packages are (refer to par. 3):

Internet Offload

IP-Telephony

Long Distance Bypass

Multimedia service
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2.1 The Protocol Interfaces
2.1.1
H.323 Interface
General
The H.323 Interface is responsible for the H.323 message and transaction
handling. It is based on the RADVision H.323 stack and Gatekeeper API. The
H.323 stack:

takes care of the message handling

provides compliance to the standards
The Gatekeeper API extends this to provide basic GK functionality.
This layer is not taking any decisions on its own; it is relying on instructions from
the higher layers when handling sessions
Protocol Compliance
The H.323 Interface is compliant with H.323v3 and will evolve to support H.323v4.
It supports the H.225.0 RAS and Call Signaling (Q.931).
The interface supports both Direct and Gatekeeper Routed Signaling:

Gatekeeper Routed Mode (GRC): Q.931 signaling goes through the
Alcatel Softswitch. This is the preferred mode of operation

Direct Endpoint Routed Mode (DRC): Q.931 signaling goes directly
between the endpoints involved in the call
The Alcatel Softswitch supports the different call scenarios:

PC-to-PC

Phone-to-Phone

PC-to-Phone

Phone-to-PC
In order to be able to connect the Alcatel Softswitch with other Gatekeeperdomains, the H.323 interface provides support for inter-domain mechanisms like
H.225.0 Location Requests (LRQs) and ClearingHouse interaction (based on
OSP).
Interoperability
The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch can be used with an extensive (and still growing) list
of 3rd party H.323 compliant products.

Gateways: 3com, Lucent, Cisco, Vegastream, Pirelli, Fastlink, ...
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2.1.2

Terminals: Siemens IP-Phone, Microsoft Netmeeting, OpenPhone, Snom
phone…

Gatekeepers: Cisco, NetCentrex, RADVision, Vocaltec, ...
SIP Interface
General
The SIP Interface is responsible for the SIP message and transaction handling. It
is based on the Ubiquity Proxy Server.
Protocol Compliance
The Alcatel Softswitch can act as proxy server, redirect server, registrar and
outbound proxy in accordance with the RFC 2543bis09 (wit a few exceptionsand is evolving to RFC3261 in the near future.
It has a/o support for forking and Record-Route header.
The Alcatel Softswitch can run in (Call) Stateful and Stateless Proxy mode.

Transaction Stateful/Stateless Proxy: this means that the Proxy keeps
state for the duration of a SIP transaction. The Ubiquity Proxy used in
the Alcatel Softswitch is an example of such a stateful Proxy.

Call Stateful/Stateless Proxy: this means that the Proxy keeps state for
the full duration of the call (this involves typically several SIP
transactions). Keeping call state is needed when one wants to do
billing with a Proxy or when control of Firewalls and NAT devices is
needed. Most of the available Proxy's are NOT call stateful. The Alcatel
Softswitch however can be stateful if needed (it is a configuration
parameter). This allows the SIP-based Alcatel Softswitch to perform
billing, provide extended services, … since these require call state
information to be maintained.
Interoperability
Alcatel has participated to the several SIP bake-offs (SIP-IT) with the Alcatel
5020 Softswitch. The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch is interoperable with SIP based
products (SIP Proxys, gateways, phones, clients, application servers) from
Ubiquity, RADvision, Dynamicsoft , Cisco, Microsoft, Lucent, 3Com, Nuera,
Mockingbird, Ericsson, Siemens, Pingtel, Snom Phone , …
2.1.3
SS7 Interface
The SS7 interface of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch is full based on the former
Alcatel 5424 Call Signaling Gateway (ACSG) and is necessary only if SS7
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interconnectivity is required such as for long distance bypass applications or for
internet offload.
The following protocols can be supported by the platform:

Standard ITU-T Q.76x

Standard ANSI T1.113

Standard ETSIv2 ETS 300 356

Standard GF001-9001 (China)

Standard Telcordia GR-317-CORE

Standard Telcordia GR-394-CORE
The SS7 interface of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch is able to support multiple ISUP
variants at the same time on the same server. The only limitation is the ISUP
generic parameters, e.g. timers, which are common to all concurrent ISUP
variants.
IDF files are referenced by an INI file. The Dynamic IDF file loading feature allows
new ISUP variants to be supported, by maintaining the IDF files in the Oracle
database.
2.1.4
MGCP / H.248 interface
The MGCPv1 and H.248/Megaco protocol is supported by the Alcatel 5020
Softswitch to act as a media gateway controller.
2.1.5
IPDC/SLAP interface
The IPDC or SLAP interface is supported to control third party Gateways and
Remote Access equipment, especially for Internet Offload Applications (IPO).
These interfaces allow the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch to control RAS equipment
from Lucent (MaxTNT) and UTStarcom (Total Control 1000 previously from
CommWorks).
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2.2 The function managers
2.2.1
OAM-Manager
The OAM Manager provides the means to do the provisioning, monitoring,
maintenance, … of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch like:

interfacing with databases (LDAP, ODBC, …)

interfaces with SNMP viewers (Alcatel 5795 NMC, ...)

interfacing with OAM tools like statistics, TMM, FMM, …
Network management
In order to allow the monitoring of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch, it is equipped
with SNMP MIBs (Management Information Base). These MIBs can be used by
SNMP viewers to monitor the MIB counters of the Softswitch. These counters
provide information like the number of active calls, the number of failed calls,
the number of messages (per type) handled by the system, the number of
retransmissions, ...
The MIBs also define some alarms, which can be send to the SNMP viewers to
notify problems. Examples of alarms are: restart of the system, overflow of
counters, unavailability of resources,...
OAM Tools
Web-Based Statistics
At regular intervals, the Alcatel Softswitch provides statistics data to a
Statistics Server. This data is then processed in order to be viewed via a
Web-based interface both in graphical and table format.
The statistical data can be global (min/max number of registrations per
interval, number of calls, ...) but also endpoint specific (number of
successful/rejected calls made by this endpoint, ...).
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When running in VPN Wholesaling mode the information can be viewed
per VPN (only by the authorised VPN operator).
SEE Utility
The SEE utility allows the Network Operator (or the VPN Operator in VPN
Wholesaling mode) to monitor in real-time the active sessions controlled
by the Alcatel Softswitch. The utility shows for each of the sessions an
overview of the relevant session parameters: Calling Party, Called Party,
Involved GWs, session duration, VPN,... Via a configuration menu it is
possible to specify filters so that for example only the sessions with a
duration longer then x are displayed.
The See Utility allows the operators to terminate certain sessions by a
simple mouse-click.
When running in a VPN Wholesaling mode, the SEE utility will only allow
VPN operators to view and manipulate the sessions of their VPN.
Table Maintenance Module
The information that is stored in the Oracle Database can be exported
using a GUI-based tool called the Table Maintenance Module. This tool is
particularly used to create procedures to export the Call Detail Record
(CDR) information into a customizable CSV-file format (Comma
Separated Value). It is e.g. possible to export only certain fields, format
them in a customizable format,.... It is also possible to specify whether the
exported information should be removed from the Oracle Database or
be conserved after a successful export. Together with this tool a task
scheduler is available which allows to schedule the export activity (e.g.
start export every evening, once a week,....).
File Maintenance Module
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This GUI-based tool allows to manage the different logging files
generated by the Alcatel Softswitch. It is for example possible to define
procedures to ftp, zip, manipulate certain files based on certain criteria,
like: creation time, size,...
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2.2.2
VPN-Manager
The VPN-manager allows the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch to operate in VPN
Wholesaling mode:
A5 020 SX
A5 020 SX for
VPN 1
A5 020 SX for
VPN 2
A5 020 SX for
VPN 3

It allows the operator to resell part of the functionality/capabilities offered
by the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch to his customers

Each customer uses its part as if it operates its own provisioning,
management, ...
This also allows the operator to focus on its core business instead of doing all the
work for all its customers. All functionality provided can be customized for each
customer.
The Network Operator installs and operates the network composed of the IPTelephony Application Package of the Alcatel Softswitch, the IP backbone, the
Voice Gateways, ... to provide the IP telephony functionality. Due to the implicit
VPN-aware architecture of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch, call capabilities of the
softswitch are available for all of the VPN's configured by the wholesaling
operator. The wholesaling operator can however configure the management
capabilities of each VPN, thus imposing restrictions. The Network Operator can
then resell part of the resources in his network (including the IP-Telephony
service) to his customers.
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These customers can be Service Providers, Corporates,... They can typically
operate their part of the network and the service independently of the Network
Operator and of other customers. This allows them to populate the subscriberprofiles, the numbering plans, the service capabilities,... themselves. In some
cases they might even use their own Voice Gateways to connect to the IP
network.
The customers then provide access to the service to their subscribers. In case of
corporates these are the employees of the company whereas in case of
service providers the service can be sold to end-users. The subscribers can
typically access their profiles and change them as needed: change forwarding
settings, change PIN, access their Voice Mail,....
When this VPN Manager is used, the full functionality of the IP-Telephony
Application Package becomes VPN specific. This implies that all the
functionality described below is VPN specific: configuration via the GUIs,
numbering plans, routing tables, user management, service interaction,...
2.2.3
The Location-Manager
The location manager adds routing functionality to the Softswitch. This routing
functionality can be either cost- or resource-based. The routing functionality
can be implemented by the location manager itself or it can be provide
interfaces to external systems for routing via protocols like RADIUS or LDAP.
The Call routing algorithm implemented by the Location manager is a Least
Cost Routing algorithm and also allows to distribute the load over different
possible routes. Furthermore the Location Manager is also responsible for
number manipulations (digit insertion or removal) and the support of Private
Numbering Plans (PNP).
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2.2.4
The AAA-Manager
The AAA-Manager adds Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA)
functionality to the Alcatel Softswitch. The Network and/or VPN operators use
this AAA-functionality to control the usage of the IP-Centrex service.
The Softswitch can provide the AAA functionality itself or provide interfaces
(RADIUS, LDAP,...) to 3rd party AAA servers. For each call/session, the AAAManager can contact an AAA-server to authenticate and authorize it.
When running in the VPN Wholesaling mode the AAA-Manager supports
multiple AAA-servers (e.g. each VPN uses its own set of AAA-servers to
authenticate and authorize its subscribers).
Figure 2
Support for multiple AAA servers
The use of different AAA-servers for each VPN allows the VPN operators to
independently of each other manage their subscribers. For each call/session
the AAA-Manager decides in real-time which AAA-server to use and proxies the
AAA-requests to that server.
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2.2.5
The Service-Manager
The Service-Manager allows the Alcatel Softswitch to connect to Advanced
Application Servers. These are external servers implementing dedicated tasks
like routing, number manipulations, ....
This Service-Manager provides an API on the Softswitch allowing external servers
to alter the Softswitch' behaviour. The API is called OPSI: Open Policy Service
Interface. It is an Alcatel Proprietary interface, which is open and documented.
This means that the OPSI interface is distributed to 3rd parties on request
allowing them to write external servers 'on top of' the Softswitch.
OPSI-Service
SoftSwitch
Call State
Machine
Figure 3
Alcatel Softswitch OPSI interface
The points at which the Softswitch can escape from its default behaviour are
called 'hooks'. Several hooks are available to provide advanced service
interaction.
Via the GUIs it is possible to group certain hooks into services and configure the
Application Server responsible for delivering the service.
This Service-Manager (OPSI) can be used to implement the screening
requirements. Screening is about allowing or blocking certain incoming and/or
outgoing calls. The allowed calls are listed in a so-called whitelist, the calls
which are not allowed are listed in blacklists. This functionality is available per
VPN and is typically used to prevent certain subscribers from placing certain
calls (e.g. no Premium rate calls, no international calls,...).
Besides the OPSI API, the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch support also a SIP API towards
the Alcatel Open Service Platform (8690 OSP) or any other SIP application
platform for providing advanced multimedia services (see also par. 3.4)
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2.2.6
The Inter-Softswitch Manager
The Inter-Softswitch manager allows the Softswitch to interconnect with other
Softswitches (Alcatel or 3rd party), H.323 Gatekeepers and SIP PX Servers.
Therefore the Inter Softswitch Manager uses different mechanisms/protocols to
do so:

H.323 LRQ mechanisms in case the network is divided into several H.323
zones (Alcatel 5020 Softswitch sends LRQ to other GKs to verify if they are
willing to accept the inter-domain calls)

OSP (Open Settlement Protocol) for Clearinghouse support.

SIP(-T) for inter MGC - calls.
2.3 The hardware platform
The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch runs on HW of the HP/Compaq Alpha Server family
with Tru64UNIX as the operating system. Alpha Servers DS1x, DS2x ,ES4x and
even GS80 are used to build system capacity.
5020 SX
The following table gives an overview of the performance figures of the Alcatel
5020 Softswitch for the different HW configurations for a typical IPT application
(H.323 based, 5 minutes call duration). Off course depending on the type of
application (IPO, IPT, LDB, MuM) and the type of protocols used the
performance figures can change.
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Performance for
Pure H.323 calls
Entry level DS10
cluster
Medium range
DS25 cluster
High End
ES45 cluster
High End
GS80 cluster
Min
Max
Min
Max
Min
Max
Min
max
1
1
1
2
2
4
4
8
17,9
17,9
32,7
61,9
64,7
115,1
115,1
199,1
BHCA
64.440
64.440
117.720
222.840
232.920
414.360
414.360
716.760
Concurrent
sessions
5.370
5.370
9.810
18.570
19.410
34.530
34.530
59.730
512
512
512
1024
1024
2048
2048
4096
2 x 36
6 x 18
2 x 36
6 x 18
3 x 36
12 x 18
3 x 36
12 x 18
3 x 36
12 x 18
3 x 36
12 x 18
3 x 36
12 x 18
3 x 36
12 x 18
CPUs/node
CAPS (peak)
Memory (MB) per
node
Disk space (GB)
in server and
storage
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3
THE ALCATEL 5020 SOFTSWITCH APPLICATION PACKAGES
In order to provide the VoIP and converged voice-data services, several
application packages or models are available on the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch.
The different application packages of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch all share the
same base platform. This base platform contains the protocol interfaces (H.323,
SIP, IPDC, MGCP, ...) and the call and session control layer.
A particular model/application of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch is obtained by
combining the required protocol interfaces, call/session control and Common
Function Managers.

The Alcatel 5020 SX IPO:
The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch IPO is used to provide IP-Offload
functionality to help off-load internet traffic as soon as possible from the
PSTN in various ways.

The Alcatel 5020 SX LDB:
The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch LDB is used to provide IP-based Long
Distance Bypass. It can be used to bypass both trunk and toll
exchanges. The users are classical PSTN users connected to the IP
network through IP Gateways.

The Alcatel 5020 SX IPT:
The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch IPT is used to provide IP based Telephony
and multimedia services to both native IP-terminals and subscribers
connected to the IP-network through IP Gateways (residential and
carrier).

The Alcatel 5020 SX MuM:
The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch MuM is used to provide advanced
MultiMedia services to native IP subscribers.

The Alcatel 5020 SX RGC:
The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch RGC is used to provide Class 5 telephony
services to various access or residential gateways using Megaco,
MGCP or NCS protocols.
3.1 The Alcatel 5020 SX IPO
This model of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch is used to provide IP Offload
functionality. The Alcatel 5020 SX IPO is the former Alcatel Call Signaling
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Gateway (A5424 CSG) and can be used for the following solutions: SS7-NAS,
Internet Call Diversion, Grooming and PRI-Tower.
SS7-NAS
The SS7-NAS solutions allows to connect Remote Access Servers (RAS/NAS) to
PSTN switches using IMTs (Inter-Machine Trunks) instead of PRI.
Internet Call Diversion (ICD)
The ICD solution is used to offload the data dialup to ISP POPs from the PSTN to
the Data Backbone, by a combined use of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch and RAS
gateways. The gateways are connected to the PSTN switches using IMTs.
Grooming
The grooming solution enables service providers to groom data and voice
traffic at the interconnection point with the same solution, without installing a
LEX. The voice traffic is split-off and sent via SS7 trunks to the TDM backbone of
the service provider. Data calls are terminated on the gateway.
PRI-Tower
The PRI-Tower solution provides functionality similar to the ICW except it has the
added capability of back-hauling PRI traffic across the packet network and
then exiting on a PRI interface.
3.2 The Alcatel 5020 SX LDB
The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch LDB can be used to implement long distance
bypass applications based on:

H.323 (+ IPDC)

MGCP or

Megaco
It offers the possibility for operators to offer cheap IP based long distance
telephony, bypassing trunk and toll exchanges.
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The newest version of the LDB solution (release 3) will also support
-
the connection of PRI's to the network using Sigtran (IUA/SCTP) to tunnel the
PRI signaling to the Softswitch
-
the use of an external signaling gateway (Alcatel 5023 RSG) that tunnels the
SS7 signaling channels in a standard way using Sigtran (M2UA/SCTP) to the
Softswitch. This is especially useful in case no separate SS7 signaling network
is available
-
interworking with other Softswitch using SIP-T signaling.
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Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
3.3 The Alcatel 5020 SX IPT
The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch IPT (IP Telephony) is used to provide IP based
telephony and multimedia services to both native IP-terminals and subscribers
connected to the IP-network through IP Gateways (residential and carrier). The
IPT application allows any of the following call scenario's:

PC to phone

Phone to PC

PC to PC
A detailed architecture of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch IPT solution is depicted
below. It is composed of layers each providing dedicated functionality.
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Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
Radius
OPSI
OSP
LDAP
SNMP
...
A5020 SX
Common A5735
Function
SMCMa nagers
RADI US +
Radius+
GK Control Function
Control Logic
Protocol Independent
A5735
H.323/EGK
SIP
Interworking
gkd
SI P Ca ll Control
Proxy Control Function
Function
RADVisionH.323
Stack Protocol
+ GK API
+ Control logic
Handling
Core H.323 GatekeeperRADVision Stack + GK API Basic SIP PX Server
As explained before in the general architecture of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch, it
consists of a number of protocol interfaces (here H.323 and SIP), a call/session
control layer and a set of common function managers.
The H.323 Protocol Interface
The Core H.323 Gatekeeper takes care of the H.323 message and transaction
handling and is already described in the general architecture of the Alcatel
5020 Softswitch. The GK Control Function brings the H.323 specific session and
call control to the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch. This layer is controlling the behaviour
of the Core H.323 Gatekeeper (decides which messages to create and send).
The GK Control Function gets its instructions from the various Function
Managers. This layer also hides all the H.323 specifics for the Common Function
Managers.
The SIP Protocol Interface
The SIP PX Server is part of the SIP Protocol Interface. It takes care of the SIP
message and transaction handling. It does not take any decisions on its own,
but relies on instructions received from higher layers. This Basic SIP PX Server
provides the compliance to the SIP RFCs (RFC326x) and the interoperability
with 3rd party SIP compliant elements.
The Proxy Control Function brings the SIP specific session and call control to the
Alcatel 5020 Softswitch. This layer is controlling the behaviour of the Basic SIP PX
Server (decides which messages to create and send). The PX Control Function
gets its instructions from the various Function Managers. This layer also hides all
the SIP specifics for the Common Function Managers.
The SIP Call Control adds SIP Call Stateful layer to provide functions requiring
call state like call-based accounting and firewall control.
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Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
The H.323/SIP interworking function is used for interconnecting H.323 and SIP
networks. It is integrated in the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch and will support basic
call interworking in a first phase and also service interaction in a second phase.
The Common Function Managers are already described in the general
architecture of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch:

The OAM Function Manager: brings OAM capabilities to the Alcatel 5020
Softswitch

The VPN Function Manager: allows to operate the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch
in VPN wholesaling mode

The Location Function Manager: provides routing capabilities

The AAA Function Manager: brings AAA functionality to the Alcatel 5020
Softswitch

The Service Function Manager: provides interfaces to external servers to
provide specific services

The Inter-Domain Function Manager: allows to connect the Alcatel 5020
Softswitch to other softswitches
The services in the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch IPT are provided using:
 Build in common function managers' capabilities like traditional PSTN
services, IP-centrex, …
 OPSI: through the OPSI OpenCallAPI services can be provided on the
Alcatel 5020 Softswitch.
 SIP: through the SIP-API, advanced multimedia services can be provided
in combination with an Application Server Platform
The advanced services supported by the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch IPT, both builtin and through OPSI or other application platforms, are described separately.
The built-in services are standardly supported by the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch. In
SIP networks the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch can connect to Application Servers to
provide services. Examples of such Application servers are the Alcatel Open
Service Platform (A8690 OSP) or any other third party Application Server
(Ubiquity ASB, Sylantro, Broadsoft, …)
With respect to the basic telephony services supported by the Alcatel 5020
Softswitch IPT, certain services can only be considered as deployable in case
also the endpoints support these services (e.g. H.450 based supplementary
services). A summary of the basic telephony services supported by the Alcatel
5020 Softswitch IPT is given below:
Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
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Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
Numbering related features:
The services below are applicable to both H.323 and SIP.
Numbering related services
Comment
E.164 addressing
Also aliases and SIP URIs are supported
Support for private and (inter)national
numbering plans
Configurable per VPN
Abbreviated/short code dialling
Direct Dialing In (DDI)
Sub-addressing
Closed User Group (CUG)
Supported through VPN management
Line/Trunk hunting
Trunk hunting according to available
resources in the GW.
Voice VPN
With PNP and supplementary services
as indicated in the next table
Speed Dialing
Supplementary services
Supplementary services
Comment
Calling Line Identification Presentation
Supported by default by H.323 and SIP
Calling Line Identification Restriction
Supported for H.323 via H.450.8
Connected Line Identification
Presentation
Supported for H.323 via H.450.8
Calling Name Identification
Presentation
Supported for H.323 via H.450.8
Calling Name Identification Restriction
Supported for H.323 via H.450.8
Call Transfer
Supported for H.323 via H.450.2 and for SIP
as defined in RFC2543
Call Forwarding Unconditional, on No
Reply or on Busy
Via H.450.3 for H.323
Selective Call Forwarding
Can be supported via OPSI for H.323 and
SIP if required.
Call Waiting (with calling
number/name display)
Supported for H.323 via H.450.6 (Q1 2004)
Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
This service can also be supported as an
OPSI service for both H.323 (in case CPE
does not support H.450.3) and SIP if
required.
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Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
Supplementary services
Comment
Message Waiting Indication
Supported for H.323 via H.450.7 (Q1 2004)
Call Hold
Available for SIP
Supported for H.323 via H.450.4 (Q1 2004)
Call Park/Pick-up
Supported for H.323 via H.450.5 (Q1 2004)
Outgoing Call Barring
Incoming Call Barring
The IPT application today provides services for native IP telephony terminals
(typically in a business environment). In order to be able to provide similar
services (limited to the voice component) to black phone terminals behind
Residential gateways, the IPT solution is currently extended with an additional
subsystem, i.e. the RGC.
This RGC or "Residential Gateway controller" will provide Class 5 telephony
services to users behind residential or access gateways using Megaco, MGCP
or NCS.
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Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
3.4 The Alcatel 5020 SX MuM
The Alcatel 5020 SX MuM builds on the IPT model to provide advanced
multimedia services for native IP users (both fixed and mobile). The Alcatel 5020
Multimedia Softswitch is developed within the framework of the complete
Alcatel multimedia solution with several other elements (Home Subscriber Server
- HSS, Multimedia Application server MMAS, …).
The Alcatel multimedia softswitch solution will become available in several
steps.
 Release 0.9 intended for customer lab trials containing the basic building
blocks (Alcatel 5020 Mum, Alcatel MMAS, Alcatel HSS) and providing some
application prototypes e.g. Presence, Instant Messaging, Voice VPN, Click2
services.
 Release 1.0 with an extended set of applications and partial alignment with
the 3GPP architecture and including QoS and security mechanisms.
 Release 2.0 with a broader application portfolio, full alignment with the
3GPP archittecture (R5 - IMS) and improvements for end to end QoS and
Management and provisioning.
Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
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Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
3.5 The Alcatel 5020 SX RGC
The Alcatel 5020 SX RGC or Residential Gateway Controller applications is the
newest application currently being developed on the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch
platform.
This application will offer basic Class 5 telephony services to a variety of access
equipment using Megaco, MGCP or NCS protocols.
Together with the Alcatel 1540 Litespan Access Gateway, this allows to deploy
a Class 5 network using pure NGN technology. The Class 5 services supported
in the first release of this application will be gradually extended to cover all
commonly used services today.
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Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
4
PRODUCTS RELATED TO THE ALCATEL 5020 SOFTSWITCH
4.1 The Alcatel 8690 Open Services Platform and 8688 Media Server
These two products are closely related to the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch, especially
when advanced and multimedia services are offered in a NGN context to
broadband users.
The Alcatel 8690 Open Services Platform enables operators to generate
additional revenue streams by offering new value-added services to their
customers. It is an open IT-based system featuring high capacity,
unprecedented scalability and telecom-level reliability. More importantly, it
provides comprehensive support for the rapid development of attractive new
services and their market introduction.
The Alcatel 8690 OSP is the basic platform that is used for Alcatel's Multimedia
Application Suite (8605). The A8605 Multi Media Application Suite (MMAS) is a
pre-integrated suite of applications and capabilities for multimedia
conversational applications. It is based on the A8690 Open Services Platform
release 2.3.
MMAS 1.0 is a limited version that allows an early introduction in the network of
Multimedia applications. It includes an enhanced multimedia call handling
application called MCN (Multimedia Community Network) and a Video
Conferencing application (MMIC) in a trial version. The integrated Presence
Server manages and distributes the presence information to the users.
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Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
The Alcatel 8688 Media Server provides the announcements in Alcatel's next
generation network (NGN). This network comprises the Alcatel 5020 SoftSwitch
and the Alcatel Multimedia Application Server. This new product also provides
the voice bridging capabilities for audio-conferencing services.
The Alcatel 8688 Media Server provides these advanced resource capabilities
required for the next-generation data networks. In one sense the A8688 is a
packet network evolution of the PSTN Specialized Resource Point (SRP), in that it
provides standards-based audio user interaction under intelligent application
control. However, the Media Server extends this concept by providing
resources for voice, video, and data media streams.
4.2 The Alcatel 5795 NMC
The Alcatel 5795 NMC provides all the functions and capabilities to manage
the offered Alcatel VoIP products in particular, and any SNMP supporting
device in general.
It offers the operator an integrated network view of the installed equipment,
and allows to drill down into the network elements to perform network device
specific management actions, such as configuration and fault management.
The Alcatel 5795 NMC is based on the ALMA EXPERT Network management
platform and considers the network from the viewpoint of an SNMP Manager.
The SNMP manager can read or write information to and from the managed
network elements or SNMP agents. A management application generally offers
the following services:
 Fault monitoring and management
 Configuration management
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Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
 Accounting management
 Performance monitoring and management
 Security management
These are also known as the FCAPS functions or services. The NMC provides all
these services with the exception of Accounting management which is not
supported by the Alcatel 5795 NMC but which is implemented in the Alcatel
5020 Softswitch.
This powerful application, combining network and element management
functionality, presents the operator a user-friendly graphical interface,
composed of a number of task specific windows in order to allow the operator
to manage it's network in a structured and surveyable way.
The NMC uses expert system technology to control the network devices and to
analyze and correlate the vast amount of alarm and management information
generated by or retrieved from the network devices.
The operator is presented with a clear, concise description of any faults,
highlighting those that are the most urgent and suggesting possible courses of
actions.
Alcatel 5020 Softswitch Overview
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