Alcatel 5020 Softswitch

The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch platform allows service providers to pursue opportunities associated with added value, deliver differentiated services, and build more profitable businesses.

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THE ALCATEL 5020

SOFTSWITCH PLATFORM
Overview
The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch platform is a scalable, carrier class platform that capitalizes on the popularity of Internet applications by offering a wide range of next-generation telephony and multimedia features. Native IP endpoints and classical public switched telephone network (PSTN) can be interconnected using media gateways controlled by the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch, making the Alcatel 5020 a pivotal link between media gateways and applications and services. The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch features truly open and modular architecture, allowing rapid development and deployment of new innovative services, with or without interworking with third party applications.

Figure 1. The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch and involved productsnetwork overview

OPSI RADIUS
Softswitch Application Feature Server Network AFS Server IP Media Server

LDAP OSP

AAA Server Directory Server

INAP
SCP

Clearing House

INAP/SS7

Alcatel 5020 Softswitch

IPDC, MGCP, Megaco/H.248 H.323, SIP, RADIUS

STP TDM Signaling Data Control Signaling Network

3G

ISUP/SS7
STP

STP

Multimedia

TDM Data LEX LEX Trunking Gateway

Data Bearer Network Access Gateway

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KEY SOFTSWITCH APPLICATIONS

Applications
Alcatel has identified a number of key applications for softswitches that will allow operators to easily deploy new services in their existing networks and help them to migrate to an next-generation (i.e., IP-based) network infrastructure. An application package is designed on top of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch platform to support each of these solutions: > IP offload (IPO) provides service providers a solution to offload data traffic from the PSTN network. > IP telephony (IPT) provides IP-based telephony (voice/video/data) services to both native IP terminals and subscribers connected to the IP network through IP gateways. In addition, the IPT application package offers a wide range of IP-Centrex services typically targeted to the enterprise market. Figure 2 illustrates that each application is built on the same base platform. It also shows that the base platform of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch provides session/call control via different protocols and interfaces to application feature servers. These servers implement dedicated tasks such as number translation services, CLI screening services, or authentication, authorization, and accounting services. Separate application notes are available describing each of these Alcatel 5020 applications in further detail. > Long distance bypass (LDB) allows service providers to use packet-based networks for long distance voice traffic, bypassing the traditional trunk, toll, and international exchanges. > Multimedia (MuM) provides IP-based multimedia services.

Figure 2. The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch platform and its application packages

Number Translation Application Feature Server Softswitch

AAA Server

Number Screening

IP Offload

IP

Long Distance Bypass

Multi Media

Base Platform

Session/Call Control Protocol Interfaces

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SOFTSWITCH ARCHITECTURE
Architecture
Software modules for the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch are structured in three layers: protocol interfaces, call/session control, and function managers. In assembling application packages, only those software modules relevant to each particular application package are selected from the common base set. Protocol Interfaces The protocol interface layer provides access of different interfaces (SS7, IPDC, H.323, SIP, MGCP, H.248) to the call/session control of the softswitch. For SS7, ANSI as well as ETSI standards are supported, together with a long list of national variants, allowing the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch to operate anywhere in the world and with any other type of equipment. Call/Session Control Software This software is the functional heart of the softswitch.
Figure 3. Software architecture of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch platform

> AAA Manager adds AAA functionality to the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch platform. This AAA function can be provided by the AAA Manager itself or on external systems using RADIUS, LDAP. It is also responsible for the generation of call detail records (CDRs). > Service Manager allows the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch platform to connect to external application feature servers as described previously > Inter-Domain Manager allows the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch platform to interconnect other Alcatel or third party softswitches using standard protocols Figure 3 illustrates the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch fully modular software architecture.

Function Managers Function managers perform certain particular functions for the call/session control, as follows: > OAM Manager provides the ability to accomplish provisioning, monitoring, and maintenance of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch platform > VPN Manager allows operation of the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch in VPN wholesaling mode > Location Manager adds routing (least-cost and resource based) functionality to the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch platform
SS7 I/f IPDC I/f H.323 I/f H.248 I/f MGCP I/f SIP I/f Protocol Interfaces OAM Manager VPN Manager Location Manager AAA Manager Service Manager Function Managers

Call/Session Control

InterSoftswitch Manager

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Additional Features
Scalability

Hardware Extensions, Software Upgrades The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch has been designed to enable hardware and software upgrades with zero downtime. Capacity enhancements, hardware upgrades, software enhancements, and even loading of completely new software releases are possible with a minimum impact on the traffic handled by the running system. Simplified Management The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch can provide real time statistics such as call duration, total number of rejected or accepted calls, and total number of inbound or outbound calls, giving service providers insight in traffic patterns, call anomalies, and other strategic data. This information can be used to put in place moneygenerating service level agreements and to fine-tune the network by adding resources only where and when they are needed. Support for Simple Network Management Protocol allows trap and alarm information to be sent to the management agent. The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch can be configured through a Windows-based central agent or Web-based applications to enable easy provisioning, monitoring, and trouble shooting. More complex activities can be configured through a command line interface.

Further information about the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch is available in the form of a technical data sheet and product application notes. For additional information about Alcatel products in general, check online at www.alcatel.com

The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch platform is modular and highly scalable. A choice of three server configurations is currently available, depending on capacity requirements; each of these servers can be configured in a stand-alone or cluster mode, the latter having the major advantage of improved redundancy and scalability. The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch platform is scalable, therefore, to almost any required capacity. Reliability The Alcatel 5020 Softswitch platform ensures non-stop operation through a fully resilient and high availability architecture. The base platform supports both hot standby and load-sharing modes. Other design highlights include clustering, memory channel, and RAID technologies.

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Alcatel and the Alcatel logo are registered trademarks of Alcatel. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Alcatel assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information presented, which is subject to change without notice. 08 2002 Alcatel. All rights reserved. 523-0620080-002A3J