ICGST-CNIR Journal, Volume (5), Issue (2), October, 2006

Overview of the Next Generation Network Services

A

C.G.NayakA, K.C.ShetB Department of Instrumentation and control Engineering MIT, Manipal,-576104, India cgurudasnayak@yahoo.co.in B Department of Computerscience and Engineering, NIT, surathkal, India kcshet@yahoo.co.uk with this multi-network approach is that it has created a web of complexity resulting in management complexity, operational inefficiencies; smaller economize of scale, maintenance issues, and duplicating capex. Next Generation Networks aim to reverse the clock and go back to the simplicity of one single network [1]. NGN is all about deploying one network platform capable of supporting all traffic types while facilitating service innovation as shown in Fig 1. TODAY: Many networks
Access network: DSL. X.25, SDH, GigE

Abstract

Next-generation network (NGN) service is a novel concept commonly used by network designers to depict their vision of future telecommunications networks. The term NGN refers to a converged network capable of carrying both voice and data over the same physical network with all traffic (voice and data) carried as IP.The process of realization of NGN will lead to a revolution in the design of telecommunications network architecture, which will result in a change in the way service providers offer their services and the way people communicate. Eventually, NGN would phase out the existing legacy networks at a point of time in the future. This paper aims to provide a general technical and functional overview of Next Generation Network (NGNs). Keywords: NGN (Next Generation Network) IP (Internet Protocol), PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching).

TOMORROW: Single IP Network

All IP networking

Edge network: PSTN, IP, X.25, Frame relay.

1. Introduction

Historically, incumbent operators typically ran one network-Public Switched Telephone Network. The PSTN was designed to carry voice when voice was the only communication carried. As demand for data communications developed the incumbents adapted their networks to also carry data traffic. However, rather than replacing the PSTN, operators typically switched over to parallel operation which is called the overlay network. These new overlay networks were designed specifically to carry data traffic. As network technology continued to evolve, the number of networks multiplied in step. As a result, today many operators run typically 6-12 different networks platforms (ATM, IP, Relay, X.25 PSTN, PABX and VOIP etc.). The problem

Core network: ATM, IP, SDH, PSTN Class 4/5

Communication (Voice, data) Infotainment (TV, DSL, ICT)

Limited Separate Services

Life style / work Style (Wireless home etc.)

Fig 1: NGN is about simplifying networks.

ICGST-CNIR Journal, Volume (5), Issue (2), October, 2006

2. NGN Definition
NGN is a concept for defining and deploying networks, which, due to their formal separation into different layers and planes, and use of open interfaces, offers service providers and operators a platform that can evolve in a step-by-step manner to create, deploy and manage innovative services [2].

4. Architecture of NGN
A depiction of the network architecture of NGN can help clarify its structure and components. Figure 2 shows a concept of NGN architecture. In this figure, both the wired and wireless terminals are connected with the backbone transport network through an access plane, and all other planes such as service, transport and access networks are controlled by the control plane. As shown in the figure, the service plane can be unbundled from the underlying transport and access plane with open and standardised interfaces and the NGN can be connected with other networks, including the PSTN, via gateways which allow all types of data to flow seamlessly through different networks [3].

3. NGN Basics

NGN presents some basic requirements widely accepted in technical bodies. To face the explosion of user demand for new services; NGN should support the provision of all kinds of services (e.g. multimedia, data, video, and telephony). These will rely on a wide range of transfer characteristics: real-time and non real time, low to high bit rates, different QOS, point to-point/ multicast/ broadcast/ conversational /conference, and so on. Generalized mobility/nomadicity should be featured by NGN. Interoperability/interworking with legacy networks (PSTN etc) should be provided in order to permit a seamless evolution to NGN. To cope with the wide open and competitive environment, network architecture and functional organization should provide open interfaces where application programming interfaces (APIs) will enable both creation and operation of services. The provision of services is decoupled from networks: that is, service functions are separated from transport functions. Services have to be supported and should have their own evolution independent of network infrastructure. In order to match these requirements, scenarios for NGN have already been proposed. Among these, a number of basic technical characteristics are frequently mentioned. They are not yet seen as mandatory for NGN, but they are being given intense deliberation. They are listed below: Clear separation of control functions from transport functions, both service control functions and network resources control functions. Flexibility and simplification of supported protocol stacks (X/Y as well as Y/X). Generalization of packet-based transport and switching techniques: IP, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and so on. Generalization of high bandwidth in transmission networks: optical infrastructure for core, access (WDM and DWDM a technology, optical crossconnects) and various technologies for the last mile (digital subscriber line, fiber to the home, passive optical networks, etc.).

Fig: 2 Typical representation of NGN architecture

Along with traditional voice and data equipment, the NGN architecture contains converged network equipment types such as Session/Call Controllers (e.g. IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) or Call Agent/SIP Server), Media Gateways, Signaling Gateways, Feature Servers, Application Servers, Media Servers and Management Servers, Provisioning and Billing Interfaces. Core technologies include packet transmission technology, traffic engineering control protocol, technology which guarantees quality of service such as MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching), multi-party telecommunications technology such as real-time multicasting, session control technology, etc. Softswitch: The Softswitch, called also a Session/Call Controller, is one of the core components in NGN in that it controls the various types of applications including voice and other valueadded features. Softswitch is a software-based control device that provides call control interworking between NGN protocols such as MGCP (Media Gateway Control Protocol), SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), H.323 and Traditional telephony protocols such as ISDN, SS7. It also interacts with application servers to supply applications/functions that are not directly hosted on the softswitch. One of the roles of a softswitch is interfacing to the PSTN, which is done
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5. Major Components of a NGN

ICGST-CNIR Journal, Volume (5), Issue (2), October, 2006

by interworking signalling systems. Gateway: A gateway is a network point that acts as an entrance to another network. For interworking with other networks, there are three types of gateways i.e. Trunking Gateway, Access Gateway and Signaling Gateway, which are located in the service providers network [4]. The Application Server is located in the service providers network services that are not directly hosted on the softswitches.

km from the exchange. In this case all that is required is a VDSL DSLM and VDSL CPEvery similar to an ADSL2+ upgrade. It is likely that any incumbents will not deploy VDSL in this way, given the problems of marketing the service to a minority of their customer base. It is very difficult and often impossible for unbundlers to offer VDSL from the street cabinet to the end user. 6.3. Fiber To-The -Premises (FTTP) Fiber to-the-premises is the most extreme option for NGN access network upgrade. Fiber can provide a Gigabit per second connection-more than any residential applications, ever likely to require.FTTP requires new fiber to be installed to replace the copper connections that currently link homes and businesses to the nearest switching Unit ( the local exchange or EPABX system in common parlance). The cost of FTTP is highly dependent on local conditions-new fiber can be deployed to modern urban apartment blocks for a few hundred USD per customer, but in less dense areas the cost can run to thousands of USD per home. Costs are lowered if aerial fiber can use existing poles, or where buried fiber can be pulled through existing ducts, but will always be significantly higher than the costs for a VDSL upgrade in the same circumstances ( by a factor of at least two or three). The only exception is for new housing estates or apartment blocks, where the cost of FTTP need not be materially higher than the cost of installing a new copper access network. FTTP can be mixed with VDSL using copper connections where the higher cost of FTTP is deemed to be uneconomic. Table No.1: indicates the combinations of consumer services that should be supported by different access networks at 1.5 km from the exchange. (Distance from the exchange is a constraint for ADSL services. VDSL services are constrained by the distance from the street cabinet to the home, not the distance to the exchange.FTTP services are not constrained by distance, although the cost of installing the connection is a function of the distance to the exchange) of their customer base. Technolog y Headline speed Internet and one TV Internet and two TVs Internet and one
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6. Recent Developments in Access Technologies

Some of the recent developments of access technologies are important drivers for the development of NGN and will impact the development of broadband services and content. This section provides an insight into the technologies under development today or technologies that are representative of recent market trends but does not provide an exhaustive list of all access technologies. Access network technologies usually refer to networking technologies providing connectivity between the end-user and the transport plane, what is usually called the last mile or local loop. Most recent of these are described below. 6.1. ADSL2 + ADSL2+ is the most popular next step for upgrading a copper access network. Many incumbents have deployed ADSL1 which can be upgraded relatively cheaply to ADSL2+ to provide higher speeds up to range of about 3km. ADSL2+ does not constitute a generational change due to its low upfront costs and the low level of disturbance to existing industry structures. The upgrade from ADSL1 to ADSL2+ requires the existing exchange equipment and the customers premises equipment to be replaced, and may also need additional backhaul capacity from the exchange to the core network. 6.2. VDSL VDSL (Very high speed DSL, often referred to as fiber-to-the-node, FTTN) is a short range service that is aimed at the section of the local loop, from the street cabinet to the home or office. The street cabinet must then be linked back to the exchange with a new connection, generally new fiber, instead of the existing copper links. There are two versions of VDSL at present- VDSL1 is relatively well developed and standardised, whereas the faster VDSL2 is still under development. A fiber-to-the-node VDSL upgrade could cost USD-100- USD-500 per home served: a very wide range that depends on the density of customer and the layout of the existing network.Several European incumbents have indicated that they will continue to experiment with VDSL, but this does not signal any intent to make an early investment. It is possible to offer VDSL without a fiber-to-the-node investment, if it is restricted to homes or businesses that are less than about 1 to 1.5

ADSL1 8 Mbps

ADSL2+ 26Mbps

VDSL1 52Mbps

FTT P Multi Gbps

a a

a a a

a a a

ICGST-CNIR Journal, Volume (5), Issue (2), October, 2006

HD TV Internet and two HD TVs Internet and more than two HD TVs Expected performan ce in real networks within 1.5Km of Exchange

a a a a

6Mbps

12Mbps

20Mbps

Multi Gbps

place. They also need to appraise new networks, applications and services, and to review the regulatory regime to ensure that policy is not an impediment to new applications, services, demands, innovative investments and network developments while safeguarding the long-term interests of users. It is also necessary for policy makers or regulators to monitor market signals carefully, and then tailor the regulatory approach accordingly with a view to encouraging both infrastructure deployment and service competition. The regulatory structure needs to be stable as well, since it is not possible to run a business and create long term investment plans if the business needs to react to unexpected regulatory changes.

8. References

Table No1: Expected performance of various access Technologies Note: = probably inadequate. = inadequate Source: New Street Research. Operators need to have a bullish view on customer requirements before there is a simple case for VDSL rather than ADSL2+. We see no demand based case for consumer FTTP rather than VDSL in the next few years. This implies that operators that have embarked on FTTP are doing so for other reasons (regulatory relief, anti-competitive manoeuvring, especially dense consumer concentrations etc.). Even where a major FTTP programme has been announced it is possible that relatively few areas will actually have FTTP deployed and most areas will be served with VDSL instead. There can be very strong case for FTTP to serve enterprise sites and community sites such as schools and hospitals. Such sites can benefit from fiber speed connections to interconnect their Ethernet LANs, and to support the multiple simultaneous video streams that will, in many cases, be required. However, a programme of FTTP deployment for business sites does not materially improve the economics of residential FTTP in most circumstances.

[1] http:// www.trai.gov.in [2] ITU, NGN 2004 Project description version 3, Published 12 February, 2004. [3] Takashi Hanazawa, Resonant Communication Network Architecture, presented in workshop on NGN, 9-10 July 2003,http://www.itu.int/itudoc/itut/workshop/ngn/1 accessed in January 2004. [4] MEDIACOM 2004 Project Description- Version 3.0, March 2002, http:// www.itu.int/ITUT/studygroups/com16/mediacom2004/index.html [5] Next Generation Networks, An ACA perspective on regulator and policy issues, Australian Communications Authority, May 2003 http://www.aca.gov.au/aca_home/about_aca/ futures_panel/next_gen_networks_persp_ may_2003.pdf

9. Author Biographies
Shri C. Gurudas Nayak received his B.E. in Instrumentation Technology in 1988 and M.S. in Communication Engineering in the year 1996. Ongoing PhD scholar in Communication and Control engineering registered in 2004. He has 17 years of Industrial / Teaching experiences and published 20 papers in International and national Conferences. He is currently working as a Lecturer in M.I.T. Manipal. His research interests include of Communication Networks and Mobile Telephone Systems. K. C. Shet received his B.E. in Electronic and Communication Engineering in 1972, M.Sc. Engg in 1979 and Ph.D in 1989 fromIIT Bombay. He has 33 years of teaching experiences and published 145 papers in International and national Journals and Conferences. He is currently working as a Professor in Department of Computer Engineering, N.I.T.K. Surathkal. His research interests include of Software Testing, Mobile Computing, Wireless Networking and Security of Networks.
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7. Conclusions

The development of NGN will also face a range of challenges and obstacles: it will be dependent on a number of variables as well, such as the evolution in the network hardware, the attractiveness of the new services and applications, the establishment of effective business models, network security, competitive and predictable regulatory frameworks, etc. In the process of this transition towards NGN, there are considerable challenges for policy makers and regulators, and their role will be significant especially in this early stage of NGN deployment. Most of all, in this early stage, a primary interest for policy makers and regulators will be to track carefully the technological and market developments taking