Diameter Signaling Router (DSR) Application Handbook

The exclusive guide for orchestrating and interworking services in multi-vendor, multi-technology networks

Improve the performance of your IMS and LTE networks

About Tekelec Tekelec, the broadband data management company, enables billions of people and devices to surf, talk, and text. Our solutions allow service providers to give consumers a consistent and tailored broadband experience. We handle network complexity with a portfolio that manages and capitalizes on the exponential growth in data applications and traffic. Tekelec has more than 25 offices around the world serving customers in more than 100 countries. For more information please call 888.628.5521 or +1.919.460.5500 Visit our web site at www.tekelec.com

The information presented is for demonstration purposes only and is not intended to represent any particular company. Any similarities are purely coincidental. Actual performance results depend on particular network configurations, capacity and other technical requirements.

Table of Contents
Introduction Diameter Signaling Router Overview Use Case 1: Centralized Routing Use Case 2: LTE Roaming Use Case 3: HSS Address Resolution Use Case 4: LTE-to-2G/3G Roaming Use Case 5: Centralized/Integrated Monitoring Use Case 6: PCRF Binding About Tekelec Appendix: Acronyms 3 5 7 10 13 15 17 20 22 23

Introduction Mobile data traffic is skyrocketing, fueled by the introduction of smartphones, laptop dongles, flat-rate plans, social networking and compelling applications like mobile video. And, there is no slowdown in sight. ABI Research (9 August 2009) predicts that by 2014 the mobile data traffic registered per month will equal the total data traffic logged during 2008. Operators have realized that their 3G networks are not equipped to sustain this high level of traffic growth. They are looking to all-Internet protocol (IP) networks such as long term evolution (LTE) and IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) to provide the bandwidth required to support data-hungry devices and applications. The Diameter protocol, using stream control transmission protocol (SCTP) for transport, is used widely in the allIP, service-oriented IMS and LTE architectures. Within the IMS control and service planes, Diameter plays a central role in policy, charging, authentication and mobility management. In the absence of a Diameter signaling
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For example, if an HSS has multiple Diameter core implemented by Diameter relay/proxy agents, front ends, the lack of sufficient congestion endpoints such as mobility management entities (MMEs) control increases the risk of a cascading HSS failure. and home subscriber servers (HSSs) would need to utilize direct signaling connections to each other, forming a Network interconnect: A fully meshed network mesh-like network architecture. They would also need is completely unworkable when dealing with to handle all session-related tasks such as routing, traffic connections to other networks because there management, redundancy and service implementation. is no central interconnect point, which also Initially, implementing an IMS or LTE network without a exposes the operators network topology to signaling core may be sufficient, but as traffic levels swell, other operators and can lead to security breaches. the lack of a capable signaling infrastructure poses a Interoperability testing (IOT): Protocol interworking number of challenges, some of which are already being becomes unmanageable as the number of devices seen today in 3G networks. These include: supplied by multiple vendors increases. With no separate signaling or session framework, IOTs Scalability: Each endpoint must maintain a separate must be performed at every existing node when SCTP association with all of its Diameter peers as well a new node or software load is placed in service. as the status of each, placing a heavy burden on the IOT activities require a considerable amount of endpoints as the number of nodes grows. operator time and resources, with costs increasing Congestion control: Diameter lacks the wellin proportion to the number of tests that must defined congestion control mechanisms found in be performed. other protocols such as signaling system 7 (SS7).

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 Support for both SCTP- and transmission control protocol (TCP)-based implementations: SCTP-based elements cannot communicate with TCP-based elements unless they are upgraded or all of the elements support both protocol stacks.

Diameter Signaling Router Overview

Tekelecs Diameter Signaling Router (DSR) creates a centralized core Diameter signaling layer that relieves LTE and IMS endpoints of routing, traffic management and load balancing tasks and provides Subscriber to HSS mapping: When there are a single interconnect point to other networks. Each multiple HSSs in the network, subscribers may be endpoint only needs one connection to a DSR to homed on different platforms. Therefore, there must gain access to all other Diameter destinations be some function in the network that maps subscriber reachable by the DSR. This approach eliminates identities to HSSs. With no separate Diameter signaling the Diameter/SCTP (or TCP) mesh that is created infrastructure, that task could be handled by the HSS. by having direct signaling connections between This approach wastes HSS and possible MME (or call each network element. Having one or more SCTP session control function [CSCF]) processing, can add hubs that centralize the SCTP connection to all end unnecessary delays, and may even result in the need nodes simplifies interoperability between different for more HSSs than would otherwise be necessary. network elements and enhances network scalability. The resulting architecture, which reduces the cost Policy and charging rules function (PCRF) and complexity of the core network, enables IP binding: When multiple PCRFs are required in the networks to grow incrementally to support increasing network, there must be a way to ensure that all service and traffic demands. It also facilitates network messages associated with a users particular IP monitoring by providing a centralized vantage point connectivity access network (IP-CAN) session are in the signaling network. processed by the same PCRF.
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Benefits Improves signaling performance and scalability by alleviating issues related to the limited signaling capacity of MMEs, HSSs, CSCFs and other Diameter endpoints Simplifies network expansion because routing configuration changes for new endpoints are performed only on the DSR Increases reliability by providing geographic redundancy Provides mediation of Diameter variants to support interoperability between multi-vendor endpoints Creates a gateway to other networks to support roaming, security and topology hiding Reduces provisioning, maintenance and interoperability testing costs associated with adding new network nodes Enables HSS routing flexibility with integrated HSS address resolution function Creates a centralized monitoring and network intelligence data collection point to isolate problems and track key performance indicators (KPIs) Provides network wide PCRF binding to ensure that all messages associated with a users particular IP-CAN session are processed by the same PCRF This handbook explores six use cases that demonstrate the applications and associated benefits of Tekelecs DSR in IMS and LTE networks: Centralized Routing LTE Roaming HSS Address Resolution LTE-to-2G/3G Roaming Centralized/Integrated Monitoring PCRF Binding

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USE CASE 1:
CeNTRAlIzeD ROuTINg

Problem
Operator A, a large mobile operator, deployed an LTE network to increase bandwidth, lower costs and improve performance of data-enabled applications. The operator has experienced significant growth in its subscriber base and needs to expand its network with new MMEs and HSS front ends. The addition of the new resources is presenting a challenge. Diameter protocol, which uses SCTP for transport, interconnects many of the network elements in the operators evolved packet core (EPC). Each Diameter-based element must have a direct SCTP association with every element to which it is connected, creating a logical mesh network. As a result, the addition of new resources requires configuration and routing updates at each and every network element.

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Foreign LTE Domain vMME vPCRF SS7

Foreign GPRS Domain

vSGSN
Diameter Agent

Diameter Agent

vS4-SGSN

DSR

IP-SM-GW AF

OFCF OCF ABMF MME PCRF RF Home LTE/IMS Domain P-CSCF I/S-CSCF

FIguRe 1. Centralized Routing

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Solution
With Tekelecs DSR, Operator A can decrease the cost and complexity of its core LTE network. The DSR serves as a Diameter relay, thereby reducing the number of SCTP associations in the network and offloading Diameter routing tables and routing-status maintenance from the end nodes. The MMEs connect to a mated pair of DSRs, which interface to the HSS front ends and to other networks. When Operator F deploys new MMEs or HSS front ends, routing updates are required only at the DSR.

Benefits:
Reduces the complexity and improves the scalability of the core LTE network Lowers OPEX by simplifying provisioning and updates Creates a more flexible architecture

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USE CASE 2:
lTe ROAmINg

Problem
Operator B, a global operator, has encountered a problem when its LTE subscribers roam into foreign LTE networks. Because the LTE network has no core routing layer, there is no centralized interoperability point from which to manage the handoffs to other networks, and the endpoints must take on all traffic and routing management tasks. This set-up not only burdens the endpoints, but also creates potential security threats. Because there is no network demarcation point, the operator has no way to hide its topology or effectively secure the network.

Solution
By deploying Tekelecs DSR, Operator B can create a single interconnect point to other networks. The DSR consolidates all incoming and outgoing network traffic and handles the management tasks associated with roaming handoffs. As the first point of contact at the networks edge, the DSR provides a centralized vantage point from which the operator can defend against potential overloads or attacks.

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MME

Operator_2 DSR DSR MME

HSS FE

HSS FE

HSS FE

HSS FE

Operator_3

HSS FE

HSS FE

HSS FE

HSS FE
DSR MME

Operator_N

DSR

DSR
Roaming Hub Provider DSR MME

Operator_N+1

MME FIguRe 2. lTe Roaming

MME

MME

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Benefits
Increases network security and hides network topology Simplifies routing and interconnection to other networks

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USE CASE 3
HSS ADDReSS ReSOluTION

Problem
Operator C plans to deploy new HSSs in its LTE network but has encountered an issue. With the addition of new HSSs, the operators subscribers will be homed on different platforms. Unlike IMS, there is no subscription locator function (SLF) in the LTE architecture that maps subscribers to HSSs. As a result, Operator C must find a cost-effective solution to provide and maintain those associations.

Solution
The DSR centralizes routing data and provides the mapping between a subscriber identity (e.g., MSISDN, IMSI) and an HSS. This flexibility enables Operator C to easily move subscribers from one HSS to another. With the DSR, subscriber number ranges can be split over different HSSs and individual subscriber numbers can be assigned to any HSS.

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Benefits
Simplifies HSS provisioning by centralizing routing data Enables dynamic updates as new HSS are placed in service

MME

DSR

FIguRe 3. HSS Address Resolution

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USE CASE 4
lTe-TO-2g/3g ROAmINg

Problem
Operator D deployed an LTE network and provided its subscribers with multi-mode handsets. Since many of its roaming partners have not deployed LTE, Operator Ds subscribers are encountering problems when they roam in 2G/3G networks because of the disparity in protocols used to manage mobility. Mobile application part (MAP) protocol is used in 2G/3G networks as the interface between nodes such as serving GPRS support nodes (SGSNs) and home location registers (HLRs) for mobility management and authentication. In LTE, MAP has been replaced with the Diameter protocol. To support seamless roaming and handoffs between LTE and 2G/3G networks, Operator D needs a function to interwork the two protocols.

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Solution
The DSR, serving as a gateway to other networks, provides the Diameter/MAP interworking function to enable seamless subscriber roaming. Along with message mapping, the DSR provides mapping between SS7 addresses/point codes and diameter node IDs. This allows Operator D to support seamless roaming and handoff between LTE and 2G/3G networks.

DSR
MAP Update Location Diameter Update Location

Benefits
Simplifies network migration to LTE Supports seamless 2G/3G roaming

SS7

IP

vSGSN

FIguRe 4. lTe - to - 2g/3g Roaming

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USE CASE 5
CeNTRAlIzeD/INTegRATeD mONITORINg

Problem
After launching an LTE network, Operator E has discovered that the shift from delivering lowbandwidth voice services to advanced data applications has dramatically heightened the complexity of network management. Tracking which subscribers use the network and what services they are accessing is much more complicated than in the circuit-switched domain. The operators legacy monitoring system does not have the flexibility to provide real-time subscriber and service data or the end-to-end transaction visibility required to pinpoint anomalies and understand the customer experience.

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PCRF IMS AAA Server S6 SWx SWx,SWa,SWm S13 EIR SWm ePDG S2 S6d S3 S10 MME Gx,Rx,S9 Rx,Cx,Dx,Sh,S9 IP Networks SGi S6a,S13 Sv, SGs Gy, Gz, Gx MSC
PDN GW

Diameter signaling User data path Control plane only Probe based interfaces

DSR

Gy Gz

S11 Serving GW S4 S1-C S12 S1-U

PLMNS S5

S16 SWa S4 SGSN Gb WLAN Iu GPRS/EDGE

S8

GRX/IPX

LTE
3G/UMTS eNodeB X2 eNodeB

FIguRe 5. Centralized/Integrated monitoring 18 | Diameter Signaling Router Application Handbook

Solution
Because Tekelecs DSR consolidates incoming and outgoing Diameter signaling traffic, it provides the perfect vantage point from which Operator E can collect network traffic and subscriber data for troubleshooting, managing traffic, roamers, services and revenue. By coupling the DSR with Tekelecs Performance Intelligence Center (PIC) the operator has a complete multiprotocol, network-wide monitoring solution that collects and filters real-time network, service and subscriber data and converts it into useful business intelligence. The tight integration between the DSR and PIC simplifies provisioning and system use. Any modifications made to the DSR, such as the addition of new endpoints, automatically flow through and are configured in the PIC.

Benefits
Improves quality of experience (QoE) and QoS Prevents fraud and revenue loss Provides a single platform for collecting data from virtually every network type, including: VoIP, UMTS/ WCDMA, WiMAX/LTE, GPRS, Internet, GSM and TDM Supplies real-time and historical network data usage that can be used for trending, tracking, tracing, surveillance and performance management

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USE CASE 6
PCRF BINDINg

Problem
Operator F is planning to deploy multiple policy and charging rules function (PCRF) elements in its network for scalability reasons. Operator F needs a way to balance the assignments of user IP connectivity access network (IP-CAN) sessions to PCRFs and to make sure subsequent messages are handled by the same PCRF. These messages can arrive on different interfaces (for example Gx and Rx) and may be identified by different elements, such as IMSI and IP address.

Solution
The Tekelec DSR provides the diameter routing agent (DRA) proxy function defined for policy by 3GPP. It supports static binding or dynamic load sharing across PCRFs when IP-CAN sessions are first established. The DSR will ensure that subsequent messages over the Gx, S9, Gxx or Rx reference points are sent to the same PCRF. Additionally, the DSR will extend this functionality across multiple DSRs in Operator Fs network, which communicate with each other to act like a single, logical DRA.

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PCRF Region1
P-CSCF Gx.Gxx

MME
S6 S6

DSR
PGW/HSGW Rx

DSR

DRA
Gateway DSR

DRMA
Gx.Gxx PGW/HSGW

IPX DSR DRA DSR

S6 S6

Rx P-CSCF

To/From Other Networks

PCRF MME

Region 2 FIguRe 6. PCRF Binding

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Benefits
Enables PCRF scalability Solves network-wide PCRF binding problem Can be integrated with other, non-policy proxies and core and/or edge relay agents

About Tekelec
Tekelec, the broadband data management company, enables billions of people and devices to surf, talk, and text. Our solutions allow service providers to give consumers a consistent and tailored broadband experience. We handle network complexity with a portfolio that manages and capitalizes on the exponential growth in data applications and traffic. Tekelec has more than 25 offices around the world serving customers in more than 100 countries.

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Appendix: Acronyms used in this document 3GPP CSCF DRA DSR EIR ENUM EPC GPRS GSM HLR HSS IMS IMSI IOT IP LTE MAP Third Generation Partnership Project Call session control function Diameter routing agent Diameter signaling router Equipment identity register E164 number mapping Evolved packet core General packet radio service Global system for mobile communications Home location register Home subscriber server Internet protocol multimedia subsystem International mobile subscriber identity Interoperability testing Internet protocol Long term evolution Mobile application part MME MSISDN PCRF PIC QoE QoS RAN S-CSCF SGSN SLF SCTP SSR TCP TDM UMTS WCDMA WiMAX Mobility management entity Mobile subscriber integrated services digital network Policy and charging rules function Performance Intelligence Center Quality of experience Quality of service Radio access network Serving call session control function Serving GPRS support node Subscription locator function Stream control transmission protocol SIP signaling router Transmission control protocol Time division multiplexing Universal mobile telecommunications system Wideband code division multiple access Worldwide interoperability for microwave access

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