IMS Solution Zones

GENBAND’s rich suite of IMS products for access, interconnect and media adaptation allows mobile and fixed operators alike to transition their networks to IMS. With carrier grade and highly scalable IMS-ready gateways and session border controllers (SBCs) that support multiple IMS functions, GENBAND reduces the number of network elements that the service provider needs to deploy and manage, optimizing their operational and capital expenditures while enhancing their ability to deliver real-time voice, video and multimedia services.

The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is a standardized IP-based architecture that allows the convergence of fixed and mobile communication devices, multiple network types, and multimedia applications. Using IMS, applications can combine real-time interactive IP-based voice, video and multimedia sessions in seamless call sessions, offering significant ease-of-use to subscribers and allowing service providers to drive branding through a common interface, while substantially reducing operating costs.

GENBAND’s IMS product offerings are divided into five “IMS Solution Zones”: “IP Access”, “IP Interconnect”, “Media Services”, “Legacy Migration” and “PSTN Interconnect”.

IP Access and Interconnect Zones
In the IP Access and Interconnect Zones, GENBAND delivers access and interconnect SBC functions, namely the Proxy and Emergency Call and Session Control Function (P/E-CSCF) and Interconnect Border Control Function (I-BCF). GENBAND’s S-Series SBC platforms – including the S9™ Session Border Controller, the highest capacity SBC on the market ¬– provide border security, session management, adaptation and policy control, as well as “any-to-any” connectivity at IMS network edges. These platforms enable service providers to reduce costs, expand markets and provide IMS interworking with the growing volume of IP peering and managed interconnect services like the GSM Association’s IP eXchange (IPX).

The blade-based architecture of the S-Series also allows operators to seamlessly add scale to support new IP-based video and rich communication services. In both access and interconnect networks, the S-Series SBCs integrate with GENBAND’s G9™ Converged Gateway to provide a highly scalable IMS Border Gateway Function (BGF) with all interfaces fully IMS compliant, and with optional transcoding and media adaptation. In addition, GENBAND can support P-CSCF/ I-BCF signaling and BGF media functions on the same S9™ platform or as a decoupled solution with the G9™, providing maximum flexibility for operators.

Benefits:

• Highest scale IMS Access and Interconnect signaling functions on S9 Integrated media optional
• Unmatched Border Gateway function with market- leading G9, including integrated “any to any” voice transcoding and video adaptation
• Field-proven Border Security, Policy Control and Interworking at IP Network Edges with S2™ and S9™ platforms
• Integrated Intelligent Routing and Traffic Management in S9 for maximum cost savings
• “Any-to-any” network connectivity

Media Services Zone
In the Media Services Zone, GENBAND offers transcoding and media adaptation options that enable IMS and other networks to communicate with each other, providing voice adaptation for any-to-any voice transcoding, whether IP to IP, IP to TDM, or fixed to mobile. For all implementations to date, GENBAND surpasses all IP Multimedia Control (IMC) compliance guidelines. Both centralized and edge transcoding options are available using GENBAND’s high scale G9 Converged Gateway for media plane/Media Resource Function Processor (MRFP) features, the C3 Gateway Controller for centralized control plane/Media Resource Function Controller (MRFC) features, and the S-Series SBCs for edge-based control.

Benefits:

• Centralized and edge transcoding options with G9: Centralized transcoding enables CapEx savings, and edge transcoding minimizes latency & backhaul costs
• Hybrid approach also supported: Centralized control-plane elements with distributed user-plane elements
• Independent scaling of control- and user-plane leading to higher functional density & improved costs
• Only solution in the market that can provide simultaneous MRF, BGF and MGW functionality on the same platform
• Virtual Transcoding: Support multiple functions with multiple controllers

Legacy Migration Zone
In the Legacy Migration Zone, GENBAND’s control (S9) and G-Series gateway platforms enable a cost-effective migration path for legacy access equipment like Digital Loop Carriers (DLCs), Access Nodes (ANs) and TDM switch line frames and remotes. By deploying the G6™ Universal Gateway and G2™ Compact Gateway effectively as “Packet Line Gateways”, service providers are able to use their IMS cores to control calls over legacy access equipment.

Benefits:

• Low cost migration path for legacy fixed line switches
• IMS/TISPAN PSTN Emulation Services via GENBAND control and gateway platforms
• Accommodates regulatory and other established service offerings
• Packet Line Gateways connect switch line frames, remotes, and peripherals to packet core
• Migrates all types of legacy access – POTS, PRI, Specials – to IP/IMS control
• Avoids lengthy, high cost replacements of legacy plant
• Unifies fixed, broadband, and mobile voice service offerings and features

PSTN Interconnect Zone
In addition to the IP Access, IP Interconnect, Media Services and Legacy Migration Zones, GENBAND supports a PSTN Interconnect Zone with a rich set of solutions that include PSTN Gateway and Media Gateway Control functions as well as interconnection and migration of legacy TDM switches with the IMS network.

Benefits:

• C3™ Controller and G9 platform inter-work the Packet Core network to existing TDM networks
• Mixed packet-core transport using both ATM and IP
• Extensive support for Fixed, Mobile and Enterprise codecs and TDM interfaces
• Wide range of signaling variants for International Gateway applications
• IMS solution evolution: C3™ MGCF, G9™ IM-MGW
• Operator Investment Protection in legacy devices