Acme Packet Expands Role of Session Border Controller in IMS Networks
Acme Packet (NASDAQ: APKT), the leader in session border control solutions, today announced the availability of two new session border controller (SBC) functions that reinforce its position as a leading enabler of next generation IMS networks. Acme Packet SBCs support 3GPP’s Emergency Call Serving Control Function (E-CSCF) to prioritize and optimally route SIP-based emergency calls to the closest Public Service Answering Point (PSAP) based on location information configured locally or obtained via external query. Diameter-based accounting adds an IMS-compliant call detail record capability to the Acme Packet SBC that supplements existing support for RADIUS and file-based accounting. Both are functions of Acme Packet’s Net-Net OS for Acme Packet’s Net-Net 3000, 4000 and 9000 series hardware platforms.
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Acme Packet SBCs are deployed in over 100 IMS networks around the world. Within the 3GPP IMS architecture, two different types of Acme Packet SBCs – the access SBC and the interconnect SBC – play very important roles in service delivery. The access SBC is deployed at access network aggregation borders and integrates the Proxy-Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) to control the admission and set-up of subscriber sessions, and the Core Border Gateway Function (C-BGF) to control the quality of session transport. The interconnect SBC is deployed at the border to other service provider networks. It integrates three IMS functions – the Interconnect Border Control Function (I-BCF) to control the admission and set-up of sessions traversing between the networks, the Inter-Working Function (IWF) to provide signaling protocol interworking between the SIP-based IMS network and other service provider networks using H.323 or different SIP profiles, and the Interconnect Border Gateway Function (I-BGF) to control the quality of session transport.
“Acme Packet has a history of developing features that pragmatically address the needs of our customers.” said Seamus Hourihan, vice president of marketing and product management for Acme Packet. “As a leading IMS solutions vendor, we are committed to helping service providers implement well-architected and fully-featured IMS networks that will help fuel the growth of their services for years to come.”
Emergency Call Serving Control Function (E-CSCF)
With service providers expanding IMS services to multiple geographies, E-CSCF support has become a critical requirement for local regulatory compliance. The E-CSCF, as defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), is the IMS functional element responsible for routing emergency call requests to the nearest PSAP based on the caller’s location information, as well as other information, such as the type of emergency service being requested. Because emergency calls have several unique characteristics, the E-CSCF offers specialized call control capabilities and works in conjunction with other IMS functions such as the Proxy Call Serving Control Function (P-CSCF), Connectivity Session Location and Repository Function (CLF) and Location Retrieval Function (LRF) to provide immediate and accurate delivery to emergency service centers.
Acme Packet SBCs deployed in local points of presence can perform as both the P-CSCF and E-CSCF to streamline and expedite the delivery of emergency calls to first responders. The approach also reinforces Acme Packet’s smart border architecture, which intelligently distributes the necessary routing and QoS functions required for E-CSCF support, as well as security and other SBC functions, to multiple access borders, while centralizing IMS core functions for maximum efficiency and cost savings. Additionally, Acme Packet’s E-CSCF support delivers the following advantages and capabilities:
* Flexible emergency call prioritization and routing – Acme Packet SBCs intelligently prioritize and route emergency calls based on calling party area code or other information retrieved from IMS location repositories such as the CLF for wireline calls or LRF for wireless calls. Local routing tables can be provisioned through Acme Packet’s Net-Net EMS, XML or dynamically via standard ENUM queries to centralized routing databases.
* Emergency Uniform Resource Name (E-URN) support – SIP calls with embedded E-URNs such as “SOS” are recognized by the Acme Packet SBC as emergency calls, so that callers can access emergency services even when they are unfamiliar with local emergency dial strings (911, 112, etc.) The SBC also recognizes sub-level URNs that specify type of service such as fire, police or ambulance so that the E-CSCF can pinpoint emergency calls to specific types of emergency service centers when multiple types exist within a single calling area.
* Standards-based and interoperable – Acme Packet’s E-CSCF, compliant with 3GPP, ETSI and IETF standards, satisfies mandatory requirements for interoperability with 3rd party IMS functional elements. It also supports the use of industry standard Diameter for E-CSCF originated queries to IMS elements such as the CLF and LRF. Diameter is further utilized in conjunction with external policy servers for IMS resource and admission control to ensure adequate bandwidth allocation and highest priority for all emergency calls.
Diameter accounting
Diameter, an industry-standard protocol used for authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA), is being used by service providers who are deploying IMS-based services. Because of its flexibility, security and reliability, Diameter is the AAA protocol mandated for use by many IMS and TISPAN interface specifications, including several of those supported on Acme Packet’s family of SBCs, multiservice security gateways (MSGs) and session routing proxies (SRPs).
With concurrent support for Diameter and file-based call detail records in Acme Packet’s Net-Net OS, service providers transitioning to IMS-compliant networks can simplify charging functions and reduce costs. Other capabilities and benefits of Acme Packet’s Diameter accounting feature include:
* Reliable delivery and integrity of accounting information – Acme Packet’s Diameter accounting runs over reliable transmission control protocol (TCP) and supports redundant Diameter accounting servers to ensure the delivery of accounting data so that service providers are able to generate consistent and accurate accounting records. Net-Net OS also generates SNMP traps and alarms when an accounting server becomes unavailable, reducing mean-time-to-repair (MTTR) and maximizing serviceability.
* Standards-based and interoperable – Acme Packet’s Diameter accounting implements support for the standard IMS Rf interface for interoperable transport of call detail records (CDRs) between the SBC and the IMS charging collection function (CCF) implemented on Diameter accounting servers. It supports all mandatory, as well as optional Diameter base protocol and 3GPP-specified accounting attributes.
About Acme Packet
Acme Packet, Inc. (NASDAQ: APKT), the leader in session border control solutions, enables the delivery of trusted, first-class interactive communications—voice, video and multimedia sessions—and data services across IP network borders. Our Net-Net family of session border controllers, multiservice security gateways and session routing proxies supports multiple applications in service provider, enterprise and contact center networks—from VoIP trunking to hosted enterprise and residential services to fixed-mobile convergence. They satisfy critical security, service assurance and regulatory requirements in wireline, cable and wireless networks; and support multiple protocols—SIP, H.323, MGCP/NCS, H.248 and RTSP—and multiple border points—service provider access and interconnect, and enterprise access and trunking. Our products have been selected by more than 675 customers in 95 countries. They include 29 of the top 30, and 89 of the top 100 service providers in the world; and 6 of the Fortune 25. For more information, contact us at +1 781.328.4400, or visit http://www.acmepacket.com.