Acme Packet Net-Net SIP Overview Net-Net SIP (SMX) combines IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) session management with leading session border control (SBC) functions to reduce the complexity and cost of delivering high-value, revenue generating SIP multimedia services. Net-Net SMX can be used to deliver a broad range of SIP-based services including consumer or business voice (over fixed line, 3G, 4G/LTE or Wi-Fi), Rich Communication Suite (RCS and RCS-e), video chat and hosted unified communications services. Net-Net SMX is a straightforward and cost-effective alternative to deploying an expensive, fully decomposed IMS infrastructure and delivers on the key benefits of IMS including: Centralized subscriber database for all services Unified core network independent of access technologies Faster deployment of new services based on standardized interfaces New multimedia communications services, such as video chat, presence, messaging and videoconferencing Net-Net SMX minimizes up-front cost and risk while providing a fullystandards-based IMS architecture that also leverages the rich features and functions of Acme Packet s Access SBC to create an integrated, IMS service delivery solution. The solution reduces the cost of IMS infrastructure to approximately one to four dollars per subscriber. Net-Net SMX scales to support initial service roll-outs or small subscriber populations as well as subscriber populations serviced by the world s largest fixed line and mobile service providers. Compared to a decomposed IMS architecture, Net-Net SMX simplifies the network architecture resulting in lower capital and operating expenditures. New SIP communication services can be deployed with three primary components: Net-Net SMX, a subscriber database, and one or multiple application servers. With fewer systems, Net-Net SMX streamlines the signaling model and is easier to operate, maintain and troubleshoot. With this simplification, Net-Net SMX accelerates the time-to-market for delivering SIP multimedia services over mobile and fixed line networks. Acme Packet Edge Integrated solution combines IMS & industry-leading SBC functions Cost effective & scalable to address initial service offers up to the largest IMS deployments Established, recognized leader in IMS deployments Applications Consumer & business VoIP RCS/RCS-e VoLTE Video chat Cloud multimedia communications Voice over Wi-Fi Key Features Access session border controller SIP Registrar IMS session management (P-CSCF, I-CSCF, S-CSCF) Core session routing BGCF Integrated SRVCC functions ATCF & ATGW Standard IMS interfaces to subscriber databases, policy enforcement, charging & interconnects Benefits Reduces complexity & cost of delivering SIP multimedia services Accelerates deployment Common service delivery platform for fixed & mobile networks
The Acme Packet Edge Low Cost, Integrated, IMS Service Delivery Solution Acme Packet s Net-Net SMX builds upon the Net-Net Session Director SBC which incorporates multiple IMS functions Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF), Emergency Call Session Control Function (E-CSCF), IMS Access Gateway (IMS-AGW) as well as an industry-leading SIP signaling firewall. Because many IMS networks already feature Access SBCs, service providers can leverage Net-Net SMX to augment existing access controls with powerful IMS session management functions at a fraction of the cost required to deploy those functions in separate network elements. Net-Net SMX features a comprehensive set of functions and standard IMS interfaces to create a fully-integrated and fully 3GPPcompliant CSCF core, including: SIP registrar Application server coordination External interconnect interfaces Multiple subscriber database query options for authentication, authorization, location update and lookup Integrated core session routing for SIP session Net-Net SMX IMS access & session management Scalable Solution Net-Net SMX is supported on Acme Packet s Net-Net 3820 and 4500 platforms, offering IMS service providers a flexible combination of session capacity options in addition to advanced hardware acceleration for processor-intensive media control functions such as encryption, QoS monitoring and transcoding. The Net-Net 3820 and 4500 also meet all of the availability and manageability requirements of service providers. Starting with 20,000 subscribers, Net-Net SMX can scale up to 250,000 subscribers per system. The Net-Net SMX solution can easily evolve to support larger scale IMS deployments by creating a Net-Net SMX cluster using the Net-Net Session-aware Load Balancer to increase subscriber capacity up to two million subscribers per cluster. A large-scale network can be built with multiple, distributed Net-Net SMX clusters providing non-disruptive, linear growth with the added benefit of geographic redundancy. IMS session management scalability can also be achieved by adding dedicated BGCF functions with the Net-Net Session Router to off-load core session routing from the CSCF.
Flexible Subscriber Database Options Net-Net SMX supports three centralized subscriber database deployment options: two external and also a local on-board subscriber table. Using the Cx Diameter interface on Net-Net SMX, Home Subscriber Server (HSS) elements can be queried for network operation procedures such as subscriber authentication, service orchestration rules (i.e. initial filter criteria) and serving CSCF assignment and lookup. As an alternative to a HSS, Net-Net SMX supports an interface to an ENUMbased server database for both subscriber and routing information. Similar to Acme Packet s local routing table, Net-Net SMX also can provide a local subscriber table for subscriber credentials. The multitude of options provides flexibility for service providers looking to balance cost, capacity and migration preferences. Industry-Leading Net-Net SBC Functions and Features Based on the on the industryleading Acme Packet Net-Net OS, the Net-Net SMX solution supports all SIP session control functions (signaling, media and policy) and features in the areas of security, interoperability, SLA assurance, revenue protection and regulatory compliance. Key functions and features for each functional area are listed in the table below: Functional Area Net-SAFE security Interoperability SLA assurance Revenue protection Regulatory compliance SBC Function/Feature Dynamic & static access controls Infrastructure topology hiding Self-protection against signaling overloads & DDoS attacks Protection of IMS core from registration overloads & attacks Media & signaling validation to prevent service theft & fraud IPsec, TLS & SRTP encryption for privacy & confidentiality SIP signaling protocol interworking & mediation SIP/SIP-I/SIP-T interworking SIP IPv6-IPv4 interworking NAT traversal & IP address mediation Signaling & dial plan normalization DTMF extraction Transcoding/transrating Check-pointing of signaling, media, configuration for nonstop availability Define & enforce QoS marking/mapping Traffic & session prioritization QoS monitoring, accounting & reporting Admission controls to maximize service infrastructure availability Policy enforcement to assure bandwidth availability Session reroute around upstream outages Flexible routing SIP loading balancing Standards-based AAA (ENUM, DNS, Diameter, RADIUS, etc.) Protocol interworking to simplify core network traffic Dynamic bandwidth monitoring & control Prioritization & routing of emergency calls (E-CSCF) Lawful intercept
Complete IMS Session Management Net-Net SMX is a complete access SBC that also integrates a comprehensive set of IMS-compliant functions and interfaces as shown in the below tables: IMS Function Description Function(s) P-CSCF Proxy Call Session Control Function Access signaling controls at IMS entry point for user equipment (UE) I-CSCF Interrogating Call Session Control Function Core routing proxy, determines S-CSCF for registration S-CSCF Serving Call Session Control Function Core session control proxy & registrar E-CSCF Emergency Call Session Control Function Routing & prioritization of emergency calls IMS-AGW Access Gateway Media relay between access & core networks ATGW Access Transfer Gateway Media relay to Mobile Switching Center for 3G handover ATCF Access Transfer Control Function Signaling transfer point for handoff to 3G network BGCF Breakout Gateway Control Function Core session routing within the IMS networks & to external interconnect border IMS Interface Description Function(s) Cx Interface to ENUM or HSS database Diameter authentication, authorization, location update & lookup Rx/Rq Interface to PCRF & RACS Diameter policy & charging control Rf Interface to OCS Diameter charging control e2/ml Interface to NASS/CLF/LRF Diameter interface for retrieving location information Gm Interface to SIP endpoint SIP interface for registration & session establishment Mx Interface to I-BCF SIP interface for interconnect with other IMS networks ISC Interface to AS SIP interface from S-CSCF to application server for service orchestration Mi Interface to BGCF SIP interface for signaling to PSTN or other IMS networks Mj/Mg Interface to MGCF SIP interface for sending signaling to PSTN
Management Net-Net SMX can be managed using any combination of Acme Packet s Net-Net Central management platform and powerful command line interface (CLI). Net-Net Central delivers highlyscalable configuration and fault, performance and security management for Net-Net SMX. Its flexible high-availability architecture accommodates small to very large networks and provides extensibility for hosting advanced management applications and services. Through multiple dashboard and configuration views, Net-Net Central facilitates flow-through provisioning, capacity planning and comprehensive performance and fault-monitoring with at-a-glance status indicators that simplify realtime network-wide management. Through standard interfaces including SNMP, SFTP, XML and SOAP, Net-Net Central also integrates with OSS/BSS ecosystems to deliver advanced service fulfillment, service assurance, billing and mediation. Net-Net Central s Route Manager application centralizes and automates the management and distribution of local route tables to the BGCF function of Net-Net SMX. Secure File Transfer Protocol is supported for updating of local route tables via XML. Net-Net SMX also supports RADIUS accounting and SFTP for transfer of locally-stored accounting and call detail records, as well as SNMP and syslog for monitoring. 2012 Acme Packet, Inc. All rights reserved. Acme Packet, Session-Aware Networking, Net-Net and related marks are trademarks of Acme Packet. All other brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. The content in this document is for informational purposes only and is subject to change by Acme Packet without notice. While reasonable efforts have been made in the preparation of this publication to assure its accuracy, Acme Packet assumes no liability resulting from technical or editorial errors or omissions, or for any damages resulting from the use of this information. Unless specifically included in a written agreement with Acme Packet, Acme Packet has no obligation to develop or deliver any future release or upgrade or any feature, enhancement or function. 100 Crosby Drive Bedford, MA 01730 USA t +1 781.328.4400 f +1 781.275.8800 www.acmepacket.com