A Whole New Testing Ballgame
Testing IMS and NGNs represents an altogether new challenge: new devices, complex architectures, multiple services, security considerations and more. Here's how service providers can get a jump on it.
TESTING A COMPLEX IMS NETWORK
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The greatest challenge in testing an NGN/IMS network is that there are more network elements, and hence more network interfaces, to cause potential problems.
| LAYER | NETWORK ELEMENTS |
|---|---|
| Service/applications | Application server Home subscriber server Authentication authorization accounting (AAA) server Media resource function (MRF) server Security gateway |
| IMS core | Call session control function (CSCF) Packet data gateway (PDG) SIP server Call server Media gateway IP-PSTN gateway |
| Transport | Interconnection border gateway function (I-BGF) Translation Gateway (trGW) Router |
TOP 5 TESTING DIFFERENCES
NGN/IMS networks are different from traditional TDN networks in five key ways, each of which has a big impact on testing.
Multivendor
More boxes from more vendors means interoperability testing is paramount; in TDM world, single vendor systems ensure interop out of the box.
Multiprotocol
SIP, H.248, Diameter and more all must be tested individually and, on a production network, in combination with one another.
Multiservice
Ultimately, IMS/NGN networks must be tested with live services in place; only then can service assurance be truly guaranteed.
Scale and flexibility
NGN standards are always in flux, resulting in testing challenges; what works with low call volume might break at high levels.
Security and QOS
IP-based networks are inherently insecure (while TDM networks are closed environments); plus, service guarantees must be tested.
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© 2012 Penton Media Inc.
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