Veraz Networks announced today it is delivering IMS functionality through various modules of its ControlSwitch. The latest release of the softswitch platform, announced May 24, includes added support for the emerging standard, which is expected to a major subject of discussion and product rollouts at SUPERCOMM next week.
“The distributed nature of IMS and the modularity of the software elements -- these are all capabilities that we make available to service providers today,” says Ed Camarena, senior director of product marketing for Veraz Networks.
ControlSwitch Release 6.0, which will be demonstrated at the Chicago trade show, features a new programmable subscriber services management subsystem with common service sets that can be made accessible across any access network and user device via a multiprotocol access signaling mediation tier.
The subscriber services management subsystem is composed of the Subscriber Manager (SM) and Subscriber Data Access Point (SDAP). SDAP processes real-time subscriber related data queries and real-time device registration queries from the Service Execution Element (SSE) and is the functional equivalent to the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) in the 3GPP IMS or User Profile Server Function (UPSF) in ETSI’s TISPAN.
Groups such as ETSI TISPAN, Multiservice Forum, ITU and ATIS are evaluating adoption of the core IMS within their reference architectures to provide mobility and simplify service delivery to any access network.
The Access Signaling Element (ASE) also introduced in release 6.0 represent protocol- specific signaling proxies that enable the dynamic binding of physical resources to processing elements in the system. ASE is the IMS equivalent of the Proxy-Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF).
Camarena says in addition to the new capabilities, existing functions of the ControlSwitch can be mapped to IMS.
“Some in the industry are talking about IMS as being brand new and the way to go,” says Camarena. “What we are trying to say is this is what we are delivering. These architectures are proven and work. This is a true next-generation network platform.
“Some of the vendors are trying to take their legacy architectures and package them in an IMS framework. In reality they will have to re-architect their designs and start from scratch. For us, we are taking advantage of the fact that the industry is rallying around IMS because it’s simple to map our architecture to IMS.”
He cautions service providers to be skeptical of “IMS in a Box” terminology from vendors as contrary to IMS’ emphasis on open standards and modularity.
“There is a lot cynicism to go around with IMS, but I think there is merit,” Camarena says, citing mobility as a key benefit. “Our hope is that the industry rallies around it and drives the industry forward.”
At SUPERCOMM, Veraz will be demonstrating a variety of network and service subscriber solutions that leverage the ControlSwitch and third-party applications including voice over broadband, IP call center, IP Centrex, messaging and prepaid.
