Service control for next-generation applications in wireless IP multimedia networks

The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) has been considered to be exclusive to big players of the telecommunication world. Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) has been standardized by IETF and solutions based on it have been in the market at least for a decade. It is also an essential part of the IMS, as it is the control protocol of IMS. Recent development of the Linux platform and the Open source IMS system has lead to a situation where the IMS is also an affordable solution for smaller telecommunication companies. The obvious question has been whether the level of performance with Open source IMS is really suitable for business usage. ETSI-TISPAN has unified IMS performance measurements by defining a common framework which to follow in measurements. The paper presents comparisons between IMS and SIP based networks in call and messaging performance. the Open IMS solution by the Fraunhover Focus Institute is compared with the OpenSIPS, an open source SIP server. The number of users in our measurements was chosen to be 100 000, a large enough number to be considered as a suitable number of users for small or moderate business usage needs. Our study shows that both of the systems are able to handle this many users and, in the case of OpenSIPS, with a clear margin. It was also discovered that both systems are reliable and are suitable for small and moderate business usage.

IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network peering is a key enabler that will help accelerate deployment of next-generation IMS-based networks. Today's early deployments of dispersed IMS networks require public switched telephone network (PSTN)/public land mobile network (PLMN) bridges for network interconnection between IMS islands. The PSTN/PLMN bridging arrangement is inefficient, however, in that it results in unnecessary settlements for the carriers. It further impedes the implementation of rich multimedia and Voice over IP (VoIP)-related services that require end-to-end Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity. Last, it perpetuates the reliance on the existing PSTN/PLMN network for voice calls among subscribers served by different IMS-based carriers. This paper analyzes in detail the IMS peering challenges from the perspective of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling peering. It discusses issues related to the routing of SIP messages, and addressing, address resolution, and discovery of peering points for IMS signaling peering. It further establishes that a new routing algorithm is needed that will allow signaling peering points to dynamically discover the “best” transit network among others for reaching a destination. In closing, it presents a high-level IMS signaling routing process that includes, among other benefits, support for number portability as a key function for inter-carrier IMS peering.

With the advent of 5G technology, the enhanced Mobile Broadband technology is translating 5G-based Internet of Things (IoT) such as smart home/building into reality. With such advances, security must mitigate greater risks associated with faster and more accessible technology. The 5G-based IoT security analysis is crucial to IoT Technology, which will eventually expand extensively into massive machine-type communications and Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications. This paper analyses the countermeasures and verification methods of eavesdropping vulnerabilities within IoT devices that use the current 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) network system. The network hierarchical structure of 5G-based IoT was evaluated for vulnerability analysis, performed separately for 5G Access Stratum (AS), Non-Access Stratum (NAS), and Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). AS keystream reuse, NAS null-ciphering, and IMS IPsec off vulnerabilities were tested on mobile carrier networks to validate it on the 5G NSA network as well. A countermeasure against each vulnerability was presented, and our Intrusion Detection System based on these countermeasures successfully detected the presented controlled attacks.

As the next generation network NGN core network solution, IMS (IP multimedia subsystem) can support a variety of terminal access method and provide a foundation for the fixed network and mobile network integration. IMS is using the session initiation protocol (SIP) as its core control protocol to establish, manage and terminate multimedia services. IMS provides multimedia communication services based on data, voice and video, it gives users an unprecedented experience. Satellite mobile communication system has become an integral part of the global communication network. It can be seamlessly connected to the global communication network, which provides a strong complement to the ground network coverage. In recent years, the research and implementation of multimedia services through satellite access to the IMS core network has also been concerned. However, the problem of propagation delay of satellite channel has a great influence on the QoS (quality of service) of IMS access. Therefore, the application of IMS streaming media transmission and SIP signaling interaction must also consider the propagation delay of the satellite channel. In this paper, the process of satellite access to IMS and the transmission delay of satellite communication was simulated; the complete IMS voice and video service access and communication process was designed and implemented. In order to solve the problem of the propagation delay of the satellite in the communication process, the session signaling process was optimized.

IP multimedia subsystems (IMS) is using session initiation protocol (SIP) as signalling protocol. SIP is becoming computing intensive and hence the ability of entry and exit proxies to process SIP messages has great impact on the overall performance of the IMS core network. This paper shows that the flow of SIP messages during handover process in the IMS core network complies with the well known central server model. The later is validated via discrete event simulation results. The performance prediction study reveals that S-CSCF is the bottleneck device of the IMS core network processing a large number of SIP messages.

Due to Internet Protocol (IP) is the most important protocol in Next Generation Networks. 3GPP utilizes Session Initial Protocol (SIP) based on IP as the base protocol for negotiating sessions in IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). Different from traditional circuit-switched network, the media traffic and signaling are delivered through IP transport layer in IMS. The media traffic may affect the signaling efficiency in core network because the traffic collisions and delivery packets in best effort. This paper proposes a novel path-migration mechanism for enhancing the traffic efficiency in IMS. The simulation results show that by adopting proposed path-migration mechanism, the interference and traffic collision can be reduced and the signaling efficiency in core network can be improved.

Chapter 16 - The IP Multimedia Subsystem: True Converged Communications

This article describes a novel architecture signaling network so that an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) user, flying in an aircraft, be able to register with his IMS network of origin and have access to personal services and multimedia, through a Wide-Band Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) link. The proposed architecture integrates the Session Initialization Protocol (SIP), the Network Mobility Basic Support (NEMO BS) protocol and the Mobile Internet Protocol (MIPv6) to enable the usage of IMS services by passenger on board an aircraft, as a type of Aeronautical Passenger Communication (APC) services. In this novel architecture, NEMO and MIPv6 protocols are responsible for the mobility management of smartphones and user notebook and the SIP protocol is responsible for the register and the management of sessions of an IMS user. This novel architecture enables an Air Communication Service Provider (ACSP) be able to supply to an on-board passenger (The IMS user) some APC services through an Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). The simulation results indicate the accuracy of the proposed architecture into aeronautical scenarios.

The main stages of the historical development of telecommunication networks are shown. It is noted that today the most common concepts are NGN (Next Generation Network), supporting the functionality of Triple-Play Services (triple services – voice, video and data transmission), as well as IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem), which combines cellular technology and landline communications. They are able to provide a wide range of services: basic, additional, intelligent. In addition, IMS is able to provide mobile services. The IMS architecture layers are presented – transport layer, control layer; layer of service and application servers. Particular attention is paid to the layer of service and application servers. Based on the analysis of ITU recommendations, the main telecommunication services quality indexes are determined, namely, the time of service provision, the length of the queue that the service request falls into to wait for service on the server, and the probability of refusing to provide services. Based on the proposed mathematical models of the NGN intelligent superstructure, analytical expressions are presented for calculating the quality indexes of intelligent services in NGN for one type of service and for K types of services, taking into account the self-similarity of traffic, and without taking into account. To evaluate the quality of services in IMS, it is proposed to use the approaches of queuing theory and tensor analysis. Tensor analysis offers a mathematical apparatus for transforming coordinate systems, considering IMS as a set of geometric objects whose projections are different in different coordinate systems, but the physical properties of the objects themselves do not change. Expressions are proposed that make it possible to calculate the following QoS indexes in IMS: average queue length, average residence time of an application in the system for all types of services in IMS. It is considered that the incoming traffic is the simplest. Further development of the work is to take into account the self-similar nature of traffic, which is created by the flow of requests for services that come to IMS, as well as the limitations of the server buffer, which will allow a more accurate assessment of the quality of services in IMS.

The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is a converged framework for delivering voice, video and data communication services to mobile and fixed users. The present operator-centric IMS model, which assume a single operator for the access network, IMS core and application servers, restricts if and how users can access services beyond the IMS core network. The present IMS model, by limiting the subscribers' choice might be rejected by many end users. User-centric service provisioning should establish the users' control and thus commence the customer interest for IMS. In this paper, we study the problems that a user-centric IMS architecture should address, and broaden the scope of our previously designed, third-party service enabled IMS model [21] by showing its use in user-centric service provisioning. Third-party offered service subscription and session setup procedures are explained with two use cases. The Users' profile management and privacy endurance, possible terminal implications are also discussed in the context of a user-centric IMS model.

IMS (IP multimedia subsystem) is a main trend of development NGN. The base of IMS is an Internet Protocol which initially did not provide support for quality of service. However, for the transmission of multimedia streams is necessary to ensure a given level of quality of service (QoS). Therefore, IMS QoS estimation is a necessary task but a high complexity of network topologies and a large number of information flows makes it difficult to solve this problem. In IMS network, QoS support is provided by the interaction of systems of IMS on control and application planes. This interaction based on the signalling message exchange that also has delay. This paper presents the results to create a nodal tensor model of IMS network for delay analysis. In this model, the main systems of the IMS network such as CSCF (Call Session Control Function), HSS (Home Subscriber Server) etc. are represented as a single-server queuing systems. Model is formed in accordance to the postulates of the tensor analysis of networks. Moreover, proposed model allow estimating the delay time as for the individual routes, and for the whole network. Research of the model allowed determining such distribution of traffic that resulted to the minimum value of the delay that in turn leads to increased QoS of information flows in an IMS network.

A popular application that runs on a Voice-over-IP network is the Interactive Voice Response (IVR), which provides a way for interacting with an end user's phone via a telephony interface by presenting a set of audible menu options, and collecting the user's Dual Tone Multi-Frequency responses as the user presses the telephone numeric keypad, and recording the user's voice. This thesis takes a closer look into IVR systems on an IP-based network, specifically in networks that support the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for controlling the telephony signalling, and more specifically on IVR systems that have their SIP signalling controlled by a SIP Application Server (SIPAS) implementing the SipServlet 1.0 or 1.1 specifications and where a SIP-based Media Server is used to stream IVR media to the end-user. We describe existing ways for supporting an IVR development in a SIP network, and then we propose an alternative way of accomplishing the same task: the IVRObject. With the help of prototypes, the IVRObject is compared with the existing state of the art against three criteria: a) how easy it is to develop, b) how portable the development solution is, c) and how scalable the solution is in order to sustain a high call volume. As a conclusion, it will be highlighted that the IVRObject provides an easy mechanism for development of IVR-based applications running on a SIP AS, that it is portable to different media server vendors, and that it supports a test strategy that can be leveraged to improve software development quality and faster development. This makes the IVRObject a good alternative especially for enterprise-based IVR applications where scalability is less of an issue than in carrier-space applications.

Web 2.0 has been happening on the fixed Internet side for several years already. This phenomenon has forced traditional Telco operators to consider new business models. One of the possible models is to utilize the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture. Using the IMS, Telco operators have more control over the data instead of becoming just bit pipes. In addition, operators interest in providing open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) exposing IMS and network assets has grown. In this paper, a RESTful IMS API implementation, is represented. The design and implementation of the API exposing IMS functionality is shown. In addition, the implementation of a REST application using the API is described.

This letter describes the design and implementation of a prototype application intended to demonstrate how the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) platform could be used to create blended services that help enhance a user's lifestyle. Communication applications (e.g., group instant messaging and voice conferencing) are blended with collaboration services (e.g., shared Web browsing and shared streaming video) and location-based services to create a compelling scenario that makes planning a night out with friends both convenient and fun. Several IMS components and protocols are used to achieve the blending. A seamless user interface is created through the use of an integrated Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) client and a unified graphical user interface (GUI). This prototype, which is being showcased in major tradeshows around the world, is serving as a foundation for planning new features for Lucent Technologies' IMS portfolio.

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defines IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem (IMS) to support IP‐based multimedia services. IMS utilizes protocols such as IP version 6 (IPv6), Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and Real‐time Transport Protocol (RTP) to deliver the multimedia content. This paper proposes an analysis tool referred to as SIPv6 Analyzer to investigate the IMS‐related protocols during IMS service deployment. The SIPv6 Analyzer not only dissects the protocol headers but also provides user‐friendly functions such as message flow generation and audio/video replay for IPv6, SIP, and RTP. We describe the design of the SIPv6 Analyzer and use examples to illustrate how it works. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.