SIP Signaling Router

Application Handbook
The exclusive guide for solving next-gen
network challenges with SIP

www.tekelec.com | 1
Upgrade Your Next-Gen Network Today
The intent of this handbook is to provide operators with a useful reference guide for
how they can use a SIP Signaling Router (SSR) to solve many of their next-generation
network challenges.
Found at the heart of most global networks, Tekelec’s market-leading, mission-critical,
high-performance network solutions enable the secure and instant delivery of calls
and text messages for more than one billion mobile and fixed-line subscribers. The
company’s signaling and session management solutions allow telecom operators to
manage diverse applications, devices, technologies and protocols, across existing and
evolving networks, to meet the demands of today’s consumer. Tekelec ensures telecom
operators have a clear migration path to SIP-based IP networks, and whatever comes
next, with the flexibility to deploy solutions at a pace dictated by their business needs.
For more information please call
888.628.5521 or +1.919.460.5500
Visit our web site at www.tekelec.com

The information presented is for demonstration purposes only and is not intended to represent any particular
company. Any similarities are purely coincidental. Actual performance results depend on particular network
configurations, capacity and other technical requirements.
Table of Contents Introduction
Introduction 3 The benefits of next-generation, voice over Internet
protocol (VoIP) networks are compelling for operators
The Challenge 4 worldwide. Deployments cut across all types of telecom
operators – from the largest incumbents to the smallest
SIP Signaling Router 4
regional players. Providers see VoIP and session initiation
Use Case 1: Enhanced Application Server Selection 5 protocol (SIP)-based services as an opportunity to cut
their operating expenses and boost their bottom line
Use Case 2: SIP Trunking 9 with new revenue. Delivering VoIP and SIP services to
consumer and enterprise customers enables providers
Use Case 3: SIP Number Portability 14
to expand their subscriber base. And, SIP facilitates the
Use Case 4: Centralized SIP Routing 18 interworking of real-time applications with voice and
video to create new, multimedia services.
Use Case 5: Specialized SIP Proxy 22
However, as VoIP and SIP traffic and applications grow, so
Summary 26 do the requirements placed on the network to support
them. Many operators are discovering that their current
About Tekelec 27 next-generation networks (NGNs) are based on an out-
dated, voice-centric, softswitch architecture, which does
Appendix-1: Acronyms 27
not support multimedia services, access independence,
backward network compatibility or network growth.

www.tekelec.com | 3
The Challenge
Unlike signaling system 7 (SS7) and Internet protocol endpoints of session management duties. The resulting
multimedia subsystem (IMS) networks, which are architecture allows the NGN to grow systematically
hierarchical, there is no separate signaling and session in response to increasing demand for VoIP and
control layer at the core of the NGN. From a signaling multimedia services.
perspective, each NGN network element must handle The SSR solution is based on 3rd Generation Partnership
all application-layer related tasks such as routing, traffic Project (3GPP) specifications and offers adaptations for
management, redundancy and service implementation. interworking with non-3GPP-compliant IP environments.
All possible routes must be defined at each node, It provides seamless interworking and creates an
creating a logical, mesh-network routing architecture. evolution path to future technologies such as IMS,
Expanding the NGN without a framework that offloads long term evolution (LTE) and WiMAX.
session and signaling tasks from the edge elements is
complex and costly. This handbook explores five use cases that demonstrate
the applications and associated benefits of deploying
SIP Signaling Router Tekelec’s SSR in NGN networks. They include:
Tekelec’s SIP Signaling Router (SSR) solution, a SIP • Enhanced application server selection
proxy with enhanced routing capabilities, creates a • SIP trunking
signaling and session control framework for NGNs by • SIP number portability
implementing SIP routing functionality in the core • Centralized SIP routing
network. The SSR enhances routing capabilities and • Specialized SIP proxy
increases service and network flexibility by relieving

4 | SSR Application Handbook

USe CaSe 1:
eNHaNCeD aPPlICaTIoN SeRVeR SeleCTIoN Address = Hosting Subscriber
voipsvc.CompanyA.com VoIP AS A through Z

Problem:
The operator, Company A, provides VoIP services to small
enterprise customers, using a SIP enterprise application
server (AS) and SIP phones. The SIP AS provides voice
features such as “find-me, follow-me” and simultaneous
Company A IP Network
ring. Each subscriber must be identified and registered
on the SIP AS platform. Prior to shipping, Company A
configures each SIP phone with the address of the SIP
AS, which is “voipsvc.CompanyA.com.” The SIP phone
uses this address for registration and to make voice calls.

voipsvc.CompanyA.com voipsvc.CompanyA.com voipsvc.CompanyA.com

voipsvc.CompanyA.com voipsvc.CompanyA.com voipsvc.CompanyA.com

Figure 1: Subscribers are identified and registered on the SIP aS platform.

www.tekelec.com | 5
 voipsvc1.CompanyA.com voipsvc3.CompanyA.com
voipsvc2.CompanyA.com voipsvc4.CompanyA.com
Company A has developed a solid reputation for its
service quality, and its subscriber numbers have grown
significantly. To support current and future growth, Sub A-F Sub G-M Sub N-S Sub T-Z
the company deploys three additional application
servers, each with its own address. Subscribers are
now distributed among four application servers.

Company A IP Network

Figure 2: How can Company a easily map subscribers to the application servers?

6 | SSR Application Handbook

This new configuration poses a number of problems. Solution:
With four application servers in the network, how does Company A deploys the SSR solution in its network to
the SIP phone know which AS to request? And, since shield the endpoints from changes in the physical
the SIP AS address is configured on the SIP phone, network. Through a process called “abstraction,” the
each time a customer is assigned to another application phones are decoupled from direct knowledge of the
server, the address programmed on the SIP phone must complex and changing network. The SIP phones just
be reconfigured. have to be configured with a single abstract address –
From a technical perspective, the problem is the result “voipsvc.CompanyA.com.” Endpoints send requests to
of a “tight” coupling between the SIP endpoints – the SIP the SSR, which resolves the “voipsvc.CompanyA.com”
phones – and the SIP AS. Any changes to the physical address to the appropriate SIP AS platform and routes
network, such as adding a new application server, have a the request to that platform.
direct impact on the way the SIP phones access a service. Since the endpoint only deals with an “abstract view”
As a result, complex provisioning is increasing operational of the network, it is not impacted by changes in the
costs, and quality of service is being impacted by service physical network such as adding a new application
disruptions due to provisioning errors. Company A needs server. Regardless of changes in the SIP AS topology,
a solution that will allow the company to: the address on the SIP phone remains the same, and
• Manage growth without sacrificing quality of service. no reconfiguration is necessary.
• Make changes to its application server assignments
without reconfiguring the phones that are already
in service.

www.tekelec.com | 7
Benefits: voipsvc1.CompanyA.com voipsvc3.CompanyA.com
voipsvc2.CompanyA.com voipsvc4.CompanyA.com
By deploying the SSR solution, Company A:
• Creates a fl exible architecture free of endpoint
Sub A-F Sub G-M Sub N-S Sub T-Z
constraints.
• Saves capital costs by simplifying subscriber
Forward the request
management and maximizing the efficiency to correct AS platform Consult internal routing
policy — A number
of application servers through load sharing where Nick is assigned
directed routing
and flexible subscriber management.
• Can explore diff erent business models such SSR
as using third-party, hosted services.
• Creates a foundation for multimedia services. Request to “voipsvc.CompanyA.com”

Nick

Figure 3: endpoints are shielded from changes in the physical network.

8 | SSR Application Handbook

 Local Network
USe CaSe 2:
3
SIP TRuNKING
Local Network Local Network
Problem: 2 4
Company B is a long-distance (LD) operator that
provides service to local phone companies. The
company has a number of points of presence (POPs) POP POP POP
conveniently located near the networks it serves. The Company B
local phone companies provide service to enterprise
customers via primary rate interfaces (PRIs) to private POP
branch exchanges (PBXs). PBX

Local Network
1
PBX

Figure 4: Company b provides service to local phone companies.

www.tekelec.com | 9
With deregulation, Company B decides to enter the local The company could implement a softswitch-based
service market and offer fixed-line services directly to solution, but that alternative has a number of
enterprise customers. Company B can deliver substantial disadvantages. Since it is based on a “per connection”
savings by cutting out the “middle men,” the local phone cost model, the approach can become costly very
companies. With SIP trunking, Company B can enable quickly. The softswitch-based model is voice centric
business customers with IP PBXs to use their Internet and may not be suited to delivering multimedia services.
connection to provide “off-net” service. In addition to Softswitch implementations usually are deployed with
voice services, Company B wants to create a foundation the switch vendor’s choice of application server, so it is
for delivering multimedia services to its enterprise difficult to gain the economy of a “best-of-breed” solution.
customers in the future.

Company B faces several challenges and needs a solution

that will enable the company to:
• Provide enterprise voice service immediately while
laying the foundation for future multimedia SIP
services.
• Maintain low start-up cost without compromising
the long-term plan.

10 | SSR Application Handbook

 Local Network Local Network Local Network
2 3 4

POP POP POP

Company B SIP Trunking directly

from Enterprise to
Company B
POP

Local Network IP PBX

1

Figure 5: SIP trunking enables enterprise customers

to use their Internet connection for “off-net” services.
IP PBX

www.tekelec.com | 11
Solution:
By implementing Tekelec’s SSR solution, Company B can In the process, the company also creates a framework
use a session-based approach, which balances cost and that is based on Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
flexibility. The SSR creates a SIP signaling and session and 3GPP standards for the delivery of multimedia
control layer that routes on-net calls (IP PBX to IP PBX) services. The solution enables Company B to create a
over the VoIP network, off-net local calls (IP PBX to local volume-based cost structure and reduces costs by
numbers), and off-net long-distance calls (IP PBX to allowing the company to select “best-of-breed”
long-distance numbers). A public switched telephone application servers.
network (PSTN) gateway handles IP PBX to PSTN calls.

12 | SSR Application Handbook

 Local Network
Benefits: 3
With the SSR solution, Company B can compete Local Network Local Network
with local telephone companies by offering 2 4
SIP trunking to enterprise customers. The
company receives additional benefits that include:
POP POP POP
• Laying the foundation for multimedia services.
• Saving money by maximizing the capacity of Easily add
best-of-breed
application servers through load sharing and PSTN SIP AS for
GW
SSR
flexible subscriber management. new services
• Creating a SIP peering point to interconnect SIP AS
with other VoIP providers. POP
IP PBX

Local Network
1 IP PBX

Figure 6: SSR creates a SIP signaling and session layer to route on- and off-net calls.

www.tekelec.com | 13
Use Case 3:
SIP Number Portability
Problem:
Company C, a long distance operator, entered the local number portability solution to route calls to the correct
calling service market by deploying Tekelec’s SSR solution network. However, to do so, there must be adequate
to build a SIP trunking infrastructure. Company C is an intelligent network capacity to handle the increased
operator in the call routing sequence immediately prior traffic, and the terminating network must be TDM. If the
to the terminating operator. So, it’s customary for terminating number is an IP PBX or belongs to another
Company C to perform number portability, or NP service, VoIP provider, the call must be shuttled from VoIP to TDM
for VoIP calls from their SIP trunking service. The company and back to VoIP again. Running pure VoIP calls over the
could simply “dump” calls onto the PSTN gateway and TDM network to perform NP wastes capacity on the PSTN
use its existing time division multiplexing (TDM)-based, gateway and degrades voice quality.

14 | SSR Application Handbook

Local Network Local Network Local Network
2 3 4

919-460-5500
Ported in
from NW2
POP POP POP 919-460-5500

VoIP
PSTN Operator
GW
SSR

NP
DB POP
IP PBX

Local Network
1
IP PBX

Figure 7: Calls destined for a VoIP provider or IP PbX must be routed over the TDm network.

www.tekelec.com | 15
Solution:
Company C could replicate an NP solution in its SIP • Number portability corrected redirect server: The
domain, but that is an expensive approach. A more originating UA sends a request to the SSR, which
cost-effective and efficient method is to make the performs the NP function to determine the end-
TDM-NP solution available to the SIP network. The point destination. The SSR then sends a SIP redirect
TDM-NP database can be accessed using the SSR’s SS7 message to the UA that instructs the UA to forward
access feature. This capability allows the SSR to augment the request to the appropriate destination.
its routing capabilities with data from the SS7 domain. • Number portability corrected forwarding application
The SSR provides NP services to the SIP domain in one server: After receiving a request from the originating
of three ways: UA, the SSR performs the NP processing to locate
• Number portability corrected forwarding proxy: The the called number. It modifies the request with the
SSR receives a request from an originating user agent destination information and sends it back to the
(UA) such as an IP PBX. The SSR performs the NP originating UA. The UA then proxies the call to the
function and then forwards the request to the appropriate SIP endpoint.
appropriate SIP endpoint for call completion.

16 | SSR Application Handbook

Benefits:
• Since NP is deployed through a standard SIP TDM Domain
framework, the approach can be used in the
next-gen network as well as a future IMS network.
AIN/INAP
• End-to-end media transparency is maintained, so TDM NP
Device DB
the NP solution can be applied to voice service
AND any other type of multimedia service such as a
video or IPTV. AIN/INAP
• The SS7-access feature used for the NP application also
supports access to other SS7-based applications like
toll-free and message-waiting indicator as well as HLR SIP SIP
mobility information for wireless operators.
SSR
SIP SIP
Device Media Transparency Device

SIP Domain

Figure 8: SSR accesses TDM-NP database using SS7 access feature.

www.tekelec.com | 17
 Company D Network
USe CaSe 4: TDM Client TDM Client
CeNTRalIZeD SIP RouTING
POP SS SS POP

Problem:
TDM Client TDM Client
Company D, a Southeast Asia hub provider, offers Voice
voice transit and signaling services to fixed-line POP SS
Text SS POP
and mobile operators. The company deployed
softswitch technology to take advantage of lower TDM Client Multimedia
TDM Client
IP transport costs. Softswitches, which serve as
POPs, are installed throughout Southeast Asia POP SS
SS POP
in a fully meshed framework. Every switch
must be defined in the translation table of
TDM Client TDM Client
every other switch.
SS POP SS POP
POP

TDM Client SIP Client

Figure 9: Softswitches, serving as PoPs, form a fully meshed architecture.

18 | SSR Application Handbook

Company D would like to expand its network to serve Company D must address several complex issues related
other Asian markets. The company also plans to enhance to growing its network, including how to:
its portfolio by offering transit services for text messaging
• Expand its network AND keep network operation
and multimedia applications. And, it would like to costs low.
provide SIP peering as an alternative to TDM to other • Offer voice and non-voice services AND reduce
VoIP providers. capital costs.
The new business plan presents a number of issues for • Prevent degradation as media flows through
the meshed, softswitch network. Expanding the network its network.
requires the addition of new softswitches to increase Like many operators, Company D views these as three,
capacity. Provisioning is complex as each new piece of unrelated challenges. As a result, they deploy multiple,
equipment must be provisioned with the routing entries “point” solutions, which increase long-term CAPEX and
for all of the existing softswitches. And, the existing OPEX. However, if Company D took a holistic view of the
softswitches must be updated with the routing entries network, they would see that they are, in fact, all related.
for the new equipment. Since routing is based on A piecemeal approach will not address the challenges
pre-defined SIP trunks, route management becomes because solving one problem likely worsens another.
increasingly complex as the network expands. Service
and subscriber data are tightly coupled with the
softswitch, making it difficult to change an existing
service or add new applications uniformly.

www.tekelec.com | 19
Solution: Benefits:
Company D creates a SIP-based reference architecture The company now has a centralized SIP signaling
over its existing network by deploying the SSR as a and session control framework that:
SIP proxy. With this approach, all calls are routed by • Acts as a route manager for all of the softswitches,
default from the softswitch to the SSR. The SSR makes relieving them of routing functions.
layer-5 SIP routing decisions based on advanced routing • Eliminates the mesh network, so there is no longer
algorithms and forwards the request to the appropriate a need to provision translation tables on each and
SIP destination. every switch.
• Maintains end-to-end media transparency so the
endpoints can communicate using any media –
voice, text, video, or data streaming.
• Preserves media quality because there is no
decoding/encoding required in the network.
• Provides a centralized SIP monitoring point.

20 | SSR Application Handbook

 SIP Client

POP TDM Client

TDM Client Company D Network

SS POP
POP SS

TDM Client TDM Client

POP SS SIP Signaling SIP Signaling POP

SS
Router Router

TDM Client TDM Client

POP SS
SS POP

TDM Client
TDM Client
SS POP SS POP POP

TDM Client SIP Client

Figure 10: SSR creates a SIP-based reference architecture.

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USe CaSe 5:
SPeCIalIZeD SIP PRoXy Company E Mobile

MSC SMSC
Problem:
Company E is a provider of fixed and mobile services.
The company maintains its operation as two, separate HLR
businesses – Company E Telecom and Company E
Mobile. The fixed and mobile networks are loosely
coupled through TDM peering. Each network “views”
the other as a foreign network.

Company E Telecom

Switch

SCP

Softswitch

Figure 11: Company e’s network before consolidation.

22 | SSR Application Handbook

 Company E
Company E wants to consolidate the networks and create
a single operating entity – Company E – to reduce its
operating costs. The company also plans to expand its
offerings with integrated mobile and fixed services,
mobility solutions for fixed-line enterprise customers
and future multimedia services.

Since Company E already has some SIP deployments in its

fixed-line network, it has decided to take the opportunity
to upgrade its underlying wireless network technology
to SIP as well. By doing so, the company can lower the
cost of network integration and create a future path
for multimedia services. Company E’s plan is to cap its
existing TDM-based mobile switching centers (MSCs)
and begin deploying SIP-capable mobile softswitches.
Its strategy is to interconnect the mobile softswitches
with the existing wireline SIP softswitches.

Figure 12: Company e connects mobile and

wireline softswitches with SIP technology.

www.tekelec.com | 23
However, Company E faces a problem common to many • How can the company avoid the same problem
operators: different vendors supply the mobile and in the future as it brings new elements from other
landline softswitches. The softswitches are unable to vendors into the network?
establish sessions because the vendors use different
SIP implementations. The two vendors refuse to Solution:
recognize the interoperability issue as a problem, but Company E deploys the Tekelec SSR as a protocol
they gladly will provide a “customized solution” to mediation point between the different vendor
Company E ­if the company is willing to pay for it. products. This approach creates an architectural
solution that is independent of the endpoints and
Company E is caught in a situation called “vendor lock-in.” eliminates interoperability problems. The SSR solution,
As long as the company deploys equipment from which is deployed in the signaling layer, can be
a single vendor, there is no problem. But, when implemented in one of two ways: directly on the SSR,
it introduces equipment from another vendor, or by having the SSR proxy to an external application
interoperability problems arise. This situation which provides the protocol mediation.
creates significant challenges for the company.
• How can it solve the interoperability issue without With the SSR solution, Company E creates a SIP-based,
spending an excessive amount of money for a NGN reference architecture over its existing network.
“customized solution” or being forced to purchase In this role, the SSR acts as a proxy server to route SIP
all of its equipment from a single vendor? traffic between the mobile and landline softswitches.
It also forms a mediation point that “fixes” protocol
variations on the fly between the softswitches.

24 | SSR Application Handbook

Benefits:
Not My Fault
Company E now has the SIP signaling and session control
framework that solves its immediate interoperability
needs and: Endpoint
• Creates the foundation for a multi-vendor Equipment
from Vendor 1
environment and future multimedia services.
• Enables the company to choose “best-of-breed”
products, avoiding vendor lock-in.
• Provides a centralized SIP monitoring point.

Fix up SSR Fix up

Endpoint
Equipment
from Vendor 2

Not My Fault

Figure 13: SSR acts as a mediation point between softswitches and routes traffic between them.

www.tekelec.com | 25
Summary
The current NGN architecture has no core signaling and A suitable session framework that offloads the
session framework, which greatly limits its expansion various signaling and session tasks from the edge
capabilities. History shows that the signaling and session NGN elements enables NGN networks to expand
control layer is critically important to any large-scale efficiently and avoids the pitfalls created by a point-
network architecture. Having softswitches and other to-point, virtual-mesh routing network. Just as core
endpoints perform layer-5 session management may routers are used to minimize the routing burden
be sufficient for fairly small deployments and simple on IP endpoints, layer-5 SIP routing capability can
management tasks. But, as the network expands, the be used to reduce the routing burden on NGN
lack of a capable session framework introduces a host endpoints by centralizing session management
of network issues. tasks at the network core instead of at each endpoint.
The resulting architecture can expand systematically
to support VoIP subscriber growth, deliver advanced
multimedia services and create the foundation for
future technologies and services.

26 | SSR Application Handbook

About Tekelec Appendix-1: Acronyms used in this document
Found at the heart of most global networks, Tekelec’s 3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Program
market-leading, mission-critical, high-performance AS Application server
HLR Home location register
network solutions enable the secure and instant delivery
IETF Internet engineering task force
of calls and text messages for more than one billion
IMS Internet protocol multimedia subsystem
mobile and fixed-line subscribers. The company’s IP Internet protocol
signaling and session management solutions allow IP PBX Internet protocol private branch exchange
telecom operators to manage the diverse applications, LD Long distance
devices, technologies and protocols, across existing MSC Mobile switching center
and evolving networks, to meet the demands of today’s NGN Next generation network
consumer. Tekelec ensures telecom operators have a NP Number portability
clear migration path to SIP-based IP networks, and POP Point of presence
PRI Primary rate interface
whatever comes next, with the flexibility to deploy
SCP Service control point
solutions at a pace dictated by their business needs.
SIP Session initiation protocol
For more information, please visit www.tekelec.com. SMSC Short message service center
SS7 Signaling session 7
SSR SIP signaling router
TDM Time division multiplexing
UA User agent
VM Voice messaging
VoIP Voice over Internet protocol

www.tekelec.com | 27
Corporate inquiries: Singapore-Asia-Pacific inquiries:
Tekelec Tekelec Singapore Pte Ltd
5200 Paramount Parkway 15 Hoe Chiang Road
Morrisville, North Carolina 27560 (USA) #06-06 Tower 15
Phone: 888.628.5521 Singapore 089316
Phone: +1.919.460.5500 Phone: +65.6796.2288
FAX: +1.919.460.0877 FAX: +65.6796.2299

Europe, Middle East and Africa inquiries: Caribbean and Latin America inquiries:
Tekelec Tekelec Caribbean & Latin America (CALA)
Katherine House 5200 Paramount Parkway
85 The High Street Morrisville, North Carolina 27560 (USA)
Egham, Surrey Phone: +1.919.460.5500
TW20 9HF FAX: +1.919.460.0877
United Kingdom
All sales related inquiries contact: sales@tekelec.com
Phone: +44.1784.437000
www.tekelec.com
FAX: +44.1784.477121

© 2009 Tekelec. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. TKLC-HB-001-NA-01-2009