Call Session Control Function
Provides core signaling and control within the IMS network.
Overview
With more than 200 fixed and mobile IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) trials in progress it is clear that the move to a fully converged telecommunications network is underway. Providers are looking to the technology to create new revenue streams and provide unified services across their disparate access networks. As operators make the IMS transition, it is critical that they create a core control layer that supports interoperability and access-independent, end-to-end service.
The benefit of IMS is its flexibility, but there is a downside - that same flexibility creates management complexities. Operators must interwork not only a myriad of technologies but also resources to move applications seamlessly across networks. There are a multitude of vendors, each with its own IMS implementation, from which to choose. The key challenge for operators is to avoid the pitfall of creating IMS islands of vertical applications that result from deploying non-standard, proprietary IMS or session initiation protocol (SIP) solutions.
To fully realize the benefits of IMS, operators must create a core session layer with the flexibility and scalability to reuse common components and interwork a variety of technologies. History shows that the signaling and session control layer is critically important to any large-scale network architecture. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) recognizes this fact in the modular IMS architecture it proposes. By disaggregating transport, control and application layers, the approach enables carriers to reuse common components such as presence and location and run a wide range of converged services across any access network.
Product Description
The 3GPP IMS standard defines the call session control function (CSCF) as the most important control component of the IMS architecture. The CSCF is responsible for all of the signaling between the transport, control and application planes. Because of its critical function, a purpose-built, standards-compliant CSCF is essential to the long-term success of IMS networks.
Tekelec's EAGLE XG CSCF application, which is fully compliant with 3GPP standards, is purpose built to provide core signaling and control within the IMS network. This standards-based approach prevents the costly "islands of IMS" pitfall, enabling service parity, regardless of network technologies, while improving the uniformity and success rate of IMS services.
Benefits