ISSUE 05 2014
M2M NETWORKS
29
4. Legacy/LTE interworking As LTE networks are rolled out, they remain connected to many parts of the existing legacy network infrastructure. Although several CSPs have told us that they are using new LTE network elements for a separate architecture, there will always remain some legacy databases, charging systems, switches and routers to handle some of the traffic, and some interworking (connectivity) to the legacy management or OSS systems. In other words, there remains plenty of legacy signalling RADIUS, LDAP, CAMEL, MAP, GTP, HTTP, and other protocols.
However, M2M networks are a different story. They are being built from scratch predominantly in a cloud-based virtualised environment. Although it makes sense from a technological standpoint to design a separate network to handle M2M traffic, it means that this new, out-of-the-box LTE network based on Diameter signalling will generate many more Diameter signalling messages, and will be less connected to legacy signalling compared to the ‘human subscribed’ LTE networks.
There are many more differences between signalling and Diameter in both LTE networks and M2M networks, but these are my recommendations for the primary considerations that must be dealt with from the onset to prevent service disruptions or major operational problems.
CSPs are facing several significant challenges as M2M becomes the next revenue-generation source. To maintain a good service, network signalling volume, behaviour and infrastructure need to be addressed from the onset of planning. Meanwhile, as LTE networks continue to be developed, they need to retain interoperability with legacy infrastructure elements. If CSPs maintain a flexible, software- based approach with an advanced, smart Diameter router that can scale to meet bursts of high demand, they will be prepared for the future of continuously growing network traffic without slowing down their business. LTE
When 10 million electricity meters send an update on the last day of the month this will create a tsunami of signalling hitting the network
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52