Analysis of softswitch network numbers

I. Overview
In the study of the Next Generation Network, ITU has put forward many suggestions on the meaning, architecture, and services of the Next Generation Network, which will be determined in project. Currently, the second group of ITU has begun to study the numbers, names, and addressing of next-generation networks.
For next-generation networks, names will be used mainly for E.164 numbers. Therefore, the relationship between numbers and addressing needs to be resolved. In E.164, You need to assign a corresponding number to each endpoint connected to the network. These numbers can be directly used for addressing. In addition, with the development of networks and businesses, E.164 numbers are not only allocated to endpoints, but also to various businesses. These business numbers include access codes or business numbers assigned to users, such as the 800 number of the centralized payment service called, and the 700 number in personal communications. These numbers are numbers assigned to individuals or enterprises and cannot be directly used for addressing. For addressing, You need to translate it into corresponding physical numbers that can be used for addressing. Therefore, numbers are divided into two layers: user-level. At this level, the number is changed to the personal name, which does not change with the network, such as the UPT number and 800 number. The other layer is the network number corresponding to each endpoint. This number is used for network addressing. Of course, the vast majority of current numbers are user-oriented and network-oriented numbers. They are the same common phone numbers, both for personal names and for network addressing. However, with the development of business and personalized development of numbers, the separation between the two layers will be more obvious. Therefore, numbers in the next generation network still have user-oriented and network-oriented address numbers.
The numbering, naming, and addressing of the Next Generation Network involves a lot of content, but in terms of numbers, the next generation network directly involves the number of SoftSwitch. The number mentioned in this article only involves the number assigned to the endpoint. We try to make a preliminary analysis on the softswitch endpoint number scheme.
With the introduction of softswitch in the network, it is necessary to consider the numbering of various terminals in the softswitch network. Softswitch terminals include fixed telephone terminals, mobile phone terminals, various IP terminals and multimedia terminals. To enable communication between these terminals and their existing network terminals, an E.164 number must be assigned to these terminals. Number assigned. How to assign a number involves charges, network organization, and business opening. This is a complicated problem. This article aims to clarify the various problems involved and compare possible solutions.
Although there is no clear definition of the Next Generation Network, many countries or operators have introduced Softswitch in the network as part of the evolution to the next generation network. Softswitch-based networking features:
· There are a variety of terminals, including analog terminals, fixed telephone terminals, mobile terminals, and various multimedia terminals. Numbers must be allocated to these terminals.
· The capacity of Softswitch is large, and the network organization is more flexible than that of the traditional circuit exchange network. The Application of softswitch in China is mainly based on the blank area of the network. The capacity of these areas is not very large, so a Softswitch can cover multiple cities, so it can be networked across cities.
· Softswitch is usually carried over IP networks. The concept of IP Networking is different from that of traditional networks. For example, IP networking does not distinguish between long-distance local and international services, while traditional networks distinguish between local and international services. Therefore, it is worth studying which concept should be used to design the numbering scheme.
· The number of the softswitch network has an impact on the traditional telecommunication network. Currently, the soft replacement network is mainly used for voice services. Therefore, if the fee and number of networks in the softswitch organization are different from those in the traditional network, the usage of the traditional network will be significantly affected, this bypasses the business volume of traditional networks. Therefore, multiple factors must be taken into account to determine the numbers of softswitch terminals.
Ii. Numbering Scheme
E.164 numbers are allocated in three major schemes: Bureau number scheme, network number scheme, and mixed number scheme.
1. Bureau Number Solution
(1) number structure of the bureau number
The Bureau number is used. The number structure is the same as that of a common phone number, that is:
The local number is PQR (S) ABCD"
Long-distance number: 0 + long-distance area number + local number
In this solution, various terminals, whether mobile terminals, fixed terminals, or various IP terminals, are allocated the corresponding Bureau number, and the Bureau number is allocated by the local network. Different regions have different numbers and resources. Therefore, you can use numbers headed by "P" or "PQ.
(2) number application and placement by operators
· After the Bureau number scheme is adopted, each operator can apply for the corresponding Bureau number in the local number plan. Different regions are identified by long-distance area numbers, and different carriers are identified by different bureau numbers.
· If a Softswitch needs to cover multiple cities, you need to apply for a number in multiple cities.
· Because the number of the Region network is used, it cannot be assigned to the carrier across regions.
· The range of the long-distance serial number area is the same as that of the existing long-distance serial number area.
(3) features of the numbering scheme
· Because bureau numbers are used, no additional number resources need to be allocated. However, for a 7-digit LAN with insufficient number resources, you must upgrade the LAN number.
· The user's terminal cannot be distinguished from the number. At the same time, because bureau numbers are all used, the mobile phone numbers will be different from the current number.
· It is difficult to identify whether the user is a user of the softswitch network or a user of the traditional telephone network by using the Bureau number. Therefore, it is difficult to select routes. The local call must identify the local call number 3 ~ 4-digit {(PQR (S). For long-distance calls, 6 ~ 7-digit number {OXlX2X3PQR (S )}. In routing selection, the users of the softswitch are connected to the IP network. Therefore, when a user of the softswitch sends a call, the user can first go through the softswitch network, arrive at the receiving end, and then enter the target network. Generally, the inbound network is used.
When a Softswitch user is called, if it is a user call from another network, it should theoretically be directly connected to the softswitch network. However, to determine whether the user is a Softswitch user, you need to determine 6 ~ 7-digit number. If the IP address is a Softswitch IP address, it is sent to the peer softswitch network through the softswitch network. If you cannot identify so many digits, you may encounter difficulties in selecting the softswitch network, and the ASN may be attached to the PSTN network. Only when the user arrives at the receiving end of the PSTN network can it be determined that the user belongs to the softswitch user and then is connected to the softswitch network. Even multimedia users may experience Softswitch over the PSTN network, which is not suitable for the development of multimedia services.
Therefore, according to the needs of multimedia business development, the use of local numbers in multimedia terminals is flawed.
2. Use the network number
(1) number Structure
The network number is used to assign a network number to a Softswitch-based network. According to the "IP Phone Number" standard, the IP terminal number is assigned a network number. Its structure is as follows:
1XX + XIX2X3 + X4XX6X7XSX9X10
Here, lXX is the network number, and X1X2X3 is the carrier number. The X4X5----X10 is the user number. This user number can contain the nickname number. For example, X4X5X6 is the logon number, and X7X8X9X10 is the user number. This structure is applicable to the current billing structure for distinguishing between local and long-distance calls. It can continue to distinguish between local and long-distance calls, and continue to maintain the current long-distance ownership and non-authority.
(2) number length
Currently, the number is 13 characters long and can accommodate 1000 operators. Each carrier can have 10 million users, including fixed users, mobile users, and various IP end users. At present, it is widely reported that the number length is too large for users to remember, and users want to shorten the number length. In this regard, the following solutions can be considered:
· Change the ID number of the carrier to the length of one digit and change the length of the whole number to 11 digits. That is:
1XX + X1 + X2X3X4X5X6X7X8
In this numbering method, the number capacity of each carrier is 10 million, but the number of available carriers is up to 10. If you need to provide numbers to more carriers in the future, you need to enable a new three-digit number.
· In the future, if the softswitch mode is the main method for providing services, the total number capacity is 0.1 billion, which is not enough. Therefore, you can assign a three-digit network number to each basic carrier. A small carrier can share a single network number. In this case, the number of each carrier is 0.1 billion, which can meet the requirements for a long time.
(3) number application and placement by operators
· After the network number scheme is adopted, the number will be allocated by the operator and can be allocated to various regions. Numbers in the region are allocated by the branch offices in the region or by terminal type.
· The number structure can have obvious regional signs.
The logo of the region should be consistent with the existing long-distance area code as much as possible.
(4) Numbering features
Use the network number method, that is:
· Because the network number method is used, additional number resources need to be allocated. When different solutions are used, the number resources required will be different.
· No terminal can be identified on the serial number.
· As users of the softswitch network use network numbers, the signs of the softswitch network are clear, both from the initiator to the network and from the receiver to the network, which is conducive to the selection of the softswitch network. However, in remote calls, if a network number is used to access the network through the PSTN network, it is difficult to select the route and 6 ~ Select a path after 7 digits. This is more conducive to the start of the network and the selection of softswitch network. The entry of the softswitch network from the beginning is advantageous for multimedia communication.
The disadvantage of using the network number method is that traditional fixed-line telephone users have different numbering habits, especially when a carrier is networking in a blank area through Softswitch, it is expected to be the same as the PSTN number.
3. Mixed numbering
(1) Numbering Structure
The hybrid numbering method refers to the use of the Bureau number for the national telephone terminal in the terminal controlled by the softswitch, and the use of the network number for the IP terminal and mobile terminal. Its number structure is the same as the Bureau number and network number respectively. Because of the mixed serial numbers, the dialing in a Softswitch is complicated. The network and bureau numbers must be supported.
(2) characteristics of mixed numbers
· The number follows the existing number plan and retains the original user habits. Mobile continues to use network numbers, and fixed continues to use bureau numbers, so that user numbers are not directly related to the technology used by operators. However, for PC and multimedia users, the network number is used. As a terminal, PC is a new form of calling or calling, and users will accept it by using the network number.
· When hybrid numbering is adopted, a softswitch system must support two different numbering methods at the same time, which is more difficult than analyzing numbers in a single method.
· For a fixed phone, if the network number is used, it is difficult to select the softswitch network because there is no obvious Softswitch mark, and a large number of digits need to be identified.
· User-level numbers are separated from Network-level numbers. The user layer can use the network number or bureau number as needed, but the network layer uses the network number. User-level numbers are translated into network-level numbers and then addressable on the network. In this way, the network needs to support additional business platforms.
Iii. Conclusion
The user number of the softswitch network is still in the research process. This article only analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the network number, Bureau number and mixed number. The final determination of the actual Softswitch number is related to the actual situation of the network, for example:
(1) Whether the next generation of fixed and mobile networks are fully integrated. If fixed and mobile devices are separated, mobile devices may evolve along the 3GPP and PP2 ideas in different Softswitch networks. When the numbers are determined, numbers can be numbers based on the fixed and mobile development needs.
(2) What are users' usage habits in the softswitch number. From a traditional network to a softswitch network, especially when the numbers of the softswitch network and the existing network are inconsistent, do you need to change the number. If you do not change the number, whether to use the number carrying method.
(3) for multimedia terminals, because they can only communicate in multimedia networks, it is more appropriate for multimedia users to use network numbers. If you use a local number, you must identify a large number of digits before you can select a network.
(4) Whether to distinguish between local and long-distance networks in the next generation network, especially in terms of charges, whether or not long-distance connections have the right and no right in the Next Generation Network. If the cost is not differentiated between local and long distance, will it impact the services of the original traditional network.