Network

Symmetricom’s new carrier class PackeTime module SSU-2000 Network Time Protocol server card is being introduced. Chronos Technology, the UK based specialist supplier of synchronisation equipment and solutions to the wireline and wireless telecom operators market, has announced the availability of its US partner Symmetricom’s second carrier class PackeTime server card. The card provides carrier class NTP capability for next generation service provider applications such as IPTV, Billing Record Management, QoS Measurement Systems and IP Service Level Agreement (SLA) Monitoring.

Telecoms carriers are finding that “best effort” NTP is not sufficient for high QoS packet networks and advanced services, Chronos says. Next generation network applications are highly dependent on carrier class NTP. Time coordination of massive amounts of digital content in the headend serving locations is reliant on accurate and secure NTP timestamps.

Charles Curry, Managing Director of Chronos and Founder of the International Telecom Sync Forum Steering Group, said “The SSU platform is now the most widely deployed synchronisation element in the core UK telecom network infrastructure. Now that Symmetricom has implemented carrier class NTP as a new feature within the SSU200 we consider this to be really important development for our customer base. NTP is no longer just a time stamping application for billing systems; it now has a major role to play with for example SLA time stamping and VoIP services.” He added: “As we evolve to next generation packet switched networks, Tier 1 operators must deliver carrier class services with high reliability. This NTP feature enhancement is clear evidence that the Symmetricom SSU2000 is a true Next Generation Network (NGN) ready SSU delivering not only traditional timing - “synchronisation”, but now also “time” from one converged platform to important infrastructure and new applications as wireline and wireless networks evolve to an all IP architecture.”

The module will be shipping on a limited basis in September with general availability in November 2007. For clients looking for a standalone NTP solution, Chronos also has the Symmetricom S250 GPS Network Time Server.

This month (June 2007) was marked as for the testing phase of the IEEE 802.11n Draft 2.0 spec, which is the speedier next-generation wireless standard. The Wi-Fi Alliance recently announced the first products certified to the standard, as well as a new logo and test suite to ramp up the certification process later this summer. Final ratification is expected by early 2009.

Some issues are still discussed. One issue is whether these products should play nicely with legacy clients, or whether 802.11n is better seen as an overlay build while older clients are phased out carefully. Other issues are about the architecture, such as centralised versus distributed 802.11n access points, channel bonding and coverage-layout approaches.

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NSIS (Next Step in Signalling), is another new signalling system for IP network, which is expected to replace RSVP. NSIS is standardised by the IETF, and is envisioned to support various signalling applications that need to install and/or manipulate such state in the network. NSIS is expected to be generic and extensible. Therefore, NSIS protocols separate functionalities such as reliability, fragmentation, congestion control, and integrity; with signalling applications.

To fulfil it, two protocol layers are designed for NSIS:

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International consortium plans to build the first high-bandwidth optical fibre submarine cable system linking South East Asia and USA. Called the Asia-America Gateway (AAG), new 20,000km long cable system is expected to cost $500m and is intended to complement existing cable systems connecting North America and North Asia. Low risk route was selected for the cable so that it is away from natural disasters prone to the area such as earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. Disasters have damaged cable systems in the past resulting in major repair bills and disruptions to international connectivity. Gateway is planned to become commercially operational by fourth quarter 2008.

Telekom Malaysia will led the 17-member consortium which comprises AT&T (USA), Bharti AirTel (India), Government of Brunei Darussalam (Brunei), British Telecom Global Network Services (UK), CAT Telekom (Thailand), Eastern Telecom (Philippines), Indosat (Indonesia), Pacific Communications (Cambodia), Philippines Long Distance Telephone Company (Philippines), PT Telkom (Indonesia), Saigon Postal Corporation (Vietnam), StarHub (Singapore), Telekom Malaysia (Malaysia), Telstra (Australia), Telecom New Zealand International (New Zealand), Viettel (Vietnam) and Vietnam Post & Telecommunications Group (Vietnam).

China and South-East Asian countries are in progress of 3G mobile commercialisation; and some countries have been commencing the deployment of WiMAX. Apparently some mobile operators have shown their interests in WiMAX technology and license. A possible reason is that the operators are trying to avoid more competitive powers generated by these converging technologies. Another reason is that the operators perceive WiMAX technology as an important complement for their 3G/UMTS services. While saving UMTS bandwidth, WiMAX could provide better data access to non-moving mobile customers.

However, when both UMTS and WiMAX technologies are managed by one entity or one affiliated group, a scheme is required to make them complementary. The network would be a complete dual-technology network, with single user identity system, with continuous service for customers who sometimes need to exchange the network, without too many redundancies in system.Assuming that the 3GPP standard implemented for UMTS network has adopted Release 5 (with IMS), an interworking scheme could be arranged on service layer on both network. Traffic negotiation would still utilise SIP as recommended in IMS. User management with AAA would be performed on UMTS infrastructure. The scheme is illustrated below.

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