1 Nokia GPRS network solution

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 1.1 NOKIA hardware platforms (1/4) ..................................................3
1.1 NOKIA hardware platforms (2/4) ..................................................4
1.1 NOKIA hardware platforms (3/4) ..................................................5
1.1 NOKIA hardware platforms (4/4) ..................................................6
1.2 Platform Strategy: DX200i............................................................7
1.3 Functional Unit Categories (1/2) ...................................................8
1.3 Functional Unit Categories (2/2)...................................................9
1.4 DX200 Platform Mechanical Aspects.......................................... 10
1.5 IPSO Platform Implementation ................................................... 11
1.6 HP Platform Implementation....................................................... 12

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1.1 NOKIA hardware platforms (1/4)

To meet the needs of the GSM network the NOKIA networks are built on several platforms:

• NOKIA’s DX200i platform

• NOKIA’s IPSO IP platform
• Unix HP / Sun server platform

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1.1 NOKIA hardware platforms (2/4)

The DX200i platform for digital exchanges is based on the reliable and carrier proven NOKIA
technology for the TDM circuit switching of time slots (TSL). The DX200i platform is used for
the network elements MSC and HLR as well as in BSC and 2G SGSN.

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1.1 NOKIA hardware platforms (3/4)

The NOKIA core network element GGSN is built on NOKIA's IPSO (Ipsilon Router Operating
System); a well-proven solid IP platform. IPSO provides a number of benefits:

• True Plug and Play implementation is available due to the integration of key network
functionality and applications typically supplied by different intra- and Internet devices
into one solution.
• High availability is provided by NOKIA’s special Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol
which enables load-sharing and active redundancy between two or more IP network
elements. Furthermore, the most critical units are duplicated for redundancy reasons.
• IPSO devices are easy to install, operate and maintain.
• Remote network management is supported by IPSO devices such as a browser-
based management tool called Voyager and NOKIA’s NMS solution NetAct.
• To ensure a high performance networking functionality a large variety of today’s IP
routing and control protocols are supported.

The Flexi ISN server is a special IPSO product to implement NOKIA’s Intelligent Content
Delivery System (ICD). It hosts legacy GGSN functionality and provides service and
subscriber-aware services, that is, it detects, categorizes and charges data traffic in
accordance with the perceived value of the data to the subscriber.

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1.1 NOKIA hardware platforms (4/4)

Additionally, products from other vendors like HP or Cisco are used for various purposes.
The network management and service provisioning systems are built on the well known
industrial UNIX HP/SUN server platform hardware. NetAct, the NOKIA network management
solution software for OSS is located on top of the UNIX operating system. Furthermore,
NOKIA’s Charging Gateway and the Domain Name System server DNS use HP server
hardware.

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1.2 Platform Strategy: DX200i

The idea behind NOKIA’s DX200i platform is to ensure the most flexible and fault-tolerant
implementation.

The platform follows the principles of a distributed processing system, every network element
is built up of several independent functional modules.

Each processor module is responsible and optimized for its specific programmed tasks.

The advantages of a consistent modular platform architecture are:

• High availability and fault tolerance by implementation of redundant units these either
have “n+1 redundancy”, which is, one more unit are needed for local handling and “2n
redundancy” which means the units are doubled
• Scalability and cost efficiency: starting from a basic configuration, capacity is easy to
enlarge by adding more modules
• Easy operation and maintenance of similar network elements
• Modular software structure which eases the implementation of new features by
software download

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1.3 Functional Unit Categories (1/2)

Nokia's DX200i platform consists of common computer units for general tasks, network
elements specific units and the hardware for system functions.

The common units are needed for basic platform functionality, these units are the same in
every network element of the same platform.

The common units are:

Switching and Multiplexing Units: Switching and multiplexing units are responsible for
establishing the temporary traffic connections in the network elements by timeslot switching.
Network Interface Units: These units serve as the trunk network interfaces of the exchange
and execute physical layer and data link layer functions.
Common Control Computer Units: These computer units are responsible for central
control functions, like switch control, signaling handling and network element resource
management.
Management Computer Units: Operation and maintenance includes system fault
management and self-diagnostic procedures, as well as the operator’s user interface for
network element management and storage of the software.

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1.3 Functional Unit Categories (2/2)

The common units are supported by the specific computer units, which differ for each
network element. They are responsible for the typical tasks of each network element, in the
case of a GPRS network that´s a 2G SGSN.
The computer units use internal connections for platform communication. The platform is
completed by different subsystems needed for system functions, like clock signal distribution,
power supply and hardware control functions.

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1.4 DX200 Platform Mechanical Aspects

The DX200i platform is based on cartridge technology. In general, one module consists of
one cartridge. A cartridge is the mechanical frame mounted inside the shelves of the DX200
rack and carries several plug-in cards.

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1.5 IPSO Platform Implementation

The Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN), the Border Gateway and the Firewalls are built
on the NOKIA IPSO platform. All components use NOKIA’s IP 1260 hardware.

If a network operator or service provider decides to offer subscriber-aware services legacy

GGSN is replaced by an Intelligent Service Node with enhanced functionalities. ISN uses the
Flexi Server platform for implementation.

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1.6 HP Platform Implementation

In addition to the NOKIA IPSO platform, the Domain Name Server (DNS) is based on an
HP9000 series server and the Charging Gateway on a HP Integrity server.

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