WhiTe PaPeR

The Rise of Diameter Signaling

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The Rise of Diameter Signaling

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TKLC-WP-036-NA-11-2010
 The Rise of Diameter Signaling

Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................4

SIP as the Succesor to SS7............................................................................................5

Diameter Routing Challanges.......................................................................................5

Comparing SS7 with Diameter......................................................................................6

Diameter Signaling Router Overview.............................................................................7

Signaling Architecture for Diameter-based Networks.........................................................7

Diameter Mediation and Protocol Interworking.............................................................8

Additional Value of a Centralized Diameter Router........................................................9

In Summary...................................................................................................................9

Some Relevant Acronyms.............................................................................................10

The Rise of Diameter Signaling

Introduction
Mobile data traffic is skyrocketing, fueled by the introduction of smartphones, laptop
dongles, flat-rate plans, social networking and compelling applications like mobile video.
And, there is no slowdown in sight.

ABI Research (9 August 2009) predicts that by 2014 the mobile data traffic registered
per month will equal the total data traffic logged during all of 2008. Operators have
realized that their 3G networks are not equipped to sustain this high level of traffic
growth. They are looking to all-Internet protocol (IP) networks such as long term
evolution (LTE) and IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) to provide the bandwidth required to
support data-hungry devices and applications and to cost effectively address the growing
gap between traffic and revenue growth.

The Diameter protocol, using stream control transmission protocol (SCTP) for transport,
is used widely in the all-IP, service-oriented IMS and LTE architectures. Within the
IMS control and service planes, Diameter plays a central role in policy, charging,
authentication and mobility management. For years operators have employed
signaling system 7 (SS7) as the international, standardized protocol to communicate
globally between operator networks. ISDN user part (ISUP) is used for voice-oriented
communication, CAMEL Application Part (CAP) is used for service control and mobile
application part (MAP) for non-call-related signaling, including mobility management.

The digital era is on the horizon, yet the majority of operators around the globe still
connect their networks through the exchange of well-defined SS7 messages. All of that
is about to change.

This paper focuses on the signaling role that Diameter is going to play in end-to-end
IP networks like LTE. Diameter’s part in service-related functions such as charging is
not addressed in detail. However, Tekelec expects common protocol functions such
as routing, screening and Diameter-normalization to be implemented in common but
centralized Diameter-specific network elements.

11% CAP/INAP
79%
ISUP/BICC
10%
MAP

Figure 1. Signaling Volumes in GSM Core Network

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 The Rise of Diameter Signaling

SIP as the Successor to SS7

While voice-related ISUP traffic represents only 10% of the overall signaling traffic, the
functions it performs will be required in all-IP networks such as IMS. As the networks
evolve, operators will move away from SS7-based ISUP to session initiation protocol (SIP).
A relevant development in this area is the IP eXchange (IPX), which the GSM Association
(GSMA) developed to create a technical and commercial infrastructure that supports
packet voice interconnects. It is also used for other purposes such as Diameter-based
roaming for LTE and IMS interconnect. The IPX, carrying SIP traffic, can be seen as an
alternative to ISUP-based voice interconnects. In practice, the GPRS Roaming Exchange
infrastructure (GRX) is evolving to IPX, which combines the data and voice worlds into
one infrastructure.

In LTE networks, the functions performed by SS7-based MAP signaling also will be
replaced by equivalent operations based on the Diameter protocol. This is detailed in
relevant 3GPP specifications. Over time, the number of SS7 networks will stabilize and
more and more Diameter-based interfaces will be used.

Diameter Routing Challenges

Without a separate Diameter signaling infrastructure at the network core to facilitate
signaling between network elements, endpoints such as mobility management entities
(MMEs) and home subscriber servers (HSSs) must utilize direct signaling connections to
each other, forming a mesh-like network architecture. Network endpoints must handle
all session-related tasks such as routing, traffic management, redundancy and service
implementation. Initially, implementing an IMS or LTE network without a signaling core
may be sufficient, but as traffic levels grow, the lack of a capable signaling infrastructure
poses a number of challenges, including:

• Scalability: Each endpoint must maintain a separate SCTP association with each
of its Diameter peers as well as the status of each, placing a heavy burden on the
endpoints as the number of nodes grows.

• Congestion control: Diameter lacks the well-defined congestion control mechanisms

found in other protocols such as SS7. For example, if an HSS has multiple Diameter
front ends, the lack of sufficient congestion control increases the risk of a cascading
HSS failure.

• Network interconnect: A fully meshed network is completely unworkable when

dealing with connections to other networks because there is no central interconnect
point, which also exposes the operator’s network topology to other operators and can
lead to security breaches.

• Interoperability testing (IOT): Protocol interworking becomes unmanageable as the

number of devices supplied by multiple vendors increases. With no separate signaling
or session framework, IOTs must be performed at every existing node when a new
node or software load is placed in service. IOT activities consume a

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The Rise of Diameter Signaling

considerable amount of operator time and resources, with costs increasing in

proportion to the number of tests that must be performed.

• Support for both SCTP- and transmission control protocol (TCP)-based

implementations: SCTP-based elements cannot communicate with TCP-based
elements unless they are upgraded or all of the elements support both
protocol stacks.

• Subscriber to HSS mapping: When there are multiple HSSs in the network,
subscribers may be homed on different HSSs. Therefore, there must be some function
in the network that maps subscriber identities to HSSs. With no separate Diameter
signaling infrastructure, that task must be handled by a standalone subscription
locator function (SLF), or by the HSS itself. Either approach wastes MME (or call
session control function [CSCF]) processing and can add unnecessary delays. The HSS
approach wastes HSS resources and may even result in the need for more HSSs than
would otherwise be necessary.

• Policy and charging rules function (PCRF) binding: When multiple PCRFs are
required in the network, there must be a way to ensure that all messages associated
with a user’s particular IP connectivity access network (IP-CAN) session are processed
by the same PCRF.

Comparing SS7 with Diameter

There are key differences between the SS7 and Diameter protocols that also create
challenges. Operators used to managing SS7 networks need to be aware that certain
“common rules” no longer apply in LTE, and they will need to take other measures to get
the network behavior they have become accustomed to with SS7. One example is network
failures. In SS7, the network is designed and configured to route around a failed path,
and, therefore, the signaling is optimized upon detection of a failure. For Diameter, the
failed path must be (re)discovered every time a request is sent over it. In this way, Diameter

Characteristic SS7 Diameter

Routing
Signaling network management
(SNM) and Congestion control
Subscriber number based routing
Robustness
Each message independently routed
Network-wide
Dedicated SNM messages
Routed around failed paths
Congestion levels and traffic
priorities defined
GTT can be used by upper layers
Wide-scale deployment; years of
experience
Answer message does not contain
routing info and follows same path
as associated request
Hop-by-hop
No dedicated SNM messages
Failures ‘discovered’ with each new
request
Relies on reliable transport
No defined traffic priorities
Specialized, app-specific proxies
required
DRA for PCRF
HSS address resolution for
EPC and IMS
Early days; lots of prove-in
still required

Figure 2. A Comparison of SS7 and Diameter Characteristics

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 The Rise of Diameter Signaling

signaling is less efficient. A central Diameter routing functionality could provide some
improvements.

Tekelec believes that as with SS7, a centralized node to manage signaling routing
and related functionalities will continue to play an important role in future signaling
networks. The introduction of Diameter-based signaling does not change this. Industry
organizations have recognized this need, including the 3GPP. In fact, the Diameter
standard defines Diameter agents to support the efficient and correct handling of
Diameter signaling. These agents include: Diameter relay, Diameter redirect, Diameter
proxy and Diameter translation.

Diameter Signaling Router Overview

Tekelec’s Diameter Signaling Router (DSR) creates a centralized core Diameter signaling
layer that relieves LTE and IMS endpoints of routing, traffic management and load
balancing tasks and provides a single interconnect point to other networks. Each
endpoint only needs one connection to a DSR to gain access to all other Diameter
destinations reachable by the DSR. This approach eliminates the Diameter/SCTP (or
TCP) mesh that is created by having direct signaling connections between each network
element. Having one or more SCTP hubs that centralize the SCTP connections to all
end nodes simplifies interoperability between different network elements and enhances
network scalability.

Signaling Architecture for Diameter-based Networks

Centralizing Diameter routing with a DSR creates a signaling architecture that reduces
the cost and complexity of the core network and enables core networks to grow
incrementally to support increasing service and traffic demands. It also facilitates network
monitoring by providing a centralized vantage point in the signaling network.

A centralized signaling architecture:

• Improves signaling performance and scalability by alleviating issues related to the limited
signaling capacity of MMEs, HSSs, CSCFs and other Diameter endpoints;

• Simplifies network expansion because routing configuration changes for new endpoints
are performed only on the DSR;

• Increases reliability by providing geographic redundancy;

• Provides mediation of Diameter variants to support interoperability between

multi-vendor endpoints;

• Creates a gateway to other networks to support roaming, security and topology hiding;

• Reduces provisioning, maintenance and IOT costs associated with adding new
network nodes;

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The Rise of Diameter Signaling

• Enables HSS routing flexibility with integrated HSS address resolution function;

• Creates a centralized monitoring and network intelligence data collection point to

isolate problems and track key performance indicators (KPIs); and

• Provides network-wide PCRF binding to ensure that all messages associated with a
user’s particular IP-CAN session are processed by the same PCRF.

Diameter Mediation and Protocol Interworking

Foreign LTE Domain Foreign GPRS Domain

vMME vPCRF vSGSN

SS7
Diameter Diameter vS4-SGSN
Agent Agent

SLF

EIR DSR IP-SM-GW

AF
PCRF
MME P-CSCF I/S-CSCF
PGW OFCF

OCF

ABMF RF Home LTE/IMS Domain

Figure 3. Typical Network Architecture Using the DSR

as a Central Diameter Routing Engine

Diameter Mediation and Protocol Interworking

The DSR’s ability to centralize the mediation of different Diameter variants deserves special
focus because it brings immediate benefit to the network. As with other protocols, vendors
are likely to use their own variants of the Diameter protocol based on how they believe a
specific interface should be implemented. This implementation can be slightly different from
that of another vendor, although both claim to work to specifications. Interworking issues
arise when multi-vendor equipment is combined in one network, a common approach
for operators that are building a best-of-breed solution. The issue can also emerge when
operators connect their network to other parties, like mobile virtual network operators
(MVNOs).

Interworking Diameter and non-Diameter nodes that are built on legacy protocols
presents a special challenge. Operators that want to introduce Diameter-based protocols
into a network where legacy protocols must also be supported – either for costs or
practical reasons – must take Diameter mediation into account. That mediation can be
handled by having a decentralized functionality where one of the two platforms implements
both Diameter and the non-Diameter, legacy protocol. Or, a “purpose built” protocol
mediation solution can be deployed between the nodes.
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 The Rise of Diameter Signaling

Tekelec’s view is that a centralized protocol mediation function is a more effective approach.
It allows operators to maintain “legacy” nodes without investing in temporary, new
functionality and capacity for interworking purposes. The centralized protocol mediation
function can provide immediate value – even without solving complex routing
tasks – by enabling:

• Diameter-to-Diameter interworking for two different Diameter implementations;

• Diameter-to-legacy protocol interworking where each operator has different needs

based on the particular legacy protocols that need to be supported; and,

• IPv4-IPv6 and SCTP-TCP interworking.

Additional Value of a Centralized Diameter Router

The Diameter-based router is the perfect vantage point at the network core to cost effectively
and flexibly enable a variety of other functions and services. It is a much more efficient way
to implement routing tables from a central point in the network and deploy capabilities that
need access to other network resources, either inside or outside the operator’s own domain.
The centralized node can then proxy information for decentralized elements like HSSs, MMEs
or PCRFs.

When connecting to a Diameter-based network element in another operator’s network,

there is always the risk that the Diameter implementations will not match perfectly, even if
the elements are provided by the same vendor. Therefore, a Diameter agent is required to
adapt Diameter messaging. By implementing the functionality at the central network core
level, operators can perform IOTs faster and more cost effectively.

In the SS7 world, operators steer roaming traffic to enable them to control the network
on which their subscribers roam. Typically, the solution is connected to a centralized node
that handles the roaming signaling traffic, usually next to the signal transfer point (STP).
The use of Diameter-based roaming combined with the always-on nature of LTE data
sessions requires a new solution to steer roaming traffic. This is yet another application
of a centralized Diameter router. In the near future, traffic steering can be enriched with
personalized steering defined by policy information. For example, an operator could steer
traffic based on the requested services and the availability of the best network, either in
terms of cost or quality for that service at that time of day. A centralized signaling router
with access to policy information and real-time network status can provide this next level of
traffic steering.

In Summary
Step by step, SS7 signaling is being replaced by Diameter and SIP-based equivalents. While LTE defines
Diameter-based rather than SS7 interfaces, the majority of the functionalities performed by SS7 will have
to be carried into the Diameter realm. As Diameter networks become larger, the number of interfaces
and complexity will increase, creating the need to optimize networks for Diameter-related tasks.

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The Rise of Diameter Signaling

The Diameter Signaling Router creates a Diameter signaling core that relieves LTE and
IMS endpoints of routing, traffic management and load balancing tasks and provides
a single interconnect point to other networks. The resulting architecture enables IP
networks to grow incrementally and systematically to support increasing service and traffic
demands. A centralized Diameter router is the ideal place to add other advanced network
functionalities like address resolution, Diameter interworking and traffic steering.

Some Relevant Acronyms

BICC Bearer Independent Call Control

CAMEL Customized Applications for Mobile Network Enhanced Logic

CAP CAMEL Application Part

CSCF Call Session Control Function

DRA Diameter Routing Agent

DSR Diameter Signaling Router

ENUM Electronic Number Mapping

EPC Evolved Packet Core

GRX GPRS Roaming eXchange

HSS Home Subscriber Server

INAP Intelligent network Application Part

IMS IP Multimedia Subsystem

IOT Interoperability Test

IP Internet Protocol

IP-CAN IP Connectivity Access Network

IPX IP Packet eXchange

ISUP ISDN User Part

IWF Interworking Function

KPI Key Performance Indicator

LTE Long Term Evolution

MAP Mobile Application Part

MME Mobility Management Entity

MVNO Mobile Virtual Network Operator

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PCRF Policy and Charging Rules Function

PDN Packet Data Network

SB Service Broker

SCCP Signaling Connection Control Part

SCTP Stream Control Transmission Protocol

SIP Session Initiation Protocol

SMS Short Message Service

SS7 Signaling System 7

STP Signal Transfer Point

TCP Transmission Control Protocol

SS7 Signaling System 7

STP Signal Transfer Point

TCP Transmission Control Protocol

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