WHI T E PAP E R

Scaling Diameter
in LTE and IMS
Executive Summary As mobile broadband growth continues apace
and LTE and IMS networks are deployed as replacements for legacy
technologies, Diameter signaling is becoming more important and
prevalent. Diameter signaling, used for authorization, authentication,
mobility, charging and quality of service (QoS), is essential for service
delivery and for networks to operate efciently and protably.
The volume of Diameter trafc can be crippling as subscriber population
expands and voice and data service usage intensies. Service providers
are looking for ways to cost effectively scale their Diameter signaling
infrastructure. In order for the network to keep pace, Diameter Signaling
Controllers are required to streamline operations, assure service continuity
and facilitate cost-effective scalability of LTE next-generation all-IP networks.
WHI T E PAP E R
Scaling Diameter
in LTE and IMS
Last decade the transformation of telecommunications
began as voice and all communications started the migration
from circuit-switched networks to an IP world. This IP
evolution has largely affected xed line networksalthough
that transformation is still early and not completeand
mobile is the next frontier. While 3G networks are now
widely popular and bring the Internet to nearly 800 million
subscribers,
1
mobile networks still use TDM for voice and
messaging, and much of the service-based signaling is based
on legacy infrastructure.
The combination of broadband IP access networks and
a new IP services layer (largely IMS) is the network of the
future. While 3G radio access networks, such as EVDO
and HSPA, brought IP and explosive data usage to mobile
networks, LTE is the major technological leap forward
embracing the all-IP network, leaving no home for
TDM technology.
SS7, the intelligent signaling layer in TDM networks, is replaced in these
LTE and IMS networks by two protocols: SIP and Diameter. SIP is the
call control protocol used to establish voice, messaging and multimedia
communication sessions. Diameter is used to exchange subscriber prole
information authentication, charging, QoS and mobilitybetween network
elements. The subscriber prole information is used for network attachment,
location updates and for each subscriber data, voice, video or multimedia
session. This information is also exchanged between visited and home
networks to authenticate and enable services for roaming subscribers.
Diameter signaling is exchanged between many EPC and IMS elements in a
service providers network and between providers and roaming hubs. Scores
of Diameter interfaces have been dened by various industry and standards
groups. The dominant ones shown in Figure 1 can be broadly grouped into
the following categories:
Registration, authorization and authentication
QoS/bandwidth-based admission control
Charging
Location
The Diameter protocol exchanges information in transactions, which consist
of requests from a Diameter client and an answer from a Diameter server. The
elements participating in the Diameter transaction include:
Clients who generates Diameter messages requesting information
(e.g., MME, SBC, PDN Gateway, CSCF)
Servers that respond to the request for information from the clients
(e.g, HSS, OCS, PCRF)
Agents that route, process or redirect Diameter messages between
the client and the server
Diameter Signaling in IP Networks
Figure 1: Diameter
interfaces in LTE & IMS
1
2011 subscribers from Infonetics Research, 2G/3G/4G Infrastructure and Subscribers, November 2011.
WHI T E PAP E R
Scaling Diameter
in LTE and IMS
Diameter signaling is extensive and can be quite demanding of the network.
The main challenges that service providers face with scaling and managing
Diameter in LTE and IMS networks include:
Traffc volume: The volume of messages and Diameter transactions for
each voice or data session can be huge. Both Acme Packet and analyst
rm Exact Ventures have performed independent analysis of the Diameter
signaling trafc volume in LTE networks.
By 2015, Acme Packet predicts 44,000 Diameter transactions per second
(TPS) for every one million subscribers, and Exact Ventures projects
a higher gure of 235,000 TPS per one million subscribers.
2
For a
moderately sized LTE deployment of ve million subscribers, a mobile
service provider will require Diameter transaction processing in the range
of 220,000 to over one million TPS.
N
2
squared mesh: As a single Diameter server element (HSS, PCRF, OCS)
cannot scale to meet the trafc volume requirements, service providers
must deploy multiple discrete server nodes connected to many more
Diameter client elements such as SBCs, PDN Gateways and MMEs. The
resulting logical network is a fully connected mesh, which is generally too
costly and complex to manage for large-scale networks.
Overload and network failure: The servers involved in processing various
AAA, QoS or charging functions are not equipped to deal with spikes
in volume; this can impact service quality or network availability due to
element overload and failure.
Network attack: Diameter signaling infrastructure that is exposed
to external networks in roaming scenarios can be attacked and, as
in overload event scenarios, be taken out of service, affecting overall
network availability. Information can also be intercepted on untrusted,
public IP transport networks between service providers, further elevating
security risk.
Provisioning and routing: Given the number of elements, where they are
located and how they must interconnect, the programming of route tables
and the effective routing of messages in a network can be daunting to
provision, maintain and change as the network grows.
Multi-vendor interoperability: While Diameter is a standard, there are
numerous interpretations of that standard as IMS and LTE have evolved
and as more vendors enter the market. In addition, there are differences
in networks (such as transport protocol or IP version) that can cause
incompatibility and transaction failures.
Multi-vendor environments are long known for interoperability
problems that add extra time or costs to an initial deployment and
ongoing operations.
Challenges to Scalability
2
Diameter Signaling Controller Market Forecast Report, 2011-2016, October 2011.
WHI T E PAP E R
Scaling Diameter
in LTE and IMS
Troubleshooting and management: The ability to collect and correlate
all messages with the number of elements, vendors and volume
of transactions is formidable if not impossible; the information from
these messages is critical for network planning, troubleshooting and
daily operations.
While focused on LTE networks, these challenges can exist in todays 3G
environments for QoS and charging interfaces as well.
To overcome these challenges, service providers are
deploying Diameter signaling controllers (DSCs) to
provide critical congestion control, mediation and routing
functions for Diameter signaling. These functions reduce
costs, streamline networks and ensure resiliency for LTE
and IMS networks.
The management and mediation of Diameter signaling enables the seamless
communication and control of AAA, charging, QoS and mobility information
between network elements within LTE or IMS networks and across LTE network
borders. Like session border controllers (SBCs), they incorporate many of the
same routing functions and security, interoperability and related signaling
control, but are targeted for the Diameter protocol instead of SIP.
DSCs fulll the role of the previously described Diameter agent as dened in
the Diameter protocol (RFC 3588), serving as proxy or relay agents between
clients and servers. DSCs are intermediaries in the Diameter transaction and
exert the necessary control functions to facilitate successful completion.
DSCs fulll two major functional elements dened by 3GPP: the Diameter
Routing Agent (DRA) and the Subscriber Location Function (SLF). These
functions are proxies in the middle of specic Diameter transactions and
assist in completing the exchange of critical subscriber information. The DRA
is associated with load balancing clusters of PCRF servers, and the SLF is
charged with discovery of the appropriate HSS for a given subscriber. Both
elements assume a large installation of PCRF and HSS elements.
Diameter routers are a commonly used, but inadequate term, for the
DSC product category. To provide a complete solution, routing is only the
starting point.
To address those challenges outlined earlier, the major features that DSCs
provide are:
Broad Diameter interface support
Dynamic and intelligent routing
Load balancing across Diameter servers
Overload control and denial of service (DoS) attack prevention
Encryption
Diameter protocol mediation and normalization
Transport protocol and IP address interworking
Aggregation of messages and reporting of key performance metrics
Diameter Signaling Control for a Scalable Network
Figure 2: Diameter agents
WHI T E PAP E R
Scaling Diameter
in LTE and IMS
Given the Diameter trafc volumes and the number of elements involved, the
scalability of the Diameter signaling controller is instrumental. Not just on a
per-node or appliance basis, but as an integrated solution that addresses the
connections and TPS requirements of large service provider deployments.
The solution must act as a whole and not add complexity, operational cost or
impact key functionality.
Key attributes of a scalable DSC solution include:
Load balancing and distribution of Diameter trafc to all nodes in
the solution
Coordination of rate limiting of Diameter transactions across the entire
solution to prevent network outages
Simplied provisioning of IP addresses, SCTP connections and Diameter
connections from the DSC to connected Diameter elements, such as
MMEs, HSSs, PCRFs, OCSs, PDN Gateways, GGSNs, CCFs and others
Ability to dynamically add and remove capacity and performance to
address scalability or maintenance needs
OA&M simplicity in the form of management as a single logical entity
Diameter signaling controllers are a new and rapidly emerging product
category and the market is projected to grow rapidly as LTE is deployed
globally.
There are two types of Diameter signaling controller
applications: core and interconnect. These applications
share many fundamental features but there are also some
important requirements unique to each application.
Core
Core DSCs perform high-performance Diameter routing
with subscriber statefulness while ensuring the optimum
utilization and service availability for Diameter elements
within the service providers core network.
Core Diameter routing simplies the mesh of connections
between a myriad of Diameter elements and ensures
interoperability between different vendors and products
within a service provider LTE or IMS network. They
allow the network to scale cost effectively and provide a
centralized point for management and reporting of Diameter messages and
connections. In addition to a general aggregation and routing role, the core
DSCs can provide specic proxy functions for HSS, PCRF and OCS servers
addressing signaling for:
Subscriber authentication and mobility: Cx, Dh, Dx, S6a, S6b,
Wm interfaces
Online and ofine charging: Gy, Rf, Ro interfaces
QoS and bandwidth reservation: Gx, Rx interfaces
Diameter Signaling Controller Applications
Figure 3: Core Diameter routing
WHI T E PAP E R
Scaling Diameter
in LTE and IMS
Due to the volume of messages for these applications,
core DSCs must provide very high signaling performance
and a highly scalable and exible routing scheme to deal
with the volume and complexity of routing requirements
for the myriad Diameter interfaces.
Interconnect
Interconnect DSCs perform a key security function at the
border between two service provider networks. They
require many of the same core signaling control features
along with hardware-accelerated DoS protection and
encryption that will not impact signaling performance.
There are two interconnect applications where service
providers interconnect with other mobile, wholesale/IPX
and over-the-top service providers.
LTE Data and VoLTE Roaming
Diameter signaling controllers secure the Diameter signaling border
between visited and home service providers so roaming subscribers
can access data and voice services. DSCs also enable IPX carriers and
roaming hubs to evolve their business and support multilateral LTE
roaming services.
This addresses control of Diameter signaling across IP borders including:
Authentication between visited MME and home HSS using
the S6a interface
QoS and charging information between visited and home
PCRF policy servers using S9
Federated Service Delivery
Diameter signaling controllers manage Diameter trafc between a
broadband provider and a MVNO or over-the-top/cloud provider,
enabling new revenue-sharing business models, while ensuring an
optimal user experience. This addresses exchange of authentication,
charging and QoS information across network borders.
Figure 5: Federated service delivery
3
GSA press release, October 13, 2011.
4
Infonetics Research, 2G/3G/4G Infrastructure and Subscribers, November 2011.
Who Needs a Diameter Signaling Controller?
Any service provider embracing all-IP networks will require Diameter signaling
controllers to varying degrees. Since Diameter is tightly integrated into IMS
and LTE, DSCs will be required to successfully scale these networks. The
growth of LTE will drive the DSC market. Global mobile Suppliers Association
(GSA) has reported commitment by 248 service providers to invest in LTE
and expects over 100 network launches by end of 2012.
3
Analyst rms are
projecting robust growth for LTE adoption. Infonetics Research projects
323 million LTE subscribers in 2015.
4
Figure 4: Data & VoLTE roaming
WHI T E PAP E R
Scaling Diameter
in LTE and IMS
According to Exact Ventures, the emerging DSC market is forecast to more
than double each year through 2016 due to very strong growth in network
signaling trafc driven primarily by LTE-based smartphones and predicts that
investments in DSCs will total over 300 million dollars by 2016.
5
The greatest need is for a core Diameter routing role within an individual
service provider (see Figure 3). This relates to managing the authentication,
QoS and charging requests and responses in a network. The DSC could be
centralized or deployed in front of the key Diameter server elements, including
HSS, PCRF and OCS systems. This applies to all LTE service providers as well
as some 3G and xed line IMS networks.
For LTE data and VoLTE roaming, all players in the ecosystemmobile service
providers, IPX carriers and roaming hubswill require DSCs to control AAA
and QoS information exchange at their external interconnect borders. DSCs
replace the SS7 STPs that enable 3G roaming today.
Another application, service federation, can also drive the need for DSCs for
xed and mobile broadband and over-the-top providers. Service federation
uses a revenue-share or partnership model and is predicated on the exchange
of QoS and authentication information between the two provider types.
5
Exact Ventures press release, October 25, 2011 and DSC Market Forecast Report, October 2011.
Summary
A Diameter signaling controller is a new network element that aggregates,
routes, mediates and secures Diameter signaling, enabling the seamless
communication and control of authentication, charging, QoS and mobility
information between network elements within LTE or IMS networks and across
LTE network borders.
The need for this element is rising as all-IP networks proliferate, creating a
mesh of Diameter connections that negatively impacts network performance,
capacity and management. DSCs alleviate those challenges and provide a
path to protability in the broadband era.
WHI T E PAP E R
Scaling Diameter
in LTE and IMS
Why Acme Packet?
Acme Packet was founded in 2000 with the mission to offer
service providers the controls they needed to effectively deliver
trusted, rst-class interactive communications as they migrate
their networks from TDM to IP.
The Acme Packet Net-Net SBCs were designed to provide
the security, interoperability, service assurance and regulatory
capabilities needed at the IP borders of service providers
nascent VoIP services.
There are strong synergies and parallels between the SBC
capabilities and the Diameter signaling demands in LTE and IMS
networks. Just as with SIP signaling, a new set of controls are
needed to supply security, service assurance, interoperability
and network scalability. With the Net-Net Diameter Director,
the proven signaling control and software capabilities in Acme
Packets Net-Net OS software are now applied to Diameter.
And like the VoIP market, Acme Packet has a deep conviction that an all-IP
solution offers a higher performance, more secure and more cost-effective
approach than one evolved from a TDM legacy. Acme Packet is providing
an IP solution for an IP challenge that complements other core Acme Packet
strengths, such as VoLTE, RCS and broadband VoIP, core SIP session routing,
and VoLTE interconnect.
The company experience is as important as the product capabilities. Service
providers will benet from Acme Packets hundreds of man-years of collective
experience in deploying solutions in all-IP signaling networks at the worlds
largest service providers. Diameter, as an IP signaling protocol, shares many
of the same challenges as SIPoverload, interoperability, scalability and
complexityand Acme Packet has addressed those issues in Net-Net OS with
features designed and rened for the next-generation network. While building
standards-compliant products and serving as an active contributor to the
relevant standards bodies, Acme Packet is focused on delivering pragmatic
solutions to solve the wide range of real-world requirements.
Acme Packet has a ten year track record solving service delivery challenges
and is a recognized IMS and session border controller solution leader.
The company is leveraging its experience, signaling expertise and core
product capabilities to deliver the industrys most comprehensive Diameter
signaling controller.
WHI T E PAP E R
2012 Acme Packet, Inc. All rights reserved. Acme Packet, Session-Aware Networking, Net-Net and
related marks are trademarks of Acme Packet. All other brand names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
The content in this document is for informational purposes only and is subject to change by Acme
Packet without notice. While reasonable efforts have been made in the preparation of this publication
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3GPP Third Generation Partnership
Project
AAA Authentication, Authorization
and Accounting
CSCF Call Session Control Function
DRA Diameter Routing Agent
EVDO Evolution-Data Optimized
IMS IP Multimedia Subsystem
IP Internet Protocol
HSPA High Speed Packet Access
HSS Home Subscriber Server
LTE Long Term Evolution
MME Mobility Management Entity
OCS Online Charging System
PCRF Policy and Charging Rules
Function
PDN Gateway Packet Data
Network Gateway
OA&M Operations, administration
and management
QoS Quality of Service
SBC Session Border Controller
SLF Subscriber Location Function
SS7 Signaling System 7
TDM Time Division Multiplexing
Terms and Abbreviations
Scaling Diameter
in LTE and IMS