www.sonus.

net
The ABCs of Diameter Signaling
We couldve called this one The AAAs of Diameter Signaling, since Diameter is the signaling protocol that handles
Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) messages in the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture.
As more subscribers move to IMS-based 4G/LTE networks, service providers are expecting an exponential growth in
Diameter trafc generated by smartphones and other mobile devices. This document is intended to help readers get
their arms around Diameter Signaling: What is it?, Why is it important?, and How will service providers handle the
imminent explosion of Diameter trafc in their networks?
What is Diameter?
There are two signaling protocols that drive most of the communications in IMS networks: Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and Diameter.
SIP is the industry standard for message signaling in real-time communications such as Voice over IP (VoIP) and videoconferencing
sessions. Diameter is the industry standard for data signaling from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. The two protocols
are designed to perform separate but complementary functions in IMS/LTE networks. For example, when a SIP session is initiated,
Diameter messages are working behind the scenes within the core network to authenticate that the subscriber is who they say they are, is
authorized to use certain network services or applications, and is charged correctly for using those services.
Why Diameter is About to Get Really Big
Until now, Diameter trafc hasnt been a big issue for service providers simply because of the limited number of IMS subscribers. But as
service providers begin to deploy more 4G/LTE networks to meet the mobile broadband demand of smartphones and tablets, the number
of Diameter signaling messages in service provider networks will grow exponentially. Smartphones, for example, generate a lot of Diameter
signaling messages in the core network: when theyre accessing an application, when theyre downloading data, when theyre roaming, even
when theyre simply being turned on and off. Multiply dozens of Diameter signaling messages by millions of smartphones, and you now have
potential chokepoints in the network that can disrupt service or even take down the network.
Today, there are over 75 unique Diameter signaling interfaces assigned to specic IMS and LTE network elements. Some have likened the
complexity of Diameter signaling to the problems originally presented by Signaling System 7 (SS7) in the rst wave of mobile networks.
Others have found a more recent parallel in the explosion of SIP trafc that appeared with the popularization of VoIP. And just as the need
to handle large amounts of SIP trafc led to the development of the Session Border Controller (SBC), the anticipated increase in Diameter
signaling trafc has resulted in the introduction of a new product category, the Diameter Signaling Controller (DSC), and it subsets, the
Diameter Routing Agent (DRA) and Diameter Edge Agent (DEA).
Introducing the Diameter
Signaling Controller
In many ways, a DSC handles Diameter the way that an SBC
handles SIP: by routing messages more efciently, preventing
network overloads, and interworking different variations of
Diameter signaling between devices. Instead of a complex mesh
of Diameter signaling messages owing between dozens of IMS
elements, a DSC acts as a central mediator that streamlines the
ow of Diameter signaling messages in the network (see gure 1).
Beyond reducing the amount of Diameter signaling trafc in the
core network, DSCs (like SBCs) provide a variety of other benets
to the network including:
> Provide load balancing of Diameter signaling trafc to
prevent network element overload or service interruptions
> Interwork Diameter and MAP protocols for LTE
interoperabilitywith 2G/3G networks
> Further secure the network border through IPsec encryption,
DoS protection, network topology hiding, etc.
> Enforce Diameter interoperability through manipulation of
Attribute Value Pairs (AVPs)
> Simplify the provisioning of Diameter elements
HSS-1
HSS-2
Diameter Signaling
Controller
AS
S-CSCF
MME
SGSN
I-CSCF
HSS-1
HSS-2
AS AS AS AS
MME MME MME MME
S-CSCF
S-CSCF
S-CSCF
S-CSCF
S-CSCF
S-CSCF
S-CSCF
S-CSCF
I-CSCF
I-CSCF
I-CSCF
I-CSCF
SGSN
SGSN
SGSN
SGSN
Figure 1. The Diameter Signaling Controller streamlines
Diameter signaling message ows in the mobile network
The content in this document is for informational purposes only and is subject to change by Sonus Networks without notice. While reasonable efforts have been made in the preparation of this publication
to assure its accuracy, Sonus Networks assumes no liability resulting from technical or editorial errors or omissions, or for any damages resulting from the use of this information. Unless specically
included in a written agreement with Sonus Networks, Sonus Networks has no obligation to develop or deliver any future release or upgrade or any feature, enhancement or function.
Copyright 2012 Sonus Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. Sonus is a registered trademark of Sonus Networks, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks or registered service marks
may be the property of their respective owners.
Printed in the USA 05/12 DS-1162
Sonus Networks
North American Headquarters
4 Technology Park Drive
Westford, MA 01886
U.S.A.
Tel: +1-855-GO-SONUS
Sonus Networks EMEA Headquarters
56 Kingston Road
Staines, TW18 4NL
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 207 643 2219
Sonus Networks APAC Headquarters
1 Fullerton Road #02-01
One Fullerton
Singapore 049213
Singapore
tel: +65 6832 5589
Sonus Networks CALA Headquarters
Mexico City, Campos Eliseos Polanco
Andrs Bello 10, Pisos 6 y 7, Torre Forum
Col. Chapultepec Morales, Ciudad de Mxico
Mexico City, 11560 Mexico
Tel: +52 55 36010600
Session Border Controller Diameter Signaling Controller
Handles VoIP and real-time session signaling Handles mobile data signaling
Improves SIP routing efciency Improves Diameter routing efciency
Provides signaling & media encryption, DoS/DDos protection and
topology hiding
Provides signaling encryption, DoS/DDoS protection and
topology hiding
Protects against network overloads Protects against network overloads
SIP interoperability achieved through message header manipulation
Diameter interoperability achieved through AVP message
manipulation
Figure 2. Session Border Controller vs. Diameter Signaling Controller