NEs on the core network need to visit each other.

For example, during a long-

distant call, voice signals of a subscriber may be sent from the local MGW to an

MGW that is located in another province. How are the core network devices

connected to each other? In the current trend of IP-based telecom network, all

core network devices are interconnected over the IP network.

The IP network not only provides a channel for mutual access between core

network NEs, but also isolates data streams of various services using the virtual

private network (VPN) technology. This improves network security and ensures

scalability of network services.

The IP network is deployed by using the "one network for one country" mode. It

consists of access routers (ARs), border routers (BRs), and core routers (CRs). CRs

are deployed in a few provinces. A pair of BRs is generally deployed in each

province. The number of ARs is large.

All service-end equipment, including MSCs and MGWs, are connected to the IP

network by using the customer edges (CEs). CEs are generally routers.