Studies started in year:
 Projects and Studies
P1303 
Access Networks control Functions and Interfaces in
NGN Architectures - ANFINA
closed
For further information please contact:

Valerie Blavette
Programme Manager
EURESCOM
Wieblinger Weg 19/4
69123 Heidelberg, Germany
Project Information
What is this Project about?

NGN related efforts are currently focussed on core network issues (switching/routing in the transport plane, distributed intelligent service creation and provisioning in the control plane), without yet addressing the access network requirements that would enable cost effective delivery of a wide variety of innovative multi-media and broadband services to end users through various distribution systems and access network technologies (with prime focus on xDSL) to NGN services and applications.

The first aspect that needs to be addressed in the project is the identification of the most appropriate services (including voice, data, video and TV, multi-media applications) services and delivery systems (typically xDSL-based) in an NGN environment. From there it will be possible to identify access networks functional requirements for ensuring resource and service control (encompassing QoS and Security). Building upon the identified requirements, access network elements (e.g. Gateways, Proxies, Servers) needed to accommodate the service delivery over broadband access technologies will be defined, taking into account the various relevant access systems as well as the economy factors.

The second aspect of the work is to investigate how operators can reuse and integrate their existing access network infrastructures, enhanced with new and diverse access technologies, to provide a coherent and as harmonized as possible interfaces towards the emerging core NGN architectures. This aspect of the study will build upon the above identified requirements but will mostly concentrate on resource and service control aspects and on their interactions with related NGN edge and core functions, through the adoption of various emerging protocols (e.g. Megaco, SIP) and techniques (e.g. MPLS), in order to propose flexible and extensible access network architectures interfacing smoothly with NGN environments.

What are the main objectives of this Project?

  • Identify promising new generation services and various types of access network systems and technologies (with xDSL-based focus) that are expected to interact with (and be integrated to) NGN architectures,
  • Identify and define Access Network requirements for resource and service control (including QoS and security) in Next Generation Networks environments,
  • Identify control functions, interfaces and protocols between Access Networks, Edge nodes (e.g. Media Gateways, Access and Resource control functions, Session control nodes) and Application servers (e.g. VoD, Content Delivery, e-Gaming),
  • Review status of field trials of new services over NGN oriented architectures,
  • Report on services generic requirements, NGN access functions, architecture and control issues (including consideration of vendors platforms, standards, field trial feedback).

What are the key results for this Project?

These include:

  • Identification of access network architectures to deliver new generation services (in NGN environments)
  • Harmonisation of access network interfaces towards NGN core networks, hence contributing to create standard interfaces and reduce their cost,
  • Results will support TelCos in selecting emerging access technologies (e.g. xDSL, Gigabit Ethernet) and their use to deliver new generation services in emerging NGN environments,
  • TelCos will have an opportunity to share experiences and to reach consensus on access networks interaction (and possible integration) with NGN architectures, influence the equipment suppliers and standardisation, thus consolidating conditions that enable high volume production and resulting costs savings.
  • The definition of open "standard interfaces" in NGN environments should improve the access network usage, open new business models and opportunities for Telcos, thus leading to cost reduction of the service delivery to end users.

What relationship exists to other organisations or bodies?

The project could be a means to contribute to the EC (IST project) NGN Initiative (IST-2000-26418)
Project Results