Alcatel IN 1400 Part 1 of 5

Alcatel 1400

General Introduction

Release 2.3

A L EC T L

3CL 02350 AFAA DEZZA ed01

Alcatel NAD 17/07/00

General Introduction 3CL 02350 AFAA DEZZA ed 01 2 / 157

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

This document is a general introduction to Release 2.3 of the Alcatel IN platform.More detailed information is provided in specific documents about platformarchitecture, platform services and the service creation tool chain.

This document is suited for readers who want to get a quick and easy overview ofthe features of Release 2.3 and of the service opportunities it can offer.

More detailed technical information can be found in the document Architectureand Functionality.

This document has been designed to be readily understandable. However, readersthat are new to telecommunications and Intelligent Networks are advised to readfirst the document IN Concepts.

Due to the immeasurable number of abbreviations used in the telecommunicationsworld and to the limited interest of tables translating acronyms into fulldenominations but never explaining them, it has seemed useful to provide thereader with a separate Glossary of IN terminology. This glossary is best used in itshypertext version, which provides easier access to the definitions.

This document as well as any available documentation about Alcatel IN platformRelease 2.3 is provided online, in hypertext format.

We warmly recommend to take advantage from this facility. It presents allgraphics and figures with meaningful colours and offers a full text search allowinginstant access to the information wanted.

This document contains chapters on the following topics.

A first look....................................................................................................... 3

Evolution of Intelligent Networks ................................................................. 17

Platform Architecture .................................................................................... 41

IN Services: Applications and Opportunities .............................................. 94

Migration......................................................................................................... 132

Introduction

Audience

Prerequisites

Glossary

Onlinedocumentation

Contents



A first look

Overview

This chapter presents a short overview of the architecture of Alcatel IN platformRelease 2.3.

Readers that are not familiar with telecommunications and Intelligent Networks areadvised to read first the document IN Concepts.

This document covers the following topics.

The IN platform................................................................................................ 4

IN Platform Basic Components........................................................................ 8

Scenarios for an IN call .................................................................................. 10

Introduction

Prerequisites

Contents



The IN platform

A platform is a combination of software and hardware components. The Alcatel INplatform is such a combination dedicated to the development, provisioning andmanagement of IN services.

All of the software commonly required for a range of services is included on astable platform that seldom changes. When a new service is installed, only theparts that are unique to the service need to be developed and placed on the existingplatform. This drastically reduces the time required to implement a new service.

Freephone

Access Network (PSTN, ISDN...)

Intelligent N etwork Platform

Televoting Personal Number (PN)

...

Calling Card

With the Intelligent Network, new services can be introduced and accessed fromany terminal in the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), IntegratedServices Digital Network (ISDN), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and IPNetwork, designated in the figure above as access network.

Switching functions provide access to the services on the IN platform.

These switching functions can be accessed by:

• local, toll, and international exchanges of the fixed network,

• mobile switching centres (MSCs).

Continued on next page

Definition

Description

Access to the INplatform



The IN platform, Continued

An IN platform can be described according to several models. The followingdescription focuses on physical components. More information about theconceptual model is provided further on.

The figure below shows the four main components of an IN platform.

SMP

SLEE

SDP

SSP

data access

data access

statistics

access controlstatisticsdata management

data server

call treatment

switching function

INAPoperations

Part Function

SSP Service Switching Point/Function

SLEE Service Logic Execution Environment

NOTE: a specialised SLEE is the Service Control Point(SCP) in a Compaq environment, implementing the ServiceControl Function (SCF).

SDP Service Data Point/Function

SMP Service Management Point/Function

An Alcatel IN platform also includes:

Part Function

SCE Service Creation environment:

for design and testing of new or modified services.

SRP Specialised Resource Point:

for announcement handling and DTMF (or push-button)reception.

NOTE: Depending on configuration, the SRP can be internal to the ServiceSwitching Point (SSP) or an external component, or both.


Platformcomponents




The picture below shows an Alcatel IN Platform integrating an SCE and an SRP.

PSTN, ISDN, ...PSTN, ISDN, ... Mobile, ...Mobile, ...

Signalling Transfer Points,Service Switching Points

Service Management Point

SpecialResources Point

Service Creation Environment

EnterpriseEnterprise IP, ...IP, ...

Network &Network &Service managementService management

Service Data Point

ServiceControlPoint

The Service Switching Point hosts the Service Switching Function. This belongs tothe access network and will communicate with the SCP. Its main function is toinvoke call and non-call related services on the IN platform. The SSP can be partof a PSTN/ISDN network, but other networks are possible like PLMN, IP etc. Thehardware used to implement the SSF depends on the access network.

The Service Control Point hosts the Service Control Function. This commands callcontrol functions in the processing of IN provided and/or custom service requests.

The SCF may interact with other functional entities to access additional logic or toobtain information (service or user data) required to process a call/service logicinstance.

The Service Control Function:

• interfaces and interacts with Service Switching Function/Call Control Function,specialised resource function (SRF) and service data function (SDF) functionalentities;

• contains the logic and processing capability required to handle IN providedservice attempts;

• interfaces and interacts with other SCFs, if necessary;

• is managed, updated and/or otherwise administered by a Service ManagementFunction.


Platformcomponents(continued)

ServiceSwitching Point

Service ControlPoint




The Service Data Point implements the Service Data Function. This is a particularservice aimed to be used as data server (and even object server) by other services.It hosts all the data related to the services running on the IN Platform.

The Service Data Function contains customer and network data for real time accessby the SCF in the execution of an IN provided service. It:

• interfaces and interacts with SCFs as required;

• interfaces and interacts with other SDFs, if necessary;

• is managed, updated and/or otherwise administered by an SMF.

The SDF contains data relating directly to the provision or operation of INprovided services. Thus it does not necessarily encompass data provided by a thirdparty, such as credit information, but may provide access to these data.

The Service Management Point hosts the Service Management Function. Thisentity is involved with activities for service deployment, service provisioning,control, monitoring and billing.

Service DataPoint

ServiceManagementPoint



Alcatel IN Platform Basic Components

The Alcatel 1400 Intelligent Network platform consists of dedicated components:

• A1452 Service Creation Environment (SCE) Engineering Tool.

• A1000 Service Switching Point (SSP),

• A1425 Service Control Point (SCP),

• A1435 Service Management Point (SMP),

• A1410 Specialised Resource Point (SRP).

Each component is responsible for several intelligent network functions.Standardised interfaces ensure smooth transfer of data between the IN componentsand with public telecommunications networks.

The hardware and software needed for every component are briefly describedbelow.

The SCE hardware architecture is built over a Local Area Network (LAN) andincludes the following components:

• one or more Engineering Tool Personal Computer(s) (Pentium recommended)

• an SCE Software Factory and file server based on a DEC AlphaServer.

The SSP gives any service user, anywhere in the network, access to servicesprovided through its links with the SCPs. Two network levels – the publictelephone network level and the Intelligent Network level – meet at the SSP.

The Alcatel 1400 Intelligent Network can use the functions of the existing publicswitch to support intelligent network services. An Alcatel 1000 E10, Alcatel S12switch, or another vendor switch, can be configured as the IN SSP.

An SCP contains Front End Processor (FEP) and Back End Processor (BEP)machines running on Compaq Alpha servers inter-connected by a Local AreaNetwork (LAN) [(Ethernet/Fibre Distribution Data Interface (FDDI)]. FEP andBEP functions can be implemented on a single machine or on several machines.

The SCP uses the following Digital software:

• Digital UNIX,

• DEC SS7.

Oracle database software for the SCP includes:

• Oracle Server

• Oracle SQL*Plus.


Introduction

The SCE

The SSP

The SCP



Alcatel IN Platform Basic Components, Continued

The hardware of the SMP includes:

• two server systems (Compaq Alpha Servers 4100 5/466 systems, depending onrequirements) working in warm/standby mode,

• The systems share resources (data disks and I/O equipment) for connection tolocal and remote devices (operator and service customer terminals).Warm/standby means the system is up and running and the second server isready to take over, should the first fail.

• a duplicated LAN,

• two Ethernet controllers per server,

• two Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) controllers and two SCSI busesper group of disks,

• data disks configured as shared disks; in this way, the disks are accessible byboth systems (although not simultaneously),

• mirrored disks for all groups (System disk, Swap disk and data disks).

• In addition, data and system disks are hot swap disks. A failed disk can bechanged while the system is running, without service shutdown.

The software architecture has three main components:

• operating system (see SCP),

• Oracle server (see SCP),

• SMP platform (beyond the scope of this introduction).

The Alcatel 1410 SRP is offered in two modes:

• SRP integrated in Alcatel SSP for Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF)detection and transmission of announcements. (Typically, the integrated SRP isused for quick service handling.)

• External SRP, offering additional functions such as user interaction throughspeech recognition, voice store / forward... The External SRP is based on theTransvox Voice Processing Server.

The SMP

The SRP



Scenarios for an IN call

This section gives a general description of how the components of an AlcatelIntelligent Network interact in handling a call.

The following interactions are discussed below:

Service user to SSP........................................................................................... 11

SSP to SCP: the actual call handling................................................................ 12

Scenario for a Voice-over-IP call ..................................................................... 15

Overview

Contents



Service user to SSP

Each call that requires treatment as an IN service is routed through the publictelephone or mobile switching networks (PSTN/ISDN/PLMN) to the ServiceSwitching Point (SSP) network node designated for that service.

The service user accesses the network through a network switch, either a transitexchange (TX) or a local exchange (LE). This network switch may containsoftware enabling it to be configured as an SSP or may, after identifying the call asan IN related call, direct it to the appropriate SSP.

The SSP can recognize a call as an IN-related call because of a service accessnumber (SAN). A SAN contains the prefix code of the desired service. The SSPuses the SAN information and criteria in its trigger tables to analyze the call.

The triggering of the SSP can also start from the switch itself. In mobile networks,the entire dialed number identifies the call as an IN call. A mark in the LE or TXswitch recognizes from this number that the call is an IN call. The call is thendirected to a Mobile Network Switch (MSC) or Radio Mobile Control Point(RCP), and then to an SSP.

The SSP will gather all necessary information and forward it to the SCP (ServiceControl Point).

Overview

The useraccesses thenetwork

The SSPrecognises an INcall

Next step



SSP to SCP: the actual call handling

The handling of an IN call is shared between:

• the SCP, which controls the overall operation, and

• the SSP, which forwards the information to and from the SCP.

Some generic situations based on this model are described below.

As the access point for all IN services, the SSP contains two functions needed torelay calls in the IN:

• the Call Control Function (CCF),

• the Service Switching Function (SSF).

After receiving the call to a service, the SSP analyzes it and determines where theSCP for that service is physically located in the IN network.

The SSP gathers the information needed to proceed with the call (for example, thecaller's identity).

Then the SSP requests the SCP responsible for the service to take charge, andforwards the needed information.

The SSP completes the call routing by following the data and call handlingcommands which come to it from the SCP.

When the SCP receives the request to intervene in a service call, it selects theservice script based on the input message from the SSP.

Call handling is ensured by:

• service scripts. They describe the type and sequence of executable actions perservice.

• a library of elementary actions (Service-Independent Building Blocks orSIBs). SIBs are made up of standard and specific subroutines that actuallycontrol the handling of the requested service.

The software in the SCP analyses the script of the called service, launches theelementary actions indicated in the script, monitors their execution and remotelycontrols the SSP.

The SCP can, for example, instruct the SSP to play a recorded announcementthrough a connection with the Specialised Resource Point (SRP)or to establish aconnection between a network input and a network output.

The SCP can also direct the SSP to set up a connection, establish a charge ticket,and supervise the resulting call events. The SSP notifies the SCP about theinformation it receives through the SRP.

Besides interacting with the SSP, the SCP records all service related data in itsdatabase. This data is automatically updated into the SMP database.


Overview

First relayto the SCP

Call handling atSCP level



SSP to SCP: the actual call handling, Continued

The SCP translates the SAN dialed by the user into a destination number (routingnumber) in the PSTN/ISDN/PLMN.

PSTNISDNPLMN

SSP SCP

Translation

SAN

Routingnumber

During the call, the SCP and the SSP exchange information in the form of INAPoperations (for example, charging data, or end of call.)

Communication between the SSP and the SCP uses the Common ChannelSignaling System Number 7 (CCS7) network with Transaction CapabilityApplication Part (TCAP) as the application layer.

One TCAP dialog is opened for each IN call. The dialog stays open as long as theSSP and the SCP need to exchange information related to the IN call.

At the end of a call, the SSP sends a call record to the SCP. For each IN call, theSCP constructs a call record, called a ticket, which contains all relevant data forthat call. The SCP then sends these tickets to the SMP, where they providestatistics and, optionally, charging.

A record contains two parts:

• a common part that has the same parameters no matter what the service (e.g.,called number, call start time, etc.),

• a service-dependent part that contains parameters that are unique to the specificservice.

The SCP sends the records to the SMP at the very moment when it hands backcontrol over the call to the SSP (at the end of the call from the IN viewpoint).

If communication with the SMP is impossible, the SCP stores the records untilcommunication is restored. The SCP then transfers the buffered records to theSMP.


Example:numbertranslation

Protocols used

Call datacollection



SSP to SCP: the actual call handling, Continued

The picture belows illustrates the exchange of igformation that takes place betweenthe SCP and the SSP on one side and from the SCP to the SMP on the other side.

IN/0002

2

3

SSP

Data :subscribers,

services,technical

Statisticsobservation

SMP

Data :services

Servicescript

SCP

Callticket

Basiccall

1 4

Servicetrigger

The figure below illustrates the sequence of actions defined in a simple servicescript.

Conversation

Calletablishment

Translation

Sendannoucement

Validation

Serviceactivation

Triggering

Dialling

Conversationend

Stop call

Charging

Call ticket

Statistics

User SSP SCP SMP

Conversationstart

Simple Callhandling

Call handlingscript



Scenario for a Voice-over-IP call

Users with only one analog telephone line, that are frequently connected to theInternet, are blocking the line for incoming calls.

For the network operator, all these calls to Internet users remain uncompleted andcongest the network, while the calls for Internet connections generate extrarevenue limited to the price of a local call.

The basic idea of IN services like Browse and Talk, also known as Internet Callwaiting, is to:

• notify user of of incoming telephone calls while he/she is surfing on the Internet

• deliver these incoming calls via alternative channels, depending on the user’sinfrastructure and preferences.

The following picture illustrates possible choices.

Call delivery toalternate destination

Call delivery tovoice mailbox

Call deliveryto the surfer’s PC(Voice-over-IP)

Pick up the call afterInternet disconnection

Notificationonly (ignore call)

ININININ


Description



Scenario for a Voice-over-IP call, Continued

The following picture illustrates the scenario of a Voice-over-IP call.

User B has selected the “Call Delivery to PC” option among the choices offeredabove.

User A calls user B over PSTN. The SSP2 indicates that user B is busy surfing andtriggers the Internet Call Waiting service on the SCP. The call is transferred to theSRP and delivered to user B Voice-over-IP application – while user B keeps onsurfing.

SCPSSP1 User B

SRPUser A

SSP2

Call request

IAM

ICW triggering

Keep alive procedure

surfing

ANMANM

Conversation

Call acceptance

Connect to SRP

IAMCall delivery (VoIP)

“B” busy ->TDP13

Scenario



Evolution of Intelligent Networks

Overview

The Alcatel IN platform Release 2.3 provides new solutions that enable thedevelopment of next generation network applications.

This introductory chapter describes , the concept of network applications, theevolution of the market and how solutions have evolved. It also describes themarket drivers which Release 2.3 aims to address.

This chapter contains the following topics.

Evolution of Network Applications............................................................... 18

Market Evolution ........................................................................................... 21

Platform Market Drivers ............................................................................... 37

Introduction

Contents



Evolution of Network Applications

Overview

After a short description of the origin and development of intelligent services, thissection presents the concept that underlies Release 2.3 : "Moving from IntelligentNetworks to Intelligent Services". It describes the recent evolution of the market,the major topics, and roles for new intelligent network applications.

This section contains maps on the following topics.

Moving to personalised services ...................................................................... 19

Roles for Intelligent Services ........................................................................... 20

Introduction

Contents



Moving to personalised services

During the past decade, the telecommunications services have made a verysignificant change. They have shifted from providing physical systems andtechnical solutions to offering services focused on human behaviour, with aconstantly growing knowledge content.

The first stage consisted bringing intelligence to the network, allowing phone callshandling and management.

The coming stage is to bring intelligence to the services, allowing:

• management of more IN calls, applications and features,

• connection from and to any network: voice / data, single user / corporate,Internet, etc,

• use of any terminal.

Networks, terminals, services and human interfaces need to be redefined tobecome Intelligent Services focused on the human user.

Different networks have different capacities: the 1999 user still had to changenetworks depending on what he wanted to do. Intelligent Services integratenetworks to allow the user to use them according to his needs, but through a singleaccess.

The same applies with terminals. Intelligent Services address any terminal, notonly phone sets and PCs. This is achieved mainly through intelligence addedwithin the Specialised Resource Function, which has now the role of translatingand presenting the information wanted.

Intelligent Services put the user at the centre, not the technology.

This can be seen:

• at network level: unified underlying networks and terminals;

• at assistance level: terminal presentation, interactive content services, push andpush filtering;

• at application level: user-defined applications, applications collaboration,mobility.

Finally, Intelligent Services present the user with a human interface. Examples ofpossibilities are:

• personalisation through profiles• user voice, speech and language recognition• dialogue mechanisms.

Introduction

Networks

Terminals

Services

Humaninterface



Roles for Intelligent Services

Intelligent Services meet new e-commerce, m-commerce or even more generally e-world requirements by offering the following:

• integration of voice and web,

• integration with the business through the Computer/Telephony Interface, and

• integration of call and contact (Click-To-Talk).

Intelligent Services expand beyond the traditional scope of pure voice-basedservices, allowing integration of call centres, e-commerce and operation supportsystem (TMN) functions.

Intelligent Services can also offer interactive functions specifically designed forcustomer care:

• information access and help,

• human contacts with expert agents,

• intelligent delivery and reachability,

• virtual and mobile agents, VoIP and VoADSL agents, and

• optimised use of the network features.

These all turn Call Centres into Integrated Contact Centres.

Integration

Expansion

Customerinteraction



Market Evolution

Overview

This section identifies market trends that have affected the evolution of AlcatelIntelligent Networks.

The analysis covers three domains:

• Voice services

• IN@Internet

• Network Contact Centres

With the growth of wireless networking, Intelligent Networks have gradually cometo cover a wide range of mobile and fixed-mobile converged (FMC) services.

Today, however, the scope of Intelligent Networks is no longer limited to theNumber 7 signalling based networks. The scope of IN is naturally expanding to IPbased networks and results in fixed-mobile-data convergence services. In these,according to the IN philosophy, software building blocks and network elements arere-used to offer similar services on switched circuit and packet networks.

The step Alcatel Intelligent Networks are now taking is to expand from pure voiceservices towards multimedia and net-commerce applications.

SS7-based IN

VoIPWAP

NetCommerceMultimedia

Scope

Time

Seamless Platform &

Services E

xpansion

A wide variety of IN services is available today, generating revenue for networkoperators and service providers on a daily basis (calling cards, number translationand routing, mass calling, universal number, virtual private networks, etc.).Intelligent Networks are due to follow this trend as the scope of services andapplications is changing with the advent of the Internet.

In the near future, Intelligent Networks or rather Network ApplicationsEnvironment (NAE) will be able to handle new, distributed applications, providing

Introduction

From N7towards IP

Networkservices



services to both IP networks and end-users (directory, profile and policy,transaction, e-commerce, etc.).

IPPSTN/PLMN

PTSN/PLMN

IPGW

IN

content& i/aUser & terminal

GW/GK

OSP

Content &interaction

User &terminal

traditional IN domain

new NAE domain



Voice Services

The percentage of telecommunication traffic treated by Intelligent Networks isconstantly increasing with services such as mobile prepaid, number portability,VPN and personal number services.

The evolution of these traditional IN services is driven by user centricity:

• Users subscribe to any combination of services and want to see it as one service;

• Users want their services to be transparently available on every network: fixed,mobile or data;

• Users want to personalize and manage their own service via different channels,e.g.: the Internet, a WAP-terminal or speech recognition.

This results in more complex and personalised services.

Share revenue per service - Europe 1996 2002

VPN 26% 37%Toll Free 23% 29%Premium Rate 33% 12%Calling Card 16% 10%Personal Number 1% 11%

Source: IWF 98 Source: Schema

Worldwide Revenue (B$) 1998 CAGR

800 Services 25.9 12%Calling Card 7.8 22%Calling Name 6.2 26%Voice Mail (VM) 4.3 11%VPN 4.2 41%Call Waiting 2.0 47%Wireless & others 1.1 48%

Worldwide Revenue (B$) 1998 CAGR

800 Services 25.9 12%Calling Card 7.8 22%Calling Name 6.2 26%Voice Mail (VM) 4.3 11%VPN 4.2 41%Call Waiting 2.0 47%Wireless & others 1.1 48%

CAGR: Cumulative Annual Growth Rate

Terminal proliferation results in requirements for Intelligent Services that canaddress all these different types of terminals. The concept of the SpecialisedResource Function is extended to become the layer between the information itselfand the user. Examples of this new role for SRFs are WAP-gateways, speechrecognition engines and text-to-speech converters. As the IN vendor will not bespecialised in all these domains, the platform has to be open to integrate third-partysolutions.

Today’s drive for real-time billing comes mainly from the prepaid services of themobile domain. However this trend is expanding towards the fixed telephony anddata domain to support new payment models. Micro-payments for e-commerce area typical example: it is too expensive and risky to use credit cards or post paymentmodels, so more and more players are looking for real-time micro-payments usinga prepaid account.


Evolution of INServices

Terminals

Real-time billing



Voice Services, Continued

The Information & Voice Service Environment – IVSE - is the foundation forrealising an operational implementation of Information & Content Deliveryservices.

IVSE will be realised through smart combination and integration ofcomplementary platforms and servers, all controlled and managed from oneOperational Management Centre.

Within IVSE, service subscriber/user will have its Virtual Home Environment(VHE) / Personal Service Environment (PSE) including services profile.

The VHE/PSE is made possible through the following functions.

The home environment management allows users to define, to customise and touse their own personalised service environment (PSE) through a unique interface.

EXAMPLE: Service customisation (setting of call-forwarding parameters, VPNparameters, …); homepage definition and customisation (to establish the list ofpreferred services and content to be included in the user’s homepage);homepage automatic enhancement (to adapt the homepage content andpresentation depending on the user behaviour, the user profile analysis, theterminal characteristics...).

The user management maintains a dynamic association between the end-user, theattached network and the terminal in use.

EXAMPLE: User authentication (performing a mutual authentication between theuser and the network operator/service provider), user access control, userlocation (« how to reach the user » on the different targeted networks), userprofile management, service management/adaptation (Services registration,access, etc.)

The service management adapts the service to the current terminal and networkcapabilities.

The IVSE solution will be based on a Distributed Server Architecture. Thisincludes, on top of the basic Open Platform Services, all servers and resourcesnecessary for service's and subscriber's management and for services execution.


IVSE

Virtual HomeEnvironment

VHE/PSEfunctions

A distributedarchitecture




This solution works in conjunction with Special Resources Servers like:

• Payment Server

• Location server

• UMS server

• WAP server

• Web server, and

• Mediation Server

interfacing towards third party Servers where either external application or serviceinformation are residing.

Distributed Environment

Pers

ona

l Ser

vice

Envi

ronm

ent

Paym

ent

Serv

er

Loca

tion

Serv

er

Web

Ser

ver

Statistics Server

Access Server

ManagementServers

Alarms Server

Configuration Server

WA

P G

ate

way

SMS

Gate

way

Voic

e M

ail

UM

S ApplicationServers

Prepaid

Scenario Service

Information Delivery

...

MediationServer

Third PartyServers

Thir

d P

art

ySe

rver

Thir

d P

art

ySe

rver

The growth of the subscriber base and the increase of revenues can be ensured bycreating new and more attractive packages of features, such as the combination ofprepaid service, call sponsoring, information based services and even informationpush-based services, both linked to the user's profile and his location (location-based services).

The chapter Application Opportunities presents a lot of existing or future services.Some descriptions extracted from this chapter are given in the following table.


A distributedarchitecture(continued)

New services




Service Description

Call sponsoring orSponsoredCalling Service

The users place phone calls free of charge or at reducedprices. The calls are regularly interrupted byadvertisements. The frequency and the selection of theadvertisements is made in accordance with the serviceprofile of the caller.

Informationbased services

Such services provide the calling party with theinformation required: directory services, orders anddeliveries, assistance, parking lots, traffic status, movieschedules, restaurants…

Information pushbased services

Information is pushed to the subscribers based on theirlocation even when they are not placing any calls.

New services(continued)



IN@Internet™

One of the most significant revolutions in telecommunications is the explosivegrowth of the Internet and other TCP/IP based networks and services. Today, thevolume of data traffic has overtaken that of voice. This will have a dramatic impactupon the nature of telecommunication networks.

This growth is driven by:

• adaptation of Internet Protocol (IP) as the application integrating standard in theenterprise networks;

• new multimedia applications such as unified messaging, web-enabled callcentres (accessed via web sites) and e-commerce which require voice over IP tobe effective;

• more efficient use of capacity.

At the same time, however, the projected revenues coming from voice services aremuch larger than those coming from other data services.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10

Year

data and voice traffic evolutionUS long distance

voice

data

01997

Year

US voice and dataservice revenues(million dollars)

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

50

100

150

200

$152 $159$167 $176 $185 $194

$16 $18 $23 $28$36

$40

Voice (CAGR 5%)Data (CAGR 25%)

(source: the Yankee Group, dec 98)(source: the Yankee Group, dec 98)

IP Telephony or Voice-over-IP (VoIP) is a market fact. Since 1995, VoIP has beengrowing up into a mature technology, and IP telephony has become a seriousbusiness. VoIP products and services are entering both corporate and publicnetworking. Today, almost all established and new telecom operators are eitherexperimenting with it or deploying some VoIP services in their networks.

IP Traffic

Voice over IP



IN@Internet: services

With its IN@Internet™ program, Alcatel is proposing a series of solutions toprovide the best possible synergy between the PSTN, the Intelligent Network andthe IP Network/Internet. Today, IN@Internet is focusing on four major domains:

• Dial-up access

• Convergence services

• Voice-over-IP

• Native IP services.

Dial-up access adds value to the connection between Internet surfers and ISPs.In today’s Internet access scenario, the role of the local loop operator is limited tothe offering of a local connection from the end-user to the ISP. IN providesalternative routing and billing for Internet access.

Convergence services combine the features of the telephony network and theInternet, bridging the voice and data worlds.

Using the same telephone line for voice calls and for surfing the Internet meansthat users cannot receive or make calls whilst remaining online. Browse&Talkallows telephony subscribers to be alerted of incoming telephone calls while theyare surfing on the Internet.

With Click-to-Dial, Internet users can simply push a button on a web page to set upa voice communication over IP. Click-to-Dial is part of a new range of web-assisted services allowing a call to be set up over any combination of fixed, voiceand data networks. They also integrate Internet information browsing, humanassistance and commercial transactions.

Although today’s VoIP usage is still driven by the lack of regulation of IPTelephony calls (e.g. VoIP allows users to make a long distance call for the priceof a local one), market analysts agree that tomorrow’s market will only be able toflourish through the presence of Value Added Services for the end-user.

As such, the availability of a powerful intelligence infrastructure with appropriateservices (including both traditional voice services and new convergence servicessuch as Click-to-Dial, Web Call Centres, etc) is to be considered as a major assetfor any operator that aims to benefit from the data wave.


Introduction

Dial-up access

Convergenceservices

Voice-over-IP



IN@Internet: services, Continued

Native IP services offer new services over ‘pure’ data networks. Although the IPnetwork is often depicted as a ‘stupid’ network, there is a major role to play for theIntelligent Network as a central intelligence for the converged voice-data network.Typical examples of these functions are profiles (mobile service data), policies(data-driven service scripts) and directory services.

office

IN

home

travel

profilesprofilesprofilesprofilespoliciespoliciespoliciespoliciesdirectoriesdirectoriesdirectoriesdirectories

mobilitymobilitymobilitymobility & roaming

Native IPservices



IN@Internet: architecture and standards

Most of the present VoIP networks have both VoIP Gateways (GW) andGatekeepers (GK) implemented.

The figure below illustrates a typical Voice-over-IP network.

PABX

IP

VoIPGW

PSTNVoIPGW

M

VoIPGK

Dial-IPGW

PABX

LAN

Gatekeeper is responsible foraddress resolution and AAA

Phone terminals connecting tothe VoIP network through GWs

Gateways are convertingvoice to/from packets

IP terminals withVoIP client software

The network is accessed using:

• phone terminals

• connected to the PSTN (possibly through PABX)

• or connected to the IP network

• computers (IP terminals)

• equiped with IP client software allowing to establish a VoIP connection

• connected to the PSTN via modems

• or connected to the IP network via LANs

The H.323 protocol is the most commonly used in VoIP networks.

Some of the major initiatives in the area of voice and multimedia over IP aretaking place in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the EuropeanTelecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and the InternationalTelecommunications Union (ITU).


Currentarchitecture

Standards



IN@Internet: architecture and standards, Continued

They relate to the following domains:

Domain Protocol or standard Reference

Network architecture ETSI projectTelecommunications andInternet ProtocolHarmonization OverNetworks – TIPHON

http://www.etsi.org/tiphon

Multimedia servicesand systems

ITU H.323 – Packet-based multimediacommunications systems

http://www.itu.int/itudoc/itu-t/rec/h/h323.html

IETF MEGACO MediaGateway Control

http://www.ietf.org/ids.by.wg/megaco.htmlBreaking-down of thegateway into two parts

ITU H.GCP/H.248 http://www.itu.int/itudoc/itu-t/rec/h/index.html

Packet-based PSTNsignalling over IPNetworks

IETF SignallingTransport (SIGTRAN)

http://www.ietf.org/ids.by.wg/sigtran.html

At the moment, some of these standardisation initiatives are converging. However,much work still remains to be done to make the IP network match the traditionalswitched circuit networks in following areas:

• reliability (Quality of Service)

• manageability (including charging and billing)

• richness of services.

Alcatel is actively following up or participating in most of the initiativesmentioned above. This is to ensure a smooth evolution from its current products.

Today, IP Telephony is mainly driven by the opportunity to make cheap telephonecalls (“toll bypass”). However, market analysts agree that the VoIP market oftomorrow will only be able to flourish through the presence of Value-AddedServices for the end-user. These services are already provided today by IN.

A powerful “intelligent” infrastructure consists of the platform with capability tocreate and deploy new services, and these services themselves. Such aninfrastructure is a major asset for any operator aiming to benefit from the newsurge in data products and usage, regardless of the operator’s size, age and history.

So far most of today’s data and voice-over-data networks have limited or no“intelligence”, and are not designed to offer these services. Although Gatekeepersare often depicted as the best VoIP service platforms, in most cases theirintelligence goes no further than providing Authentication, Authorisation andAccounting (AAA) and E.164-IP address resolution (AR).

Standards(continued)

Services

http://www.etsi.org/tiphon

http://www.itu.int/itudoc/itu-t/rec/h/h323.html

http://www.ietf.org/ids.by.wg/megaco.html

http://www.itu.int/itudoc/itu-t/rec/h/index.html

http://www.ietf.org/ids.by.wg/sigtran.html



Some of the enabling factors for deploying Value Added Services in acommunication environment are:

• the availability of an extensive call/session model,

• the ability to handle these calls/sessions (Call Control Function or CCF), and

• the possibility to initiate services based on call/session related conditions andevents (Service Switching Function or SSF).

Once CCF and SSF functions are present in the network, the role of the gatekeeperor the call server becomes a service enabler rather than a service itself. In a ValueAdded Service-oriented environment, the call server will give access to a numberof user-oriented features such as:

• voice interaction,

• user profiles,

• secure access control,

• customer care,

• provisioning & activation,

• handling of alternate billing services,

• charging & accounting,

• intelligent call-handling,

• alarms,

• statistics, etc.

Alcatel is providing a central “intelligence platform” that will ‘cement’ voice anddata networks together. Whether in terms of Internet access, web-basedmanagement and provisioning of IN services, or voice-data convergent services,Alcatel IN is unlocking the possibilities of the Internet and VoIP.


Call model

NetworkApplicationEnvironment



IN@Internet: architecture and standards, Continued

The figure below presents Alcatel’s competitive edge: one IN platform for fixed,mobile and IP voice services.

Data/IPPSTNISDNPLMN

SMP

SSP CallServerfixed

mobile

(Vo)IPVoIPGW

Dial-IPGW

SDP SRP SCP SCE

Same Plat form ... Same Service Creat ion ...Same Service Management ... Same + New Services

Mult i-network ... Mult i-protocol ... Mult i-vendor

A Single IN Solut ion

iSRP

In order to be able to offer the same services as those offered today on the switchedvoice network, the packet voice network will need to provide the same functions asthe PSTN. One of these functions is the Special Resource Function (SRF), whichplays voice announcements and collects DTMF input (information input throughphone keypad), offering the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) functionality toservices.

Alcatel’s Internet Special Resource Point (iSRP) provides Interactive VoiceResponse (IVR) functions to the Voice-over-IP network. Controlled by IN servicescripts, the iSRP can deliver voice announcements to the users’ terminals (phoneor PC) over IP instead of over PSTN.

NetworkApplicationEnvironment(continued)

iSRF



Network Call Centres

Alcatel’s newest Intelligent Network is designed for close integration with callcentre technology. The range of solutions offered includes:

• a low-cost, full IN-based-solution,

• with centralised management,

• distributed call centre positions,

• using VoIP for the agents, and

• cheap industrial PC for every point of presence.

The high-end offer includes state of the art call centre technology from Genesys, aleading Alcatel subsidiary, seamlessly integrated with IN intelligence.

Alcatel has brought its extensive experience in operator-assisted services fromswitch-based solutions to an IN-based client-server architecture. This is in linewith the industry standard approach in the business market.

Examples of OAS are provided in the chapter Services Opportunities.

Existing IN services can be upgraded to provide integrated operator fallback.

Integrated means that:

• the operator will be selected by the SCP based on his/her skills profile and theuser profile (e.g.: language, type of subscription);

• the IN call context and user profile will be automatically presented to theoperator.

By tight integration with the call centre software, agents can handle the call andeventually give back the call control to the SCP to complete the call.

There are now many more call centre agents in the network (e.g.: home workers),and carriers increasingly provide call centre functions themselves. This means thatthe call centre software needs to get more control over network resources (e.g.: byusing network-based IVR systems). The Intelligent Network offers this control.


Introduction

Operator-assisted Services

Operator-fallback

Network basedcall centre



Network Call Centres, Continued

The figure below gives an overview integrating these two complementaryproducts. This allows a new range of network-based call centres to be deployed.

Call centres are located at Telco Head Office and Branch Office/Customer Office.Users access call centres from PSTN or Internet, while SOHO Remote Agents co-operate with their call centre from home, being reached via ISDN/ADSL lines.

NOTE: This picture is best viewed in the online documentation - with colors.

Branch OfficeCustomer Office

Internet

SOHORemoteagent

PSTN

SOHORemote

Agent(s)

PABX

LAN

ManagedIntranet

GenesysT-server

ISDNISDN

ADSLADSLIP phone

Telco

Head Office

User

User

LANGenesysT-server

NetworkT-server

IN PlatformSCP/SMP

SSP SSP

Web Server

User

User

SRP

With the Internet, several possibilities for integrating voice and data are readilyavailable.

Starting from a web page, a caller can get in touch with an agent via a call-back ora call-through for a normal voice conversation. Thereafter, both can engage incollaborative browsing, “push” and “pull” of web pages, etc.

consumers

network basedcall distribution

contactcenters

IN

http://www.book-a-holiday.com

content

Do you want to pay with your Credit Card?

Hello, can I book a holiday?...

web

Network basedcall centre(continued)

Web enabledand IP-basedcalls



This type of extension to the traditional call centre is often called a “web-enabledcall centre”. Voice is carried over PSTN and data over IP.

The Intelligent Network provides the central intelligence that will handle thecommunication request in co-operation with the call centre and back-endapplications.

In IP-based calls, voice and data components are carried over a shared IP link in amanaged IP network.

The Intelligent Network will control the call over this distributed IP network andwill co-ordinate the accompanying data.



Platform Market Drivers

This section discusses the main market drivers for the IN platform Release 2.3.

The section contains information on three topics.

Capacity and Customisation ............................................................................. 38

Applications and Domains ............................................................................... 39

Technology and Components ........................................................................... 40

Introduction

Contents



Capacity and Customisation

The first category of market drivers addressed by the platform covers the marketneeds for capacity and customisation.

The percentage of the telecommunications traffic treated by Intelligent Networks isconstantly increasing, with services offered such as number portability, cardservices, mobility services (e.g. fixed-mobile convergence), etc.

Services complexity and personalisation increase as their behaviour is more andmore driven by dynamic data. Dynamic data means data that can be changed on acall-by-call basis, e.g. online billing with credit control or advice of charge.

The possibility of managing his own service, via Internet, WAP or speechrecognition, is becoming a key differentiator for the subscriber.

The Service Management Point (SMP) is no longer a single node in the network.

Instead, the Cluster SMP presented with Release 2.3 provides an efficient way ofovercoming the limitations of management activities by allowing simultaneousaccess, provisioning, etc. This is achieved through the ability of distributing theSMF function over several entities.

The new Service Data Point (SDP) is the solution to dynamic data limitation,allowing better data distribution delay and supporting global data. (Global data areshared by several services and can be accessed simultaneously. A typical exampleis a user profile or credit information).

The SMP architecture is now secured for massive access to service data via non-trusted channels (Internet, WAP). This includes an SMP gateway and threedifferent Java-based GUI applications, depending on the customer’s needs.

Introduction

Requirements

Responses



Applications and Domains

The second category of market drivers addressed by the platform relates torequirements in applications and domains.

The drive towards convergence has given Intelligent Networks a new role: tobecome an intelligent layer on top of the transport network. This layer has toprovide additional communication services or features to the users, like:

• allowing communication with a wide range of network elements, each using itsown protocol (INAP, CAP, MAP, H323, MGCP, SIP,…);

• supporting any function to support communication services, far above the meredelivery of usual IN services;

• providing open interfaces (Parlay, Corba, JAIN, etc.) to the communicationfeatures of the underlying network so that third parties can develop their owncommunication services.

The interface layer of the services is now part of service development andinstallation. This means that any interface layer can be used by the services andnon-N7 signalling protocols are supported. This approach is continued from theHome Location Register and Mediation Device already available in Release 2.2.

Release 2.3 also introduces an inter-services communication bus called F-DPERouter and a Multi-Finite State Machine. This allows several scripts to cooperateas one service instead of having to develop one huge script.

A new Service Interaction Function controls the interactive capacity ofindependent sub-services. This function has the ability to trigger other services andto use their output as input for another service.

The Special Resource Point has been optimised to easily integrate software andhardware from different vendors to support gateway functions. These functionsare:

• the Controller Gateway, which allows external service applications to access theresources of the network;

• the Bridge Gateway, which allows a connection to be made between twodifferent resources in order to build services over mixed domains ( e.g. Voiceover IP gateway interconnecting with a switched network and an IP network).

Introduction

Requirements

Responses



Technology and Components

This third category of market drivers addressed by the platform presentsenhancements and evolution of technology and components.

IN services to customers are growing and changing fast. Due to this rapidevolution, the platform must provide appropriate solutions to:

• ensure the power and viability of components;

• give service developers easier and faster training;

• enable the development of applications over the traditional IN scope.

The F-DPE router and the Corba architecture provide the latest communicationtools allowing inter-working of different networks – and services within networks.

This considerably enlarges the scope of IN functions to be implemented andimproves the independence of the software solutions.

The number and features of SIBs and pre-designed service libraries available withRelease 2.3 have greatly increased.

Capacities for training and support have also been improved, both for theinfrastructure and for document development and delivery.

This combination enables new SCE/SDE engineers to learn much faster. Once thedevelopment process has started, it also provides them with better tools and greatersupport.

Finally, the focus in Release 2.3 has definitely been placed on moving theintelligence from the network to the services.

Introduction

Requirements

Responses



Platform Architecture

Overview

This chapter introduces the essential characteristics of the Alcatel IN platform.

NOTE: It does not cover the basic concepts of the telecom solutions based onNetwork Intelligence. After reading the preliminary document entitled INConcepts, the reader will be provided with a common terminology and cleardefinition of the functions that are shared through the different releases.

The first section of the present chapter gives a quick description of the existinganswers offered by Alcatel’s current IN platform release 2.2.

The second section of the chapter is the core of this book. It covers the enhancedarchitecture of IN platform release 2.3, enabling next generation NetworkApplications. Opportunities for such applications will be proposed later in thedocument.

This chapter contains sections on the following topics.

Advantages of the Alcatel Intelligent Network ............................................ 42

Introducing Alcatel IN Platform Release 2.3 ............................................... 59

Introduction

Contents



Advantages of the Alcatel Intelligent Network

Overview

This section briefly presents the main characteristics of the existing IN platformrelease 2.2. This aims at helping the reader to get familiar with Alcatel’simplementation of the IN concepts and with the terminology used throughout allreleases of the IN platform.

This section covers the following topics.

Open Interfaces................................................................................................. 43

Scalability......................................................................................................... 45

Reliability ........................................................................................................ 49

Service and Data Management ......................................................................... 55

Service Creation ............................................................................................... 57

Introduction

Contents



Open Interfaces

Alcatel’s IN platform is independent of the underlying telecommunicationinfrastructure.

It is totally open and can be readily integrated within any network and operationalenvironment.

It is based on open-market products, including best-of-class 64-bit technologyUNIX servers, commercial databases, Alcatel and open third-party voice-processing resources, and industry standard voice-processing algorithms.

The figure below shows an example applicable for PSTN networks.

Alcatel’s solution can be implemented on any network: PSTN, PLMN, cable,ISDN, broadband, private networks (PABX), and data networks such as theInternet.

This means that operators do not need to re-engineer their network structure.Alcatel IN can be :

• overlaid on the network,

• embedded in the network, or

• built as a node network by connecting one or more stand-alone service nodes tothe switching network.

Alcatel already operates in multi-vendor environments: a range of interfaces withthird-party vendor’s switches, including Siemens EWSD, Ericsson AXE-10 andMarconi (GPT) System X, has already been implemented successfully.


Introduction

Interfacing withnetworks



Open Interfaces, Continued

Alcatel has a standard range of open interfaces that integrate smoothly withexisting external IT systems. These allow the reuse of legacy systems likeoperators’ Management Information Systems (MIS), or Operation SupportSystems (OSS) such as Customer Care and Billing and Fraud Management. AXE

Operators have existing networks and service management systems that are inplace and would be costly and inconvenient to change. That is why Alcatel usesopen interfaces. Its SMP can integrate with an operator’s existing applications andoperational support systems such as billing centres or network managementsystems.

Alcatel’s IN solution also integrates a unique development tool set, the ServiceCreation Environment, that allows fast adaptability to different customers’ needs.

The keynote is that Alcatel adapts its systems so that operators don’t have to adapttheirs.

Interfacing withlegacy systems

Adaptability



Scalability

Alcatel’s vast array of IN services is delivered by a constantly evolving range ofsolutions comprising all the hardware, software and dedicated support needed toensure their success.

Operators need these powerful and reliable new solutions:

• to provide services that will differentiate them from their competitors andincrease their revenues;

• to allow their customers to differentiate themselves and increase theircompetitiveness.

Responding to this need, Alcatel has defined its range of IN platforms.

The Alcatel 1400 is a complete Intelligent Network solution, containing all thetools needed to manage the platform and the services that run on it. It can be scaledto any budget and adapted to any network. It allows operators to deliver flexibletelecommunications to their customers, and rapidly create and deploy newservices.

A significant advantage to the operator is the scalability of the platform. Entry-level IN solutions, capable of supporting systems with up to 3,000 Busy Hour CallAttempts (BHCA), can be smoothly scaled up to the largest operations with over30,000,000 BHCA.

This is shown in the figure below.

3,600

‘000

BH

CA

‘000

BH

CA

‘000

BH

CA

‘000

BH

CA

10 Scaleable capacity (BHCA)

Step IN

SRP

SMPSCP

IN abox

SMPSCPSRP

Full IN

SRP

SMP

SCP

SRP

SMP

SCP

ServiceNode

SMPSCPSRPSSP

SRP =Intelligent Peripheral

Release 2.3

SRP

Distributed

SMP

SCP SDP


Introduction



Scalability, Continued

Alcatel’s ability to scale its IN solutions gives operators a crucial competitiveadvantage. That is because our solutions employ a unique architecture that enablesthem to scale – or evolve – from small systems aimed at start-up operators (orestablished operators wishing to explore new market niches) to the largest systemswith no loss of functionality and no “throw away”.

Investment is protected as configurations gracefully evolve upwards in line withbusiness growth and increase in subscriber base and call traffic. The significanceof this evolution cannot be overstated: it represents a massive saving of time andmoney for the operator. Alcatel can do this because all its configurations use thesame technology and the same SCE, which provides identical code and databasedefinitions. This means that the same services can run on any Alcatel INconfiguration.

Alcatel has designed three ranges of IN entry solutions. These small systems haveall the functionality and manageability of the largest systems. Each of them makesit possible to implement IN services at low cost, matched to lower call trafficvolumes, subscriber base and service demand.

The table below denotes recommended solutions based on traffic and needs:

Traffic

Recommended for: Low Low toMedium

Medium

Small, cost-effective butpowerful service platform

Service Node IN-a-Box Step-IN

Rapid implementation Service Node

Temporary installation for aspecific short-term need

Service Node IN-a-Box Step-IN

Test bed for new ideas Service Node IN-a-Box Step-IN

Point-of-presence in foreignmarkets, keeping investmentand management under control

Service Node

Fast prototyping environment Service Node IN-a-Box

These entry solutions are described below, in increasing order of processingpower.


Solutions thatgrow with thebusiness

Flexible entrysolutions




Alcatel’s SRP/SN is an unrivalled entry-level vehicle, providing a low-cost andlow-risk solution with rapid implementation. Suitable for low traffic volumes, it isalso ideal as a test or fast prototyping environment for established operators.

SRP/SN is self-contained, combining all of the IN functions - control, managementand voice announcement capabilities - on a single platform. Because it contains theswitching function itself, it is not dependent on the central office switchingcapabilities. It uses N7 ISUP links, enabling it to be integrated into an existingnetwork with the minimum of network redesign.

This is an ideal solution for new operators anticipating higher call volumes and forthose who need a fast prototyping or test environment.

It interfaces with external Service Switching Points (SSPs) using the INAPprotocol. Control, management and voice announcement capabilities are in a singlebox, with switching and call control functions provided by switches installed in thenetwork.

This is a simple solution for low-to-medium traffic needs, in which IntelligentNetwork control and management capabilities are provided on a single Alcatelplatform. Switching and call control functions are provided by switches installed inthe network. Voice announcements are provided as appropriate by external SpecialResource Points.

Growth is achieved by adding more servers and spreading the functional loadbetween them. Moreover, as the service demand increases, the entry solutions canevolve into full IN solutions with no loss of investment, as virtually everything isreusable:

• hardware

• service logic

• customer data – this does not need to be re-input

• knowledge acquired in previous operations

• interfaces.

Growth capabilities include the number of calls which can be handled, the numberof customers per service and simultaneous management user connections.


SpecialResource Point/Service Node(SRP/SN)

IN-a-Box

Step-IN Server

Growthcapabilities




Alcatel’s Full IN is a very powerful IN solution, able to handle high traffic ratesand a very large number of customers. It is the natural choice for establishedoperators.

Designed for medium to high-volume traffic, it consists of separate nodes for theSMP and SCP.

The Full IN solution can also include:

• a dedicated Service Data Point (SDP) to meet requirements about global dataand dynamic data management

• a Specialised Resource Point (SRP) for voice announcement capabilities.

Like the entry solutions, it is also scalable through the simple addition of newCPUs or servers.

Full IN



Reliability

Overview

Reliability on IN platform is mainly achieved by:

• redundancy or duplication of hardware components

• dedicated software and defence processes

• secured access.

This subsection covers hardware and software reliability for the SMP and the SCP.

This subsection covers the following topics.

Reliability for the SMP..................................................................................... 50

Reliability for the SCP ..................................................................................... 52

Introduction

Contents



Reliability for the SMP

In many cases the SMP can be implemented as a simplex configuration (made ofone host).

A duplex configuration made of two hosts (one active, one standby) can be usedwhere particularly high reliability is required.

The duplex versions of the SMP configuration use redundant hardware, so that allcritical components are duplicated.

The simplex versions have other defence mechanisms (see Software reliability).

The SMP defence system’s error detection and correction measures include:

• SMP console alarm messages,

• reload of the process,

• reload of the entire IN platform,

• reload of the SMP system,

• switchover to the standby system (in a duplex configuration) or operatorintervention.

Software used to ensure high availability provides:

• rapid restoration after a software or hardware failure in one system;

• the mirroring function;

• Log File System capabilities to offer fast system restart.

Moreover, the defence function continuously supervises the existence of allpermanent and database processes running on the SMP.

SMP reliability is ensured by the defence in the four areas described below.

• The basic SMP platform contains a set of watchdog processes which constantlymonitor the status of all critical components of SMP hardware and operatingsystem software.

• If a failure occurs, the watchdog issues a notification to the SMP operatorconsole and initiates recovery action.

• In an SMP duplex configuration, the recovery action may involve a switchoverfrom the active to the standby SMP. The recovery action is controlled by scriptsdeveloped for each installation.

• In an SMP simplex configuration, the system requests operator intervention.


SMP hardwareconfiguration

SMP softwareconfiguration

Defence of thebasic SMPplatform

Alcatel IN 1400 Part 1 of 5

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