Diameter signaling is becoming increasingly important to mobile networks, and partnerships can provide the most efficient way for IP networking companies to add this technology to their portfolios. Sonus Networks recently announced a partnership with F5 Networks to enable service providers to combine the Sonus 5000 series of sessions border controllers with F5’s signalling delivery controller.
Session border controllers (SBCs) and diameter signaling controllers perform separate but complementary functions in IP-Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) networks, and in LTE networks as well. SBCs handle VoIP and real-time session signaling, and improves routing efficiency for session initiation protocol (SIP). Diameter signaling controllers handle mobile data signaling and improve diameter routing efficiency. The two technologies work in tandem. For example, when a SIP session is initiated, diameter messages within the core network authenticate the subscriber and make sure he or she is charged correctly for using those services.
“The increased use of mobile broadband networks is driving the growth of diameter signaling within and between operators,” according to Diane Myers of Infonetics. The research firm says the top driver of growth in use of session border controllers by service providers is to locate them at the access edge of mobile networks.
“As a result of Sonus’ close collaboration with F5, the integration of our products will empower operators of 4G/LTE networks to scale their delivery of enhanced services required by always-connected users and to track service usage, independent of end user location or the network to which they are connected,” said Todd A. Abbott, executive vice president at Sonus. The company says that by combining its solution with F5’s, it is enabling service providers to deliver and meter service across networks, across operators, and across network technologies, such as 3G and LTE.
Earlier this year, F5 announced a similar deal with GenBand, another maker of session border controllers. GanBand launched its Quantix diameter signaling controller based on its partnership with F5, saying the controller will help operators address “new complexities at the network edge.”
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