By Maggie Smith, Director, Product Marketing, Developer Platforms
The typical IMS diagram shows numerous elements labeled with curious acronyms, interconnected by interfaces with even more acronyms. However in practical networks, individual IMS elements are usually combined in more cost-effective and application-relevant groups. For example, an infrastructure vendor may include the Media Resource Function Controller (MRFC) as additional software within the Call Session Control Function (CSCF), while leveraging a Media Resource Function Processor (MRFP) capability within the Media Gateway (MGW).
On the other hand, as noted in the previous article, operators typically use dedicated resources to simplify management of complex applications so, for complex media, application-specific Media Resource Functions (MRFs) may be appropriate and much more cost-effective. Thus a video mail vendor may choose to offer video MRFP and MRFC functions in combination with other application-specific components.
In either case, typical IMS application developers need to only worry about a small subset of all the elements and interfaces in the IMS framework. Whether for IMS infrastructure or IMS applications, NMS’s deep understanding of media processing, signaling, and provisioning has lead to a comprehensive product offering for developers facing the task of deploying media-rich applications in IMS networks.
One approach for a dedicated MRFP uses AdvancedTCA (ATCA) components. This can help reduce the cost of the solution without limiting the flexibility for expansion. Because ATCA blades communicate with each other via packet switching fabrics, additional chassis can be seamlessly integrated with minimal reconfiguration. The service provider deploying the application benefits from the differentiation of the ATCA form factor—with its ability to support full redundancy (N+1) and 99.999% reliability.
NMS offers the application designer the MG 7000A—a complete media processor on an ATCA blade ready for such media rich applications as ringback tones, text-to-speech processing, and enhanced multimedia conferencing. Combining high-speed IP packet handling, four Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, high-density DSP media processing power, and optional T1/E1/J1 interfaces, the MG 7000A is a good choice for media applications developed from the ground up.
For applications that require interactive voice and video response (IVVR), advanced scripting languages such as VoiceXML and CCXML can make a critical difference. NMS offers the Vision VoiceXML Server for the development and deployment of complex interactive speech and video applications within IMS networks. Its support of SIP signaling and RTP media facilitate its use in application-specific IMS media functions, as well as in support of standard IMS interfaces like the Mr-interface between the CSCF and the MRF. In addition, the Vision VoiceXML Server’s ability to connect seamlessly with any IP- or PSTN-based terminal device facilitates deployments in hybrid networks during the often protracted period that a network is transitioning to IMS.
The Vision VoiceXML Server conforms to the latest VoiceXML 2.1 specification and includes pre-configured media processing servers that can manage up to 240 audio ports or up to 120 video and audio ports with TDM and IP connectivity installed—ideal for IVVR applications in an IMS environment. In addition to its SIP call support, it also supports handsets conforming to the 3G-324M specification, opening up the applications to PSTN callers.
Specific IMS applications that lend themselves to the Vision VoiceXML Server include:
- Content sharing and see-what-I-see through video blogging and mobile publishing
- Presence and instant messaging services between IP and mobile devices such as Voice SMS
- Streamed video content such as mobile TV services
NMS continues to leverage decades of experience in media proessing and signal processing, SIP-enabled media devices, and web-based development environments to participate in the IMS era. Today’s IN applications can evolve into supported IMS frameworks with the help of products like the Vision VoiceXML Server and MG 7000A ATCA media processing blade for media-intensive IMS applications.