Message Manipulation Interoperability Tool
Newport Networks’ message manipulation tool is an embedded application that solves interworking and interoperability issues for SIP-based network operators and Voice over IP (VoIP) service providers.
SIP-based VoIP traffic has growth exponentially over the last two years and many new user devices and carrier based equipment have been introduced. As the SIP standard is very flexible in how it can be used, each of these devices can have their own nuances and may not be able to exchange traffic due to interoperability challenges.
Security, interworking and interoperability have become major challenges for today’s operator. In the past, an operator would typically need to work with their equipment vendors to gather message traces and system logs. This would enable the vendor to analyse what behaviour the edge device should emulate in order to successfully set up and tear down SIP calls and sessions. The vendor would first develop a software “patch” for the system and then work with the operator to install the patch, this could involve network downtime or extended maintenance windows. As the vendor could not guarantee that the patch would work first time the results were only known when the connecting end points were re-tested.
With the growth of SIP based traffic in peering and access services, the use of SIP has evolved. What started as a simple, standardised, message-based protocol now supports many additional extensions, methods and formats. This leads to a vast array of possible SIP combinations using different message formats, methods and extensions, which in turn means that every operator can potentially implement their own customised SIP usage. Not all of the implementations are compatible and may not be able to interoperate with each other, resulting in slow provisioning and interconnect ready-for-service timelines. In some instances two operators may be using the same equipment, but their SIP implementation can be different. For example one operator may be using FQDN instead of IP address in the TO/FROM/RURI and CONTACT or OPTIONS not being allowed on one of the networks.
Message Manipulation Interoperability Tool
Newport Networks’ SBC is a feature rich software application supported by high capacity hardware processing. This enables any of the Newport Networks’ platforms to provide dedicated network processors and CPUs for SIP signalling, Session Admission Control (SAC), media handling and SIP registration handling.
As the Newport Networks SBC is not a single application running on a single central processor unit, there is no contention by any of the SBC modules for CPU resource. When Newport Networks adds a new feature to one of the SBC’s software modules there is minimal performance impact on any other module. Newport Networks’ message manipulation tool is an embedded application within the Signalling Engine. Newport Networks SBC platforms can support up 18 signalling engines providing unparalleled throughput, scale and performance.
The message manipulation application uses a programmable message profiling tool, where operators can add, delete, modify, copy and replace headers in the SIP message. In addition to SIP message manipulation, the tool enables the operator to specify SIP methods that are supported or rejected together with white or black lists for the SIP header. With this profiling tool there is no need for Newport Networks to develop a software patch for interoperability as previously described. Newport Networks’ message manipulation profile can be applied against any network the SBC routes to and from. A message manipulation profile can be shared by several networks or can be unique to one network.
The message manipulation profile is applied against an end-point or network. The end point may be a SIP trunk, SBC or SoftSwitch network. The profile can also allow for interworking between SIP variants such as IETF and 3GPP, allowing interworking of IMS and NGN networks. Any SIP message routed to that network will be treated with the assigned manipulation profile and all modifications present in the profile will be applied to the message. Messages coming back in the reverse direction will also be normalised to the originating format using the profile assigned to that end-point or network.
Message Manipulation Options
The Newport Networks Web GUI presents the operator with a tabulated view of a message manipulation profile which comprises of:
- Method rejection
- Header stripping
- Message body stripping
- Head copy
- Head exchange
- Modify headers
Using the message manipulation tool, the operator can create vendor type and network message profiles that seamlessly interwork between interconnects or SIP trunks. A total of 55 message manipulation rules can be created for any of Newport Networks SBC platforms. In addition all message manipulation profiles can be backed up and installed on any other Newport Network SBC in the network.
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IPsec and VoIP
