Core Networks
The core network is the part that combines the power of high-speed radio access technologies with the power of the innovative application development enabled by the Internet. The evolution of the core network is a fundamental cornerstone of the mobile broadband revolution, without which neither the RANs nor mobile Internet services would realize their full potential. The core network was developed with high-bandwidth services in mind from the outset, combining the best of IP infrastructure and mobility. It is designed to truly enable mobile broadband services and applications and to ensure a smooth experience for both operators and end-users as it also connects multiple radio access technologies.
Core / backbone networks usually have a mesh topology that provides any-to-any connections among devices on the network. Many service providers would have their own core / backbone networks that are interconnected. Some large enterprises have their own core / backbone network, which are typically connected to the public networks.
Technologies used in the core and backbone facilities are data link layer and network layer technologies such as SONET, DWDM, ATM, IP, etc. For enterprise backbone network, Gigabit Ethernet or 10 Gigabit Ethernet technologies are often used.
2G and 3G network architectures process and switch voice and data through two separate sub-domains, Circuit Switched (CS) for voice and Packet Switched (PS) for data. 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks provide converged voice and data on a framework called Evolved Packet Core (EPC).
Avacend provides resources with expertise in CS core, PS core, IMS Core, Cloud Core.
Circuit Switching is used for voice communication which requires dedicated connection between calling and called party to take care of latency requirements of real time voice calls. In circuit switching network dedicated channel has to be established before the call is made between users. The channel is reserved between the users till the connection is active. For half duplex communication, one channel is allocated and for full duplex communication, two channels are allocated. It is mainly used for voice communication requiring real time services without any much delay.
Packet Switching is used for data communication which does not require dedicated connection. In packet switching network unlike circuit switching network, it is not required to establish the connection initially. The connection/channel is available to use by many users. But when capacity or number of users increases then it will lead to congestion in the network. Packet switched networks are mainly used for data and voice applications requiring non-real time scenarios.
IP Multimedia Subsystem or IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem (IMS) is an architectural framework for delivering IP multimedia services. Historically, mobile phones have provided voice call services over a circuit switched network, rather than strictly over an IP packet switched network. Alternative methods of delivering voice (VoIP) or other multimedia services have become available on smart phones, but they have not become standardized across the industry. IMS is an architectural framework to provide such standardization.
Cloud Packet Core portfolio supports network slicing already in 4G. This allows for multiple logical networks to be created on top of a commonly shared physical infrastructure and acts as a step towards a 5G Core architecture. The network evolution from EPC to 5G core plays a central role in creating a powerful network platform that is capable of being exposed and automated for service providers.