Session Border Controllers for QSIG to SIP Interworking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of QSIG signaling with SIP and H.323 networks is complex, particularly in private branch exchanges (PBXs), due to the need for interworking between different signaling protocols and networks, leading to increased complexity and cost in voice over IP environments.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a SIP-based network architecture that simplifies interworking by using tunneling methods, such as encapsulating QSIG messages within H.323 or SIP messages, and employing Session Border Controllers to convert QSIG signaling to SIP, thereby maintaining a homogeneous core network and reducing the need for multiple interworking devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If PBXs maintain existing interfaces and add new interfaces for voice over IP networks, then the potential of saving money on certain types of calls is achieved, but the overall complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Session Border Controllers (SBCs) as intermediary devices that act as protocol translators between QSIG-based PBXs and SIP/H.323 networks. The SBC converts QSIG signaling messages into SIP or H.323 protocols, enabling seamless interworking without requiring complex multi-interface configurations in PBXs. This mediator approach simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining cost savings from VoIP deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the interworking function into a separate SBC component rather than integrating it directly into the PBX. This segmentation allows the PBX to maintain its existing QSIG interface while the SBC handles protocol conversion to SIP/H.323, thereby reducing the complexity burden on the PBX itself while still enabling VoIP cost savings.
2Device complexity
If tunneling methods are used to encapsulate QSIG messages within H.323 or SIP messages, then the need for multiple interworking devices is reduced, but the requirement for protocol conversion capability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Session Border Controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle both tunneling operations (encapsulating QSIG within SIP/H.323) and direct protocol conversion (translating QSIG to SIP/H.323). This universal device can adapt to different deployment scenarios, reducing the need for multiple specialized interworking devices while maintaining the necessary protocol conversion capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements tunneling by nesting QSIG signaling messages within H.323 or SIP message structures. The QSIG protocol messages are encapsulated as payloads within the outer SIP or H.323 protocol envelopes, allowing single-device operation while maintaining protocol compatibility. This nesting approach reduces device count while requiring enhanced protocol conversion capability in the SBC.
Data Source
AI summary
A SIP-based network architecture is defined allowing a variety of access methods for interfacing QSIG-based signaling devices. The QSIG-based signaling devices are typically enterprise-based PBXs that either interface directly via QSIG, or adapt QSIG signaling to related signaling protocols via gateways, which can be customer premise or network based. The gateways can either interwork QSIG signaling or tunnel QSIG signaling over H.323, SIP, or other protocols. Upon reaching the SIP-based network, Session Border Controllers process the signaling. The Session Border Controllers terminate the tunnel (if used) and extracts the QSIG signaling for interworking to SIP, thereby facilitating a homogeneous SIP-based core network. In addition to interworking QSIG signaling, the Session Border Controllers perform other signaling related functions for the SIP-based network that are performed at a point as near as possible to the network's edge.