SINTESIO

Call for a partnership

Call: IST Call 5
Strategic Objective: 2.5.6 Research Networking Testbeds
Evaluation scheme: one-step
Deadline: 21/09/05
Type of project: STREP

ACRONYM & PROPOSAL NAME

Implementation of pan-european research testbed infrastructure, specializing on interoperability testing for a referenced1 NGN architecture.

SUBJECT

Setting up a distributed research testbed infrastructure, which will develop capability to prepare, coordinate and execute complex end-to-end inter-domain, cross-functional interoperability scenarios for referenced NGN architecture.

PROPOSER INFORMATION

Organization: Iskratel, d.o.o.
Department: IC (Information and Communication Services)
City: Kranj
Country: Slovenia

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Proposal Outline

With the growing complexity of NGN architecture, fixed and mobile convergence, the interoperability between functional entities of network elements become a major and decisive success factors for NGN deployments. Technical interoperability has been recognized in EC as a strategic issue [refs], and equally for standard delivery organizations, vendors, network operators and regulators. Traditionally, interoperability tests are carried out before rolling out new product or service between equipment vendors and/or network operators on a bilateral voluntary basis. The aim of such tests is to check the behaviour of a new product or service within the network from the point of view of the end users. Such, usually propriety test setups require substantial investments in test infrastructure, preparation of test environment, test scenarios or use cases. To a large extent, research institutions, SMEs and end users are not involved in test executions or have no access to such professional test environments. To bring together all stakeholders, i.e. equipment vendors, network operators, research institutions, SMEs and end users, to foster collaboration, sharing of experience and to increase the interoperability of the solutions, an open testing infrastructure is required, capable to conduct and execute structured, well prepared, to extend possible standardized interoperability tests.
The aim of the project is to setup open, inter-national networked test laboratories, which will primarily focus on testing the interoperability of functions that reside at service (PSTN/ISDN emulation and Core IMS subsystems) and application layers (OSA/Parlay applications) of the ITU-T/ETSI referenced NGN architecture. The interconnected testlabs will develop capabilities to prepare, execute and validate cross functional, inter-domain test scenarios, in particular:

• Legacy (PSTN/ISDN) to NGN migration scenarios, including emulation, simulation and interworking scenarios;
• End-to-end triple play (voice, video stream, and data) application-driven scenarios;
• Interworking and interoperability scenarios between different NGN Core subsystems; primarily between PSTN/ISDN emulation subsystem and IMS Core subsystem.

To give a testing high value and applicability for a telecommunication industry, the test scenarios and test cases will be prepared under recommendations and supervision of standardization bodies (primarily ETSI TISPAN working groups, but also IETF and ITU-T).

Keywords

Interoperability testing, NGN, research testbed infrastructure

PARTNER PROFILE SOUGHT

Required Expertise(s)
We are looking for partners with the following profiles:
1. Network (fixed and mobile; voice and data) operators
2. NGN equipment vendors
3. Test equipment vendors
4. Research institutions, research foundation, universities

Description of the work to be carried out by the partner sought
Interoperability testing is the structured and formal testing of functions supported remotely by two or more items of equipment that are communicating by means of standardized protocols. It is not the detailed verification of protocol requirements specified in a conformance test suite, neither is it the less formal development testing often associated with plug-test. A well structured and comprehensive interoperability test suite must consider a network complexity and architecture, interfaces with signalling, control and data protocols, inter-working functions, and application and services that are used by end users. To capture a real network behaviour, it is often not possible to test interoperability of different functional entities of the network within a single laboratory environment, e.g. at a single test laboratory. Beside validation of the interoperability of functions, other real networks parameters, like performance measures (e.g. jitter, delays), quality of service (e.g. voice quality), numbering and security setups, must be monitored, captured and validated during the interoperability test.
The framework for interoperability testing is a “black box” approach with the network integration test (NIT) methodology. NIT is applicable to test and monitor the behaviour of a complex information and communication systems, typically based on distributed processing and distributed architecture. Figure bellow, shows the framework for interoperability testing with an indication of main elements of testing environment.

According to project definition and scope, the following tasks in the project would be expected to carry out by partners:
1. Test infrastructure deployment, which include the setup of individual test laboratories, each of which will focus in particular interoperability issue. Indivudual laboratories will be connected together via European IP network (GEANT) into networked testbed infrastructure. A whole test infrastructure may consists of a set of “open and permanent” testbed installations, and “temporary” testbeds, which are connected to “open and permanent” test site during execution of interoperability tests to support particular interoperability scenario.
a. Each individual test lab will setup laboratory test environment, with local test network supporting different NGN access, switching, routing and data transport technologies (PSTN/ISDN legacy, xDSL, Wireless network access, GPRS/UMTS, cable network); test and monitoring equipment;
b. Contribution to requirement analyses and deployment of Core IP network between different testlabs, with the characteristics of real NGN network deployments (e.g. security, performance and QoS, numbering, etc.). For a particular interoperability scenario, interconnected testlabs will reflect the ITU/ETSI TISPAN NGN referenced architecture.
2. Test scenario definitions and test case development, for a particular interoperability issue: Legacy to NGN migration, inter-domain, cross-functional call control scenario based on PSTN/ISDN emulation subsystem and IMS core subsystem, mobility management, session control and session set-up, application driven enchanced multimedia services, QoS, charging, network management, etc. This work shall be synchronized with the standardization efforts carried out in European and worldwide SDOs (standard delivery organizations).
3. Implementation of interoperability test framework, for a distributed test infrastructure. Implemented middleware between multiple testlabs should support smooth execution of complex test scenarios, by supporting test management, management of distributed test coordination procedures (TCOs), execution control of distributed test cases, and will facilitate the use of formal test techniques and test automation.
4. Interoperability test execution and knowledge dissemination, which include the setup of testing infrastructure for a planned test scope and test scenarios, organization of interoperability event with wide pan-european participation of vendors, operators, research institutions, on-site logistic and expertise support, and generation of inconsistency test reports to standardization bodies, recommendations and implementation guidelines.

CONTACT PERSON COORDINATES

Name: Roman Kuznar
Organization: Iskratel
Address: Ljubljanska 24a, 4000 Kranj
Country: Slovenia
Phone: +386 4 207 3393
Fax: +386 4 207 39 393
e-mail: kuznar@iskratel.si
website : www.iskratel.com