Diameter protocol is a vital ingredient of 5G networks. The technology allows users to connect to multiple mobile networks and efficiently exchange large volumes of messages.
One of the things that separates this type of protocol from prior solutions is the cloud-native scalability. Not only are diameter protocols more efficient across the board, but they also reduce providers' expenses. Among others, the protocol relies on a diameter credit control application identifier to provide users with more functionality.
What Is the Diameter Protocol?
Computer networks utilize diameter protocol for authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) of data. The protocol is vital for managing messages within 4G and 5G networks, and it represents a massive upgrade over the previous RADIUS model.
The thing that makes the diameter protocol important is its cloud-native scalability. With it, networks are able to handle large quantities of data, which is critical in a 5G environment. No matter how much information you send through a network, the data will be processed without any error.
This technological solution makes a real difference during internode communication. Given such a complex infrastructure, point-to-point connections are usually prone to errors, expensive, and hard to administer. Luckily, the diameter base protocol takes care of these issues, giving users a premium experience.
When Do We Use Diameter Protocol?
Diameter protocol is vital for IMS network functions (IP Multimedia Systems) and LTE (Long-Term Evolution) networks. In other words, it works for networks such as 2G, 3G, and onward but also for fixed technology.
The networks use the diameter protocol for all sorts of elements, including HSS (Home Subscriber Server), PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function), and OCS (Online Charging Systems). With this technology, we have a framework that allows the exchange of AAA diameter messages.
It also provides standard request and response attributes and commands. All in all, the protocol provides twice the radius and a more secure, reliable mechanism that would allow the transport of data within mobile networks.
Diameter Protocol vs. RADIUS
RADIUS protocol (Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service) is quite basic compared to the diameter protocol. Its main role is to provide authenticate connecting users. People had to use a system of basic IDs and passwords to gain network access. After requesting an access request message, RADIUS would check it against the LDAP policy store.
The main issue with the obsolete protocol is that it wasn't particularly useful for IMS networks. Unlike years prior, modern mobile users use a wide variety of services and apps, something that RADIUS can no longer handle.
On the other hand, when a person sends a message to a Diameter server, they can gain quick access no matter the situation. This is because the new protocols have much better bandwidth allocation, policy control, and charging rules function. Basically, the diameter protocol makes authentication authorization and accounting AAA much easier.
Diameter Protocol Architecture
Another important thing about the diameter protocol is that it utilizes a peer-to-peer architecture. When it comes to cloud-native networks, in particular, companies use Kubernetes and similar platforms to make communication more seamless.
Besides diameter client nodes, the tech also relies on server and agent nodes. Here's how each diameter node works:
- First, we have client nodes that provide the network access server.
- Agent nodes work as intermediaries to allow intercommunication.
- We also need to process the information, which is done by server nodes.
We also need to take into account the functionality of diameter agents:
- Provide response and request processing.
- Introduce load balancing vital for cloud-native scalability.
- Handle issues caused by multivendor inoperability.
- Allow functioning with legacy AAA solutions.
- Forward, sort, aggregate, and concentrate requests.
Diameter Protocol Advantages
Diameter protocol is vital for the work of new mobile networks and provides numerous advantages compared to previous solutions:
- A simple solution that provides incredible connectivity for fixed and mobile networks.
- High-level authentication authorization and accounting AAA services.
- Improves overall network reliability when delivering a diameter message.
- Critical features that allow topology hiding and message transformation.
- Supports rate limiting, SLA enforcement, routing, and screening.
- Deployment on reliable cloud-native Titan platform.
- Supports network forking for all message types.
By relying on the diameter protocol, providers can improve the functionality of their 5G mobile network. The solution is vital for users who require safe network access from any place.
Common Use Cases for Diameter Applications
As a part of modern networks, diameter protocol is used in various situations:
Legacy Interworking
While 5G networks are the next iteration of mobile communication, not everyone will switch to these systems immediately. If a provider is too slow to make the transition, they need to create a system with interworking capacity. Diameter protocols assist with all of that, making the switch easier.
Traffic Management
Diameter protocol provides numerous advantages for traffic management. Among other things, it ensures flexible load balancing that will squeeze the biggest possible value from servers. Diameter protocols provide congestion management and session binding through throttling.
Roaming
One of the main functions of diameter protocol is security and topology hiding. Through DEA or Diameter Edge Agent, the network can achieve a high level of security on several levels. In these situations, DEA works as an entry point to the network while also providing basic support to the interface.
What to Expect in the Future?
Diameter protocol technology has become widely accepted as a facilitator for modern 5G networks. Its cloud-native scalability is vital for responding to the needs of modern devices and consumers. Unlike the prior solutions, diameter protocols are able to support IoT devices and other technology that hinges on massive data transfers.
Its demand is increasing with the adoption of 5G. However, as time goes by, we can expect that more advanced protocols will take its place.