In today's telecom landscape, effective signaling management is essential for 4G and 5G networks. This is why modern Diameter Signaling Controllers (DSCs) provide the cloud-native scalability needed to handle massive signaling traffic.
The technology is vital for IP interconnect service providers and MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) looking to enhance service reliability. Not only that, but cloud-native scalability also reduces operative costs while increasing automation across the board.
In this article, we'll focus on the term diameter signaling controller and what it implies. We'll talk about its direct benefits for network providers as well as integral elements. By the time you're done reading this post, you should have a much better understanding of this technology and what it entails.
What is a Diameter Signaling Controller (DSC)?
With DSC, service providers are able to tackle common performance issues related to Diameter signaling. Most notably, businesses are able to scale their signaling traffic through cloud-native technology.
Within this environment, DSCs are usually deployed using containerized microservices architectures. This allows businesses to dynamically scale their signaling traffic and address IMS and LTE interoperability challenges across distributed, cloud-based systems.
Diameter signaling controller represents the newest industry-standard protocol utilized for exchanging accounting, authorization, and authentication information within IMS networks as well as LTE networks. DSC is a step forward compared to Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS).
Most importantly, with DSC, you ensure more flexible and secure transport of mobile data within a core network. It's worth noting that Diameter is used by all sorts of network functions, including PCRF or Policy and Changing Rules Function, OCS or Online Charing Systems, and HSS or Home Subscriber Server.
Why Diameter Signaling is Crucial?
Diameter signaling controller DSC provides several crucial benefits for providers:
Enhances Network's Throughput
With these controllers, you're able to increase and optimize the general network throughput. The technology provides support for both dynamic and static overload handling. As if that wasn't enough, you can address signaling peaks by relying on its sophisticated algorithms.
Provides Stable and Secure Product
Signaling is a vital part of any core network. These are robust products that provide the utmost security to your networks while also boasting advanced capabilities and control. This makes them vital for HTTP networks and Diameter.
Shows You What's Happening in Network
Monitoring is one of the less emphasized features of these controllers. These solutions allow you to track multiple network elements and assess the situation on the spot. Most importantly, DSC allows you to keep tabs on your signaling traffic without investing enormous resources.
Components of Diameter Signaling
Diameter signaling controller has three main parts, which can be used in any combination regardless of distributed or single architecture. Specifically, DSC consists of Diameter Routing Agent (DRA), Diameter Edge Agent (DEA), and Interworking Function.
DRA is vital as it provides scalable centralized message routing. The action occurs within a multinode, multivendor environment taking into account providers LTE and IMS core. On the other hand, we use DEA to ensure authorization, authentication, and subscriber policy are exchanged safely within the LTE network.
Lastly, we also need to mention Interworking Function. With it, modern 4G and 5G network elements are to work in conjunction with 3G and 2G networks, signaling standards, and applicable equipment.
Diameter Signaling Controller Applications and Use Cases
There are numerous situations where DSC proves invaluable. Here are some of the most common use cases for this technology:
- Interworking Diameter between legacy for inter PLMN and LTE
- Interworking Diameter between legacy elements inter PLMN and LTE
- OCS/OFCS, PCRF, and HSS home binding intra-PLMN and load balancing
- PCRF and HSS roaming binding inter-PLMN and load balancing
- PCRF and HSS binding and load balancing for non-3GPP access
- PCRF, OCS/OFCS, and HSS load balancing in IMS networks
Diameter Signaling Controller Architecture
For Diameter to work as intended, you need a reliable peer-to-peer architecture. In cloud-native networks, DSCs leverage container orchestration platforms like Kubernetes to manage peer-to-peer communication more effectively.
As a result, this provides agility and improves resource utilization across distributed systems. The end result of this communication format is mesh topology.
With signaling, we're able to power up numerous network elements. Through data exchange, we can track processes such as session management, device tracking, session tracking, and data usage. Each time a person accesses their phone or mobile app, they exchange numerous Diameter messages without even realizing.
As smartphones become more and more common, the total Diameter signaling traffic starts ramping up. Interestingly enough, many providers have struggled with Diameter signaling storms, which led to massive outages within respective networks. By relying on DSC, communication providers are able to tackle performance and scalability issues that would otherwise hinder their service quality.
Many providers utilize Diameter Signaling Controllers as a gateway for Diameter IWF (Interworking Function). With it, they ensure protocol mediation and routing functions for the signaling. Diameter Signaling Controller breaks down mesh topologies into simpler topologies, thus ensuring enhanced management and scalability.
The Future of Diameter Signaling Controllers
Based on the current data and practical cases, the DSC market has enormous potential. Many providers see the potential and have no trouble investing in infrastructure development. The progress within the field is characterized by the rise of new technologies, including network slicing and edge computing, each of which has a vital place within the communication tech hierarchy.
Cloud-native solutions, such as Titan.ium Platform, are the best example of how DSCs will operate in the future. These platforms are especially great for companies looking to modernize their 4G infrastructure and combine it with modern 5G tech.
After implementing the tech, the users will be able to enjoy the benefits that come with topology hiding, message modification, and session binding. Not only will this improve the level of security, but it will also allow previously incompatible data formats to work together.
According to general forecasts, the entire market is supposed to rise by a 7.1% CAGR rate. Optimistic estimates tell us that DSC will reach $1.6 billion by the year 2025. So, if you were looking to invest in this technology, this would be the right time to do just that.