Internet Draft

Network Working Group                                    D. Lebovits
Internet Draft                                           AT&T
draft-lebovits-sip-in-00.txt                             
Expires December 2000                                 


      SIP/IN Interworking


Status of this Memo

This document is an Internet-Draft and is in full conformance with all
provisions of Section 10 of RFC2026.

This document outlines a proposal to the IETF for a new work item in
support of service delivery in converging networks.
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1. Abstract

The goal of this document is to identify and propose a new work item
for the IETF. This document describes the PSTN Intelligent Network (IN) 
Architecture support of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) networks. 
The concept of the 'Soft-SSF' is introduced which acts as an overlay 
between the IP telephony call control and the Intelligent Network 
layer provided by the IN Service Switching Function (SSF) and the IN Service 
Control Function (SCF). This 'Soft-SSF' provides the necessary mapping between 
the SIP protocol state machine and the IN Basic Call State Model (BCSM). Also 
introduced is the Call Manager Function (CMF) which acts as a Mediation Node. 
The CMF entity is responsible for passing service related information to and 
from IN service layer, namely the SCF, and managing the service control 
relationship. As such, the CMF may contain a SSF-like functionality or subset 
thereof, to model the pre and post conditions that are required to interact with 
an SCF. The document specifically deals with the proposed standardized 
interfaces between the functional entities identified in the IN Network with 
associated functional entities represented in the SIP network. A mapping of 
parameters of the SIP protocol to the Intelligent Network Application Part 
Protocol(INAP) may be required for the support of the SIP Proxy Server call 
control protocol, states and events. Thereby enabling the Mediation Node (CMF) 
to model a SIP Proxy server. It is the proposal of this document to define the 
Mediation Node(CMF)to Soft SSF interface as a work item in the IETF as it is 
presently not a subject for standardization.

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Prior drafts discussed in the IETF have dealt with some of these aspects. This 
Internet draft also covers the relationship to the existing IETF working groups 
that deal with the protocols for PSTN/Internet interworking (IPTEL, MEGACO, 
PINT, SPIRITS, and SIGTRAN) and ITU-T.

2. Introduction

This document describes the PSTN Intelligent Network (IN) Architecture support 
of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) networks. The concept of the 'Soft-SSF' is 
introduced which acts as an overlay between the IP telephony call control and 
the Intelligent Network layer provided by the IN Service Switching Function 
(SSF) and the IN Service Control Function (SCF). This 'Soft-SSF' provides the 
necessary mapping between the SIP protocol state machine and the IN Basic Call 
State Model (BCSM). Also introduced is the Call Manager Function (CMF) which 
acts as a Mediation Node. The CMF entity is responsible for passing service 
related information to and from IN service layer, namely the SCF, and managing 
the service control relationship. As such, the CMF may contain a SSF-like 
functionality or subset thereof, to model the pre and post conditions that are 
required to interact with an SCF. The document specifically deals with the 
proposed standardized interfaces between the functional entities identified in 
the IN Network with associated functional entities represented in the SIP 
network. A mapping of parameters of the SIP protocol to the Intelligent 
Network Application Part Protocol(INAP) may be required for the support 
of the SIP Proxy Server call control protocol, states and events. Thereby 
enabling the Mediation Node (CMF) to model a SIP Proxy server. It is the 
proposal of this document to define the Mediation Node (CMF)to Soft SSF 
interface as a work item in the IETF as it is presently not a subject for 
standardization. Prior drafts discussed in the IETF have dealt with some of 
these aspects. This Internet draft also covers the relationship to the 
existing IETF working groups that deal with the protocols for PSTN/Internet 
interworking (IPTEL, MEGACO, PINT, SPIRITS, and SIGTRAN) and ITU-T.

2.1 Acronyms and definitions
Basic Call State Model (BCSM) - IN modeling technique used to represent call 
related stages.
Call Manager Function (CMF)- functional entity that is IP representation of the 
Call Control Function. 
Intelligent Network Application Part Protocol(INAP)- IN protocol
Service Control Function (SCF) - IN functional entity that contains the IN 
service logic and handles service related processing activity.
Service Switching Function (SSF) - IN functional entity that interacts with call 
control functions.
Call Control Agent Function (CCAF) - IN functional entity that provides the user 
access to the network.
Call Control Function (CCF) - IN functional entity that refers to call and 
connection handling in the classical sense (e.g. that of an exchange).

3. ITU-T IN/IP Architecture in support of SIP-IN Interworking

The following is extracted from the latest version of draft Q.1244 IN Capability 
Set 4 Recommendation related to IN-IP support of SIP Networks.



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3.1 Call Manager Function (CMF)
CMF is a functional entity, responsible for handling call signaling on either 
network. It appears to the IN side CCF as being another CCF. This functionality 
includes handling the management of the call processing, and call signaling. 
This entity is responsible for passing service related information to and from 
IN service layer, namely the (define) SCF, and managing the service control 
relationship. As such, the CMF may contain a SSF-like functionality or subset 
thereof, to model the pre and post conditions that are required to interact with 
an SCF. A Call Manager function could be seen as a logical switch (CCF). A Call 
Manager Function can require SCF assistance for these routing decisions, e.g. 
for 1-800 numbers, number portability, user profile consultation, VPN support.
The functions related to the Call Manager Function are:
-	Inter-working for:
-	Number Portability;
-	Freephone Translations;
-	VPN support;
-	O.A.&M.

The Call Manager Function also contains Session Management responsible for 
managing the IP network services. On the IP side it exposes the Registration 
interface, but one cannot assume that service interactions are only based on 
Registration flows. The session manager may initiate activities caused by call 
control signaling events, in case of collocated session manager and call 
manager. The session manager shall participate in domain/zone management and 
call signaling.

General functions that need to be supported by this session manager
-	Data filtering/parsing/mapping
-	Security/Authentication
-     Real Time data collection (billing/parsing) Triggering of services 
      (in the IN domain or in the IP-network domain)
-	Configuration/dimensioning
-	Flow control
This entity is responsible for passing registration and admission related 
information to and from IN service layer, namely the SCF. As such, the session 
manager may contain a SSF-like functionality or subset thereof, to model the pre 
and post conditions that are required to interact with an SCF.

3.2 Soft Service Switching Function (Soft-SSF)

The Soft SSF interacts with the IN Service Control Function (SCF) and the IP 
representation of the Call Control Manager (CMF), mapping the Call Control 
Protocol into the INAP events trigger points and procedures, where applicable. 

The relation of the Soft SSF to the classical SSF is as follows:
Many processes, such as call control, database and billing are retained or 
enhanced. Circuit switching and ancillary processes are removed. The SIP server 
inter-working functions are added. 

The interface between the SIP Server and the 'Soft-SSF' call control processes 
must:


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Carry sufficient call data for the SSF to function correctly and to deliver the 
necessary information to the SCF so that service logic decisions can be made.
Allow the SCF (in combination with SSF and CCF Emulator) to control VoIP calls 
(e.g. change 'B' party address) and manipulate call information (such as 
presentation number). 

The CMF to Soft SSF interface is presently not a subject for standardization.

3.3  Functional Model
The following figure shows the functional model involving IN and SIP inter-
working. As indicated above, possible groupings in Intelligent SIP Proxy are 
depicted. It should be noted that:
-	The example is by no means exhaustive. For instance, the SIP Proxy may 
contain a MG function.
-	The single Intelligent SIP Proxy as modeled in these figures can in fact 
represent several different physical instances in the network, for example with 
one Intelligent SIP Proxy in charge of the terminal or access network/domain, 
and another in charge of the interface to the Switched Circuit Network.


                        Intelligent Network       |         IP Network
                                                  |
                                                  |
  Service/Application                             |
          Layer                              _____|_____
                             +---+          |Signaling  |
                             +SCP+          |Transport  |    _________________
                             +---+          |Gateway    |   |Intelligent      |
                               |            |     |     |   |SIP Proxy and    |
                               |            |     |     |   |Bearer Controller|
                             +---+          |     |     |   |  +----+         |                      
                             +SSF+          |     |     |   |  +SOFT+         |
                             +===+          |     |     |   |  + SSF+ +---+   |
  ===========================+CCF+==========|=====|=====|===|==+----+=+CMF+   |
                             +---+          |     |     |   |         +---+   |
                                            |     |     |   |                 |
                                            |_____|_____|   |                 |
                                                  |         |_________________|
  Call/Bearer Layer                          _____|_______
                                            |  +--+       |
                                            |  +MG+       | 
                                            |  +--+       |
                                            |Media|Gateway|
                                            |_____|_______|


Figure 1: A SIP based call control configuration using an intelligent SIP Proxy 
and Bearer Control Function




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3.4  Requirements for IN-Interaction with SIP based systems 
Functional requirements for the IN Interaction with SIP based systems are listed 
below (initial list for further study):
-	Relationship of SSF and CCF to the new functional entities introduced in 
Q.1244 (Distributed Functional Plane for IN CS-4) to decompose the SIP Proxy 
(i.e. Call Manager Function (CMF)).
-	Mapping of SIP Registration and Call Signaling messages to INAP 
operations.
-	Exact set of SIP Registration functionality which needs to be visible to 
IN (i.e. need to be monitored or manipulated), if any. This includes the 
considerations on the kind of modeling required.
-	Possible Separation of the SSF/CCF into different physical entities.
The use of multiple SSFs, where one SSF may model the SIP Registration protocols 
and another SSF model the SIP Call Control procedures requires consideration. 
These SSFs may be physically distributed. The configuration of trigger 
conditions in the soft SSF, manage trigger data from an SCP in the IN domain.
-	The same CCF/SSF triggering mechanism applies to processing SIP based IN-
based call. SSF is located at Intelligent SIP Proxy to interact with SCP in IN 
domain. 
-	Mapping of the SM to the SSF (like IN FE) and mapping the CMF to the CCF.
-	For a GW originated IN-based call, the SIP registration server and the 
Soft-SSF may be distributed in different Intelligent SIP Proxy entities. In this 
case, dynamic DP arming should be supported at MGC under the control of 
Intelligent SIP Proxy SM;
-	The Definition of State Driven Events in the SIP Registration and SIP Call 
Control Protocols in, there relationship to the SM/CM functions. How these 
states map into the current IN BCSM models; all require consideration.
-	The SCF will be able to select one or more appropriate SSF/ Intelligent 
SIP Proxies dependant on different parameters (class of service requested by the 
user, placement of gateways, tariff, etc.). The SC-GF will be able to perform 
correct lower layer protocol and address translation functions.

User Interaction requirements for the IN Interaction with SIP Based systems are 
listed below (initial list for further study):
-     Intelligent SIP Proxy enhancements for user interaction (e.g.: does it provide control of speech path connection and information on tones and announcements).
-     The user interaction with SIP User Agent at the terminal may be realized
through a SIP Registration interface. The user interaction with PSTN user is 
realized using MGC relay mode. The information exchange path is Intelligent SIP 
Proxy to GW interface SIP 
-     The SIP Registration interface may be modified to support user interaction 
information exchange. A SIP Registration interface between Intelligent SIP Proxy 
and SIP terminal could be upgraded to support call-unrelated user access 
service.









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3.5 The SIP architecture
The SIP architecture has 5 functional elements defined in [16]:
- User agent client: The user agent client is the functional entity that may 
initiate a SIP request.
- User agent server: The user agent server is the functional entity that may 
initiate a SIP response.
- Proxy server: This functional element is functionally similar to the user 
agent server, except it is not expected to retain significant call control 
state. In essence the proxy server is comprised of both a SIP client and a SIP 
server.
- Redirect server: The redirect server is not responsible for call control but 
will simply respond to SIP requests with a new address.
- Registrar server: The registrar server simply responds to registrar requests. 
Typically this is co-located with either the proxy or the redirect server, and 
may be adapted to perform location-based services.

3.5.1 SIP Call Models
To provide a better understanding of the applicable SIP based call control 
network architecture, the SIP based call control functional entities are 
introduced, which may be contained within SIP entities as defined in the 
standard. This is an attempt to accommodate the new concept of a decomposed SIP 
Call Control Proxy, and the applicable bearer control Configurations. The 
functional names have been chosen with the intent of minimizing confusion. 
They do not intend to imply a specific implementation.

In SIP based systems a SIP proxy with call control intelligence is defined. This 
intelligence will enable nominated SIP proxies to location retain significant 
call control state. This will enable standards to be developed to synchronize 
the SIP Call State model with the IN Basic Call State model as defined in Q.1224 
and Q.1238. In essence the proxy server is comprised of both a SIP client and a 
SIP server. It is required to analyze which BCSM states have meaning in a SIP 
based service context, and how bearer and multimedia support can be added to 
both this SIP call model and understood in the extension of the IN call control 
model.

3.5.2 SIP assumptions, architecture and implementation issues

The Figure below specifies the IP/IN proposed architecture based on the IETF IP 
architecture. 













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                    ______________________________
                   |              _______________ |
                   | +-------+   |+---+         | |
                   | +SCF/SDF+   |+SSF+         | |                      
                   | +-------+   |+-|-+         | |
                   |             |  |           | |
                   |             |+-----------+ | |
                   |             |+Mapping/CCF+ | |
                   | Intelligent |+-----------+ | |
                   | Network     |    SoftSSF + | |
                   | Protocol    |+-----------+ | |
                   |             |______________| |
                   |______________________________|
                                         /
                                  ______/____
                                 | SIP/SDP   |
                                 |___________|
                                     /     \
                              ______/_    __\______
                              | TCP   |  | UDP     |
                              |_______|  |_________|
						 /      \
                          __________/________\__
                         |    IP v4, IP v6      |
                         |______________________|
                                 
Figure 2: IETF IP/IN proposed Architecture

3.6 Functional Architecture
The proposed functional architecture is provided here for completeness. Figure 3 
outlines the proposed functional architecture at the network level.






















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             +----+ +---+
             + SDF+ +SCF+
             +-\--+ +-|-+
                \INAP |
-----------------\----|------------------------------------
|            |----\---|-----------------|
|            |      +------+            |
|            |      + SSF  +            |           Extended
|            |      +------+            |       Proxy server
|            |      +-----------+       |
|            |      +CCF Mapping+       |
|            |      +----|------+       |
|            |           | 'soft SSF'   | 
|            |           |              |
|                    +---|-------------------+
|                    +SIP Proxy Server       +
|                    +---/-----|-----------\-+
|-----------------------/------|------------\----------------
                   +---/---+  +|-------+    +\---------+
                   +Gateway+  + SIP    +    +Packet Data +
                   +-------+  +Terminal+    + Network    +
             +--------------+ +--------+    +------------+
             + PSTN         +                    +-------------+
             +--------------+                    +Terminal(SIP)+                             
                                                 +-------------+
 

Figure 3: Functional Architecture to support IN call control of VoIP based on 
SIP call control

Utilizing figure 3, subscribers may register in the SIP network allowing the 
subscriber to receive incoming calls. A subscriber may use an additional 
identifier (e.g. MSISDN) in the registration process. Upon registration with the 
server, the subscription information for the subscriber is sent to the Soft-SSF 

by the SDF in the subscriber's home network. As incoming calls made to the 
subscriber terminate at the server the subscriber is registered with, the 
Terminating Subscription Information may be examined and if necessary the SCF 
may be invoked on a per incoming call basis. Similarly, calls made by a 
subscriber already registered with a proxy server allow the Originating 
subscription information to be examined and potentially allow the SCF to be 
invoked. Callers not registered will not have any subscription information in 
the proxy server they are using to place the call. The proposal here is as 
follows: when the initial call request message (or the INVITE method) is 
received by the SIP proxy server, the soft SSF establishes a dialogue with the 
SDF of the home subscribers network to allow the subscription information to 
sent.  The Originating subscription data may then be examined and if necessary 
the SCF may be invoked.





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3.8 Assumptions
- All the call flows show that the SIP Proxy Server and the Soft-SSF have been 
co-located in order to avoid showing an information flows between the two 
entities. Standardization of the messages for this interface is for further 
study.
- Originating and terminating SIP Proxy servers must operate in a call-state 
aware mode.
- As registration with a SIP Proxy server is not mandatory, it shall be possible 
to determine whether a registration exists for that particular subscriber when a 
subscriber places an incoming call. This allows the subscriber data information 
to be fetched from the home SDF if the subscriber is not registered. 
(Note: Absence of the originating subscriber data does not necessarily mean that 
the user is not registered, merely that the originating subscriber data may not 
exist for that subscriber).

4. Work item for standardization.
It is the proposal of this document to define the Mediation Node (CMF) to the 
Soft SSF interface as a work item in the IETF as it is presently not a subject 
for standardization.

5. The Relation of the Proposal to the Existing Work in the IETF

IETF WGs that deal with similar issues are IPTEL, MEGACO, PINT, SIP, SPIRITS, 
and SIGTRAN. This proposal focuses on the groups that deal with PSTN/Internet 
Interworking.

IPTEL: This WG deals with Service Models and Gateway Attribute Distribution
Protocol. Since this proposal utilizes already defined service models, this 
proposal is not targeted to this WG.

MEGACO: This WG develops the Media Gateway Control Protocol. Since this proposal 
utilizes already defined Media Gateway Control Protocol, this proposal is not 
targeted to this WG.

PINT and SPIRITS: These WGs evaluate IN network implementations. Since this 
proposal is not modifying PINT/SPIRITS interactions, this proposal is not 
targeted to these WGs.

SIP: This WG develops the SIP Protocol. Since SIP expertise is needed for this
proposal, it is targeted to this WG.

SIGTRAN: This WG specifies the transport layer protocol for carrying
SS7. Since this proposal is not modifying SIGTRAN defined interactions, this 
proposal is not targeted to this WG.

6. The Relation of the Proposal to the Work of Other Standards Bodies

The previous sections of this document describe ITU-T Interworking of SIP and IN 
work presently being developed in ITU-T in the Intelligent Network area, known as draft recommendation Q.1244. Q.1244 includes the IN functional model, a description of the SIP functional model and an architecture describing interworking between IN network and IP network through the specification of 

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functional entities. The definition of interfaces between IN functional entities and the IP network is part of draft recommendation Q.1244. It is the proposal of 
this document to define the Mediation Node (CMF) to the Soft SSF interface as a 
work item in the IETF as it is presently not a subject for standardization. It is also proposed to work this item jointly with ITU-T.  

7. Security Considerations

Security issues for the proposed item will need to be examined.

8. Conclusion

This document describes the PSTN Intelligent Network (IN) Architecture support 
of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) networks. The concept of the 'Soft-SSF' is 
introduced which acts as an overlay between the IP telephony call control and 
the Intelligent Network layer provided by the IN Service Switching Function 
(SSF) and the IN Service Control Function (SCF). This 'Soft-SSF' provides the 
necessary mapping between the SIP protocol state machine and the IN Basic Call 
State Model (BCSM). Also introduced is the Call Manager Function (CMF) which 
acts as a Mediation Node. The CMF entity is responsible for passing service 
related information to and from IN service layer, namely the SCF, and managing 
the service control relationship. As such, the CMF may contain a SSF-like 
functionality or subset thereof, to model the pre and post conditions that are 
required to interact with an SCF. The document specifically deals with the 
proposed standardized interfaces between the functional entities identified in 
the IN Network with associated functional entities represented in the SIP 
network. A mapping of parameters of the SIP protocol to the Intelligent Network 
Application Part Protocol(INAP) may be required for the support of the SIP Proxy 
Server call control protocol, states and events. Thereby enabling the Mediation 
Node (CMF) to model a SIP Proxy server. It is the proposal of this document to 
define the Mediation Node (CMF) to the Soft SSF interface as a work item in the 
IETF as it is presently not a subject for standardization. Prior drafts 
discussed in the IETF have dealt with some of these aspects. This Internet draft 
also covers the relationship to the existing IETF working groups that deal with 
the protocols for PSTN/Internet interworking (IPTEL, MEGACO, PINT, SPIRITS, and 
SIGTRAN) and ITU-T.

9. References

[1] M. Handley, H. Schulzrinne, E. Schooler, and J. Rosenberg,
"SIP: Session Initiation Protocol", Request for Comments (Proposed
Standard) RFC 2543, Internet Engineering Task Force, March 1999.

[2] V. Gurbani, "Accessing IN Services from SIP Networks," Internet
Draft , Internet Engineering Task
Force, December 1999, work in progress.

[3] V. Gurbani, "SIP enabled IN Services - an implementation report", Internet
Draft , Internet Engineering Task
Force, November 2000, work in progress.



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[3] F. Haerens, "Intelligent Network Application Support of the SIP/SDP
Architecture", Internet Draft , November
1999, work in progress.

[4] L. Slutsman, "Framework and Requirements for the Internet Intelligent Networks (IIN)", Draft , Internet Engineering Task Force, September 2000, work in progress.

[5] ITU-T Q.1224 Recommendation, "Distributed functional plane for Intelligent Network Capability Set 2", approved 1997.

[6] ITU-T Q.1238 Recommendation, "Interface Recommendation for Intelligent Network Capability Set 3", approved 2000.

[7] ITU-T Draft Recommendation Q.1244, "Distributed functional plane for Intelligent Network Capability Set 4", June 2000, work in progress.

10. Author's Addresses

Doris Lebovits
AT&T 
180 Park Ave.
Florham Park, New Jersey, 07932
Phone: (973) 236-6776
Email: dlebovits@att.com

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