In this section:
Note
Unless otherwise specified, DSC in this feature guide refers to the DSC 8000, DSC SWe (on KVM), DSC SWe (on VMware), and DSC SWe (on OpenStack).
The Ribbon Diameter Signaling Controller (DSC) provides the essential functions of centralized core and edge routing for Diameter protocol elements, which are widely used in all service-oriented, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and Long Term Evolution (LTE) architecture networks. These functions include the following:
- Diameter Routing Agent (DRA) as specified by 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)
- Diameter Edge Agent (DEA) as specified by Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA)
- Subscription Location Function (SLF)
- Translation or InterWorking Function (IWF)
As depicted in the following figure, the Ribbon DSC (referred to in this document as DSC) provides capabilities to address a wide variety of use cases.
DSC
Note
For information about configuring the DSC using Diameter protocol elements in the service-oriented, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), and Long Term Evolution (LTE) architecture networks, refer to the Ribbon DSC Application Guide.
DSC Benefits
DSC benefits from Ribbon’s experience and reputation of developing and delivering solutions to the telecom market for the past 20 years. Ribbon delivers extensive and proven experience in the following:
- IP-centric systems
- IP networks
- high-performance packet-switched backplanes
- high-availability systems (99.999 or higher)
- tools for carriers to operate, monitor, and maintain their networks
- scalability
- carrier-class systems
- adherence to standards
open interfaces
DSC Main Features
Note
Some DSC features are provided by default and others require licensing. For information about DSC licensing, refer to Listing of Licenses.
The high-level view of the DSC features includes the following:
- Scale-ability for connections and [Transactions per Second (TPS) (refer to Listing of Licenses)]
- Congestion Flow Control (refer to Congestion and Flow Control)
- Advanced Routing and Screening (refer to Diameter Edge Agent (DEA)
- Message Modification (refer to Configuring Modification Commands)
- Extensibility to other applications (refer to Diameter XML Interface)
- Virtualization and Multi-instance (see DSC Advantages and refer to Ribbon DSC)
- Security (refer to Security and Firewall)
- SS7 Integration (refer to Architecture)
- Server Pools (refer to Configuring the Server Pools)
- Load balancing (refer to Configuring the Server Pools)
- Realm Routing (refer to Configuring Realm Routing)
- Network Security (refer to Configuring a Security Parameter Set)
- Diameter Edge Agent [(DEA) (refer to Diameter Edge Agent)]
- TLS/IPSec/DTLS (refer to TLS Provisioning Process)
- Topology Hiding (refer to Topology Hiding)
DSC Advantages
The DSC advantages include the following:
- platform choices = high performance and throughput + ability to scale
- innovative software = next gen based software compliance + speeds + multi-application
- telecom reliability experience = quality + operation and maintenance (OAM) + network operations
- deployment flexibility = common software + proprietary hardware or virtual, cloud environment
The DSC is available on multiple platforms, which includes Ribbon’s award-winning DSC 8000 or the DSC Software Edition (SWe), continuing its 20-year track record of success in developing solutions and application-ready platforms for the telecommunications market. As the acceptance of network function virtualization (NFV) becomes more common in service provider networks, the DSC seamlessly provides services across both traditional and cloud deployment models.
Overview
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