TAZZ Networks introduced an NGN Application Module for its TAZZ Policy Control System (PCS). The module is a collection of functional components that can be used individually or collectively to create an intelligent signaling control layer that is compliant with next-generation standards such as TISPAN and IMS.
TAZZ said its NGN Application Module enables its platform to deliver support for a broad range of applications. With support for SIP, non-SIP, and "over the top" applications - applications created and delivered by a third party -service providers can leverage the TAZZ PCS to deliver a unified service experience via an extensible architecture, accelerating the delivery of next-generation IP services over a converged network infrastructure.
Specifically, the NGN Application Module enables the TAZZ PCS to be fully compliant with the ETSI TISPAN Release 1 deployment architecture. This module ensures the delivery of quality assured services from the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) application framework or other non-SIP application frameworks.
The TAZZ PCS functions as the Resource and Admission Control Sub-system (RACS) within the TISPAN architecture, delivering the Service Policy Decision Function (SPDF) and the Access - Resource and Admission Control Function (A-RACF). With these components, TAZZ provides a highly distributed and scaleable architecture that works seamlessly with Services Sub-systems such as IMS.
The functional components of the NGN Application Module include:
- Signaling Interface Function - The Signaling Interface Function (SIF) provides an exposure interface for TAZZ PCS capabilities. The SIF mediates external applications requesting QoS services from the PCS.
- Admission Control Function - The Admission Control Function (ACF) provides the core logic for performing admission control. This component is programmed with a set of policies (event-condition-action sets) that define the desired admission control behavior. These policies can be customized to the specific needs of the service provider.
- Path Computation Function - The Path Computation Function (PCF) uses topology knowledge to determine the resources affected by a QoS request. The PCF is used in multiple aspects of the system. The PCS Director uses the PCF to determine the PCS Resource Controllers to consult for an admission control decision for a QoS request. The PCS Resource Controller uses the PCF to determine the specific network path affected by a QoS request.
- Topology Database Function - The Topology Database Function (TDF) stores network resource topology information, which it exposes to the PCF for path computation. The TDF is the master store for network topology information used by the PCS Resource Controller, as well as Pool information used by the PCS Director.
- Session Database Function - The Session Database Function (SDF) stores information related to dynamic network sessions. It is populated by the Session Awareness Function (SAF). The SDF tracks active PPP or DHCP sessions on the network as well as QoS flows signaled by the application layer. The SDF stores user session data relative to the PPP or DHCP session.
- Network Discovery Function - The Network Discovery Function (NDF) populates and maintains the information in the TDF. The NDF synchronizes additional information about network topology with external resources to ensure accuracy.
- Session Awareness Function - The Session Awareness Function (SAF) populates and maintains the information in the SDF. The SAF dynamically populates the associations between IP Address, BRAS, VC, and VP in the SDF.
- Network Adaptation Function - The Network Adaptation Function
(NAF) dynamically resizes network links and queue sizes, based
on the ability of the underlying network to adapt after a request from the ACF.
- In February 2006, TAZZ announced that Cisco Systems had agreed to resell its IP network policy control platform as the Cisco Broadband Policy Manager under a global distribution agreement. The initial market focus will be on triple play deployments of major service providers. The long-term focus is to help transition legacy networks to next generation architectures -- 3GPP IMS and ETSI TISPAN.
- TAZZ Networks was founded in 2001 and has raised $25.7 million in three funding rounds. The company has about 60 employees.
| Building an Intelligent IP Control Plane for VOD | |
| For many, the network has been relegated to "dumb pipe" status and viewed as a liability based on the success of the application providers. Until recently this held true as bandwidth was plentiful and most of the applications on the network did not consume large amounts per session. To differentiate themselves, service providers could leverage an IP Policy Control layer to deliver programmable command and control capabilities that enable per session quality of services parameters to be dynamically applied to premium services such as VoD. | |
