Mobile computing is showing newer trends everyday.So whats in for 2011?
4G and WIMAX
4G is the fourth generation of cellular wireless standards.A 4G system is supposed to provide secure all-IP based mobile broadband solution to smartphones, laptop computer wireless modems and other mobile devices.
WIMAX is a telecommunications protocol that provides fixed and fully mobile Internet access.
Security is also another big issue which will come up.Just think of the phone you are using,it contains too much personal and business data, especially as you start relying on these smartphones.So this is one area which we can expect to see much more improvements in.
Mobile Advertising is expected to rapidly increase.Because the number of people accessing internet through mobile phones is expected to increase rapidly.
Looking at other technological trends,,, cloud computing heads the list.This is due to the low cost and the high expandability provided by cloud computing.
Context aware computing is another topic.Context aware computing means using the information collected from the environment to improve the interactions with the user.
The third wave of computing which is ubiquitous computing is an exciting new trend which is predicted to come live! It is about using computing technologies without being aware that we are using them.Computing will be integrated to the machines we use. With Ubiquitous computing, computing technologies will be able to be used like we use electricity today.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
CDR - Call Detail Record
CDR is the computer generated record whenever an event occurs in a telephone exchange.
A CDR is made of fields that describes the exchange.
such fileds may include :
additional digits on the called number used to route or charge the call
the result of the call
the route by which the call entered the exchange
the route by which the call left the exchange
computer networks are widely used for transporting cdr files.
These details are later also used for billing purposes.The billing system also receives records from long distance service providers, roaming partners etc. The billing system then updates these CDRs to their correct customer and rating information. Then these details are combined into a single invoice that is sent to the customer.
Call detail records can be used later for reporting solutions as well because they hold a huge collection of information.
Three types of call detail records are,
- Fixed-fee CDRs — Generated when a subscriber logs into the SMS network and receives a password in the form of a text message. A fixed-fee CDR provides network access for a specified time period.
- Session CDRs — A session CDR records the length of time of the WLAN session and the number of bytes of data sent and received.
- Partial CDRs — Generated periodically during a WLAN session. A provider can specify how frequently a system generates a partial CDR by specifying time and volume.
A CDR is made of fields that describes the exchange.
such fileds may include :
additional digits on the called number used to route or charge the call
the result of the call
the route by which the call entered the exchange
the route by which the call left the exchange
computer networks are widely used for transporting cdr files.
These details are later also used for billing purposes.The billing system also receives records from long distance service providers, roaming partners etc. The billing system then updates these CDRs to their correct customer and rating information. Then these details are combined into a single invoice that is sent to the customer.
Call detail records can be used later for reporting solutions as well because they hold a huge collection of information.
Three types of call detail records are,
- Fixed-fee CDRs — Generated when a subscriber logs into the SMS network and receives a password in the form of a text message. A fixed-fee CDR provides network access for a specified time period.
- Session CDRs — A session CDR records the length of time of the WLAN session and the number of bytes of data sent and received.
- Partial CDRs — Generated periodically during a WLAN session. A provider can specify how frequently a system generates a partial CDR by specifying time and volume.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Sigtran Stack
SIGTRAN , very briefly can be introduced as SS7 over IP.
SIGTRAN is a set of protocols that transport SS7 messages over IP networks. SIGTRAN allows IP networks to connect with the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).SIGTRAN is a very IP friendly protocol suite.
A usage of SIGTRAN is when a telephone company switch transmits SS7 signals to a signaling gateway. The gateway converts the signals into SIGTRAN packets for transmission over IP to the next signaling gateway to another PSTN.
There are mainly 3 components of the SIGTRAN protocol stack
-A standard IP layer.
-Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP):Operates same level as TCP.It helps to transfer messages between peer SCTP users.SIGTRAN uses few services of SCTP.
-An Adaptation layer
SIGTRAN currently defines four SS7 related adaptation layers as well.
-The message transfer part level 2 user adaptation (M2UA) layer
-The message transfer part level 2 peer-to-peer adaptation (M2PA) layer
-The message transfer part level 3 user adaptation (M3UA) layer
-The SS7 SCCP user adaptation (SUA) layer
SIGTRAN provides reliable and orderly transfer.There is low less and delay.SIGTRAN will play an important role in the future services as well.
SIGTRAN is a set of protocols that transport SS7 messages over IP networks. SIGTRAN allows IP networks to connect with the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).SIGTRAN is a very IP friendly protocol suite.
A usage of SIGTRAN is when a telephone company switch transmits SS7 signals to a signaling gateway. The gateway converts the signals into SIGTRAN packets for transmission over IP to the next signaling gateway to another PSTN.
There are mainly 3 components of the SIGTRAN protocol stack
-A standard IP layer.
-Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP):Operates same level as TCP.It helps to transfer messages between peer SCTP users.SIGTRAN uses few services of SCTP.
-An Adaptation layer
SIGTRAN currently defines four SS7 related adaptation layers as well.
-The message transfer part level 2 user adaptation (M2UA) layer
-The message transfer part level 2 peer-to-peer adaptation (M2PA) layer
-The message transfer part level 3 user adaptation (M3UA) layer
-The SS7 SCCP user adaptation (SUA) layer
SIGTRAN provides reliable and orderly transfer.There is low less and delay.SIGTRAN will play an important role in the future services as well.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Operating System Clustering using SSI
Clustered computer systems have become an attractive solution for variable workloads.Hardware is available for these solutions but rendering the system usable from an operators' view point is an issue.Single computer operating systems do not scale in a usable manner to the clustered architecture.But some operating systems are designed specifically to support clustered architectures.
Before going on to clustered operating systems, any operating system system should provide a user friendly interface for the user, the applications and the cluster hardware.In a cluster operating system, when a node fails to function , the rest of the processes can continue to function. It is important to make sure that the cluster appears as a single computer.
Single system image (SSI) is used to do this.Implementing a single system image makes a cluster of machines appear as one computer.
A SSI implements the following features to a cluster.
- A single entry point to the cluster
user can connect to the cluster as a virtual host.The system
distributes the user requests to different physical hosts to
balance the load.
- A single file hierarchy
After entering a system, the user sees a single file system that
integrates local and global disks.
- A single control point
The entire cluster and each node can be configured, monitored and controlled
from a single window.
- virtual networking
any node can access any network connection.
- A single memory space
users see a huge memory which is actually a set of distributed memories.
- A single job management
a user job can be submitted from any node and any number of nodes can be requested
to execute it
- A single user interface
The user should be able to use the cluster through a single GUI.
Before going on to clustered operating systems, any operating system system should provide a user friendly interface for the user, the applications and the cluster hardware.In a cluster operating system, when a node fails to function , the rest of the processes can continue to function. It is important to make sure that the cluster appears as a single computer.
Single system image (SSI) is used to do this.Implementing a single system image makes a cluster of machines appear as one computer.
A SSI implements the following features to a cluster.
- A single entry point to the cluster
user can connect to the cluster as a virtual host.The system
distributes the user requests to different physical hosts to
balance the load.
- A single file hierarchy
After entering a system, the user sees a single file system that
integrates local and global disks.
- A single control point
The entire cluster and each node can be configured, monitored and controlled
from a single window.
- virtual networking
any node can access any network connection.
- A single memory space
users see a huge memory which is actually a set of distributed memories.
- A single job management
a user job can be submitted from any node and any number of nodes can be requested
to execute it
- A single user interface
The user should be able to use the cluster through a single GUI.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Mobility Management in MAP
Mobility management happens to be a very important feature in MAP ( Mobile Application Part ).
This is how Wikipedia explains mobility management.
"The aim of mobility management is to track where the subscribers are, allowing calls, SMS and other mobile phone services to be delivered to them."
Mobility management is an essential feature because as the person who is accessing the mobile service moves around, the service should remain.Mobility management in MAP can be further broken
into five more sections.
These are
• Location management
• Handover MSC-MSC during a call
• Authentication and security
• IMEI - mobile equipment id queries
• Subscriber management
Location management is mainly about location updates of the subscribers.
The above flow shows how location management is done in MAP.
SendIdentification operation : used by the new MSC/VLR that sees a
new mobile in its area to request information about the user from the
previous VLR.
UpdateLocation operation :to tell about the change of
responsibility to the HLR of that user once the new VLR takes responsibility
CancelLocation operation : This is for the old VLR to let it know that it can remove its record of the user from its database.
PurgeMS operation : VLR looses track of a mobile it was responsible for. The mobile’s battery may have gone flat or mobile was switched off.
Handover MSC-MSC during a call
When the mobile user keeps moving during a call, the MSC that he is connected to also keeps changing, this needs to be handled also.
Security Operations
Security is assured in MAP by checking the IMEI which is unique for a phone.
Subscriber Management
This is handled using commands such as InsertSubscriberManagement and DeleteSubscriberManagement.As and when the subscribers join and leave services
the stored details in the HLR and VLR.
This is how Wikipedia explains mobility management.
"The aim of mobility management is to track where the subscribers are, allowing calls, SMS and other mobile phone services to be delivered to them."
Mobility management is an essential feature because as the person who is accessing the mobile service moves around, the service should remain.Mobility management in MAP can be further broken
into five more sections.
These are
• Location management
• Handover MSC-MSC during a call
• Authentication and security
• IMEI - mobile equipment id queries
• Subscriber management
Location management is mainly about location updates of the subscribers.
The above flow shows how location management is done in MAP.
SendIdentification operation : used by the new MSC/VLR that sees a
new mobile in its area to request information about the user from the
previous VLR.
UpdateLocation operation :to tell about the change of
responsibility to the HLR of that user once the new VLR takes responsibility
CancelLocation operation : This is for the old VLR to let it know that it can remove its record of the user from its database.
PurgeMS operation : VLR looses track of a mobile it was responsible for. The mobile’s battery may have gone flat or mobile was switched off.
Handover MSC-MSC during a call
When the mobile user keeps moving during a call, the MSC that he is connected to also keeps changing, this needs to be handled also.
Security Operations
Security is assured in MAP by checking the IMEI which is unique for a phone.
Subscriber Management
This is handled using commands such as InsertSubscriberManagement and DeleteSubscriberManagement.As and when the subscribers join and leave services
the stored details in the HLR and VLR.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
MAP
The purpose of MAP is to provide all the added signaling functionality required for mobility management in core networks and for several services.MAP has a specification of about 1000 pages.MAP has gone through many phases and releases.MAP works in between many network elements.MAP implements operations as well.
The operations implemented by MAP can be categorized as Mobility management,
Supplementary Services, Call handling, Short messaging, O&M, PDP context
and (Geographical) Location services. The main operation is mobility management.
In the MAP service model, there are two roles called MAP service user and MAP service provider.These can be taken by network elements MSC or HLR in exchange.HLR is the most
important network element when referring to MAP.
MAP communications (when an application is using MAP)
MAP_OPEN : to open a dialogue with the remote element
MAP_CLOSE : to close the dialogue.
MAP_DELIMITER : application decides that all components are in place for the actual communication
MAP_U_ABORT : abort a MAP service (by service user)
MAP_P_ABORT : abort a MAP service (by service provider)
MAP_NOTICE : MAP service provider can notify the user about something without affecting the dialogue
The operations implemented by MAP can be categorized as Mobility management,
Supplementary Services, Call handling, Short messaging, O&M, PDP context
and (Geographical) Location services. The main operation is mobility management.
In the MAP service model, there are two roles called MAP service user and MAP service provider.These can be taken by network elements MSC or HLR in exchange.HLR is the most
important network element when referring to MAP.
MAP communications (when an application is using MAP)
MAP_OPEN : to open a dialogue with the remote element
MAP_CLOSE : to close the dialogue.
MAP_DELIMITER : application decides that all components are in place for the actual communication
MAP_U_ABORT : abort a MAP service (by service user)
MAP_P_ABORT : abort a MAP service (by service provider)
MAP_NOTICE : MAP service provider can notify the user about something without affecting the dialogue
Friday, December 24, 2010
USSD
The most basic introduction to USSD would be when you dial a certain number (#123#) and access a certain menu and select service, you are accessing a USSD menu. Eg: when a Etisalat user dials #141# , he accesses the Appzone developed by hSenidMobile. Currently, USSD services are spreading awareness into the community very fast as it is accessible through even the most basic phones.
USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data. Wikipedia defines USSD as “ a protocol used by GSM cellular telephones to communicate with the service provider's computers. “
The difference between USSD and SMS include that the SMS uses store and forward method of message delivery. Short Message is delivered first to SMSC which will try to deliver the message to recipient. So SMS does not guarantee that message will be delivered instantly. USSD information is sent from mobile handset directly to application platform handling service. USSD is very user-friendly as well. If a particular user doesn’t want to visit all the menus and get the service, he can put the numbers and request the service in one dialing as well. (eg : *109*72348937857623#)
What happens when looking at USSD in a more technical perspective is..
• a user requests a service by entering a short code (e.g. *121* 676#) on his mobile phone.
• This code is passed across the mobile network to the USSD gateway and routed to the application.
• The application sends the response back to the subscriber through the USSD Gateway within the same USSD session.
One business sector which has rapidly improved with USSD is micro payment market. Users can transfer money from their mobile prepaid and post paid account to other mobile accounts. There will be a service number associated with it. When the user presses the number and dials, he will be presented with menus where he has to enter the amount and the mobile number to which the money needs to be transferred.
USSD offers many benefits for subscribers such as user-convenient, menu-based direct access from the mobile phone keyboard.Fast response time to service requests and easy access to value-added services. From the operators’ perspective, USSD reduces operational costs and increases ARPU by offering interactive services to all the customers.
USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data. Wikipedia defines USSD as “ a protocol used by GSM cellular telephones to communicate with the service provider's computers. “
The difference between USSD and SMS include that the SMS uses store and forward method of message delivery. Short Message is delivered first to SMSC which will try to deliver the message to recipient. So SMS does not guarantee that message will be delivered instantly. USSD information is sent from mobile handset directly to application platform handling service. USSD is very user-friendly as well. If a particular user doesn’t want to visit all the menus and get the service, he can put the numbers and request the service in one dialing as well. (eg : *109*72348937857623#)
What happens when looking at USSD in a more technical perspective is..
• a user requests a service by entering a short code (e.g. *121* 676#) on his mobile phone.
• This code is passed across the mobile network to the USSD gateway and routed to the application.
• The application sends the response back to the subscriber through the USSD Gateway within the same USSD session.
One business sector which has rapidly improved with USSD is micro payment market. Users can transfer money from their mobile prepaid and post paid account to other mobile accounts. There will be a service number associated with it. When the user presses the number and dials, he will be presented with menus where he has to enter the amount and the mobile number to which the money needs to be transferred.
USSD offers many benefits for subscribers such as user-convenient, menu-based direct access from the mobile phone keyboard.Fast response time to service requests and easy access to value-added services. From the operators’ perspective, USSD reduces operational costs and increases ARPU by offering interactive services to all the customers.
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