Design considerations for NGN softswitch-element management system

A softswitch (SSW) is the core element of the NGN (next generation network) in the call control and signaling layer. The SSW-EMS (element management system) manages the SSW itself as its basic function, and serves as a mediation device between NMS (network management system) and one or more SSWs. Existing SSW-EMS products can be categorized by two models. One only cares about the SSW itself and the other takes a role of integrated EMS for SSW and gateways (GW). Other servers manage their own NGN-element product lines (namely, NGN-EMS) including AS (application server) and MS (media server). Many products belong to the latter category. Some kinds of EMS take functions from the NMS by their features, such as correlating the faults from different NGN elements. The article looks at the design of NGN softswitch-element management systems.