The next-generation network (NGN) represents a significant evolution in telecommunication core and access networks. The fundamental principle of NGN is to consolidate all information and services-voice, data, and various media-into IP packets, mirroring the architecture of the Internet.
An NGN is a packet-based network designed to deliver a range of services, including telecommunication services, utilizing multiple broadband, quality of service-enabled transport technologies. In this architecture, service-related functions operate independently from the underlying transport technologies, offering unrestricted user access to diverse service providers.
In essence, NGN aims to unify historically separate transport networks, each dedicated to a specific service, into a single, streamlined core transport network, typically based on IP and Ethernet. This convergence extends to cable access networks, where constant bit rate voice services are migrated to CableLabs PacketCable standards for VoIP and SIP services.
In an NGN, there is a more defined separation between the transport (connectivity) portion of the network and the services that run on top of that transport. This means that whenever a provider wants to enable a new service, they can do so by defining it directly at the service layer without considering the transport layer - i.e. services are independent of transport details.
Next-generation networks are based on Internet technologies including Internet Protocol (IP) and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS). Initially H.323 was the most popular protocol, though its popularity decreased due to its original poor traversal of network address translation (NAT) and firewalls. For this reason as domestic VoIP services have been developed, SIP has been more widely adopted. However, in voice networks where everything is under the control of the network operator or telco, many of the largest carriers use H.323 as the protocol of choice in their core backbones.
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For voice applications one of the most important devices in NGN is a Softswitch - a programmable device that controls Voice over IP (VoIP) calls. It enables correct integration of different protocols within NGN. The most important function of the Softswitch is creating the interface to the existing telephone network, PSTN, through Signalling Gateways and Media Gateways.
The term Gatekeeper sometimes appears in NGN literature. This was originally a VoIP device, which converted voice and data from their analog or digital switched-circuit form (PSTN, SS7) to the packet-based one (IP) using gateways. It controlled one or more gateways.
In the UK, another popular acronym was introduced by BT (British Telecom) as 21CN (21st Century Networks, sometimes mistakenly quoted as C21N) - this is another loose term for NGN and denotes BT's initiative to deploy and operate NGN switches and networks in the period 2006-2008 (the aim being by 2008 BT to have only all-IP switches in their network). The first company in the UK to roll out a NGN was THUS plc which started deployment back in 1999. THUS' NGN contains 10,600 km of fibre optic cable with more than 190 points of presence throughout the UK.
The core optical network uses dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) technology to provide scalability to many hundreds of gigabits per second of bandwidth, in line with growth demand. On top of this, the THUS backbone network uses MPLS technology to deliver the highest possible performance. IP/MPLS-based services carry voice, video and data traffic across a converged infrastructure, potentially allowing organisations to enjoy lower infrastructure costs, as well as added flexibility and functionality. Traffic can be prioritised with Classes of Service, coupled with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that underpin quality of service performance guarantees.
Global Implementations of NGN
Several countries and companies have embraced NGN to enhance their telecommunications infrastructure:
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- Netherlands: KPN is developing an NGN in a network transformation program called all-IP.
- Bulgaria: BTC (Bulgarian Telecommunications Company) implemented NGN as the underlying network for its telco services in 2004.
- China: In mid-2005, China Telecom announced the commercial rollout of its Next Generation Carrying Network, CN2, using IP NGN architecture. This IPv6-capable backbone network leverages softswitches and protocols like DiffServ and MPLS.
- Japan: The NTT Group has been providing consumer-oriented NGN services under the name "FLET'S Hikari Next" (1 Gbps) since 2008, and "FLET'S Hikari Cross" (10 Gbps) since 2020. The migration of the core telephone network to NGN was completed by December 2024.
These implementations demonstrate the global trend toward adopting NGN to improve network performance, scalability, and service delivery.
Conceptual NGN architecture
Case Study: Enhancing Wireless Networks with Network Coding
A study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) explored enhancing network architecture for next-generation wireless networks using network coding.
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The study used WiMAX as a case study and conducted single-interface experiments to compare the performance of the architecture to that of HARQ and ARQ mechanisms.
The performance measures included packet loss percentage, throughput, and file transfer delay. The experiments were conducted using the Global Environment for Network Innovations (GENI) WiMAX platforms, with UDP traffic considered and Iperf and UDP-based File Transfer Protocol (UFTP) used as measurement applications.
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The proposed architecture substantially decreased packet loss percentage from around 11-32% to nearly 0%.
Network coding
University Network Redesign: A Case Study
Campuses are increasingly adopting Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and unified communications platforms, phasing out traditional wired phones. A university network redesign project aimed to create a faster, scalable, and highly secure network.
In 2017, the University’s Board of Trustees, VP/CIO and network staff contemplated a new architecture and approach that would result in a faster, scalable and highly secure network that reached the edge of what technology offers, enabling continued institutional success. In addition, the University saw the redesigned network as a lab, with sensors dotted throughout campus, micro-segmentation and high performance, allowing researchers to use specialty instruments and run data-intensive tests without affecting general users.
The University retained an independent technology consulting firm to drive the vision and design. The foundation of this project is a network fabric, which uses several interconnecting switches that form a mesh (see Figure 1) for data exchange and delivery of services. Because it’s not tied to a specific network physical topology, a fabric provides flexibility and agility, as well as resiliency, ease of segmentation and the ability to automate services more readily.
The University plans to implement two core locations initially, with fiber connections between each aggregation switch and the cores, and a third core in the future. An identity-aware network allows for access control through user and device identity and authentication, and policy enforcement to control traffic.
The University network will include Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), which grants access to network resources based on user and device roles created by an administrator. The University is also evaluating onboarding services, which are needed for devices the first time they access the network, and is leaning toward the use of 802.1X/ Extensible Authentication Protocol-Transport Layer Security (EAP-TLS) certificates for authentication. Initial roles will be simple and will evolve as experience and technology allow.
The redesigned network will also have two campus border locations, each with routers and firewalls, internet and research network connectivity providing automated failover and the ability to route dynamically (see Figure 3). The University’s network security initiative will be met by tightly integrating security concepts and technologies into every facet of the network.
The University’s Wireless First strategy recognizes that devices tend to be wireless, unless there’s a specific need to use a wired connection. To prepare for Wireless First and a potentially dramatic increase in the number of IoT devices (many of which use Wi-Fi), the University has been replacing older wireless access points (APs) and increasing density. The cycle will continue with upgrades to 802.11ax APs once the technology is ready for widespread deployment.
Today’s network fabrics and other major network elements typically come with automation and orchestration functionality. An administrator automates processes and workflows, and then orchestrates them to run automatically, saving staff time and effort. Automation and orchestration can be used for deploying and optimizing both wired and wireless network components, provisioning network devices, providing a consistent RBAC role user experience and much more. Many vendors’ automation and orchestration products are focused on staying within their product line.
The University was an early investigator of the NG911 service, which provides enhanced location data for 911 calls made from smart devices. However, locating Wi-Fi softphone callers is still a challenge. Finally, the network team is building an infrastructure lab for testing and learning about new technologies, and to run proofs of concept (PoCs), prior to implementation on the production network.
The University chose to implement the network redesign project in phases, focusing on the highest impact wireless and security improvements occurring in the first phase. Transitioning from a flat network topology with a single core location (a potential point of failure) to a flexible network fabric designed for growth will meet the University’s educational and research needs well into the future.
Integrated RBAC for Wi-Fi users and devices, the ability to micro-segment the network, N+1 (resilient) borders with firewalls and a DDoS mitigation service will substantially increase the network’s security posture. Automation and orchestration boost operational efficiencies, and provide better quality assurance and quality control.
A network redesign is complex. It involves every part of a campus and requires input from key personnel from many different departments. The project has to be carefully planned and implemented to minimize disruption to users. The process often takes longer than initially anticipated, and requires a commitment of time from staff who are already dedicated to other priority projects.
The complexities of the University’s network redesign were amplified, in part, due to the accelerated schedule for completion. A critical decision to be made is the selection of the network fabric and RBAC vendor. What is the best solution that will meet requirements and future-proof their investment?
University network staff and stakeholders carefully weighed the pros and cons of multiple vendors versus a single vendor, gaps in desired functionality, maturity of each solution and interoperability issues with the existing Wi-Fi infrastructure. The team also hosted several multi-vendor design meetings to confirm and further detail relevant design areas, and then revised the overall network design based on those meetings.
Even so, a clear solution wasn’t apparent. The University’s Ivy League status and world-class reputation was a major benefit during the planning phase. Leading vendors flew in for multiple on-site design sessions and provided detailed proposals that helped the team narrow their choices and form the network design.
The University recognized the value of an outside driver (the consulting firm), without which the planning phase would not have been as efficient or even successful.
Network Automation
Rogers Communications and Ericsson: A Case Study in Advanced Network Deployment
Rogers Communications partnered with Ericsson to transform Toronto's Rogers Centre into an industry-leading venue for live event connectivity. By implementing advanced network technology, they were able to support unprecedented consumer demand during major events.
With a comprehensive Radio Dot System deployment and advanced traffic management systems, Rogers Centre set new Canadian records for mobile data usage. The performances generated 42 TB of data across six Toronto concerts, with a single-show record of 7.4 TB. This network performance enabled more than 50,000 concurrent connections with multi-gigabit throughput.
Rogers Centre now supports unprecedented fan engagement, processing data equivalent to 182,000 photos in a single event.
Rogers Centre Network
SMU Lyle: Preparing Network Engineers for the Future
Preparing the next generation of network engineers is a critical task, given the rapid technological advancements in the field. At SMU Lyle, Dr. M. Scott Kingsley leads this effort as the program director for the Master of Science in Network Engineering program.
Employers expect graduates to be proficient in the latest cloud, container, and software-defined technologies, such as OpenStack, Docker, and Kubernetes. They also want students with experience using AI tools to monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize networks.
"Students are no longer becoming technicians or entry-level engineers," Kingsley said. "They're stepping into senior network engineering roles where they're expected to evaluate and design architectures."
To address the gap between industry needs and available resources, SMU adopted WWT's Labs and Learning platform. The browser-based labs offer on-demand access to a multi-vendor catalogue that mirrors real-world environments.
"The reason I like WWT so much is because the labs just run and the topics are what we're working on," Kingsley said. "They cover everything from networking and storage to compute and cloud platforms to AI. The menu is just awesome."
Kingsley integrated labs into his core networking classes and advanced electives such as data center networking, VXLAN, and AI for networks.
Beyond the labs, faculty draw from WWT's knowledge base to extend learning. The write-ups and articles that accompany labs provide ready-made, current material to fold into courses.
"The WWT knowledge base is just phenomenal," Kingsley said. "I have an AI agent that will go out and find articles about the latest technologies and trends, but I just go to WWT first."
With WWT Labs and Learning in place, faculty no longer worry about unreliable platforms derailing syllabuses. Classes stay on track, giving faculty more time to teach and students more time to learn.
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