Analyzing the EPC
Building on the foundation of LTE System Engineering, this course provides a detailed examination of the LTE Evolved Packet Core. Key emphasis is placed on the network architecture, as well as the main network procedures that occur during a mobile’s typical interactivity with the LTE network. Analysis of the LTE Attach, EPS bearer establishment, EPS bearer usage, Policy Control, Mobility and Interworking will be provided as part of this process. In conclusion, the course will cover the key aspects of voice services across the EPC, including discussion on CSFB and also VoLTE.
Section 1 - EPC Concepts
Section 2 - EPC Functional Architecture
Section 3 - EPC Protocols
Section 4 - EPC Transport Network Architecture
Section 5 - Registration Procedures
Section 6 - Security in the EPC
Section 7 - QoS, Policy and Charging
Section 8 - End to End Session Procedures
Section 9 - EPC Mobility and Roaming
Section 10 - Circuit Switched Fallback
Section 11 - Interworking with the PS Domain
Section 12 - Exploring VoLTE
Topic areas covered include:
- What is the EPC?
- Market Drivers for EPC.
- Defining EPC and LTE - 3GPP Standardization.
- Positioning EPC within LTE:
- E-UTRA, E-UTRAN and EPC.
- LTE Principles of Operation.
Topic areas covered include:
- EPC Functional Architecture:
- MME, S-GW, PDN-GW, PCC, HSS and AAA.
- EPC Interfaces:
- E-UTRAN and EPC Interfaces.
- Interaction with GPRS.
- EPC Interacting with Trusted and Untrusted Non 3GPP Access.
- EPC Interfaces for Roaming.
- S1-MME, S1-U, S2a, S2b, S3, S4, S5, S6a, S8, S10, S11, Gx, Rx.
- LTE Protocols:
- S1AP - functions and procedures.
- GTP - GTPv1-U header and procedures, GTPv2-C message format.
- Diameter - Base Protocol, AVPs and Routing.
- DECOR.
- CUPS.
Topic areas covered include:
- S1 Application Protocol:
- S1 Functions and Procedures.
- Example S1 Procedure - NAS Transport.
- Example S1 Procedure - Initial Context Setup.
- E-RAB Establishment.
- GPRS Tunnelling Protocol:
- GTPv1-U.
- GTPv2-C.
- Non Access Stratum:
- EMM Messages.
- ESM Messages.
- Diameter:
- Diameter Base Protocol & AVPs.
- Diameter Routing.
Topic areas covered include:
- Carrier Grade IP Transport:
- IP Overview, Routing and IPv6.
- Multi Protocol Label Switching:
- Overview, Architecture, Label Format, Traffic Engineering, FRR, PWE3.
- Carrier Ethernet:
- CE in LTE, CE Layered Model, CE Transport.
- Timing and Synchronization:
- Timing over Packet Options, PTP, SyncE.
Topic areas covered include:
- Transferring Signalling in the E-UTRAN and EPC:
- LTE Stratums and NAS Messages.
- LTE States:
- EMM and ECM.
- LTE Identities:
- UE Identities, eNB Identities and EPC Identities.
- IMSI, GUTI, eNB ID, GUMMEI, S-TMSI.
- Detailed Registration Process.
- Deregistration.
- Activity: detailed analysis of the Registration procedure using Mpirical’s NetX.
Topic areas covered include:
- EPS Authentication and Key Agreement:
- AKA Principles, AKA in the Attach, AIR and AIA, NAS Authentication Request.
- EEA and EIA – Null, SNOW, AES, ZUC.
- RAND, AUTN, XRES, KASME.
- Key Distribution and Security Contexts:
- LTE Key Architecture, Security Context Initiation, S1-MME and S1-U Security.
- IPSec and IKEv2:
- AH and ESP, SPD, SAD, SPI and SA Establishment with IKEv2.
- Transport Layer Security:
- TLS Operation, Handshaking, Cipher Suites, PKI and X.509.
- Activity: detailed analysis of security elements of the Registration procedure using Mpirical’s NetX.
Topic areas covered include:
- Supporting QoS - Significant Protocols:
- SCTP and DiffServ.
- Policy and Charging Control:
- PCC Architecture, Principles, PCC and EPC.
- PCC Binding Mechanism:
- Session Binding, Rule Authorization, Bearer Binding.
- EPC Charging Architecture:
- CTF, CGF, OCS, OFCS, GTP’, Diameter Charging Interfaces.
- Activity: detailed analysis of Diameter based PCC procedures using Mpirical’s NetX.
Topic areas covered include:
- Dedicated EPS Bearers:
- TFTs and QCI.
- Dedicated Bearer Establishment:
- Network and UE Initiated Procedures.
- Utilizing EPS Bearers:
- UE Triggered Service Request, Paging.
- Bearer Resource Modification Procedures.
- EPS Bearer Deactivation.
- Activity: detailed analysis of Network Initiated Dedicated Bearer Establishment and Modification procedures using Mpirical’s NetX.
Topic areas covered include:
- Tracking Area Update Detailed Analysis.
- Handover Procedure.
- EPC Relocation Procedures:
- MME and S-GW Relocation, S1 Based Handover.
- LTE Roaming Considerations:
- Roaming Scenarios, IPX Architecture, DRA, IPX Proxy and Diameter Routing.
- Activity: detailed analysis of TAU and Handover procedures using Mpirical NetX.
Topic areas covered include:
- Supporting CSFB - Network Considerations:
- UE, MME, MSC-S, SGs, SGsAP, S3 (Packet Data).
- CSFB Preparation Phase.
- CSFB MO Call:
- Key Stages, Handover and Redirection, SIB Skipping/Tunnelling.
- CSFB MT Call.
- Handover vs Redirection.
- Other CSFB Procedures:
- MO/MT SMS, Packet Switched Handover, Network Detach.
Topic areas covered include:
- Interworking Concepts and Architecture.
- Registration and Bearer Establishment:
- Establishing the PDP Context and EPS Bearer, Secondary PDP Contexts.
- E-UTRAN to GERAN/UTRAN RAU.
- E-UTRAN to GERAN/UTRAN Handover:
- Preparation and Execution.
Topic areas covered include:
- Deploying VoLTE:
- VoLTE High Level Network Architecture.
- VoLTE Standardization.
- IMS Call Control Network:
- IMS Requirements.
- IMS Architecture.
- Call Session Control Functions:
- P-CSCF, I-CSCF, S-CSCF.
- Additional IMS Network Elements:
- ATCF, ATGw, A-SBC, I-SBC, HSS, TAS, SCC-AS.
- IMS Deployment Options.
- VoLTE Initial Procedures:
- Subscriber Provisioning.
- Establishing IMS Connectivity.
- IMS Registration.
- Post Registration.
- VoLTE Call Procedures:
- VoLTE Media – Codecs.
- SIP Signalling Exchange.
- Establishing Dedicated Bearers.
- Tearing Down the Call.
- Interworking:
- Interworking with Legacy Voice Networks.
- IMS Service Centralization and Continuity:
- Wi-Fi Calling.
- End to End VoLTE Architecture.
