Skip to content
Join the Live Open Session - Introduction to 5G, 27th October, 13:00 (UK Time). Free for Unlimited Access users | £95.00 for non-members
Register now
FREE Webinar - 5G Devices: A Day in the Life
Thursday 14th May 2026, 3pm UK time.
Sign up now
Login
Chat to us
Open a live chat Send a message Book a meeting
Courses / Legacy / Analyzing the 2G and 3G Core Network

Analyzing the 2G and 3G Core Network

Course details Content Purchase options Frequently Asked Questions
Learning Time:
3 Days
Level:
Advanced
Delivery:
Live onsite Live online
CPD Credits:
18
Share
Link Copied
Share:
Link Copied

Course Details

This course is initially focused around the changes to the CS core network introduced in Release 4 of the 3GPP specifications, discussing the reasons for migration to packet transport. The main focus of the course is an exploration of the various protocols used to facilitate call establishment in the CS core. This includes showing how H.248/MGCP, SIP/BICC and RTP are all utilized in the call setup and subsequent voice exchange. The course also discusses the PS core, showing current operation based on GPRS, as well as next generation operation based on the EPC.

This course is not available as a package option.
Gavin heads up Mpirical’s training product portfolio, which includes all course development alongside the development of NetX. Gavin’s main area of focus is 4G and 5G core networks, with considerable expertise gained over the 20 years of training experience he has within the mobile telecommunications space.
Let's chat

Live Training

Live training options include live, instructor-led onsite or online for teams of 10 or more.

Enquire now
Module 1
View

Carrier Grade IP

The Voice and Packet Core.

Migration to a Packet Switched Transport Network - ARPU, OPEX, CAPEX.

Motivation for the IP Soft Switch.

Soft Switch Advantages and Disadvantages.

Voice Core Protocol Placement:

  • BICC, Sigtran, SIP, H.248, MGCP, RTP/RTCP, MAP etc.
  • Overall Operation - High Level Call Flow.

Packet Core Protocol Placement:

  • GTP User and Control Plane, MAP.
  • Overall Operation - Data Session Establishment.
Module 2
View

Packet Transport Networks

IP Transport Network Basics.

MPLS and its Key Features:

  • Concepts of operation.
  • Traffic Engineering, Resiliency and Redundancy, Traffic Separation.

Carrier Ethernet.

Module 3
View

IP Signalling Aspects

Sigtran Components:

  • SGW, STP, SCTP, User Adaptation.

SCTP Architecture:

  • Associations, Endpoints, Streams, Chunks.

SCTP Association Establishment:

  • INIT, INIT-ACK, COOKIE-ECHO, COOKIE-ACK.

SCTP Data Transmission and Acknowledgement:

  • TSN, SSN, SID, SACK.

User Adaptation Layers:

  • SUA, IUA, M3UA, M2UA, M2PA.

Activity: analysis of real network traces using Mpirical’s NetX analysis tool.

Module 4
View

Media Description

SDP Composition:

  • Session and Media Level Parameters.

SDP Transport Options:

  • SIP, H.248, BICC etc.

Session Level Parameters.

Media Level Parameters.

Module 5
View

IP Traffic Aspects

RTP and RTCP Overview.

RTP Key Functionality:

  • RTP Header Fields.

RTP and Voice Codecs.

Compression.

RTCP Reports and their Key Components - Sender, Receiver, SDES, Bye, App.

Module 6
View

Quality of Service Issues

Problems in IP Networks for QoS:

  • Jitter, dropped packets, delay, mis-sequencing etc.

QoS Mechanisms for IP:

  • IntServ and RSVP.
  • DiffServ.

Additional QoS Mechanisms for Packet Networks:

  • 802.1p, MPLS-TE, BFD, SBCs etc.
Module 7
View

Media Gateway Control Protocols

H.248 Protocol Architecture - Capabilities and Features.

H.248 Transactions - Contexts, Terminations, Commands, Descriptors.

H.248 Packages - Specific packages employed in the 3GPP Release 5 architecture.

Message Flow for Call Establishment and Termination.

MGCP Architecture - Differences between H.248 and MGCP.

Activity: analysis of real network traces using Mpirical’s NetX analysis tool.

Module 8
View

Bearer Independent Call Control

BICC CS1 and CS2.

BICC CS2 Key Functions:

  • CSF, BCF, MCF etc.

ISUP Message Format.

IPBCP.

BICC Call Establishment.

Activity: analysis of real network traces using Mpirical’s NetX analysis tool.

Module 9
View

Session Initiation Protocol

SIP Capabilities.

SIP Identities and Functional Elements:

  • AoR, Proxy, Registrar, Redirect.

Methods:

  • Register, Invite, Ack, Cancel, Bye, Options.

SIP Registration and Registration Security.

SIP Session Establishment.

Development of SIP:

  • SIP Working Groups, SIMPLE, SIPPING.

Areas of Development:

  • Header Fields, Methods, Warning Codes, Security Mechanisms.

Additional Methods:

  • Publish, Subscribe, Notify, Prack, Info, Update, Message, Refer.

Problems associated with Firewalls and NAT.

NAT Traversal Techniques:

  • UPnP, ICE, SBC.

Activity: analysis of real network traces using Mpirical’s NetX analysis tool.

Module 10
View

End to End Call Procedures

Protocol Interoperation during Call Establishment.

Interaction with the UTRAN - Key RANAP messages.

Mobility Database Interrogation - Key MAP messages.

Mobility and the Core Network.

Activity: analysis of real network traces using Mpirical’s NetX analysis tool.

Module 11
View

GPRS Packet Core Fundamentals

PS Operation Concepts.

  • SGSN, GGSN, APN.

GPRS Attach and Combined Attach.

PDP Contexts:

  • Activation, Modification and Deactivation.

Mobility Concepts.

Secondary PDP Contexts:

  • Activation, TFT, Packet Filters.

Mobility Database Interrogation - Key MAP messages.

Activity: analysis of real network traces using Mpirical’s NetX analysis tool.

Module 12
View

Future Core Networks

Requirements and Market Drivers for the EPC and 5GC

VoLTE, VoNR and the IMS.

3GPP Standards Process.

LTE and 5G NR Principles of Operation.

Activity: analysis of real network traces using Mpirical’s NetX analysis tool.

Download course outline
Let's chat

Live Training

Live training options include live, instructor-led onsite or online for teams of 10 or more.

Enquire now

How to get started...

Step 1

Purchase the course with one of the methods below.

Step 2
Log in to the Mpirical learning portal to access your course.
Step 3
Start learning right away with on-demand or get ready for your live session.

Pricing

 Let's chat

Live Training

Live training options include live, instructor-led onsite or online for teams of 10 or more.

Enquire now

Live Training

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I receive certification for completing the course?

Yes, all our courses provide a shareable certificate of completion following the test of understanding.

How long do I get access to the course?

On-demand courses are accessible immediately following purchase. Each course will have a different access period ranging from 3-6 months on average. You can continue to access the Mpirical learning platform after your course licence expires; however, you won’t be able to view any course content or learning tools unless you are a paid customer.

What else do I get with a course?

All students benefit from automatic access to our ‘Ask the Trainer’ feature with an on-demand course purchase. You will also get access to our acclaimed network visualisation tool, NetX.*

*NetX is not included with the Mini Telecoms MBA course or partner training.

Can I access the course offline?

Offline access is not currently available. You must use a connected device to access the course and learning tools. However, course pdfs and reference documents are downloadable.

Is there recommended follow-on training?

Yes, we do recommend follow-on training courses within the Mpirical learning platform.

How do I choose between a live course or on-demand course?

Our live courses are generally reserved for teams and enterprises of 10 or more. If you’d like to learn more about purchasing a single course to be delivered at your location or online, please get in touch: enquiries@mpirical.com.