Mobile switching centre server
Encyclopedia
The Mobile Switching Centre Server, or MSC Server abbreviated MSS, is a 3G
core network
element which controls the network switching subsystem
elements. Alternatively or adaptively, MSS can be used in GSM networks as well, if the manufacturer has implemented support for GSM networks in the MSS. Since an immediate upgrade of existing GSM network to 3G is not viable due to various issues like handset incompatibilities and high expenditure, most manufacturers do implement GSM support in MSS. In fact, MSS along with other 3G network elements such as media gateway
(MGW), can be configured to support GSM network exclusively and can be considered as an upgraded version of existing GSM mobile switching Centres. The MSC Server is standards-based and communicates with other distributed elements using industry open standards such as media gateway control protocol, megaco
/H.248, session initiation protocol
, M2UA and M3UA
. The MSC server incorporates industry standards as defined by ETSI, ITU
, GSM, 3GPP
and 3GPP2 and other leading standard bodies. The MSS supports the regulatory environment set by governing bodies via its support for E911, CALEA/legal intercept, wireless and local number portability, TTY/TTD, and Number Pooling requirements.
Alternatively MSS is also called an MTS-U (Motorola telephony soft-switch) in Motorola
terminology, and as MSC-S in Ericsson
terminology. MSC server functionality enables split between control (signalling) and user plane (bearer in network element called a media gateway), which guarantees better placement of network elements within the network.
MSC server and MGW makes it possible to cross-connect circuit switched calls switched by using IP, ATM AAL2 as well as TDM.
3G
3G or 3rd generation mobile telecommunications is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunication services fulfilling the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 specifications by the International Telecommunication Union...
core network
Core network
A core network, or network core, is the central part of a telecommunication network that provides various services to customers who are connected by the access network. One of the main functions is to route telephone calls across the PSTN....
element which controls the network switching subsystem
Network Switching Subsystem
Network switching subsystem is the component of a GSM system that carries out call switching and mobility management functions for mobile phones roaming on the network of base stations...
elements. Alternatively or adaptively, MSS can be used in GSM networks as well, if the manufacturer has implemented support for GSM networks in the MSS. Since an immediate upgrade of existing GSM network to 3G is not viable due to various issues like handset incompatibilities and high expenditure, most manufacturers do implement GSM support in MSS. In fact, MSS along with other 3G network elements such as media gateway
Media gateway
A Media gateway is a translation device or service that converts digital media streams between disparate telecommunications networks such as PSTN, SS7, Next Generation Networks or PBX...
(MGW), can be configured to support GSM network exclusively and can be considered as an upgraded version of existing GSM mobile switching Centres. The MSC Server is standards-based and communicates with other distributed elements using industry open standards such as media gateway control protocol, megaco
Megaco
Megaco is a gateway control protocol. and an implementation of the Media Gateway Control Protocol architecture for controlling media gateways in Internet Protocol networks and the public switched telephone network...
/H.248, session initiation protocol
Session Initiation Protocol
The Session Initiation Protocol is an IETF-defined signaling protocol widely used for controlling communication sessions such as voice and video calls over Internet Protocol . The protocol can be used for creating, modifying and terminating two-party or multiparty sessions...
, M2UA and M3UA
M3UA
M3UA stands for MTP Level 3 User Adaptation Layer as defined by the IETF SIGTRAN working group in RFC 4666 . M3UA enables the SS7 protocol's User Parts to run over IP instead of telephony equipment like ISDN and PSTN...
. The MSC server incorporates industry standards as defined by ETSI, ITU
Itu
Itu is an old and historic municipality in the state of São Paulo in Brazil. The population in 2009 was 157,384 and the area is 641.68 km². The elevation is 583 m. This place name comes from the Tupi language, meaning big waterfall. Itu is linked with the highway numbered the SP-75 and are flowed...
, GSM, 3GPP
3GPP
The 3rd Generation Partnership Project is a collaboration between groups of telecommunications associations, known as the Organizational Partners...
and 3GPP2 and other leading standard bodies. The MSS supports the regulatory environment set by governing bodies via its support for E911, CALEA/legal intercept, wireless and local number portability, TTY/TTD, and Number Pooling requirements.
Alternatively MSS is also called an MTS-U (Motorola telephony soft-switch) in Motorola
Motorola
Motorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
terminology, and as MSC-S in Ericsson
Ericsson
Ericsson , one of Sweden's largest companies, is a provider of telecommunication and data communication systems, and related services, covering a range of technologies, including especially mobile networks...
terminology. MSC server functionality enables split between control (signalling) and user plane (bearer in network element called a media gateway), which guarantees better placement of network elements within the network.
MSC server and MGW makes it possible to cross-connect circuit switched calls switched by using IP, ATM AAL2 as well as TDM.