Motivation

Under the conditions surrounding the conversion of public telecommunication networks from circuit-switched digital networks into packet-switched ones, besides resolving the issues of building the network architecture, quality of service, network management, etc., the issues of NGN equipment testing both in terms of compatibility for various manufacturers and in terms of the compatibility of new services with the existing ones under NGN equipment operation are gaining paramount importance.

Several simultaneously proceeding processes are contributing to that:

1. The increase in the range of equipment manufacturers due to growing extent to which telecommunication network components are implemented as software, and due to a greater market openness.
2. The reduction of the new service development and introduction period.
3. The increase in testing cost as compared to the circuit-switched networks as a result of the greater functionality of the equipment.

The whole set of these processes leads to the result that testing on model networks becomes an expedient and efficient testing approach.
Many organizations are involved in NGN equipment testing now.

During the 2005-2008 study period, SG 11 created ITU-T Recommendations defining the model network architecture, the types of network components¹ that could be tested in the model network, and the list and types of tests for each component.

The complete set of tests was divided into NGN component-level tests and network-level tests (tests for Network under Test (NUT)). Approved Recommendations Q.3900 and Q.3901 contain the results. The ITU-D is using these recommendations for International Telecommunication Testing Center (ITTC) creation.

However, the NGN concept covers a broader scope now than in 2005. IMS, IP-TV, and broadband wireless network components are now part of the implementation of the NGN concept. Unified recommendations for IMS, IP-TV, and wireless broadband component testing are lacking.

Such a state of affairs may cause difficulties for telecommunication operators, testing centers, and manufacturers as long with the expanding introduction of NGN components into public telecommunication networks.

Moreover the test methodology for existing NGN TM and IMS, IP-TV, and wireless broadband network components should be unified for to facilitate compatibility and interworking.

Question

Study items to be considered include, but are not limited to:

• • Is the architecture of model networks for NGN network component testing (Q.3900) good for IMS, IP-TV, wireless broadband testing network components?
• What types of IMS tests can be specified at the component and network levels?
• What types of IP-TV tests can be specified at the component and network levels?
• What types of wireless broadband component tests can be specified at the component and network levels?
• What are the testing scenarios for component-level tests for IMS?
• What are the testing scenarios for network-level tests for IMS?
• What are the testing scenarios for component-level tests for IP-TV?
• What are the testing scenarios for network-level tests for IP-TV?
• What are the testing scenarios for component-level tests for wireless broadband components?
• What are the testing scenarios for network-level tests for wireless broadband components?
• What are the testing scenarios for the NGN RACF?

Tasks

Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Determination of the possibility of using the model network architecture in accordance with Q.3900 for the testing of IMS, IP-TV, and wireless broadband components for their use in the public telecommunication network.
• Determination of the types of tests for component and network level testing for IMS network components for their use in the public telecommunication network.
• Determination of the types of tests for component and network level testing for IP-TV TM for their use in the public telecommunication network.
• Determination of the types of tests for component and network level testing for wireless broadband components for their use in the public telecommunication network.
• Development of the testing program and methodology for component and network level testing for IMS components for their use in the public telecommunication network.
• Development of the testing program and methodology for component and network level testing for IP-TV components for their use in the public telecommunication network.
• Development of the testing program and methodology for component and network level testing for wireless broadband components for their use in the public telecommunication network.
• Development of the testing program and methodology for the NGN RACF.

Relationships

Recommendations:

Q, Y, H, I, M, F Series.

Questions:

1/11 – 5/11, 7/11, 9/11-12/11.

Study groups:

ITU-T Study Group(s) responsible for NGN architecture.

ITU-T Study Group(s) responsible for multimedia services and applications.

Standardization bodies:

Organizations such as; IETF, ETSI, IEEE, Regional SDOs dealing with NGN.

¹Note that the Recommendations use the expression "Technical Means" rather than "network component".