EPC Signalling

Course overview:

The course describes the Evolved Packet Core network (EPC) introduced in 3GPP Release 8 and 9. The course focuses on the network architecture, logical functions (nodes), signalling protocols and signalling flows for EPC with E-UTRAN access.

Mechanisms and procedures for Security and access network selection are described. The course also accounts interworking with legacy 3GPP (UTRAN/GERAN) and non-3GPP networks. The 3GPP defined Policy and Charging Control (PCC) architecture for the Evolved Packet System (EPS) is described.

Pre-requisites:

General knowledge about the architecture, terminology and modes of operation of the GSM/UMTS Packet Switched Core Network is highly recommended. Basic knowledge of the Internet Protocol (IP) family is useful. For required background IP knowledge, the Apis course TCP/IP in Mobile Networks (or equivalent) is recommended.

Course contents:

EPC Introduction

• An overview of the 3GPP Core Network evolution

• New network nodes and interfaces introduced for the Evolved UTRAN and Evolved Packet Core

• Basic Concepts: EPS Bearers, PDN Connections, Quality of Service etc

NAS (Non Access Stratum) Protocols – EMM and ESM

• EPS Mobility Management (EMM) Procedures

• ESM Session Management (ESM) Procedures

S1AP – the S1 Application Protocol

• The S1 Interface

• Main S1AP procedures

Mobility in EPS

• Pool concept for MME and SGW

• Idle mode mobility scenarios

• Connected mode mobility scenarios

• Context storage in EPS nodes

GTP – the GPRS Tunnelling Protocol

• GTP-C and GTP-U

• Main GTP Procedures in EPS

DIAMETER

• General about Diameter

• Main Diameter procedures in EPS

EPS Security Mechanisms

• EPS Authentication and Key Agreement

• User to Network security mechanisms

• EPS usage of IPsec

• Network Domain Security mechanisms

Multimedia over IP and IMS Basics

• Basic SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) concepts

• Control plane: SIP and SDP

• User plane: RTP and RTCP

• The IMS Architecture

• Basic signalling flows: Registration and Session Initiation

Interworking with 3GPP IP-access

• Mobility principles between E-UTRAN and GERAN/UTRAN

• Selected traffic cases with interworking between E-UTRAN and GERAN/UTRAN

• CS Domain interworking – Voice Call Continuity and CS Fallback

Interworking with Non-3GPP IP-access

• Trusted and non-trusted non-3GPP access networks

• Mobility Mechanisms using Mobile IP

• Selected signalling flows

PCC – Policy and Charging Control

• Purpose of Policy and Charging Control

• The PCC architecture

• The PCRF and PCEF

• AF and SPR

• PCC Rules

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