Abstract
The role of open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and protocols for advanced service provisioning and the corresponding state of the art are the main subject of this chapter. Specifically, the role and the trade-offs in modern telecoms between open APIs and Protocols, that is, OSA/Parlay APIs, JAIN APIs and SIP, are discussed. A technical implementation analysis for each solution is presented, based on a call-related service, in order to set a common basis for the aforementioned technologies, since “voice” is a common denominator for a Fixed or Mobile Operator or an Internet Service Provider. A performance evaluation study regarding the implemented services is also presented and the chapter is summarized by interesting conclusions and related future trends.
TopService Provision In Telecoms
One of the main concerns of telecommunication networks has always been and still remains to propose and provide new services and applications. Multiple heterogeneous Access Networks – both wired and wireless – co-exist, allowing interactions between them. The ultimate goal of these networks is to provide fast and transparent access to modern services in the framework of the so-called NGN (Next Generation Network). Different networks provide different capabilities for their users and each present their own peculiarities (Cochennec, 2002). This kind of heterogeneity reflects the pros and cons that each network presents on its service provisioning plane (Danfeng, 2007).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Java APIs for Integrated Networks (JAIN): An activity within the Java Community Process, developing APIs for the creation of telephony (voice and data) services.
Remote Method Invocation (RMI): A Java application programming interface for performing the object equivalent of remote procedure calls.
Service Provider: A business or organization providing consumers or businesses access to Internet and telecom services.
Next Generation Networks (NGN): A network transporting all information and services (voice, data, and all sorts of media such as video) by encapsulating these into packets.
Network Operator: A business or organization that sells bandwidth or network access and owns a backbone network.
Open Service Access / Parlay (OSA/Parlay): A technical industry consortium that specifies APIs for the network services, enabling the creation of services by organizations both inside and outside of the traditional carrier environment.
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP): An application-layer control (signalling) protocol for creating, modifying, and terminating sessions with one or more participants.
Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA): A standardized framework endorsed by the OMG (Object Management Group) that specifies the interaction between software objects in a distributed computing environment.