ericsson core network

Ericsson is a telecommunications company that provides infrastructure, software, and services for communication service providers. The Ericsson core network is a crucial part of a telecommunications network, responsible for handling various tasks related to call processing, data transfer, and network management. Here is a technical overview of the Ericsson core network components:

  1. Mobile Switching Center (MSC):
    • The MSC is a central component in the circuit-switched core network. It is responsible for call setup, routing, and teardown in traditional voice communication (circuit-switched) networks.
    • MSC also manages mobility functions, handovers between cells, and interconnection with other MSCs.
  2. Evolved Packet Core (EPC):
    • In modern telecommunications, especially in 4G LTE and beyond, the core network includes the Evolved Packet Core. EPC is an all-IP core network that handles data communication services.
    • Key EPC components include the Mobility Management Entity (MME), Serving Gateway (SGW), and Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN-GW).
      • Mobility Management Entity (MME):
        • MME is responsible for tracking and authenticating mobile devices as they move through the network. It manages the mobility of devices, including handovers between base stations.
      • Serving Gateway (SGW):
        • SGW is responsible for routing and forwarding user data packets. It acts as an anchor point for mobility between different base stations.
      • Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN-GW):
        • PDN-GW connects the mobile network to external data networks (e.g., the internet). It manages IP address allocation and is responsible for policy enforcement.
  3. Home Subscriber Server (HSS):
    • HSS is a centralized database that stores subscriber information, including user profiles, subscription details, and authentication information. It plays a critical role in subscriber authentication and authorization.
  4. IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS):
    • IMS is an architectural framework that enables the delivery of multimedia services over IP networks. It provides a standardized way to offer services such as voice over LTE (VoLTE), video calling, and multimedia messaging.
  5. Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN):
    • GGSN is a critical element in the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) network. It acts as a gateway between the mobile network and external packet-switched networks, such as the internet.
  6. Ericsson Base Stations:
    • Base stations, also known as NodeBs in 3G networks or eNodeBs in LTE networks, are responsible for radio communication with mobile devices. They connect to the core network through various interfaces and facilitate wireless communication.
  7. Operation and Support System (OSS):
    • OSS is a set of network management tools that provide functionalities for monitoring, configuring, and maintaining the telecommunications network. It includes elements like Element Management Systems (EMS) for managing network elements.
  8. Telecommunication Management Network (TMN):
    • TMN is a standard framework for network management defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It provides a structured approach to managing telecommunications networks, including the Ericsson core network.

The Ericsson core network is a sophisticated infrastructure that enables the provision of both circuit-switched and packet-switched services. It includes various components that work together to ensure seamless communication, mobility management, and the delivery of a wide range of services to end-users.