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T
he rollout of LTE networks is cre-
ating major new challenges and
opportunities for telecom equip-
ment manufacturers (TEMs). The
rapid deployment of these net-
works, the explosion in mobile
data, and the increasing diversity of network
trafc are all creating demand for core networks
that are exible and can be easily scaled to meet
customer needs.
Traditional wireless infrastructure net-
works have difculty meeting these
needs because they employ dedicated
systems for each major function in
the packet core. New services often
require additional hardware, increasing
network complexity, capital cost, and
operating expense. Just as important,
the hardware complexity makes soft-
ware development difcult, slowing
deployment.
The Intel

Platform for Communications

Infrastructure solves the problem
by providing a unied platform for
applications, control, and packet pro-
cessing. Consolidating these functions
on a single architecture enables a vir-
tualized packet core, where different
workloads can be deployed exibly
on a common set of hardware. Whats
more, the use of a consistent architec-
ture simplies software development.
As a result, carriers can quickly scale and enhance their wireless infra-
structure to meet customer demand.
This article will examine the Intel platform and show how members of
the Intel

Intelligent Systems Alliance are supporting it with middleware

that unlocks the performance potential of the platform and speeds devel-
opment. From applications software to market-ready communications
platforms, Intel and the 250+ global member companies of the Alliance
provide the components developers need to create intelligent communi-
cations systems.
A Software
Strategy
for the
Evolved Packet Core
Virtualize the Core with the
Intel

Platform for Communications Infrastructure

By Simon Stanley, Roving Reporter, Intel

Intelligent Systems Alliance

2G/3G and LTE networks use combined Packet Core and Radio Access Network.
(Source: Earlswood Marketing)
Figure 1.
SGSN GGSN
PCRF
HLR/HSS
SGW PGW
PCEF
MME
RNC
2G
LTE
eNodeB
NodeB
Radio Access Network Packet Core
Evolved Packet Core (EPC)
IMS/Internet
IuPS Gn
S1-u
S5
S
6
a
S
G
i
S
7
G
i
R
x
G
r
S
1
-
M
M
E
S
4
S
3
I
u
B
I
u
B 3G
Internet
C o m m u n i c a t i o n s S o f t w a r e C o m m u n i c a t i o n s S o f t w a r e
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The Virtualized Packet Core Opportunity
The combined 2G/3G and LTE wireless infrastructure is shown in
Figure 1 (page 33). The heart of the LTE infrastructure is the Evolved
Packet Core (EPC). The EPC is an all-IP Network (AIPN) that is well
suited for implementation using commodity server hardware. The
main elements of the EPC are:
U Mobility Management Entity (MME) for applications and control
U Serving Gateway (SGW) and Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW)
for control and data plane
U Policy and Charging Enforcement
Function/Policy and Charging Rules
Function (PCEF/PCRF) for policy
management, which often requires
deep packet inspection (DPI)
A virtualized packet core can be
achieved by consolidating all these
functions onto a single platform. The
opportunity for carriers and equipment
providers is to deliver a cost-effective,
virtualized packet core that can be
scaled to meet growing demands. This
bei ng addressed by devel op-
ments to support network functions
virtualization (NFV).
Key Technologies
Intel has developed several technolo-
gies that are key to enabling the virtu-
alized packet core, starting with the
Intel Platform for Communications
Infrastructure. This platform combines
Intel

Xeon

processor E5-2400 and

E5-2600 family for high-speed packet
processing with Intel

Communications
Chipset 89xx Series with built-in encryp-
tion and compression acceleration.
The Intel Xeon processor E5-2600
and E5-2600 family offer up to
16 cores in a dual-socket congura-
tion for packet processing throughput
of up to 160 Gbps. Large Layer 2
and Layer 3 caches, and high-per-
formance DDR3 memory controllers
deliver fast memory access for DPI
and other tasks. These processors also
integrate up to 40 PCI Express* Gen 3
lanes supporting a total I/O bandwidth
signicantly in excess of 100 Gbps.
The raw performance is complimented
by Intel

Virtualization Technology
(Intel

VT), which enables flexible

combinations of operating systems
and workloads on the same hardware.
For example, some cores can be dedicated to control plane pro-
cessing under Linux*, while others perform bare-metal packet pro-
cessing without an OS. In addition, exible power management on
Intel

Xeon

processors allows individual cores to be powered down

when not in use, minimizing power consumption. This is particularly
important when cores are allocated to different applications.
Consolidating applications, control, and data plane results in a simpler
target platform with enormous exibility. Consider a large bladed sys-
tems with many processors spread across multiple racks. As shown in
6WINDGate* Packet Processing Software accelerates fast path and control plane
processing.
Figure 3.
Linux
LTE
6WINDGate
Control
Plane
Network
Stack
Fast
Path
Intel

DPDK
Fast
Path
Intel

DPDK
Fast
Path
Intel

DPDK
Fast
Path
Intel

DPDK
Fast
Path
Intel

DPDK
Intel

Xeon Processor E5-2400/2600

6WINDGate 6WINDGate 6WINDGate 6WINDGate 6WINDGate
A unied architecture enables load migration and increased power efciency. Figure 2.
SGW
Calls on
Blade B
Migrate to
Blade A
Live Sessions
(Video Streaming or VoIP)
Live Sessions
Powered
Down
SGW
Blade A Blade B
CPU 1
59%
--
CPU 2
63%
Blade A Blade B
CPU 1 CPU 1
29% 29%
CPU 2 CPU 2
31% 31%
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Figure 2, different cores, blades, and racks can be assigned to different
roles as needed, enabling:
U Load balancing across cores, blades, and racks
U Migration of workloads across cores, blades, and racks
U The ability to power down unused cores, blades, and racks for
substantial power savings
The platform is supported by the Intel

Data Plane Development Kit

(Intel

DPDK), a set of libraries that implement basic packet processing

functions. The libraries are optimized to make maximum use of the
Layer 2 and Layer 3 caches and the direct memory access (DMA) engines
in the memory control blocks. Similarly, Intel

QuickAssist Technology
denes a unied set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that
take advantage of the encryption and compression hardware accelera-
tion included in the Intel Communications Chipset 89xx Series.
By using Intel DPDK and Intel QuickAssist Technology, system devel-
opers can quickly implement high-performance packet processing func-
tions. In fact, several members of the Intel Intelligent Systems Alliance
have already put these technologies to work in middleware packages
that target the EPC.
High-Performance Data Plane
One good example is 6WINDGate* from 6WIND* (Figure 3).
6WINDGate builds on Intel DPDK with a full suite of Layer 2
through Layer 4 protocols, providing a single-source networking
solution. It is fully compatible with standard Linux distribu-
tions and application APIs providing seamless integration with
Layer 2/3 management software for faster time-to-market.
6WINDGate also integrates seamlessly with standard cloud orches-
trators (such as OpenStack*) and Layer 2-3 controller software (such
as OpenFlow*).
The solution is designed for scalability across processors, blades,
and racks, helping meet the performance needs of the EPC.
This scalability is aided by support for popular hypervisors, like
Citrix* XEN*, Red Hat* KVM, and VMware* ESX*, which can all run
6WINDGate without any change to the hypervisor. Thanks to sup-
port for Intel VT, virtualized deployments of 6WINDGate are able to
maintain near-native performance. 6WIND has also extended the
Intel DPDK with the support of virtual network interface cards (NICs)
such as VMXNET3, Virtio, and e1000.
Consolidated Management and Data Plane
The Wind River* Intelligent Network Platform (INP) also demonstrates
the sophistication of the middleware available for the Intel platform.
INP is a full set of control plane and data plane components for rapid
deployment of consolidated systems (Figure 4). The INP platform inte-
grates the Wind River Application Acceleration Engine for fast Layer 3
and Layer 4 network protocols and the Wind River Content Inspection
Engine for high-speed pattern matching.
The Wind River Application Acceleration Engine works in conjunction with
Linux in the data plane. It leverages the performance of the Intel DPDK
libraries to accelerate networking applications, protocols, and secu-
rity components such as DPI and virtual private network (VPN) tech-
nologies. The Wind River Content Inspection Engine is a high-speed
pattern-matching DPI solution that can match large groups of reg-
ular expressions against blocks or streams of data. It is designed for
The Wind River* Intelligent Network Platform integrates with the Intel

Data Plane Development Kit (Intel

DPDK) for
networking acceleration.
Figure 4.
DPI Flow Analysis
IPS/IDS
ARP ICMP LAG QoS NAT VLAN IGMP VRF
IPsec
User-Mode Drivers
User I/O Module
LinuxOS
Proxy0 Proxy1 Proxy2 ProxyN
QAT
Correlation Content Isp.
Proxy Interfaces
Logging
IKE Strongman
Sockets
TCP
Examples Libraries
Exception Path Multi-Process
L3FWD/VF
Shell
Intel DPDK
Legend:
INP 3.1
New in INP 3.2
Screen, nc, Telnet
Netlink
PROCFS
Exception Path
Socket Interceptor
Routes
SA Sync
Interface
ICMP, ARP, IKE, etc.
Applications
pktgen
Timer
L2FWD/VF VMDQ_DCP
DPDK QAT Load Balancer
Link Status IRQ Input Frag
EAL Mbuf
Ether Mempool
Hash Net
LPM Ring
Malloc Timer
UDP
Native Applications
Interactive
Config/Monitoring
Management Plane Data Plane
}
Tracing
+
Profiling
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applications that scan large amounts of data at line rate, such as intru-
sion prevention (IPS), antivirus (AV), unied threat management (UTM),
and other DPI systems.
The Wind River INP is optimized for Linux environments and enables
equipment providers to build high-performance products that accel-
erate, analyze, and secure network trafc and applications. The fast path
code runs outside the Linux scheduler, allowing the system to allocate
processor cores to control and data plane workloads at run-time.
DPI and Metadata Extraction
The PCEF is a key element in the 3G and LTE packet core. The PCEF
implements operator policies to manage network congestion and ensure
appropriate services are delivered to cus-
tomers. As mobile bandwidth grows, the PCEF
becomes a bottleneck requiring high-perfor-
mance DPI and support for 40 Gbps or greater
packet processing. The PCEF can be imple-
mented as a separate system or as part a
virtualized packet core.
The Qosmos* ixEngine* shown in Figure 5
meets this need with real-time Layer 7 IP
ow analysis. This solution leverages the
Intel DPDK to identify protocols and applica-
tions based on ow passing and statistical
analysis. The Qosmos ixEngine extracts over
6,000 types of information for up to 1,000
protocols. This metadata can be used to
implement application-specic policies. In
addition, content extracted from the packet
stream can be used to analyze applica-
tion-specific performance. The Qosmos
ixEngine can be integrated with PCEF, control
plane, and other functions to implement a
exible policy management solution for the
virtualized packet core.
Complete EPC Solution
Radisys* Corporation also offers a complete
solution for the EPC with its Trillium LTE
software. The Radisys Trillium LTE wireless
software uses the Intel DPDK framework
to support optimized fast path data plane
protocol implementations with zero copy
drivers and hardware accelerators including
the Intel Communications Chipset 89xx
Series. As shown in Figure 6, it can be used
across EPC applications such as MME and
SGW. Trillium software can also be deployed
in all sizes of LTE base stationsfrom
femto to macroenabling easy interoper-
ability between the edge and network core.
The Trillium LTE software can be imple-
mented on a variety of platforms such
as the Radisys ATCA-XE100 Advanced
TCA (ATCA*) blade. This blade integrates the Intel Platform for
Communications Infrastructure and dual 40 Gbps Ethernet fabric
interfaces for maximum throughput. When deployed in a 14-slot
ATCA chassis, the ATCA-XE100 can scale to 480 Gbps of throughput,
readily handling demanding infrastructure workloads.
Carrier Cloud Telecoms
The consolidation of control, management and data plane functions onto
a single processor architecture can make the vision of a virtualized EPC
a practical proposition. In this vision, all EPC functions are executed by a
single pool of uniform computing resources. Instead of having dedicated
MME hardware, for example, MME functions are instantiated within a
data center on an as-needed basis.
Qosmo* ixEngine* integrates DPI and metadata engine. Figure 5.
PCRF
PCEF Device
PCEF Function
Packets
Intel

DPDK
DPI Engine
Flow Manager
Control
Plane/Mgt
Core 1 Core 2 Core n Core
App. Ids
Metadata
Gx Gy
Online Charging
System
Qosmos
Radisys* Trillium software provides complete wireless protocol software for
applications such as MME and SGW.
Figure 6.
Stack
Manager
S1-AP Diameter
SCTP
NAS
Security
Idle State
Mobility
eMM/eSM
(NAS)
eGTP
IP (IPsec)
Trillium Solution Trillium Reference Applications 3rd Party Solution
GTP
Proxy
Mobile IP
Mobility
Anchoring
Aggregation
Qos Managemanet
Policy
Enforcement
SAE
Bearer Control
MIME/Serving Gateway Application
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Tieto* and Intel recently cre-
ated a Carrier Cloud Telecoms
proof-of-concept, shown in
Figure 7, that explores the
key research and develop-
ment (R&D) challenges and
possible approaches cen-
tral to cloud realization in
the telecoms domain. The
initiative includes a virtu-
alized implementation of
3G core network and LTE
EPC network functions in
an open, scalable multi-
core environment based on
Intel multi-core technology
and software optimizations
developed by Intel and Tieto.
The proof-of-concept shows
the potential for opening the
network to allow innovative
service designs that promote
ecosystem cooperation and
best-of-breed solutions. A
virtualized network archi-
tecture can allow equipment
providers and mobile net-
work operators to:
U Efciently operate, maintain, and upgrade network resources,
while speeding up functional and service deployments
U Lower capital expenditure (CapEx) by reducing the need for
specialized equipment and tool chains
U Deliver new and enhanced services and revenue streams, while
also allowing existing investments to be re-used
The proof of concept uses trafc generators and server platforms
based on Intel

Xeon

processor E5-26xx, as well as an OpenFlow-

enabled 10 GbE/40 GbE Intel

Ethernet Switch FM6764 for L2/L3/L4

trafc and a 1 GbE switch for the management interfaces. Scenarios
implemented by the Carrier Cloud Telecoms proof of concept include:
U Dynamic provisioning of 4G/LTE trafc and resources in a
virtualized software dened network (SDN) environment
U High-performance, energy-efcient packet processing and protocol
distribution using the Intel

DPDK and the Tieto* IP stack (TIP)

U 4G/LTE to 3G video stream handovers
The Carrier Cloud Telecoms proof of concept demonstrates the
potential for completely new network infrastructure models. For
example, network resources could be shared between multiple ten-
ants, much the way cloud computing resources are shared by mul-
tiple IT customers. These shared resources could reduce costs by
allowing service providers to lease capacity on an as-needed basis.
They could also permit rapid scaling by allowing service providers to
replace time-consuming equipment installation with a nearly instan-
taneous purchase of cloud capacity.
A Common Platform for the Virtualized EPC
The Intel Platform for Communications Infrastructure provides a exible,
high-performance solution for the EPC. The software support from 6WIND,
Radisys, Tieto, Wind River, and Qosmos enable rapid development on
the platform and add to its overall suitability for workload consolidation.
Together, the hardware and software provide an excellent platform for the
virtualized EPC, giving TEMs valuable new options for equipment design
and service providers important new options for service expansion.
For more information on solutions from Radisys,
Wind River, 6WIND, Tieto, and Qosmos, see http://
intelintelligentsystemsalliance.com/solutions-directory
For more on exible, scalable, standards-based
communications visit intel.com/go/
embedded-communications
Contact Intel
From modular components to market-
ready systems, Intel and the 250+ global
member companies of the Intel

Intelligent Systems Alliance

(Intel.com/go/intelligentsystems-alliance) provide the connectivity,
manageability, security, and performance developers need to create
smart, connected systems. 6WIND (intel.com/go/ea-6wind), Radisys
(intel.com/go/ea-radisys), Tieto (intel.com/go/ea-tieto), and Wind
River (intel.com/go/ea-windriver) are Associate members of the
Alliance. Qosmos (intel.com/go/ea-qosmos) is an Afliate member of
the Alliance.
Intel

architecture can implement virtual applications in the telecom cloud. Figure 7.

Cloud Controller
SGW/PGW
TIP IP Stack
Intel

DPDK
Openvswitch
Bearer Traffic
Open Flow 1.0
Bearer Traffic
OCCI API
Nova API
CIMI API
OSS/BSS
Cloud Mgt
Suite
Intel

Xeon

E5-2600
Intel

82599 10G NIC

SR-IOV
Glance
Open Stack
Traffic
Simulators
Open flow
Controller
Nova Keystone
KVM
KVM
SGSN/GGSN
FM6764*
10G/40G Switch
Intel

Xeon

E5-2600
Intel

82599 10G NIC

Intel

Xeon

E5-2600
Intel

82599 10G NIC

* FM6764 = pre-production 10G/40G switch code-named "Alta"