Overview

The Protocol and Control Working Group's primary focus is to provide the MSF with the protocols it requires in order to provide truly interoperable multi-vendor solutions. The working group does not seek to create new protocols but rather looks to identify suitable candidate protocols and then work to maximize the prospects for interoperability with the chosen protocol.

This is an important task because in recent years the industry has moved away from fully specified and tightly defined protocols with well defined behavior to loosely defined protocols with sometimes many conflicting options and little or no defined behavior. While this has some advantages in terms of bringing a solution to market earlier it also makes achieving multi-vendor interoperability a time-consuming and expensive business.

The Protocol and Control Working Group produces MSF Implementation Agreements (IAs) for each protocol adopted by the MSF. An IA takes the base protocol, closes down options, and provides clarification to behavior where required. It is the aim of the Protocol and Control Working Group that where two vendors have followed an Implementation Agreement their equipment should interwork.

The Protocol and Control Working Group also produces detailed requirements for the physical components of the MSF architecture as defined by the MSF Architecture Working Group. This enables vendors and operators to understand exactly what each component of the MSF architecture should provide.

Getting Involved

The Protocol and Control Working Group is a contribution-led working group and welcomes contributions from new participants. In particular, feedback on already published Implementation Agreements is welcomed as it helps to ensure that they remain up-to-date and fit for purpose. The working group is typically attended by technical staff with expertise in protocols, call control and network control.

Current Work Program

The working group has historically focused on VoP related protocols, such as H.248, SIP and BICC, however the scope of the groups activity is expanding to take in new functions and protocols as it continues to support the MSF in defining truly interoperable and comprehensive solutions for next generation networks and services.

Further Information

Queries and comments about the work of the Protocol and Control Working group should be passed to the working group chair, Chris Gallon (c.gallon@ftel.co.uk).