3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations

23.2363GPPIntra-domain connection of Radio Access Network (RAN) nodes to multiple Core Network (CN) nodesRelease 17TS

3.1 Definitions

For the purposes of the present document, the terms defined in TR 21.905 [8] apply:

CN node: for the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise stated, a CN node is either an MSC or an SGSN.

NAS node selection Function: The function used to assign specific network resources (i.e. MSC or SGSN) to serve a mobile station and subsequently route the traffic to the assigned network resource.

Network Resource Identifier: A specific parameter used to identify the CN node assigned to serve a mobile station.

Non-broadcast LAI/RAI: Each CN node in a pool have to be assigned one unique non-broadcast LAI/RAI that it use in case it want to be offloaded. Each CN node in the pool has to be aware of the non-broadcast LAI/RAI assigned to the other CN nodes in the pool, because in case of re-distribution the ‘target CN node’ will retrieve data (e.g. IMSI, security context, MM & PDP contexts) from the ‘offloaded CN node’ based on non-broadcast LAI/RAI.

Null-NRI: A ‘null-NRI’ indicates to a radio node (BSC/RNC) that the NAS Node Selection Function shall be used for selecting a CN node to receive a message. There is one unique ‘null-NRI’ in a PLMN supporting pool functionality. In MOCN shared networks (see TS 23.251 [21]) with multiple CN Operators, there is one unique ‘null-NRI’ per CN operator. That is, in MOCN networks the RAN Operator handles multiple ‘null-NRIs’.

Pool-area: A pool area is an area within which a MS may roam without need to change the serving CN node. A pool area is served by one or more CN nodes in parallel. All the cells controlled by a RNC or BSC belong to the same one (or more) pool area(s).

RAN node: for the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise stated, a RAN node is either an RNC or a BSC.

RAN node service area: This area contains all the cells controlled by the RNC or BSC.

3.2 Symbols

For the purposes of the present document, the following symbols apply:

3.3 Abbreviations

For the purposes of the present document, the abbreviations given in TR 21.905 [8] and the following apply. An abbreviation defined in the present document takes precedence over the definition of the same abbreviation, if any, in TR 21.905 [8].

AS Access Stratum

BSC Base Station Controller

BVCI BSSGP Virtual Connection Identifier

CN Core Network

CS Circuit Switched

CS-MGW Circuit Switched Media Gateway

DCN Dedicated Core Network

DNS Directory Name Server

IDNNS Intra Domain NAS Node Selector

LA Location Area

LAI Location Area Identity

MOCN Multi-Operator Core Network

MS Mobile Station

MSC Mobile Switching Centre

NAS Non Access Stratum

NRI Network Resource Identifier

O&M Operation and Maintenance

PS Packet Switched

RA Routing Area

RAI Routing Area Identity

RAN Radio Access Network

RNC Radio Network Controller

SRNS Serving Radio Network Subsystem

TMSI Temporary Mobile Station Identity

TLLI Temporary Logical Link Identifier

UE User Equipment