This paper describes a study on the feasibility of using commercial off -the -shelf (COTS) hardware for telecom equipment. The study outlines the conditions under which COTS hardware can be utilized in a network function virtualization environment. The concept of silent -error probability is introduced to account for software errors and/or undetectable hardware failures, and is included in both the theoretical work and simulations. Silent failures are critical to overall system availability. Site -related issues are created by combined site maintenance and site failure. Site maintenance does not noticeably limit system availability unless there are also site failures. Because the theory becomes extremely involved when site failure is introduced, simulation is used to determine the impact of those facts that constitutes the undesirable features of using COTS hardware.

In this paper, we give an overview of mobile backhaul solutions and propose an MPLS-centered solution that takes into account timing synchronization, OAM, and protection. We also propose an evolved protection bandwidth allocation mechanism that makes the transport network as efficient as possible.

The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS ) framework was envisioned to be operating on an IPv6 network. However, when the fixed network started to use IMS framework in the Next Generation Network (NGN ) architecture, the issue of IPv4 and IPv6 interworking becomes more pronounced due to the widespread usage of the IPv4 network. The overall objective of the solution proposed in this article is to minimize the invocation of Network Address and Port Translation Protocol Translation (NAPT-PT ) or Network Address and Port Translation (NAPT ) inside the provider’s network. The solution, outlined by the processing rules contained in this article, will limit the NAPT-PT operation at most once inside the provider’s network under all the situations for the media path. This solution will also introduce the minimum required NAPT operations.

In response to the change of communication needs, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS ) was envisioned to provide a sound session control for the multimedia conversional services. IMS technology has been slowly adopted by operators for variety of services. In fact, the IMS used in the enterprise has different features and capabilities than the one used by the general public. This paper provides a very brief overview of IMS and then investigates the IMS which is used in the enterprise and focuses on the challenges in providing IMS to the enterprise and ZTE’s solutions to those issues.