An IMS subscriber location function for OpenBaton—A standards based MANO environment
- Authors: Tsietsi, Mosiuoa , Chindeka, Tapiwa C , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430567 , vital:72700 , 10.1109/AFRCON.2017.8095600
- Description: In the past, virtualisation, and with it the move toward the cloud, has had a strong influence on the ICT (Information Communication Technology) sector, and now seems set to revolutionise the telecommunications sector as well. The virtualisation into software artefacts of functions that would usually be deployed as hardware has come to be known as Net-work Function Virtualisation (NFV), and the European Telecommunica-tions Standards Institute (ETSI) through its MANO (Management and Orchestration) framework has outlined comprehensively how such functions could be orchestrated and managed over infrastructure such as the cloud. A set of functions of particular interest are the call session control functions (CSCFs) and HSS (Home Subscriber Server) of the IP Multimedia System (IMS) which perform signalling and authentication functions for multimedia calls in contexts such as Voice over LTE (VoLTE). IMS has enjoyed significant focus in the past from the re-search community, as such an implementation of an IMS service pack-age has been provided in an open source MANO-compliant implemen-tation called OpenBaton. While the service package provides the IMS CSCFs and HSS, it does not include a Subscriber Location Function (SLF) which provides a mapping function to map a subscriber identity to a hosting HSS. The SLF is an important element for building distributed networks that partition user data into multiple databases, and as such represents a useful inclusion to the developer community. This paper describes an extension to the OpenBaton service package that in-cludes an SLF for partitioning large user populations across multiple HSSes and resolving individual addresses in real-time.
- Full Text:
Community ‘Broadband Islands’ for digital government access in rural South Africa
- Authors: Terzoli, Alfredo , Siebörger, Ingrid , Gumbo, Sibukelo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431248 , vital:72758 , https://www.academic-bookshop.com/ourshop/prod_6128029-ECDG-2017-PDF-Proceedings-of-the-17th-European-Conference-on-Digital-Government.html
- Description: In the developing world, one of the main obstacles to the realization of the potential of digital government in rendering services to citizens is the lack of access infrastructure. In this paper we present a model for the diffusion of Internet connectivity and access to computing infrastructure in rural communities in South Africa, through the aggregation of inde-pendent small and micro networks. The model is based on multi-year experimentation in the Siyakhula Living Lab, a long term joint venture between the Telkom Centres of Excellence hosted at Rhodes Universi-ty and the University of Fort Hare in South Africa. At the core of the model is the concept of ‘Broadband Island’, a high speed LAN realized through easy-to-deploy wireless technologies connecting groups of nearby schools. Each connected school, doubling as Digital Access Nodes for the community, hosts computing infrastructure in a serv-ers/thin clients configuration. Two schools belonging to the Broadband Island are then connected to the Internet with whatever technique makes sense within that specific geographical area: VSAT, microwave link, fibre etc. Each Broadband Island can be provisioned and support-ed by a variety of independent entities (such as Municipalities, Educa-tion Districts, NGOs, local action groups etc), possibly combined in con-sortia and in some cases using a Public Private Partnership format.
- Full Text:
E-Government as a Means to Support Communal, Large ICT Infrastructure in Poor Areas
- Authors: Gumbo, Sibukelo , Terzoli, Alfredo , Tsietsi, Mosiuoa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431287 , vital:72761 , https://www.academic-bookshop.com/ourshop/prod_5067238-ECEG-2016-Proceedings-of-the-16th-European-Conference-on-eGovernment.html
- Description: Citizen-facing e-Government appears inevitable given current technol-ogy trends, and certainly has many advantages. One overlooked bene-fit, in our opinion, is its potential to make financially viable communal “large ICT” installations, which would diffuse ICT in poor communities where ICT is currently absent.(By “large ICT” we refer to end-user equipment such as desktops or laptops, on which would be possible to produce content, including software. The presence of “large ICT” in a community is critical in our opinion for the empowerment of the commu-nity, especially its younger component.) This paper explores this poten-tial in e-Government, describing a model conceptualized in the Siyakhu-la Living Lab in South Africa and partially implemented, through an inte-gration platform named “TeleWeaver”. The model behind TeleWeaver is an adaptation of the classic Internet business model-whereby users of services do not directly pay for the services they use. This model is especially relevant currently in South Africa, because of the an-nouncement by the government to pilot connecting to the internet gov-ernment facilities, including schools, in eight poor district municipalities.
- Full Text:
Unicorn: A unified communication solution for marginalized communities
- Authors: Nyathi, Okelitsi , Terzoli, Alfredo , Tsietsi, Mosiuoa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430666 , vital:72707 , 10.1109/ICASTech.2013.6707506
- Description: The convergence of previously distinct networks into an All-IP network has resulted in an increase in the number and diversity of devices, channels and communication networks available to users. This has increased the number commu-nication options available and is evidenced by the number of different communication devices owned and services subscribed to. How-ever, this has created complexities that call for proper methods to manage these diverse and in-compatible communication options. The objective of Unified Communication (UC) is to seamlessly integrate the dispar-ate communication channels into a device independent plat-form that can easily be managed by users. Due its focus on a largely urban and highly connected market, UC has not benefited marginalized communities. This paper discusses the design and implementation of Unicorn, a UC solution for a middleware software platform called Teleweaver which was designed to support the development of services for marginalized communities. The solution integrates services from a telecommunication container called Mobicents. It seamlessly amalgamates voice, data and video onto one device independent unified platform easily accessible by users.
- Full Text:
Delivering a personalised video service using IPTV
- Authors: Shibeshi, Zelalem S , Ndakunda, Shanga , Terzoli, Alfredo , Bradshaw, Karen L
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/429163 , vital:72564 , https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5746086
- Description: Video oriented services are taking the lead in terms of revenue in the current Internet environment. In order to tap this revenue, Telcos are resorting to serious measures such as moving to Next Generation Network (NGN) where they can provide QoS for services that demand this feature, such as, IPTV. IPTV is more than just what its name implies and includes various types of additional services to make the TV a better entertainment and communication environment. Various innovative IPTV services have been proposed and developed by researchers and practitioners, including personalized advertisement, personalized EPG (Electronic Program Guide), and personalized VoD (Video on Demand). In this paper we introduce a new IPTV service called, the personalized dynamic video delivery service, which sends new video alerts (like breaking news alert) to subscribed users and notifies them when the video is available. If desired, users can watch the video automatically by switching from what they are currently watching without requiring explicitly a new video setup. Users can configure their profile and also set a policy on the way they wish to be notified and the types of video they wish to be alerted to. The paper describes the issues surrounding the delivery of this service and presents the architecture and the various open source technologies that are used to develop the service.
- Full Text:
LTSP DNS round robin clusters: green technology access enablers for telecommunication services in marginalised communities
- Authors: Siebörger, Ingrid , Terzoli, Alfredo , Hodgkinson-Williams, Cheryl
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428437 , vital:72511 , https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/75984640/177-libre.pdf?1639074275=andresponse-content-disposi-tion=inline%3B+filename%3DLTSP_DNS_Round_Robin_Clusters_Green_Tech.pdfandExpires=1714912779andSignature=Gmd52OTCvGmiKhiFiQH~rrfp6lSPbp7glndLPn7V4Jy5yt7lU-eToE4IPxr7lDQQOdUW348nkXIMgYHnXkWjWl7nYBM7hlluxJGd15oKbpifvTofHVVEB-kOLbz0caOrAodnS~eMHdebRQOumKSAHPGQkqem756vbw0KV7bhmFQ0TUN-vsVeBoH5ftfg7s355Oh9EZCQhZu~~P0AWzlSRnMTH~6vpj3EKvp7P4gy55oISZ~207VFFFZidb90aoP7JWehRYjRqn3Tk19A6nwm4o9U-wc9Dz1MrCy-YfbqOxdNulQh4bti2WI7DA6C3Q8TMCbtqnZskXQYsIzfEianS~gw__andKey-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA
- Description: Rural development is seen as a priority in South Africa; information and knowledge are key strategic resources for social and economic develop-ment. Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) are seen as im-portant tools in rural development, assisting in enabling change through economic development. In rural areas where ICT infrastructure is being expanded and deployed there is a need to provide appropriate technolo-gies that support sustainability and meet the needs of the local communi-ty. In this paper we argue that the use of Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP) cluster servers are appropriate technologies for use in computer laboratory environments for relatively inexpensive access to technologies by schools and local communities in rural areas. Typically LTSP clusters are deployed when there is a need to support 100s or 1000s of comput-ers, however, we argue that by reusing recycled (older) desktop or server computers as cluster servers could lower the entry level costs of LTSP computing while maximising the use of available resources. The paper details the configuration of a Domain Name System (DNS) round robin cluster solution together with initial testing and results. It is suggested that LTSP cluster solutions, and the DNS round robin implementation, show promise for use in providing access technologies to rural communities and schools.
- Full Text:
Augmenting an e-Commerce service for Marginalized Communities: A Rewards Based Marketing Approach
- Authors: Jere, Norbert R , Thinyane, Mamello , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428463 , vital:72513 , https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alfredo-Terzoli/publication/228968666_Augmenting_an_e-Com-merce_service_for_Marginalized_Communities_A_Rewards_Based_Marketing_Approach/links/09e4151344c1f615f7000000/Augmenting-an-e-Commerce-service-for-Marginalized-Communities-A-Rewards-Based-Marketing-Approach.pdf
- Description: Information and Communication technologies (ICTs) have been widely deployed in developmental programmes and this has lead to the crea-tion of a new field–ICT for development (ICT4D). Many e-Commerce platforms now exist in many rural areas in developing countries. ICT4D allows Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in rural areas to increase sales and gain the market share on the global market. Howev-er, many of these ICT4D projects in marginalized areas fail as a result of lacking the required resources to support ICTs. SMMEs in rural areas face problems in marketing their products on the global market. There-fore, ensuring sustainability of such systems in marginalized areas is important. This paper explains an e-Marketing strategy through a re-ward based negotiation application, aimed at improving the existing e-Commerce platform. The e-Commerce platform has been deployed for the Dwesa community. Dwesa is a rural area in the Eastern Cape prov-ince of South Africa.
- Full Text:
Bridging the gap for Next Generation Services: Presence Services on Legacy Devices
- Authors: Moyo, Thamsanqa , Thinyane, Mamello , Wright, Madeleine , Irwin, Barry V W , Clayton, Peter G , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428177 , vital:72491 , https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/49665432/Paper_2063_20-_20Moyo-libre.pdf?1476717366=andresponse-content-disposi-tion=inline%3B+filename%3DBridging_the_gap_for_Next_Generation_Ser.pdfandEx-pires=1714737455andSignature=RRbr9pzIYSYX8v7FG6FzV4tu3dFXm9qmmqq5WirOhuYdt--mjOfcDHQNLPYZHCmtgYZWdVk6bVFxfGOVJxgXrvkTe2QN2AZV3XfFTZ3mi1s3A5gw2jIXOVHrYUnaf~POgdijdY85mqWhco3vL6Qk3sOZgYjIlTF5ZGAKg1S54W978Nom01cT2~oqRA0Et6mTNmydWfF5MhFxQIq~LNmYqEqmEESKkkWQFwg6xJJUu0uGffbaZXXBA6oDI2cpfkz1FleKyKaRDRJvdfnuTHPoJJ4TzfO6DDVCWKvJ45jaxIzaGmK-03Ai29I-DPyy-c557kZh~kF3rmDg3zrXVNaL8A__andKey-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA
- Description: Next generation services are provided by applications that leverage packet-based domains. A challenge faced by such services is the support for multiple devices, including legacy devices. Our paper examines a strategy for the pro-vision of next generation services on legacy cellular network devices. We ad-vocate that the provision of next generation services via applications on the SIM card allows for the deployment of such services on legacy devices. We demonstrate this assertion through a proof of concept application, SIMPre, that resides on a SIM card. SIMPre implements a presence service by leveraging Java Card, the SIM Application Toolkit and the OMA IMPS standard. We show that it is possible to provide a next generation service on the SIM card such that it ubiquitously integrates with the functionality of a legacy device. We con-clude through this demonstration that the SIM card is a viable option for provid-ing backward compatibility to legacy devices in the implementation of next generation services.
- Full Text:
Bridging the gap for Next Generation Services: Presence Services on Legacy Devices
- Authors: Moyo, Thamsanqa , Thinyane, Mamello , Wright, Madeleine , Irwin, Barry V W , Clayton, Peter G , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428176 , vital:72492 , https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/49665432/Paper_2063_20-_20Moyo-libre.pdf?1476717366=andresponse-content-disposi-tion=inline%3B+filename%3DBridging_the_gap_for_Next_Generation_Ser.pdfandEx-pires=1714737455andSignature=RRbr9pzIYSYX8v7FG6FzV4tu3dFXm9qmmqq5WirOhuYdt--mjOfcDHQNLPYZHCmtgYZWdVk6bVFxfGOVJxgXrvkTe2QN2AZV3XfFTZ3mi1s3A5gw2jIXOVHrYUnaf~POgdijdY85mqWhco3vL6Qk3sOZgYjIlTF5ZGAKg1S54W978Nom01cT2~oqRA0Et6mTNmydWfF5MhFxQIq~LNmYqEqmEESKkkWQFwg6xJJUu0uGffbaZXXBA6oDI2cpfkz1FleKyKaRDRJvdfnuTHPoJJ4TzfO6DDVCWKvJ45jaxIzaGmK-03Ai29I-DPyy-c557kZh~kF3rmDg3zrXVNaL8A__andKey-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA
- Description: Next generation services are provided by applications that leverage packet-based domains. A challenge faced by such services is the support for multiple devices, including legacy devices. Our paper examines a strategy for the pro-vision of next generation services on legacy cellular network devices. We ad-vocate that the provision of next generation services via applications on the SIM card allows for the deployment of such services on legacy devices. We demonstrate this assertion through a proof of concept application, SIMPre, that resides on a SIM card. SIMPre implements a presence service by leveraging Java Card, the SIM Application Toolkit and the OMA IMPS standard. We show that it is possible to provide a next generation service on the SIM card such that it ubiquitously integrates with the functionality of a legacy device. We con-clude through this demonstration that the SIM card is a viable option for provid-ing backward compatibility to legacy devices in the implementation of next generation services.
- Full Text:
Wi-Fi as a last mile access technology and The Tragedy of the Commons
- Authors: Brandt, Ingrid , Terzoli, Alfredo , Hodgkinson-Williams, Cheryl
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431106 , vital:72744 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6266-7_33
- Description: With an alarmingly low teledensity in South Africa, just 12%, and not much hope of further wired infrastructure at the local loop level, as the costs incurred are high compared to potential revenue, wireless con-nectivity could be a great asset and service in South Africa. However, the use of unlicensed spectrum in building wireless networks can be comparable to “The Tragedy of the Commons”, the result of selfish be-haviour towards common and limited resources. This paper evaluates the use of 802.11 wireless technologies in building a broadband wire-less network and the effects of high amounts of interference on such a network. The paper concludes that for urban areas 802.11 technologies using unlicensed spectrum is not advisable, unless used in point-to-point links, while its use in rapid rural development (where there is less interference) is very promising.
- Full Text:
Creating a low cost VoiceXML Gateway to replace IVR systems for rapid deployment of voice applications
- Authors: King, Adam , Terzoli, Alfredo , Clayton, Peter, G
- Date: 2006
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/427576 , vital:72448 , https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1andtype=pdfanddoi=af502fadc7349b9153c37f252bafbe07e86cbfd8
- Description: VoiceXML gateway which can be used to replace traditional Interactive Voice Re-sponse (IVR) platforms. The gateway is created by integrating a VoiceXML inter-preter, OpenVXI and a PBX, Asterisk, producing a Linux based, open source, sys-tem which is both a PBX and a VoiceXML browser. Reasons for choosing the components for the gateway and then the integration of these components are dis-cussed. VoiceXML applications can be used to replace IVR systems, which are then rendered by the gateway.
- Full Text:
iLanga: A next generation VOIP-based, TDM-enabled PBX
- Authors: Penton J , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2004
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/427591 , vital:72449 , https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alfredo-Terzoli/publication/228963823_iLanga_a_next_generation_VoIP-based_TDM-enabled_PBX/links/02bfe51344c9db1c75000000/iLanga-a-next-generation-VoIP-based-TDM-enabled-PBX.pdf
- Description: iLanga is a complete, cost-effective, computer-based PBX built and be-ing prepared as a commercial product at Rhodes University. Running on a single PC (in its minimal configuration), iLanga provides all the fea-tures of a conventional PBX together with full support for VoIP. In this paper we introduce and discuss iLanga’s architecture, emphasising its main components, Asterisk, SIP Express Router (SER) and OpenH323 Gatekeeper (OpenGK). We also discuss the development of new ser-vices and features in iLanga as well as the possibility to manage and customize it. The paper concludes with the description of a pilot de-ployment of iLanga that we are using to test and refine the system.
- Full Text: