Ericsson Network Resource Gateway 3.0 allows for a new breed of innovative applications, building on the capabilities of both telecom networks and the Internet. Ericsson Network Resource Gateway 3.0, which recently was released as the successor to JAMBALA SCS, can be seen as a way to introduce the rich interface available on web browsers in telecom networks

Ericsson Network Resource Gateway 3.0 also makes it easier for developers to create telecom applications even if they are not so well rounded in the intricacies of the special telecom protocols. Well-known programming languages such as Java are used together with standardized Application Protocol Interfaces (APIs).

Henrik Malmström, manager for Ericsson Network Resource Gateway development, says: "Customer Lab has defined a four-stage process to support developers that are planning to jump on the Parlay/OSA bandwagon. It includes trying their code on a Ericsson Network Resource Gateway-simulator, interoperability testing in a real telecom environment, and for strategic applications, also live customer demos." After the development phase is concluded, Ericsson also can offer marketing through its international sales organization for strategic applications.

A three part webcast on Parlay/OSA will be available on the Ericsson Mobility World webpage on December 18. Marc LeClerc, Service Layer Business Advocate, introduces Parlay/OSA. The first part is an overall explanation of the market for Parlay, the second part is about deployments and examples of parlay applications whereas the third part takes up developing tools available for developers. A free Software Development Kit, including a simulator for trying out the application, can soon be downloaded from the Ericsson Mobility World website. Revised releases of the SDK will be added to the site when available.

When the first working versions of the application have been tried out on the Ericsson Network Resource Gateway 3.0 simulator, it's time for interoperability testing.

Solution engineer Anders Åkesson at Ericsson's Customer Lab says: "Even if the application has been proven to work well with the gateway, other functions in the telecom network could interfere. Especially IN-services have been known to cause conflicts."

The interoperability tests are set up remotely on any of the Parlay/OSA gateways in the Customer Lab in Stockholm. Several versions of the gateway are available such as SCS and Ericsson Network Resource Gateway.

A common way to do this is that the developer company runs their software on their own application server. The application server is then connected to the Ericsson Network Resource Gateway at the Customer Lab over a virtual network .

Simulating a user, one then can test the application by calling in to the customer labs over the public network. The advantage of this way of working is that the developer can be located anywhere in the world.

Third-party developers can do most of the test work themselves, with some support of the personnel at the Customer Lab. Customer Lab's fees for their services are in place to cover costs. Although, the first hours of consulting are free of charge.

Åkesson says: "Customer Lab functions as a virtual operator. At this moment there are about 25 Parlay/OSA applications verified using CLAB Net4call and the Appium suite are some examples. Ericsson's participation in CBIT and ETSI events has also been supported by Customer Lab.”

He adds that Customer Lab has supported developers in this way for almost three years.

The Parlay/OSA gateways at Customer Lab are also offered to companies that plan demonstrations and pilot tests of applications to iron out any wrinkles in the applications. A small group of users could be offered to try the application for a period of time.

Ericsson Network Resource Gateway 3.0 has expanded its capabilities compared with pervious generations of Parlay/OSA gateways. Older gateways primarily offered access to call control functions. Ericsson Network Resource Gateway 3.0 addresses a much wider scope, including SMS, WAP push, MMS, location information, and personal information management.

Malmström says: "Ericsson Network Resource Gateway 3.0 makes several new functions accessible for Parlay/OSA developers. We especially want to help innovative applications that make use of as many of these new functions as possible."

Mats Udikas