Machine to Machine (m2m)

Secure, Functional Interconnect

aql are an edge-of-network partner for 3 UK. Our carrier grade IP network runs a significant private peering interconnect with the 3 data network. This allows data to be conveyed from the 3G mobile domain into aql and can be delivered to third parties via several mechanisms.

The aql Layer

aql operates a secure, robust and scaleable translation platform allowing data from 3g end devices to be aggregated and delivered in a secure manner to third parties. The diagram below shows four different scenarios :

Scenario 1 - Aggregated Enterprise 3G Broadband

End users with "dongle" or embedded 3G access devices (1) access IP services over a secure, dedicated Access Point Name (APN). The traffic is conveyed across secure links (2) to the aql aggregation platform. Within the platform the access device is network-address-translated from a dynamic to static IP (3) within a predefined network address range (4). This network address range can be part of a corporate intranet or other predefined public or private address range. The traffic can then be conveyed, eg via an IPSEC VPN (5) to a corporate intranet (6). This means that the 3G access devices will reside as clients on the corporate intranet and will operate under the corporate intranet environment (firewalling, access rules, logging, intranet/corporate data access).

Scenario 2 - Using 3G as a DSL Backup Service

Dual mode routers (7) can be deployed to fail-over to an onboard 3G modem should there be a failure in the ADSL fabric. Under such circumstances the Broadband ISP (12) can create a re-route of the service via a private circuit (11), to be translated by aql back to the 3G device, providing a static IP failover service which is cost effective and entirely out of band.

Scenario 3 - Aggregated Subscriber 3G Access

The aql data aggregation platform can be used as part of aql's Unbundled Mobile Access (UMA) service to provide not only voice and SMS handoff, but also a complimentary data handoff, allowing the MVNO to provide "walled garden" services to their subscribers. Additional advantages of this mode of data routing allows real-time billing and access control on all internet access.

Scenario 4 - OEM Devices

aql can provide secure aggregation and translation to static IP for remote data devices, providing a walled-garden service, with the added advantage of handoff of data via private or public peering arrangements. This particularly suits high bandwidth or sensitive m2m applications, where the private peering custs the cost of internet transit to the m2m operator and additionally reduces jitter and latency, improving sensitive real-time applications such as CCTV, VoIP or streaming services.