Improving Network Resiliency between the Access and Core Network- Mini A Flex

Mini-A-Flex is a type of GSM networking mode that can improve the reliability of the A interface. Usually, when the MSC server is connected to the BSC through the MGW, the BSC can only connect with one MGW. When this MGW is faulty, all services handled by the BSC are stopped. The MSC can support this mini-A-Flex networking and a single MSC can have one MGW with more than a single BSc on it. This solution helps in situations like;

       1. To avoid service interruption on the BSC caused by the upgrade or failure of the MGW.

2. The MGWs perform service management in load sharing mode. When one MGW is faulty, other MGWs can take over the services originally handled by the faulty MGW.

3.  One BSC can connect with multiple MGWs. The MSC server can select the circuit resource of the appropriate MGW as required to realize the system redundancy function on the bearer network.

When the BSCs serving the calling and called parties are connected to the same MGW, the MSC server first selects the A-interface circuits from this MGW. This prevents the waste of circuit resources between MGWs. During the processes, such as incoming trunk calls, outgoing trunk calls, handover, and call re-establishment, if the MGW of one party is known, the MSC server first selects the A-interface circuits from the MGW that is connected to the BSCs serving both the calling and called parties. This prevents the waste of circuit resources between MGWs.

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