ITGLOBAL.COM DMCC, based in Dubai, has become an authorized distributor of Stingray Service Gateway in the Gulf region, further expanding its network of partner integrators. This strategic partnership between ITGLOBAL.COM DMCC and VAS Experts focuses on network traffic analysis and control solutions across the countries of the Mena region.
About VAS Experts and Stingray Service Gateway
Vas Experts is a leading developer, offering innovative solutions designed to enhance the performance and efficiency of telecom operators. The flagship product Stingray Service Gateway helps operators:
- improve service quality
- optimize uplink channel usage
- boost subscriber loyalty
- reduce churn
- introduce new services
This versatile product is deployed on x86 servers, compatible with both Intel and AMD processors, delivering performance of up to 120G per server.
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Why Telecom Operators use DPI
Deep Packet Inspection or DPI is a technology for accumulating statistical data, checking and filtering network packets based on their contents. DPI uses several methods of traffic analysis, among them the most used are heuristic and signature analysis.
- Heuristic analysis: Detects unknown malware in traffic
- Signature analysis: Uses predefined “signatures” to detect patterns of malicious traffic:
- Pattern analysis
- Numerical analysis
- Behavioral analysis
- Heuristic analysis
- Protocol/state analysis
How Traffic is Filtered Using Stingray Service Gateway
In deep traffic analysis systems such as the Stingray Service Gateway, filtering is carried out by creating rules for “walking” this traffic itself, and subsequently the traffic is either delivered to the client or discarded.
The Stingray Service Gateway monitors the flow of network data, identifies protocols and applications, performs URL filtering, and prevents attempts to infiltrate and distribute malicious software. DPI performs important security functions by checking incoming packets, analyzing the code and transmitted data after their disassembly and decompression for compliance with applications and services. If a malicious URL or code fragment is detected, the system is able to block it completely.
Key Tasks Solved by Telecom Operators Using Stingray Service Gateway
URL filtering
URL filtering is a basic security feature and is necessary to block unauthorized as well as prohibited URLs. An operator-grade DPI system should be very productive and process millions of addresses in real time. To achieve such speeds, companies need support for both literal strings and wildcard characters. To reduce the complexity of the rules that govern this process, the filtering system should support URL normalization.
Traffic prioritization, in other words — QoS
DPI will label the traffic according to the set parameters. If all traffic does not “fit” in the bandwidth, traffic with a lower priority will be discarded.
The DPI system, in essence, protects the high quality of service provision by managing subscriber traffic. The user receives a service that should be provided perfectly: without sound stuttering or video slowing down, with instant loading of websites and high file download speed. The DPI system’s QoS function helps to ensure high QoE (Quality of Experience).
The QoS function of the Stingray Gateway Service system solves several tasks:
- prioritization and traffic differentiation
- ensuring a uniform traffic flow
- guarantee of the quality and speed of Internet access
- prevention of network congestion
Besides, to prevent the user from noticing a drop in communication quality or a decrease in speed during peak hours (in the evening), by setting the DPI system priorities, background applications (torrents, file downloads, updates, etc.) are assigned a low priority, while online videos, web browsing, and online games are assigned a higher priority. The user does not notice access problems and remains satisfied with the service provided, and the telecom operator does not need to invest in increasing the UPLINK speed.
Moreover, the Stingray Service Gateway can identify messenger packages — Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype and others, which allows them to be separated into a separate rule and flexibly configure subscriber access policies. This way, the telecom operator can allow the client to use the messenger even with a zero balance.
End — user perception of communication services – QoE
The QoE function of the Stingray Service Gateway system collects statistics to assess the quality of service perception (QoE). The statistics obtained are superimposed on special metrics to determine the user experience and take actions aimed at improving the quality of communication services.
Round-trip time (RTT) indicators provide information on delays from subscriber to subscriber, the entire path and the median. Downloading Full Net Flow statistics on transport and application protocols provides traffic distribution by destinations and AS. Stingray Service Gateway also displays statistics on requests at the time of Internet use, the number of sessions and devices of subscribers and the number of requests from them to Internet resources.
Using DPI metrics helps to increase subscriber loyalty, monitor the network, and increase revenue from each subscriber.
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DPI in Marketing
In addition to the ability to make real-time reports on bandwidth utilization and display graphs for each subscriber, DPI systems help to conduct marketing campaigns and use tools to combat subscriber churn:
- conduct questionnaires and satisfaction surveys
- segment the base for offering new services
- inform subscribers about the approach to zero
- notify subscribers via the browser about an emergency
- increase the rate of the tariff to increase the QoE
- fight against those who distribute the Internet
- target offers depending on the subscriber’s profile
From DPI to Multifunction Devices
The Stingray Service Gateway has evolved to include features that streamline telecom operations, moving away from bulky routers. The system integrates multiple functionalities into a single platform, reducing server rack space and power consumption. Additional features include:
- BRAS Integration: Controls subscriber access to the Internet and applies tariff policies
- Carrier-Grade NAT (CG-NAT): Optimizes limited IPv4 address space and simplifies IPv6 transition
- Dual-Stack IPv4/IPv6 Support: Facilitates IPv6 adoption while preserving IPv4 space
Additional Features of Stingray Service Gateway
- DLP (Data Loss Prevention): Ensures the security of confidential information within a network
- CG-NAT: Provides benefits like EIM (Efficient IP Management), EIF (Efficient IP Filtering), and hairpinning for better network security and management
- Radius CoA: Allows for dynamic reconfiguration of user connections
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Conclusion
In conclusion, using the Stingray Service Gateway allows you to perform both basic functions of filtering and classifying traffic which has a positive effect on the quality of services provided to subscribers, and increases cost-effectiveness by combining several functions into one device and conducting marketing campaigns.
The partnership between ITGLOBAL.COM DMCC and VAS Experts marks a significant step toward offering comprehensive traffic control and analysis solutions in the MENA region.
