Transcript Document

Next Generation
Switching Explored
Tom VandeWater
Regional Sales Director
(510) 748-8239
Agenda
•
•
•
•
Introductions
Where the industry is today
Defining “Next Generation Switching”
Next Generation Switching
– Elements
– Requirements
• Emerging services
• Case study and conclusion
Introductions - MetaSwitch
• Tom VandeWater – Regional Sales Director
– Based in Alameda, California
• MetaSwitch – a division of Data Connection
– Leading independent provider of networking and
IP applications technology
• Customers include SBC, Verizon, BT,
Cisco, Lucent, Nortel, …
– Stability
• Consistently profitable since 1981
• Privately-owned and self-funded
• 275 employees in US and UK
• MetaSwitch VP3500 Next Generation Class 5 Switch
– Proven, deployed solution for legacy and broadband voice
IP Telephony – The First Wave
• Offload of long-distance traffic on IP backbones
–
–
–
–
Packet-based Class 4 switches
Relatively simple, proven, reliable technology
“Infinite bandwidth” backbone solves quality issues
Business justification in toll bypass
• Enterprise voice networks
– IP phones / IP Centrex
– Drivers
• Reduced enterprise management costs
• Advanced features
The Result……
• Two non-connected “islands”
• Last mile is still analog/circuit (POTS, PRI, TDM)
• End-to-end connectivity requires Packet Class 5 switch
TDM
IP
PBX
IP
POTS/TDM
Legacy
Class 5
SS7/TDM
IP
Class 4
Softswitch
Enterprise
Last
SS7/TDM
Packet
IP LAN
Mile
Backbone
Backbone
Next Gen Class 5
• Enables end-to-end IP
• PSTN becomes legacy network
Signaling &
Media
Gateways
PSTN
IP
IP
IP
IP
Class 4
Softswitch
IP
IAD
Next Gen
Class 5
Enterprise
Broadband
IP LAN
Last Mile
Packet
Backbone
IP
Next Gen Class 5 Switches Today
• Service providers announcing true Class 5
replacements
• Growth in VoIP over Cable
• Successful CLECs deploying next-gen switches
to provide a competitive advantage
• Service providers bundling voice and data
services with next-gen switches
What Is a Next Generation Switch?
• Next generation ARCHITECTURE
– Broadband interfaces – ATM and/or IP
– “Softswitch” or “Hard switch” models
• Distributed Softswitch + Media Gateway for larger networks
• One-box “hard switch” easier to deploy for smaller carriers
• Next generation SERVICES
– Enabled by convergence of Web, Internet and Voice technologies
– Advanced voice services to IP phones
– Integration of web for phone control, messaging, conferencing
What Is a Next Generation Switch?
• Migration from today’s network
–
–
–
–
PSTN levels of reliability – software is now critical component
Traditional services (CLASS, Centrex, 1-800, voicemail, …)
Legacy TDM interfaces (SS7, MF, GR-303, T1, …)
Ability to “cap and grow” (SS7 F-links, LNP, tools, …)
• Next generation management
– Point-and-click GUIs replace hard-to-use command line
interface
• Let’s identify the next-gen switching
elements….
Next Gen Class 5 Switch Elements
(1)
•
Call Agent
– Maintains call state and implements call service logic,
e.g., for CLASS services
– Often referred to as the “softswitch”
•
Media Server
– Provides media services under CA control (e.g., MGCP)
e.g., announcements, mixing, transcoding, tone
detection/generation, IVR, fax, voice activity detection
•
Application Server
– Provides service logic for applications such as voice mail and
conferencing
– Uses Call Agent to control resources on media gateways
Next Gen Class 5 Switch Elements
(2)
•
Signaling Gateway
–
–
•
Trunk Gateway
–
–
•
Interface between IP and SS7 networks
Has protocol interface into Call Agent (e.g., SS7 over IP)
Transcodes packet voice to/from TDM network
Device controlled by Call Agent (e.g., via MGCP / H.248)
Packet Access Gateway
–
–
–
Often omitted – but key distinguishing feature of carrier-class VoIP
solutions
Main function is to protect core network elements from misuse (e.g.,
specifying “voice QoS” on data packets)
Also provides for lawful interception, 3-way calling, etc.
Requirements
For A Next Gen Class 5
•
Provide equivalent function to existing switches
–
–
–
–
–
•
Reliability
Subscriber services
Regulatory and carrier requirements
Interoperation with legacy POTS/TDM world
Back-office integration
Enable seamless migration to “New world” paradigm
–
–
–
–
Service creation environment
Open protocols for multi-vendor interworking
Distributed architecture
Packet interfaces (VoIP, VoATM)
•
•
Access – Voice over Broadband
Backbone trunking
Next Generation Services
• IP Centrex
– Managed IP phone service for small businesses
– Rapid expected take-up (see chart)
• Web Conferencing
– Whiteboarding, collaboration, online presentations
– Significant enhancement to voice call
– Market: $288M (2001)  $1.3bn (2005) *
• Unified Messaging
– Combine email, voicemail, fax in one inbox
– Market: $1.15bn (2001)  $3bn (2005) *
• Web self-care
– Enable subscribers to configure their own services
– “Find-me / follow-me” – easy-select call forwarding
(*) source: Telecommunications Industry Association 2003 Market Review
Example – Subscriber Self-Care
Example – Subscriber Self-Care
• Ease of use
– Configure lists of numbers (e.g., for selective call forwarding) on a
Web interface vs. laborious DTMF menus
– Increased customer satisfaction
• Increased revenue and reduced costs
– Lower the threshold for activating new services
– Fewer customer support operators to manually provision services
• Branding and loyalty
– Integration with existing Web portal and other Web-based services
– Requires secure, flexible Web applications architecture
• Separate user interface logic (and look/feel) from the switch
Case Study –
New Knoxville Telephone
• Founded 1905
• Small independent service provider in rural Ohio
– Incumbent telco (New Knoxville Telephone)
– Cable TV division (NKTELCO Cable)
– CLEC division (GoldStar Communications)
• Seeking to
–
–
–
–
Replace existing end-of-life Class 5 switch
Rationalize and upgrade network
Expand business and ward off competitors
Exploit cable and DSL networks for out-of-region expansion
–
“After evaluating a number of Class 5 'alternatives', we identified the MetaSwitch VP3500 as the
only true Next Generation Class 5 Switch capable of supporting our legacy POTS customers
while leveraging the VoIP potential of our installed cable network.” – Preston Meyer, General Manager
Case Study – New Knoxville:
Steps to Next Gen
• Using Next Gen Class 5 switch to thwart competition and increase
revenues
– More cost-effective service delivery
– Out of region expansion
• Exploit existing cable TV network
• Use range of available broadband technologies in other areas
• Service offerings:
– VoIP over cable
– VoATM over T1 / ADSL
– GR-303 for TDM voice
• Combining TDM and Broadband Voice with a hybrid MetaSwitch to
target new services
–
“We were impressed by how easy it was to install the switch and by MetaSwitch's exemplary
customer support.” – Preston Meyer, General Manager
Case Study – New Knoxville:
Analog POTS
PSTN
SS7
TDM
GR-303
DLC
VP3500
Next Generation Class 5 Switch
Case Study – New Knoxville:
Voice Over Cable
IP / Cable
CMTS
PSTN
SS7
TDM
VP3500
Next Generation Class 5 Switch
eMTA
Case Study – New Knoxville:
Voice Over DSL/ATM
PSTN
SS7
TDM
T1
VP3500
Next Generation Class 5 Switch
IAD
ATM Switch
DSL
IAD
DSLAM
Case Study – New Knoxville:
Total Network
CMTS
PSTN
SS7
TDM
IP / Cable
DLC
eMTA
POTS
T1
VP3500
Next Generation Class 5 Switch
IAD
ATM Switch
DSL
IAD
DSLAM
Conclusion
• “Next Generation” Switches vary in focus, e.g.
– Replicate legacy switch in smaller form-factor
– Add voice switching function to edge router
– Softswitch application with third-party media gateways
• Key characteristics to look for
–
–
–
–
Traditional services and interfaces
Next generation architecture
Next generation services
Smooth migration from legacy to next generation network
• The technology is real and proven