Tom VandeWater
Regional Sales Director
(510) 748-8239
Next Generation Switching Explored
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
• Two non-connected “islands”• Last mile is still analog/circuit (POTS, PRI, TDM)• End-to-end connectivity requires Packet Class 5 switch
IP IPTDM
Class 4Softswitch
SS7/TDMPOTS/TDMLegacyClass 5
IP PBX
Enterprise
IP LAN
Last
Mile
SS7/TDM
Backbone
Packet
Backbone
The Result……
IPIAD
Next GenClass 5
IP IPIP
IP
Signaling &Media
Gateways
IP
• Enables end-to-end IP• PSTN becomes legacy network
Enterprise
IP LAN
Broadband
Last Mile
Packet
Backbone
IP
PSTN
Class 4Softswitch
Next Gen Class 5
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– Interface between IP and SS7 networks
– Has protocol interface into Call Agent (e.g., SS7 over IP)
• Trunk Gateway– 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
DLC
GR-303POTS
PSTN SS7TDM
VP3500Next Generation Class 5 Switch
Case Study – New Knoxville: Voice Over Cable
eMTACMTSGig-E
IP / Cable
PSTNSS7TDM
VP3500Next Generation Class 5 Switch
Case Study – New Knoxville: Voice Over DSL/ATM
DSLAM
OC-3
IAD
IAD
PSTN SS7TDM
DSL
T1
ATM Switch
VP3500Next Generation Class 5 Switch
Case Study – New Knoxville: Total Network
eMTACMTS
DLC
DSLAM
IAD
IAD
POTS
IP / Cable
T1
DSL
PSTNSS7TDM
ATM Switch
OC-3
Gig
-EGR-303
VP3500Next Generation Class 5 Switch
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