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Next Generation Switching Explored

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.

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Next Generation Switching Explored

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  1. Next Generation Switching Explored Tom VandeWater Regional Sales Director (510) 748-8239

  2. Agenda • Introductions • Where the industry is today • Defining “Next Generation Switching” • Next Generation Switching • Elements • Requirements • Emerging services • Case study and conclusion

  3. 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 VP3500Next Generation Class 5 Switch • Proven, deployed solution for legacy and broadband voice

  4. 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

  5. Enterprise SS7/TDM Packet Last Legacy Class 5 IP LAN Backbone Backbone Mile 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 IP Class 4 Softswitch POTS/TDM SS7/TDM

  6. Enables end-to-end IP PSTN becomes legacy network Enterprise Packet Broadband IP LAN Backbone Last Mile Next Gen Class 5 PSTN Signaling &Media Gateways IP IP IP Class 4 Softswitch IP IP IP IP IAD Next GenClass 5

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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….

  10. 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

  11. 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.

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. Example – Subscriber Self-Care

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. Case Study – New Knoxville: Steps to Next Gen • Using Next Gen Class 5 switchto 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

  18. PSTN VP3500 Next Generation Class 5 Switch Case Study – New Knoxville: Analog POTS POTS GR-303 SS7 TDM DLC

  19. PSTN VP3500 Next Generation Class 5 Switch Case Study – New Knoxville: Voice Over Cable IP / Cable eMTA CMTS Gig-E SS7 TDM

  20. PSTN VP3500 Next Generation Class 5 Switch Case Study – New Knoxville: Voice Over DSL/ATM SS7 TDM OC-3 T1 IAD ATM Switch DSL IAD DSLAM

  21. PSTN VP3500 Next Generation Class 5 Switch Case Study – New Knoxville: Total Network IP / Cable eMTA CMTS Gig-E GR-303 POTS SS7 TDM DLC OC-3 T1 IAD ATM Switch DSL IAD DSLAM

  22. 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

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