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