The SmartNode 10100 enables the delivery of VoIP services by bridging voice traffic between the public switched telephone network (PSTN)—based on time-division multiplexing (TDM)—and IP networks such as the Internet. Service providers are adding VoIP capabilities to their networks, whether to reduce costs when interconnecting with other carriers, to cost-effectively build out their network footprints, or simply to transport voice traffic across their IP backbones. Whether sitting at the network core or at the edge, SmartNode media gateways enable service providers to introduce VoIP into their networks while maintaining the quality and the reliability of traditional TDM networks.

TDM interfaces

Service providers, whether providing local, long-distance or international voice services, are interconnected with a multitude of other providers using T1/E1/J1 links. It is critical for service providers to be able to rapidly establish new interconnections without having to always deploy new devices. SmartNode 10100 Series media gateways therefore offer flexibility and can be configured to support T1/E1/J1 interfaces.

Signaling and control protocols

Just as flexibility in the selection and deployment of TDM links is a key requirement for service providers, the need to support multiple signaling protocols across various carrier partners is just as important. Each SN10100 media gateway provides support for the concurrent use of ISDN, SS7/C7, CAS (R2), SIP, and SIGTRAN signaling in the same device. The ability to provide both switching and conversion across multiple TDM and IP signaling protocols at once is paramount to enabling the operational flexibility and cost savings that drive service providers to expand their carrier relationships and converge their networks.

In parallel with the TDM and IP signaling protocols mentioned above, SN10100 devices also support the H.248 media gateway control protocol, which enables any H.248-compliant 3-party softswitch to control a media gateway. While the softswitch manages call control interactions, the SN10100 handles transmission of call media as well as any required transcoding.