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Alameda, CA: February 14, 2005. MetaSwitch, the
leading independent vendor of Class 5 VoIP softswitch solutions, today
announced an extension to its portfolio of softswitch products with the
introduction of a new high-capacity call agent server, the CA9020. In
addition, it announced that the widely-deployed VP3510 chassis is now available
as a standalone media gateway and/or signaling gateway, enhancing the vendor's
distributed softswitch solution set. The move makes MetaSwitch the first
vendor to offer both call agent options of an integrated media gateway
chassis, or an open server platform.
In a softswitch network architecture, the call agent
(also sometimes known as a media gateway controller) performs the call
processing functions including service intelligence, call routing logic,
lawful interception, control of subtended media/signaling gateways, and
billing. The MetaSwitch Call Agent software, running on either the CA9020
or the VP3510, performs all of these functions, delivering over 100 Class 5
subscriber services alongside a broad range of Class 4 STP/tandem capabilities.
Supported protocols include SIP, MGCP, H.248 and SIGTRAN (SS7 and ISDN over
IP/SCTP). Conformance to softswitch standards, including the Multiservice
Switching Forum (MSF) Release°2 Architecture, enables mix-and-match deployment
with third party media and signaling gateways, as verified at the recent
Global MSF Interoperability event.
The CA9020 Call Agent is capable of up to 1 million busy
hour call attempts (BHCA) in a server just 2U high, making it one of the
densest call processing units available. The solution will be particularly
attractive to larger carriers deploying distributed softswitch networks for
consolidation of central offices up to 250,000 subscribers. In addition,
the CA9020 supports 8 physical Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, allowing for
secure network engineering with physically separate IP domains for control,
media and management.
The new Call Agent server runs the same software load
as the popular VP3510 Compact Class 5 Softswitch, confirming MetaSwitch's
continued commitment to both the integrated softswitch and
distributed call agent / media gateway deployment models. In addition,
service providers who have deployed the VP3510 can easily move to the
CA9020 thanks to automated installation and migration tools.
The move has been welcomed by MetaSwitch's existing
customers, as well as service providers who have evaluated the new platform.
Broadview Networks, a major competitive service provider with more than
250,000 customer access lines in the northeastern United States, is one
of several that have been trialing a beta release of the MetaSwitch
platform prior to its general availability.
"A distributed softswitch architecture makes a lot of
sense in large and growing networks." said Ken Shulman, Chief Technology
Officer at Broadview Networks. "Our experience with the MetaSwitch
platform has been very smooth and appears to be a solid fit for our
requirements. It seems that MetaSwitch has got the implementation right, which
is consistent with our experience of their exceptionally solid and talented
engineering organization."
"Yet again, MetaSwitch has reliably delivered a key
product release on schedule, a track record which is gaining us respect and
loyalty among a rapidly-growing customer base," commented John Lazar,
MetaSwitch CEO.
Industry analysts agree that MetaSwitch is delivering
on a significant milestone commitment. "Most next generation switch vendors
have designed their products either for the small carriers, or for the major
incumbent telephone companies - but not both," said Teresa Mastrangelo,
Program Director - Broadband Network Strategies, RHK. "MetaSwitch's
integrated softswitch platform has gained widespread market acceptance
among the tier 2 and 3 service providers. The introduction of the CA9020 is
likely to broaden MetaSwitch's appeal to larger regional and national carriers
looking to migrate to a distributed softswitch architecture."
About MetaSwitch
MetaSwitch is the industry's leading independent broadband
Class 5 softswitch vendor. Its widely deployed Class 5 Softswitch supports
over 100 Class 5 features including CLASS services, IP Centrex, E911, LNP,
1-800, and CALEA, and scales from a few hundred to half a million subscribers.
Customers include incumbent and competitive local exchange carriers, as
well as operators of broadband wireless, cable, and fiber networks.
MetaSwitch is a division of established telecom technology
provider Data Connection (DCL). The company is consistently profitable and
privately held, with US locations in California, Virginia, Texas and Florida,
and European headquarters in London, UK.
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Copyright © 2000 - 2008 Data Connection.
MetaSwitch is a registered trademark of Data Connection.
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