MetaSwitch Professional Services Delivers Migration Solution to First Communications
First Communications of Akron, Ohio contracted MetaSwitch Professional Services to undertake a comprehensive
network migration solution from their existing two Nortel DMS500s and UNE-P customer base to a MetaSwitch next-generation network
consisting of a pair of geographically distributed Call Agents and three MG3510 Media Gateways. The services provided included Network
Design, Installation, Commissioning, Migration Planning, Subscriber Migration Scripts and MOPs, Training and Project Management.
The kick-off meeting in February 2006 made one thing clear; the project was on a tight schedule in order to cap the
legacy costs. However, there were several other key benefits; it enabled First Communications to collapse both of their DMS500 switches
onto a single next generation softswitch platform, reduced costs for space, power and maintenance while enabling the capacity for rapid
new service delivery and feature upgrades. This new network architecture enabled First Communications to simultaneously design and build
a VoIP-based college campus solution using a Broadband-over-powerline infrastructure, all over the same network infrastructure with a
significantly reduced cost compared to TDM networks.
So what did this MetaSwitch solution actually entail?
- Network Design
This is critical to a successful deployment; the MetaSwitch design addressed
equipment selection, redundancy, IP addressing, future growth requirements, location of call agents and media gateways, SBC evaluation,
bandwidth and Quality of Service. Implementing the MetaSwitch design has allowed First Communications to ramp up their customer deployments,
offer new services and successfully manage their network.
- Installation, Commissioning and PSTN Facilities Migration
MetaSwitch support provided enhanced installation services to commission all of the solution components including the set-up of
translations, trunks and SS7 A-links/F-links. This deployment required careful implementation of the point code proxy configuration
to minimize the visibility of changes to the local and long distance carriers. Point code proxy allows MetaSwitch to assume the point
code and the PSTN connectivity of the legacy equipment, proxying the SS7 signaling via F-links to the legacy switches. In this deployment
MetaSwitch took over the 4 point codes and 8 A-links from the 2 legacy DMS500s switches.
- Subscriber Migration
The MetaSwitch subscriber migration solution needed to address multiple types of
subscribers; there were DLC-based POTS, PRI, T1 CAS and Nortel propriety Centrex (P-Phone) subscribers that required migration.
MetaSwitch used its strong partner relationships to assist with developing the most efficient solution. The DLC vendor, Zhone, was
engaged to assist with the migration of propriety DLC signaling to standard GR303 and Cisco Systems was consulted to develop the
P-phone migration for their largest customer's transition to a Cisco Call Manager solution. MetaSwitch Professional Services provided
a comprehensive suite of tools to allow First Communications to extract the subscriber configuration data from the Nortel DMS-500s and
migrate it to MetaSwitch.
- Pre-deployment testing
MetaSwitch worked with First Communications to develop a subscriber services test
and acceptance plan. The acceptance plan was executed before the first cutover to verify all the systems were ready and after the cutover
to verify subscriber services. Key to this was the testing of all services in First Communications' lab prior to service deployment.
- Migration Planning and Support
MetaSwitch worked closely with First Communications to devise a migration
schedule and provide support for out-of-hours migration work. Tight coordination of both subscriber and PSTN trunk migrations was required
to ensure subscribers continued to receive the expected level of service. As subscribers are moved from the legacy switches to the
MetaSwitch, PSTN trunks are swung to support that traffic.
- Training
Prior to service launch, MetaSwitch provided a custom developed on-site training class for First
Communications engineering, network operations and subscriber provisioning staff.
- Project Management
Last, but not least, the overall process was managed by a concerted effort from a
MetaSwitch Project Manager working closely with First Communications Director of Engineering. This close working relationship allowed for
the quick evaluation and resolution to unexpected issues that will inevitably occur in a project of this magnitude and schedule
constraints.
Charles Leedy, Ph.D., Vice President of Network Operations at First Communications had this to say about MetaSwitch:
"MetaSwitch and their Professional Services and Customer Support organization are top notch. MetaSwitch brought a complete, end to
end solution to the table and then executed on the vision. Together, our joint efforts enabled us to deploy this next-generation network
and successfully migrate our subscribers from the Nortel DMS-500s. They are a true partner."
If you need support with design, commissioning, network migration, custom engineering or project management, the
MetaSwitch Professional Services team can help. Every network is unique, as is every service provider. The MetaSwitch Professional
Services team is here to supplement your internal capabilities and ensure that your network rollout is a success. "We're here to
augment our customer's capability or provide the resource necessary", said Paul Drew, Senior Director of the MetaSwitch Professional
Services Team. "The MetaSwitch Professional Services team is staffed with some of our most talented engineers, with the experience
and in-depth knowledge of our products to ensure a successful deployment."
Contact your MetaSwitch Sales Representative to find out what the MetaSwitch Professional Services team can do for your company,
today.
Back to the February 2007 newsletter
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