1. Definitiono A softswitch refers to a electronic device that uses computer software to

connect calls from one phone line to another. Softswitches are typically located in the central office of a telephone company.

Function

o Softswitches control connections that occur at the junction between packet networks and circuit. Packet networks are paths used in packet switching, which is a method used in digital network communications that groups data into blocks suitably sized for transmitting, called packets.

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Softswitch Management

o Softswitches are managed by a Call Agent and a Media Gateway. The Media Gateway, a translation device that converts media streams between telecommunication networks, connects digital media streams together to create one transmission channel path for the data and voice media contained in a call. The Call Agent controls numerous Media Gateways in a specific geographical area and handles such functions as signaling, call routing and billing.

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Concept

The concept of a VoIP softswitch is associated with the idea of entirely separating switching units from the core network infrastructure. Because VoIP networks are formed by a combination of circuit-switched (telephone) and packet-switched (computer) networks, a softswitch acts as an interconnecting hub or junction between both networks by transferring multiple data requests from one network to another in a simultaneous fashion.

Functions

The main function of a VoIP softswitch is to provide an efficient and robust mechanism for internetwork communication from public telephone

network(s) to computer networks and vice versa. When connected to a packet-switched computer network, a VoIP softswitch also facilitates requests such as video/voice conferencing, interactive chatting, Internet browsing and multimedia file sharing from both telephone and computer networks.

Benefits

The major benefit of a VoIP softswitch is its cost, which is less than that of a normal computer network's manageable switch. Further, a VoIP softswitch is modular in its nature, so its functionality can be altered, enhanced and upgraded by simply adding necessary programs in computer systems associated with it.

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