With the continuous development of the telecommunications market and the gradual transition towards the next-generation network (NGN), softswitch technology has become a critical component in bridging traditional circuit-switched networks with modern packet-switched networks. As a result, its application in telecom infrastructure is gaining significant attention from industry professionals. According to the International Softswitch Association (ISC), a softswitch is defined as "a software entity that provides call control functionality." In China, the Institute of Telecommunications Transmission under the Ministry of Information Industry describes it as "a core device in network evolution and next-generation packet networks. It operates independently of the transport network and is responsible for call control, resource allocation, protocol processing, routing, authentication, billing, and more. It can deliver all services traditionally offered by circuit switches and also provide programmability for third-party developers."
Softswitch technology offers ten essential functions:
1. **Media Gateway Access Function**
This function enables endpoints or networks to access the IP network. It serves as an interface between the packet network and external systems, offering media stream mapping or transcoding. Examples include PSTN/ISDN IP relay gateways, ATM gateways, user gateways, and integrated access gateways. These support protocols like MGCP and H.1248/MEGACO for resource control, media processing, signaling, and connection management. Additional features include maintenance, transmission, and security.
2. **Call Control and Processing Function**
This is the core of the softswitch system, managing the setup, maintenance, and termination of calls. It handles basic and multimedia call control, including call processing, connection control, intelligent call triggers, and resource allocation. It supports both two-party and multi-party calls, with advanced logic for member joining, exiting, isolation, and side listening.
3. **Service Provisioning Function**
As networks evolve from circuit to packet switching, softswitch must support all services previously provided by PSTN/ISDN switches. It also integrates with existing intelligent networks and third-party platforms to offer value-added and intelligent services.
4. **Interconnection and Interoperability**
Next-generation networks are not isolated. Softswitch ensures compatibility with legacy systems through interworking solutions. For example, signaling gateways enable communication between packet networks and the No.7 signaling system, while H.323 and SIP protocols allow interoperability with IP telephony systems.
5. **Protocol Support Function**
Softswitch is an open, multi-protocol platform. It communicates with various devices and networks using standard protocols such as H.323, SIP, H.248, MGCP, SIGTRAN, RTP, and INAP, ensuring maximum compatibility and leveraging existing infrastructure.
6. **Resource Management Function**
It centrally manages system resources, including allocation, release, configuration, status monitoring, usage statistics, and threshold controls. This ensures efficient utilization and optimal performance.
7. **Billing Function**
Softswitch collects detailed call records and supports multiple billing methods. It can send these records to billing centers as required by service providers.
8. **Authentication and Authorization Function**
It supports local authentication and authorization for users and gateways, preventing unauthorized access. It can also connect to central authentication systems for enhanced security.
9. **Address Resolution Function**
The softswitch converts E.164 numbers to IP addresses and handles alias resolution. It also supports number analysis, storage, and route selection, allowing flexible number manipulation.
10. **Voice Processing Function**
It controls whether the media gateway uses voice compression and supports algorithms like G.729 and G.723.1. It can also manage echo cancellation and adjust buffer sizes to improve voice quality.
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