ApplianX IP Gateway

The ApplianX IP Gateway can be used in a variety of VoIP migration strategies, whether it is as a VoIP gateway connecting a TDM-based PBX to new IP networks or IP PBXs; or providing a PSTN front end to SIP-based solutions, which is another common use for a SIP to TDM gateway. It is a 'plug & play' device that, regardless of deployment, can reduce operational costs, extend the life of legacy TDM-based equipment and allow advantage to be taken from IP-based services and end points. Uniquely it supports supplementary services allowing it to operate as both a Q.SIG to SIP gateway and a DPNSS to SIP gateway.

Telephone network interfaces
On the PSTN side, the ApplianX IP Gateway provides 1, 2 or 4 universal T1/E1 (USA, Japan, Europe and worldwide) interfaces, with a wide range of signalling protocols, including PRI/ISDN types, T1 robbed bit and E1 CAS, R1, R2 and DTMF, plus PBX protocols, such as Q.SIG and DPNSS. A different protocol can be selected for each trunk, this flexibility could allow, for instance, the ApplianX to function as both an E1 to SIP gateway and a T1 to SIP gateway simultaneously.

IP interfaces
On the IP side, the ApplianX IP Gateway provides dual redundant traffic interfaces for SIP signalling, with RTP voice. Within the RTP stream there is support for G.711 and G.729AB codecs whilst security options are available with SRTP, SIPS and TLS.

Traffic routing
Controlling traffic is a comprehensive call routing engine, allowing configuration of a variety of routing strategies and the gateway to provide SIP to TDM conversions or TDM to SIP conversions: implementing and routing upon trunk groups; support for multiple dial plans; and strategies for handling call progress information. For integration with SIP systems supporting redundancy, the gateway provides load balancing between endpoints on a round robin basis. In addition, the gateway supports a wide range of failover options in order to be resilient to various network failures.

Comprehensive management
A private (non-traffic) Ethernet port gives access to the integral HTTP server and provides an intuitive HTML web browser interface with separate password protected access levels, to allow configuration, administration, traffic monitoring and diagnosis. A comprehensive set of SNMP facilities (including traps) provide management facilities within a traditional network management environment.

Various ApplianX tools are freely available to further assist with the configuration of the gateway. The ApplianX Search Tool aides the installation process by finding ApplianX devices on the network, revealing their serial number, type and IP address. The ApplianX Trace Tool is an easy to interrogate tool that captures previous or live protocol trace and decodes/displays it.

Supplementary service support
In addition to basic call control, key supplementary services are also supported including: Diversion (Immediate, On Busy, On No Reply); Route Optimisation; Message Waiting Indicator; Call Back (When Free, When Next Available); and Transfer. These services can be converted over SIP, DPNSS and Q.SIG.

Product summary

Choice of 1, 2 or 4 E1/T1 trunk interfaces for TDM traffic
Up to 120 independent VoIP calls
Comprehensive range of TDM and IP protocols including Q.SIG and DPNSS
Supplementary service support over SIP, DPNSS and Q.SIG
Stand-alone 1U, 19" rack mount appliance
TDM failover
Easy to interpret status LEDs and switches on the front panel
Remote management via SNMP

Applications

Interfacing enterprise VoIP telecoms to the PSTN, PBXs, or private networks
Enabling a transitional strategy from TDM to VoIP
Integrating next generation VoIP equipment into existing TDM infrastructure:
- IP-based call centres with centralised or distributed agents
- Telephony access points for multi-tenanted managed facilities
Providing PSTN access points for corporate IP wide area VoIP networks
Allows customers to take advantage of SIP trunks replacing existing TDM PBX infrastructure
Enabling legacy TDM PBXs to interface with Microsoft OCS R2 and Microsoft Exchange

Features

This deployment-ready solution, which can bridge between various TDM and IP endpoints, comes with a comprehensive management suite including an HTML web browser configuration tool and support for SNMP
Extensive portfolio of worldwide protocols supported including: PRI/ISDN types; T1 robbed-bit; E1 CAS; R1; R2; AT&T and NI2
Comprehensive support for PBX inter-working protocols, such as Q.SIG and DPNSS allowing the conversion of supplementary services including: Divert, Route Optimisation, Message Waiting Indicator, Call Back (When Free, When Next Available) and Transfer to SIP
Controlling traffic between IP and TDM is a comprehensive call routing engine
SIP load balancing and fault tolerance
The gateway can fallback to TDM should the SIP network fail

Benefits

Utilises familiar interface tools making the ApplianX IP Gateway easy to install, configure, maintain and manage
ApplianX IP Gateway will support the protocol needed to connect to the TDM network, wherever it is installed in the world
Allows investment in legacy equipment such as PBXs to be protected, they can remain in service while new IP-based services and endpoints can be taken advantage of
You have complete control over the routing strategies deployed, SIP-to-TDM or SIP-to-SIP
Outbound calls are attempted on a round robin basis so that calls can automatically be routed away from unresponsive endpoints
Calls can still be made and received even if there is a problem with the IP network