As VoIP becomes more widespread, the call-signaling problem worsens. With conventional phone calls, most carriers use the SS7 signal method and equipment. SS7 is the ITU's global standard that defines procedures and protocols by which elements in the public switched telephone networks exchange information to set up, tear down, route, and control both wired and wireless calls.
SIGTRAN, a relatively new ITEF standard, specifies a method for transporting SS7 signaling information over IP-based packet networks. SIGTRAN lets the carriers protect their investment in SS7 application code while taking advantage of IP-based SIGTRAN networks that are less expensive and easier to maintain. With SIGTRAN, the transport mechanism becomes transparent to the code, letting carriers use existing SS7 applications with traditional TDM or IP infrastructure.
Artesyn Communications recently introduced the industry's highest-density SIGTRAN signaling gateway blade. The SpiderWareSG 2.0 hardware-software package bridges the dedicated SS7 networks and IP networks and supplies 64 SS7/SIGTRAN channels with 80% line utilization. It's packaged in a CompactPCI Packet Switching Backplane (cPSB or PICMG 2.16) form factor.
An IBM 800-MHz Power PC 750X host processor and up to two Motorola 300-MHz PowerQUICC communications processors are used. The product supports the PICMG 2.9 System Management Bus, which provides an I2C-based Intelligent Platform Management Interface.
SpiderWareSG 2.0 is available now for $9000 in single quantities.
Artesyn Communications Products
www.artesyn.com
(800) 356-9602
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