Understanding the advantages a VoIP softswitch can offer requires looking at the meaning of both VoIP and softswitch, then seeing how they fit together. Defining VoIP softswitch in this way gets down to the basics.

VoIP, short for Voice over IP, is a protocol used to transmit voice in digital form over the Internet or network, in an audio stream. VoIP is an essential component of the VoIP softswitch because it is software-based, being digital, and therefore expands the flexibility of voice calls. VoIP softswitches combine the power of VoIP with the flexibility of softswitches.

A softswitch acts as is a phone network device to connect calls from one “line” to another. A VoIP softswitch performs this task entirely using software running on a computer system. The task of the VoIP softswitch was formerly done by physical switchboards used to route calls.

Sometimes called a call agent, call server or media gateway controller, the softswitch (read: VoIP softswitch) provides three basic functions. The first VoIP softswitch function is intelligence to control connection services for media gateways or IP endpoints native to the network.

The second VoIP softswitch function is the ability to select processes for applying to each call connected. This VoIP softswitch function is tied in with routing calls based on both signaling and customer database information.
The third VoIP softswitch function is transferring control of each call to other network elements. This handoff is one of the core functions of a VoIP softswitch.

The fourth function of a VoIP softswitch is performing management functions (e.g. fault, billing, provisioning). This makes a VoIP softswitch more than just a “switch.”
The four functions described above are more often attributed to softswitches in general, rather than VoIP softswitches specifically. But they all are functions of the VoIP softswitch, combining routing and management tasks with the advantages of digital voice transmission.

Many VoIP softswitch solutions are available on the market today. These VoIP softswitches are typically built for specific types of environments, such as enterprises with establish LANs and enterprises making strong usage of SIP. Researching which VoIP softswitch is the best one for a particular business is helped by understanding the underlying technology and functions, as described here.

Mae Kowalke previously wrote for Cleveland Magazine in Ohio and The Burlington Free Press in Vermont. To see more of her articles, please visit Mae Kowalke’s columnist page.

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