Old Way - Smart Networks - Dumb Devices & New Way - Dumb Networks - Smart Devices & Applications

In the animated tutorial, you will see and hear the difference between:

The podcast and animated tutorial is available here:

In addition, get smart on media gateways in less than a minute.
To begin with, here are a few basics - SBC-Session Border Controllers connect SIP-Session Initiation Protocol devices to the PSTN-Public Switched Telephone Network. MG-Media Gateways also connect SIP devices to the PSTN. The difference is SBC's are provider-class systems, whereas MG's are designed for local connection to the PSTN or SIP trunking network. That is, MG's would be strategically located across the continent or world and interface the PSTN only as necessary. In other words, even a high-volume company might only need a few MG's or SBC's to provide carrier-class performance including a vast array of features.

Here are applications of Media Gateways:
1 - Connection of IP-PBX (Internet Protocol - Private Branch eXchange) to PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)
2 - Connection of IP-PBX to PSTN & SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunk provider
3 - Survivable connection to SIP trunk provider
4 - Connection of PBX & IP-PBX to PSTN & SIP trunk provider
Hairpin or Hairpinning - calls come in from PSTN and routed back out to PSTN
5 - Connection of IP-PBX to Hosted VoIP provider
6 - Connection of IP-PBX & PSTN to Microsoft OCS (Office Communications Server)
7 - Multiple SIP-OCS proxies - SIP-to-SIP calls, TDM-to-TDM (Time Division Multiplexed) calls and SIP-to-TDM calls

About OCS Forum

OCS Forum is a vendor-independent laboratory environment designed for learning, technical guides, knowledge resources and online "live" services. OCS Forum provides consulting, training, case studies, white papers, speaking engagements, market/customer research, network planning and other services.
For more go to http://www.ocsforum.com.
Pursuant to FTC guidelines, Tom is the owner of OCS Forum.com.