Introduction to Solution Media Gateways

Cisco Media Gateway Controller (MGC) software operates on a UNIX platform and controls call routing between a traditional time-division multiplexing (TDM) network and a packet data network. Calls are routed through a variety of media gateways (MGW), which are separate devices that perform the conversion between the TDM and data network formats. The Cisco MGC software uses a dial plan to determine how to map dialed numbers to other destination numbers, and it uses trunk routing information to determine routes and alternate routes for calls that pass through the MGW.

The Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 7 is part of the following solutions:

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Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution—Provides a gateway that allows dial-in users on a TDM network to access traditional data services on an IP network. Because this solution supports SS7 signaling, it can be combined with other telephony services such as 800 numbers or caller ID.

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Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Voice Gateways Solution—Provides a gateway for voice calls between a traditional TDM network and a voice-over-IP (VoIP) network. The solution also hosts voice calls between two TDM networks, but it uses two types of call routing: gatekeeper call routing and signaling controller (SC) call routing.

The Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution supports the following platforms:

Note

The Cisco AS5200 can no longer be ordered. Cisco supports the existing installation base only.

The Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Voice Gateways Solution supports the following platforms:

Media Gateway Architecture


Cisco Media Gateway Controller (Cisco MGC)	Performs telephony call processing, routing, signaling, and feature invocations for calls traveling into and out of the packet-switched network.
Cisco Signaling Link Terminal (Cisco SLT)	Used for physical SS7 link termination.
Media gateway (MGW)	Used for bearer channel termination.

Together these components create a system on an IP packet network that connects to a circuit-based TDM network.

Figure 1-1 provides a graphical representation of the Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution configuration and Figure 1-2 provides a graphical representation of the Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Voice Gateways Solution configuration.

Media Gateway Components

This guide contains descriptions of the media gateway and supported solutions. Table 1-1 provides a brief description of the required components.

Table 1-1 Media Gateway Components
Component	Description
Signaling controller hosts (Cisco SC2200)	In addition to SS7 protocol interworking functions, the Cisco Media Gateway Controller provides system resource management (including the tracking of circuit IDs for ports on the media gateways when calls are assigned), call control (including originating and terminating call processing and signaling), usage measurements for accounting and management purposes, and alarms. For more information about installing and configuring the Cisco SC2200, refer to Cisco MGC Software Release 7 Installation and Configuration Guide.
Cisco Signaling Link Terminals (Cisco SLTs)	The Cisco SLT handles the incoming and outgoing SS7 messages (MTP layer 1 and 2) from the Signal Transfer Points (STPs). All Cisco SLTs are active and carry traffic. Each Cisco SLT supports one or two SS7 links (one per port). The linksets are distributed across the Cisco SLTs to ensure availability and dependability. Each SLT in a pair can handle the entire signaling load in case of failure, with no impact to call processing. For more information about installing and configuring the Cisco SLT, refer to Cisco Media Gateway Controller Hardware Installation Guide.
Cisco Media Gateway Controller Node Manager (CMNM)	CMNM provides the element-specific management features for the SC node. It blends the management framework features of the Cisco Element Management Framework (CEMF) with the individual interfaces and object structures of each managed element to produce an integrated management application. For more information about installing and configuring CMNM, refer to the Cisco Media Gateway Controller Node Manager Users Guide.
Media gateway and supported solutions	The media gateway terminates the PSTN trunks, also referred to as bearer channels that carry the call traffic. The PSTN trunks are T1, E1, or T3 PRI interfaces.

Media Gateways and Supported Solutions

Table 1-2 lists the media gateways supported by the Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution and the Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Voice Gateways Solution.

Table 1-2 Solution Media Gateways
Media Gateway	Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution	Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Voice Gateways Solution
Cisco AS5200¹	Supported	—
Cisco AS5300	Supported	Supported
Cisco AS5350	Supported	Supported
Cisco AS5400	Supported	Supported
Cisco AS5800	Supported	Supported
Cisco AS5850	—	Supported

¹The Cisco AS5200 can no longer be ordered. Cisco supports the existing installation base only.

Cisco AS5300 Universal Access Server

For detailed specifications and instructions on installing a Cisco AS5300 and connecting it to a network, see the following documents:

The entire documentation set for the Cisco AS5300 universal access server is available at the following location:

Cisco AS5350 Universal Gateway

For detailed specifications and instructions on installing a Cisco AS5350 and connecting it to a network, see the following documents:

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Cisco AS5350 and Cisco AS5400 Universal Gateway Software Configuration Guide

The entire documentation set for the Cisco AS5350 universal gateway is available at the following location:

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/access/acs_serv/as5350/index.htm

Cisco AS5400 Universal Gateway

For detailed specifications and instructions on installing a Cisco AS5400 and connecting it to a network, see the following documents:

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Cisco AS5350 and Cisco AS5400 Universal Gateway Software Configuration Guide

The entire documentation set for the Cisco AS5400 universal gateway is available at the following location:

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/access/acs_serv/as5400/index.htm

Cisco AS5800 Universal Access Server

For detailed specifications and instructions on installing a Cisco AS5800 and connecting it to a network, see the following documents:

The entire documentation set for the Cisco AS5800 universal access server is available at the following location:

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/access/acs_serv/as5800/index.htm

Cisco AS5850 Universal Gateway

For detailed specifications and instructions on installing a Cisco AS5850 and connecting it to a network, see the following documents:

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Cisco AS5850 Universal Gateway Operations, Administration, Maintenance, and Provisioning Guide

The entire documentation set for the Cisco AS5860 universal gateway is available at the following location:

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/access/acs_serv/as5850/index.htm

Table Of Contents

Introduction to Media Gateways