COMPETE!
The Cisco / MetaSwitch IP-Enabled Services Solution for Cable Operators
An Executive Brief by Cisco Systems, Inc. and MetaSwitch July 2006
Cisco Systems, Inc. / MetaSwitch COMPETE! Solution Executive Brief
Executive Summary
Cable operators face many challenges as consumers and business customers demand an ever-richer set of services from their communication providers. This paper outlines a joint solution from leading vendors Cisco Systems, Inc. and MetaSwitch, that enables MSOs to fully integrate video, voice and data services over their HFC infrastructure. By combining triple play with converged cellular services, cable operators can provide a one-stop package to fend off competitive threats while expanding into new markets. The entire solution is backed up by both vendors’ unrivaled experience designing, implementing and supporting successful cable, IP and voice networks.
The Challenges – and Opportunities – Facing Cable Operators
HFC-based access networks gave cable operators considerable advantages over legacy telcos and ISPs during the past decade. By coupling this plant with DOCSIS, the MSOs were able to attract and retain high percentages of homes passed to TV and data services. However technology change in the form of DSL, FTTx, satellite and IPTV have all eroded that advantage and led to increasing customer churn. Cable operators must adopt strategies to increase customer loyalty and build a stronger revenue base. Many customers are tiring of having multiple bills dropping through their mailbox every month. They would love the simplification of a truly converged service for all their multimedia communication needs. Cable operators need a way to deliver this quickly, costeffectively, and with market-leading features. To further grow their revenue base, many cable operators are also looking at the incremental opportunities offered by the small to medium enterprise market. With a comprehensive communications package designed for business, cable operators can broaden their appeal to gain significant share of this highly profitable market segment.
The COMPETE! Solution
Cisco Systems and MetaSwitch, two established leaders in next generation networking, have joined forces to bring a best-of-breed technology solution to market, specifically to address the challenges described above. The Cisco / MetaSwitch Cable Operator Multiservice Platform for Enhanced Telephony Evolution – or COMPETE! – solution leverages Cisco’s leadership in CMTS platforms and MetaSwitch’s proven ability to deliver robust Class 5 primary line Residential and Business services across TDM and packet-based networks. Coupled with Cisco’s portfolio of Scientific Atlanta video technologies, the result is a seamless end-to-end solution giving MSOs full triple-play over HFC, as well as enabling expansion into high-value business voice and data services.
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Cisco Systems, Inc. / MetaSwitch COMPETE! Solution Executive Brief
COMPETE! Objectives
The COMPETE! solution was designed with several key objectives in mind – all of which must be met if cable operators are to face the challenges outlined above. • • Triple-play. COMPETE! delivers a fully converged service with features that go far beyond the basic emulation of traditional analog voice lines. Proven end-to-end interoperability, based on CableLabs standards, ensures that COMPETE! reliably delivers the high-quality services demanded by increasingly sophisticated consumer and business customers. Simplicity and re-use of assets. In fact, many cable operators need add only one box to their existing network in order to deploy COMPETE! Future-proof IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) / PacketCable 2.0 architecture. The COMPETE! Solution supports SIP-based services and the IMS architecture that forms the foundation for PacketCable 2.0.
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COMPETE! Services
By deploying COMPETE!, cable operators are able to differentiate themselves with a wide range of new services to attract and keep residential and business customers. • All traditional custom calling features, such as three-way calling, calling name, automatic callback, etc., are supported, allowing cable operators to compete with a competitive digital voice service. The COMPETE! solution is pre-integrated with middleware from vendors such as Myrio, Minerva and Integra5 to tie together communications and entertainment services – for example, so the name and picture of a caller pops up on the TV when the user’s phone rings. A Web-based “self-care” solution, which can be integrated into the cable operator’s existing Web portal, enables customers to easily view and change service settings. For example, users can change “Find Me/Follow Me” settings at any time of day or night via a simple web interface without having either to contact the MSO or remember complex “star codes”. Consumers with high-speed Internet service will also be excited by a powerful Desktop Assistant application that integrates with the PC to provide real-time control of incoming calls, click-to-call functionality, Outlook-enhanced Caller ID, missed call list, and a system tray message waiting indicator. A complete set of hosted enterprise telephony features for both IP phone and traditional business phone handsets will attract businesses that want the functionality of a PBX without the hassle. In addition to essential features such as private dialing plans, intercom calling, call transfer, account codes, etc., the optional Auto Attendant allows businesses to set up their own interactive voice
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Cisco Systems, Inc. / MetaSwitch COMPETE! Solution Executive Brief
response system, while a Unified Messaging service converges voicemail, email and faxes into a single inbox accessed from the user’s PC or phone. • PBX Services via IP. For larger businesses with an existing PBX in place, COMPETE! allows cable operators to deliver T1 services (voice and data) over the existing IP-based HFC network, opening up whole new market opportunities.
COMPETE! Elements
A typical COMPETE! network comprises the following pre-integrated components: • Cisco uBR7200-series or uBR10000-series CMTS platforms provide the industry-leading DOCSIS infrastructure for video, voice and data services over HFC plant. MetaSwitch CA9020 Call Management Servers (CMS) provide session control, enhanced calling services and Centrex service intelligence for PacketCable networks. Deployed as a redundant pair, the CMS servers may be geographically separated if required. For even greater flexibility, the CA9020 can also support SIP trunks to the PSTN and IP-based calling name services, enabling the most cost-effective network design for each cable operator’s requirements. The MetaSwitch MG2510 provides Media Server and Trunk/Signaling Gateway functions for the network. Scaling from 16 to 80xT1, the MG2510 is a fully redundant carrier-class platform for tones and announcements, voice compression and transcoding, echo cancellation, and SS7 gateway functions. In smaller deployments (up to 15,000 subscriber lines), a VP2510 combines the CA9020 and MG2510 functions to give a true single-box voice switching solution. The Cisco AS5000 family voice gateways provide Trunk Gateway functions for the network, suitable for distributed deployments requiring a variety of size trunk gateways and growth flexibility, from the 8xT1 AS5350XM to 5xDS3 AS5850. For larger deployments, Cisco MGX8880 Trunk Gateways provide cost-effective scaling from as low as 48xT1s up to multiple DS3, ChOC-3 or ChOC-12 interfaces. The MGX 8880 fully equipped provides a density of up to 120,960 DS0 equivalents per 7’ rack with full stateful redundancy. Residential triple-play services are provided via Multimedia Terminal Adaptors (MTA), including those from Scientifc Atlanta (recently acquired by Cisco) or Linksys Analog Telephone Adaptors (ATAs). Business-oriented services can be deployed using any combination of MTAs, Cisco 7900 series IP phones or Cisco 2400 series Integrated Access Devices (IADs) to provide a rich variety of Centrex services or trunks to customer PBX systems.
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Cisco Systems, Inc. / MetaSwitch COMPETE! Solution Executive Brief
COMPETE! Network Architecture
The COMPETE! architecture includes configurations that support both single location and multiple site deployments. Figure 1, below, shows a typical COMPETE! deployment with CA9020 servers, CMTS and MG2510 gateways in a single site.
IP CNAM 2431
SIP
PBX MetaSwitch CA9020
NCS SIP SIP
LAN
SIP
Cisco uBR CMTS CM or eMTA
NCS
SBC
SIP carrier
7900 Phones
SS7
SS7
MetaSwitch MG2510 HD STB
IMT MF ISDN
PSTN
Figure 1: Typical COMPETE! Deployment
Figure 2 shows a smaller deployment with just a VP2510 added to the cable operator’s existing infrastructure.
IP CNAM
CM or eMTA
Cisco uBR CMTS
NCS+SIP
SBC
SIP
SIP carrier
NCS
SS7
HD STB
MetaSwitch VP2510
IMT MF ISDN
SS7
PSTN
Figure 2: Minimal COMPETE! Deployment
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Cisco Systems, Inc. / MetaSwitch COMPETE! Solution Executive Brief
Figure 3 shows a large multi-site deployment with geographically distributed CA9020 servers and MG2510 / MGX8880 gateways, illustrating how multiple gateways may be deployed across different sites as needed in order to match the local trunk capacity requirements.
IP CNAM
LAN
MetaSwitch CA9020
SIP NCS SIP SS7
SBC
SIP SIP carrier Carrier
SS7 SS7
IP Backbone
PBX
FAX
PSTN
MetaSwitch MG2510
LAN
PSTN PSTN
Cisco MGX88xx
Figure 3: Large multi-site COMPETE! Deployment
The routers forming the IP backbone have been omitted from the figures above for clarity. However, Cisco’s broad range of carrier-grade IP routers, supporting Quality of Service (for prioritization of voice over data traffic) and security, is a key part of the COMPETE! solution. As part of bringing the COMPETE! solution to market, MetaSwitch and Cisco Systems have ensured compatibility across all components including IP infrastructure, and trained their highly talented systems engineers to assist with the design and planning of carriers’ networks for capacity, quality and security.
About Cisco Systems and MetaSwitch
While technology is important, it is also vital that cable operators understand the companies behind the technology – both to understand what kind of partners they will be throughout the deployment process, and to be confident that the vendors will still be around to provide support and product upgrades in a few years’ time. Both Cisco Systems and MetaSwitch stand out from the crowd due to their financial strength and technology leadership.
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Cisco Systems, Inc. / MetaSwitch COMPETE! Solution Executive Brief
MetaSwitch
As a division of Data Connection, MetaSwitch leverages 25 years’ experience supplying communications technology and support to the leading service providers including Verizon, SBC and BT, and major equipment vendors including Cisco Systems, Lucent and Nortel. Our unparalleled expertise is derived from success developing world-leading products including the core protocols (MGCP/TGCP/NCS, Megaco/H.248, MPLS, IP Routing, SIP, …), applications (unified messaging, conferencing, …) and next generation switching technology (MetaSwitch Class 4/5 IMS Softswitch). MetaSwitch’s awardwinning softswitch is easy to deploy and delivers reliable, toll-quality voice, with a full range of Class 5 and IP Centrex services plus Class 4 tandem capabilities. Data Connection is a relentlessly profitable and stable private company, creating a basis for long-term investment and growth that ensures our ability to fund ongoing product investment and deliver first-class customer support. MetaSwitch has more than a dozen locations across the U.S. including its primary sales, marketing and customer support offices in Alameda (California) and Reston (Virginia), with worldwide headquarters in London, UK.
Cisco Systems, Inc.
Cisco Systems is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Today, networks are an essential part of business, education, government and home communications, and Cisco Internet Protocol-based (IP) networking solutions are the foundation of these networks. Cisco hardware, software, and service offerings are used to create Internet solutions that allow individuals, companies, and countries to increase productivity, improve customer satisfaction and strengthen competitive advantage. The Cisco name has become synonymous with the Internet, as well as with the productivity improvements that Internet business solutions provide. At Cisco, our vision is to change the way people work, live, play and learn. Cisco Systems was founded in 1984 by a small group of computer scientists from Stanford University. Since the company’s inception, Cisco engineers have been leaders in the development of Internet Protocol (IP)-based networking technologies. Today, with more than 48,000 employees worldwide, Cisco remains committed to creating networks that are smarter, thanks to built-in intelligent network services; faster, in their ability to perform at ever-increasing speeds; and more durable, with a generational approach to an evolutionary infrastructure.
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Cisco Systems, Inc. / MetaSwitch COMPETE! Solution Executive Brief
Summary
Consumers have embraced multimedia and demand increasingly sophisticated service packages. As today’s teenagers become tomorrow’s buyers, cable operators must deliver everything these customers need – or risk losing all of their business to a competitor – at the same time as reaching out to profitable new markets, such as small and medium businesses. Together, Cisco Systems and MetaSwitch are providing cable operators with a smooth, secure migration from today’s cable networks, that were designed for a single service, to the full multi-service, multimedia IP architecture embraced by PacketCable 2.0, which will be the foundation for MSO success for decades to come. COMPETE!: The Combined Strength of Two VoIP Leaders.
For Further Information
For further information, please visit www.metaswitch.com/COMPETE, or contact your local Cisco or MetaSwitch sales representative.
Notice
Cisco is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. MetaSwitch and Data Connection are registered trademarks of Data Connection Corporation and Data Connection Limited. Other brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Cisco Systems and MetaSwitch reserve the right to alter product specifications without notice. Copyright © 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. and MetaSwitch, a division of Data Connection Ltd. All rights reserved.
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