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The Converged Network Framework
Overview
The Excel platform enables developers to move existing and new applications into the next generation converged network framework. It provides a feature-rich, multi-protocol, multi-functional platform with proven Internet Protocol (IP) and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) capabilities.
The Excel platform supports two types of signaling protocols:
• Session: Includes Session-Initiation Protocol (SIP) User Agent and H.323
• Transport: Includes Real-Time Protocol/Real-Time Control Protocol (RTP/RTCP)
SIP allows the Excel platform to act as an IP Service Node, providing application services and media resources to a softswitch or SIP proxy server. A softswitch or SIP proxy server uses SIP to hand off a call requiring call treatment with partner-developed applications resident on the host. The SIP software is embedded in the Matrix Controller Series 3 card and interacts with host applications the same way that other Layer 3 circuit-based protocols do, such as SS7 ISUP and ISDN.
The H.323 protocol is used for multimedia conferencing over packet networks. H.323 allows multimedia communication devices to interoperate regardless of the type of connection devices on the network.
The H.323 is embedded in the IP Signaling Series 3 card. The Excel H.323 offering on the Excel platform provides both signaling and media capability, so application developers do not need to add these features separately.
RTP and RTCP streams are transported to the media gateways using the VDAC-ONE card.