Understanding The Difference Between A Class 4 And Class 5 Soft Switch

By Author: Donny Jenkins
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A softswitch on a VoIP network connects IP-to-IP phone calls and controls connections at the junction stage between packet-switched and circuit-switched networks. Where VoIP is concerned, a softswitch is classified as either Class 4 or Class Five.

A Class 4 softswitch paths large volumes of long-distance Voice over internet protocol calls. For companies that want to interconnect their VoIP servers, a Class Four softswitch secures the delivery of VoIP traffic and services more than multiple IP networks.

Features of a Class 4 softswitch include intelligent contact routing, which reduces congestion, latency and cost whilst improving the quality associated with VoIP calls, and a variety of security elements. Many Class 4 softswitches likewise incorporate a billing interface that provides call information records.
Intelligent Contact Routing - Uses sophisticated algorithms to reduce cost, latency, congestion, and also to improve the overall quality of VoIP phone calls.

Easy-To-Use User Interface - Provides a simple user interface for local or remote control management of maintenance, configuration, monitoring ...
... resources, software updates, firewall administration, etc. Choose between a web based GUI or a control line interface.

VoIP Billing Software -- Keeps track of user's account information and minutes used.

Billing Interface -- Overview of services supplied including Call Data Records (CDRs).

External Routing APIs - Fully manage routing through the use of programs with an integrated SVI in the existing infrastructure.

Security Features - Integrated Firewall, password and username protection, secure external protocols, and reports of any unauthorized access.

Additionally, a Class 4 softswitch can filter information by client, date or any other parameters to generate reports about incoming and outgoing calls, unauthorized calls, traffic quantity and call routing.
Another type of connection for a class 4 switch is called an entry tandem switch. This is when a class 4 switch connects to a long-distance telephone company, also known as an Interexchange carrier (IXCs). Much like a local tandem, the same process is repeated but the call travels abroad through the point of existence (PoP) provided by a good IXC. It then gains access to the class 4 changes in other countries and can interconnect towards the one it needs to achieve.

A Class 5 softswitch, on the other hand, serves to connect phones and other devices to one another. Also called an Internet protocol switch, a Class 5 softswitch routes calls towards the correct IP address, SIP address or Do number.

Additionally, a category 5 softswitch enables consumer features like auto attendant, call sending, call transfer, caller identification, call waiting, e-911 as well as video conferencing support. VoIP providers use Class 5 softswitches to gauge minutes so that they can bill customers automatically.

A Class 5 softswitch makes hosted IP-PBX (News - Notify) possible. Many of these softswitches supply IVR menus as well as a number of types of authorization. For example, authorization can be by IP-number and prefix, by a number, by PIN or even by login and password for Drink authorization.
VoIP companies use a specialized type of class 5 softswitch, which is sometimes called an “IP switch,” the “VoIP class five switch,” or some variation of that. VoIP course 5 switches work through the SIP process. When you make an IP call, what you're actually doing is connecting through the internet to your provider’s softswitch. The softswitch routes the phone call to the correct IP address, SIP address, or even DID number.

Some networks utilize a crossbreed softswitch like the Class 4/5 HDX softswitch from IXC.UA. The Class 4 component operates the tandem/transit exchange, while the Class Five component provides finish office solutions.

Classes 1 through 3 of softswitches are with regard to larger scale programs. Classes 2 and three connect cities, cities and even states, whilst Class 1 softswitches serve as international gateways.

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