Net2Phone works with each operator to understand their specific cable telephony business and operational objectives and then helps them to design an entire telephony solution that meets those requirements. Depending on existing business processes and systems, Net2Phone customizes the solution to leverage the operator's legacy systems and processes where applicable.

Network and System Engineering
Net2Phone’s implementation team works with cable operator engineers to design an optimal VoIP topology that uses the operator’s HFC network and IP Backbone and connects to the PSTN. While each deployment will have unique design characteristics, the fundamental architecture is represented by the conceptual network and systems architecture displayed in Figure 1. The architecture consists of two self-contained segments engineered to optimize:

• Voice quality, network and systems availability
• System and economic scalability
• Local and long distance termination costs

Net2Phone engineers assess the operator's existing and planned HFC plant and IP Backbone to architect the optimal telephony network that provides a fully managed quality of service. This exercise also involves projecting traffic size in order to develop a solution that can handle peak capacity demands and scale accordingly.

Example VoIP Trial Network Architecture
Click here to download full-size diagram (PDF)

Configuration Highlights
Some highlights of the configuration shown in Figure 1 include:

• Multiple Data Links for Network Management
  The service remains fully operational even in the event of primary link failure between Net2Phone and the operator. All off-net calls are directed to the local operator VoIP segment. Management data utilizes the backup data link (VPN tunnel).
  • Dedicated Point-to-Point Connectivity will be established between the operator and Net2Phone as the primary signaling path for data (control and management functions) and may also be used for voice transport to and from the Net2Phone VoIP gateway segment.
  • VPN Tunnel will be established through the Internet as a back-up management link between Net2Phone and the operator. This link is only used for data (control and management functions) between Net2Phone and the operator in the event of point-to-point connectivity failure.
• Traffic Prioritization
  RTP and MGCP have priority within the network over management or other data packets.
• Redundant Carriers & Redundant Equipment
  Should one facility from any carrier fail, a back-up facility exists from another carrier. In addition, actual facilities and loops are provisioned with redundancy to minimize single points of failure. The CMS (softswitch) is deployed in a redundant configuration. The gateways implement highly reliable configurations. Separate gateways are used for each PRI or SS7 facility and can serve as a cold spare if needed.
• In-Band and Out-of-Band Remote Equipment Management
  All systems are monitored using standard management protocols such as SNMP and can be managed remotely through the redundant data links.

Business Process Development
Net2Phone recognizes the impact that implementing and supporting Voice Services will have on the current operator business processes. To that end, Net2Phone provides the operator with the tools and training needed to not only launch and support Voice, but to successfully integrate the new voice business into existing cable operator business processes as well. To accomplish smooth process assimilation, Net2Phone has developed and documented the following business processes for which Net2Phone will provide training and support during the cable telephony launch:

• Voice Subscriber Provisioning Process
• Back-end Billing System Processes (interfaces between: Net2Phone and operator; Net2Phone and local banks; Net2Phone and operator-selected third party vendors)
• Back-of-House Billing Business Processes (credits, payments adjustments, manager approval processes)
• Service Activation and Deactivation Processes
• Telecom Support Methods and Procedures for Customer Service Reps
• Network Operations Escalation Procedures (change management and emergency outage procedures)

Systems Customization and Deployment
A key operating principle of the Net2Phone solution recognizes that the MSO must leverage its existing assets and capabilities in order to deploy a successful telephony effort. Whether it is the activation and provisioning system or the existing billing systems, the operator requires the flexibility to coordinate a truck roll for activating high speed data and voice as well as the ability to integrate the two services into one customer invoice. Net2Phone is prepared to customize the solution to conform with the legacy systems and processes of the operator.

Based on the operator's requirements, the size and scope of the deployment can be optimally configured. The network elements including the softswitch, gateways, media servers, and QoS elements down to the IP interconnect are all deployed to that end, providing the operator with a robust cost-effective cable telephony solution.

 
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