Whether the goal is to migrate from legacy TDM to Unified Communications and achieve better collaboration and increase productivity or it is to reduce operating expenses by deploying SIP Trunking solutions, UX platform based devices make it all easy for Enterprises.
• UX has built-in H/W based security and VoIP aware Firewall that when clubbed with other service security features like Connection Admission Control, Topology Hiding, etc. provide a complete IP border security solution for Enterprises when deploying SIP Trunks.
• UX interoperates with a variety of IP & TDM Vendors and Service Providers thus lowering the risk of migration to Unified Communications for enterprises.
• UX seamlessly integrates into the corporate network with its powerful AD Integration feature that allows Enterprises to leverage the existing AD database to authenticate users for monitoring and management.
• UX has advanced built-in features like Call-Forking and intelligent AD based call-routing that make the task of migration to UC very easy for Enterprises.
• UX is a high performance platform that can serve the UC and SIP Trunking needs of a large Enterprise HQ.
• UX is a properly sized Microsoft Lync SBA that can serve larger and smaller Enterprise branches alike.
• UX has built-in survivability features that allow Enterprises to fall-back to the backup mode of communication in case of an outage, may it be via a PSTN PRI/BRI or a secondary SIP trunk or even IP connectivity over a 3G/4G connection.
• UX can host 3rd party Integrated Applications that enhance Enterprise experience such as WAN Optimization solution, Call Recording solution, Billing Solution, etc.
Enterprise networks today are more diverse with remote branch offices, teleworkers and mobile employees. Protecting information exchange in such networks is a challenge, not to mention protecting it from “outside” attacks. It is also imperative for an enterprise to ensure un-interrupted service for remote/mobile workers in case of an outage. And for large enterprises that own equipment from multiple vendors, interoperability also adds to these challenges. It has thus become necessary for Enterprises to deploy a solution that unifies these different modes of communication to achieve the higher goal of employee collaboration and improve business agility – a solution known as Unified Communications.
To enable the new era of unified communications and collaboration, Enterprises need to integrate their communications into business process and leverage IP networks to reduce operational expenses and improve productivity. To achieve this level of collaboration, enterprises must ensure that they have the right equipment deployed in their network. Such highly evolved and powerful enterprise networks need
• A device that is built for the future, not on old technologies. • A device that can secure enterprise IP network from the public networks.
• A device that can interoperate with other IP devices and services in the network.
• A device that works with legacy analog devices like fax machines and legacy TDM PBX networks.
• A device that can host 3rd party Apps to enhance Enterprise networks and solutions.
• A device that is classified today as an Enterprise Session Border Controller (E-SBC)
No more punching holes through the firewall means better security
Enterprises usually want to hide their network from the outside world. The most common way to do this is setup a firewall and/or setup NATs. Firewall traversal for Voice over IP (VoIP) calls requires an IT administrator to open up multiple communication ports defeating the very purpose of firewalls. NAT traversal on the other hand causes problems with SIP trunking providers as the SIP protocol carries network information in it (like the IP address) that the service providers don’t understand. E-SBC can alleviate these problems by sitting right at the network border and implementing a back-to-back user agent solution that keeps both the sides happy. For enterprises with multiple branch offices and mobile workforce, an E-SBC can protect the information exchange by securing the signaling (via TLS/MTLS) and the media (via SRTP). Not just that, an E-SBC can protect against any network attacks (like denial of service attacks) that an enterprise network may be vulnerable to, a cherry on top of the cake.
Better interoperability means no more worries about vendor incompatibilitiesIn a multivendor environment, incompatibilities between two standards-based systems are fairly common. Whether it’s a legacy PBX trying to talk to the PSTN over a different protocol or an IP-PBX trying to talk to a SIP Trunk (Service) Provider that doesn’t support same voice codecs or an uncertified SIP phone trying to talk to Unified Communications server like Microsoft Lync, an E-SBC can make it all possible. More over SIP Trunks are usually certified to one version
Moreover, SIP trunks are often only certified with one version of a UC solution thus requiring enterprises to implement the certified version of the UC solution. Deploying an E-SBC enables enterprises to handle the version mismatches and incompatibilities without requiring them to upgrade their UC solution or wait for the SIP trunk provider to get certified for the newer version, which may take very a long time.
Seamless Failover Solutions means Stand-Alone-Survivability (SAS) for Enterprise Branch Offices
Though IP networks are a lot more reliable than they used to be, occasional service interruptions are a possibility. Such service outages may leave a branch office out of commission till the service is restored. Loss of ability to make or receive calls in such a scenario can cost dearly to an enterprise. An E-SBC deployed at the Branch Office can ensure that all calls are routed via PSTN incase such a backup is available.
More FeaturesVoIP has evolved over the years with addition of a plethora of new features that enhance user’s communication experience. Not all service providers support all the available features. An E-SBC can fill these holes if the service provider doesn’t provide these functionalities. For example, in absence of call-transfer support from the service provider, an E-SBC can still allow enterprise users to easily transfer calls in and out of the enterprise network.
More OptionsIf an enterprise has multiple service providers, an E-SBC can detect outage at one service provider and route all new calls to the other active service provider thus ensuring that the communication is not hampered. If there is an outage at an enterprise branch, an E-SBC can automatically switch over to the backup route.
More SavingsIt is no news that SIP trunking has far more cost benefits than its TDM based counterpart. To leverage these benefits, enterprises need not throw away all that they have already invested in and buy new equipment needed for the shift. Instead, an E-SBC can enable easy migration by providing solutions that seamlessly transition enterprises to SIP trunking. Moreover, an E-SBC can enforce bandwidth constraints, route traffic based on least cost, determine codecs by dial plans and avoid the PSTN when possible.