C15 Compact Softswitch

IP is the future of telecom success, yet for many service providers, traditional voice is a vital part of a profitable bottom line. Now you can have the best of both worlds -- a pathway to the IP future while maximizing traditional voice revenue -- with the GENBAND C15.

The GENBAND C15 is a second-generation Carrier VoIP softswitch that provides a powerful platform for IP communication services while continuing to meet subscriber demand for traditional voice services. This IMS-ready softswitch is ideally suited for small and medium-sized service providers. It offers the full range of legacy network interfaces and regulatory features needed in today's network operations environment. Service providers who use existing GENBAND DMS-10 and DMS-100 equipment, or DCO and EWSD solutions, will benefit from the C15's easy migration and reuse of legacy line equipment.

Full IP Integration

The C15 opens a clear IP roadmap. Service providers typically upgrade to a softswitch platform to gain the ability to manage IP access devices and services. The GENBAND C15 delivers the protocols and services needed to support IP communications services. IP services are tightly integrated with PSTN services in this softswitch, ensuring subscribers enjoy a transparent communication experience regardless of access method.


Expansive Capabilities

It provides the features consumers want, and the functionality service providers need. This robust softswitch offers a wide range of IP voice services, access methods and capabilities. Those include fully featured residential service, VoIP with service transparency, and Centrex/Centrex IP and fully-featured SIP lines with service transparency. Other supported features include directory number hunt, local number portability, end office or Access Tandem operation.

The C15 service architecture incorporates a SIP proxy server and a back-to-back user agent. A convenient Graphical User Interface allows quick and easy provisioning, while a robust Web-based portal allows subscriber self-care and advanced voice application control. The C15 features integrated voice mail, multi-port conference capabilities and AMA collection. Other features include SS7 A link concentration, AIN 0.1, E911, CALEA surveillance and call logging.


Clear Operational Benefits

The GENBAND C15 offers measurable IP communications advantages. It combines a compact physical footprint with high-port density, providing scalability and modular growth and very affordable start-up costs for smaller systems. The C15 features low power consumption: just 530 Watts in the starter system and 1152 Watts when fully configured.

With an IP infrastructure and switching fabric, this GENBAND softswitch delivers a fully feature set for both IP and TDM subscribers. The C15 features an integrated session border controller (SBC), integrated TDM gateways for seamless inter-working between VoIP and TDM subscribers, and native SIP call control. By leveraging the C15, service providers can re-use existing GENBAND (Nortel) line peripherals, while positioning themselves to fully exploit future IP applications.


An Open IP-Based Architecture

GENBAND’s C15 has a simple architecture that consists of an IP fabric and Ethernet transport between a Core Module and scalable gateway Port Modules. That architecture includes:

Core Module (CM). The Core Module provides the processing for voice and media services, maintenance, administration and provisioning. The CM also provides the IP fabric for connecting media and voice endpoints. The CM is internally redundant and is provided in a 2U rack mount chassis.

Port Module (PM). The Port Module provides the gateway function for TDM interfaces. Port modules are matched to the specific type of required interface. DS-1, DS-3, and DS-30A [Copper interface to GENBAND (Nortel) specific peripherals] interfaces are provided. The PM is internally redundant and is provided in a 1U rack mount chassis. The PM also provides fully integrated and selectable session border control.

Application Server. This application platform enables supplemental services, including announcements, unified messaging, conferencing, and web server for advanced subscriber feature control and self care. Application Servers are provided in a redundant pair of 1U chassis.

Alarm Module. The Alarm Module provides collection and reporting of alarms.

The C15 core and gateway port modules are packaged in an AdvancedTCA® chassis and are interconnected with GigaBit Ethernet. This open architecture supports a wide range of deployment topologies. Because the switching core of the C15 is a true IP fabric, it provides the foundation that service providers need today, while establishing a robust and flexible foundation to support future service offerings. To meet geographic requirements, optical Ethernet transport solutions may be used to distribute the core module and the gateway port modules.

A true IP/SIP softswitch, the C15’s small size and simple design help reduce engineering and installation costs. The C15 core control, gateway port modules, and operations administration and maintenance interfaces are all housed in a single chassis solution. This compact approach is economical for small offices and conveniently scales to support much larger applications. As communication needs increase, gateway port modules are easily added to serve that growth. The C15 can be deployed to replace an existing TDM switch or as an IP overlay to the network.


A Clear Path to IMS

The GENBAND C15 opens a clear and logical roadmap to IMS. The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is a standards-based architecture that enables access and service convergence in an IP environment. The C15 leverages the SIP signaling standards as its native protocol, giving this GENBAND softswitch built-in IMS compatibility.

Get the best of both worlds: A solid foundation for IP success ... and a cost-effective way to leverage existing infrastructure to deliver reliable and profitable traditional voice services.