VoIP Components
Although a very different technology and approach to providing voice services, some of the same component concepts that make up the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) are also found in VoIP environments. VoIP supported networks must perform all of the same tasks that the PSTN does, in addition to performing data and signaling gateway functions to the existing public network. No matter which vendor solution, protocol, or architecture selected, there are certain VoIP components that must exist for the technology to function properly.
Though different vendors may have different names for these components, there are four major
components or functions that can be found in any VoIP environment, they are:
- the IP network
- call processor/controllers
- media/signaling gateways
- subscriber terminals
