Sonus Networks shrunk the form factor in a new border switch but still found room to incorporate session border control functionality to the gear.

The new Network Border Switch (NBS) also support security features and media gateway services. It is designed specifically to provide carrier-class IP-peering and security capability to small IP-based voice networks and to less-densely populated regions of larger IP-based networks.

Hassan Ahmed, chairman and CEO of Sonus said that while the core is still the biggest piece of the voice-over-IP market, the edge is definitely becoming mainstream.

As edge solutions become mainstream new requirements are needed, particularly around security.

This new switch is aimed squarely at solving many of the border security issues you can encounter with VoIP both in wireless and wireline networks,” Ahmed said.
This combination of security and switching also fulfills predictions over the last year or so that the role of session border controllers would be consumed by the softswitch.

“The NBS has all the capabilities of our standard products and the additional edge security that an SBC brings. In the long term, there really isn’t a sustainable standalone SSBC market,” Ahmed said.

The new box combines session control, PSTN gateway services and security into a single system. It is a purpose-built, IP-based solution that allows network operators to leverage the system’s media handling functionality; IP signaling options that include SIP, SIP-T and H.323; network address and port translation features; session-based firewall functionality; and advanced traffic control features.

The smaller form factor also reflects the growing diversity of Sonus’ customer base, which includes wireless and smaller tiered players.