The V-SERVER iGATE is a 2-analog-voice-port VoIP (voice over IP) and data integrated access device (IAD). The analog voice ports of the iGATE can be configured to any of the following combinations by the users: 2 FXS, 2 FXO or 1 FXS and 1 FXO. The iGATE becomes a VoIP gateway device when the analog ports are configured to FXO and PSTN line is connected. The iGATE obtains Internet access through its ISDN port, Ethernet port or the optional Serial port. When the iGATE’s ISDN or Serial port is used as the WAN connection, the iGATE’s Ethernet port and the built-in router function with DHCP , NAT and traffic priority routing control enable users to built a private LAN behind the iGATE.
The V-SERVER iGATE provides an ISDN Basic Rate Interface port (U or S/T) for Internet connection. The iGATE's Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation (DBA) function, if enabled, serves as a “bandwidth on-demand” feature to automatically bring up or bring down ISDN channels according to the volume of the network traffic. Also, a unique "wake-up " feature is provided for the ISDN connection that enables the iGATE to receive incoming VoIP calls when the connection (B channels) is not
active.
ISDN Connection
The iGATE has a 10BaseT Ethernet port for WAN or LAN connection: 1). This port can be directly connected to a router, DSL modem or Cable modem to access the Internet when the ISND or optional Serial port is not used. 2). When the ISDN or Serial port is used as the WAN connection, with the built-in router and NAT feature of the iGATE, user can connect one or more PC and other network devices behind this port and give them data access to the Internet through the same ISDN or Serial connection.
The iGATE also provides a serial port as an option. The port can be configured to support the following connection types: 1). Async for PPP dialup connection (external Modem required). 2). Sync for direct PPP via V.35 and Frame Relay . More options may be made available in the future.
Serial Port Connection (Optional)
The iGATE's built-in router function and Network Address Translation (NAT ) protocol enable users to set up their own private LAN without a router when the ISDN or Serial port connection is used. In this setup, voice calls, Fax and data transmission can go through the iGATE simultaneously through the ISDN or Serial port connection. The iGATE's traffic priority routing feature, if enabled, gives the voice traffic higher priority than the data traffic and thus, ensures the voice quality.
The iGATE also provides access control (basic firewall feature) and host exposure functions.
Router and Networking
The Dynamic Dialing Administrator or DDA is software package that provides RAS (Registration, Admission and Status) server function and call routing server function to the V-SERVER iGATE and other TEK DigiTel products. Add-on packages to the DDA also provide software update, DDA Roaming, CDR Server , Calling Card server and DDA Voice Gateway functionalities.
Full version of the DDA is only available for the Linux operating System. However, the iGATE itself can provide some basic functions of the DDA, provided that the option is enabled by proper software key from the TEK DigiTel.
Dynamic Dialing Administrator (Not Part of the iGATE)
Call routing and call control in V-SERVER iGATE is achieved by either through TEK DigiTel's proprietary Dynamic Dialing Administrator (DDA) or an H.323 Gatekeeper.
A special ATPM (Address Translation and Parsing Module) mode is also available as an option for the user to manually configure the call routing table in the iGATE directly.
Call Routing and Call Control
The latest version of iGATE firmware supports H.323 V3 (V4 is coming soon). In addition to work with an H.323 gatekeeper, the iGATE also has the ability to send or receive calls to/from an H.323 gateway directly without a gatekeeper. The iGATE can work with a variety of other vendors’ H.323 gatekeepers and
gateways.
H.323
The iGATE provides 2 analog phone ports that can be configured to FXS or FXO individually by the users. When a phone port is FXS, a phone set can be directly connected to the iGATE and user can make outgoing calls or receive incoming calls. When a phone port is FXO, a PSTN phone line can be connected to the port and through the line, a user on the PSTN network can receive calls or make calls from/to the Internet through the iGATE. If there is another iGATE connected to the Internet at a different geographical location, calls can be made between the 2 local PSTN telephone users through these 2 units.
The iGATE provides various dialing mechanisms for both DDA calls and H.323 calls to accommodate users requirements.
The iGATE also provides hunt group function and hotline (PLAR ) function.
The iGATE comes with user-friendly GUI configuration tools. Configuration can be done by the GUI tool through a PC directly connected to the iGATE's console port or through a remote PC via Telnet. Configuration to the iGATE also can be done through a SNMP manager. A centralized configuration and management server, the Configuration Server is also available with the DDA package. The iGATE also can be configured by keypad commands (DTMF commands ) from a touch-tone telephone set connected to the unit or by command line commands from any terminal emulator software either via local console or remote Telnet.
Configuration and Management