A media gateway is a device that converts data from one format to another, allowing it to be accessed by different platforms. It preserves data integrity while converting it to a recognizable format. It is commonly used in teleconferencing and has three types: circuit breaker, IP gateway, and channel bank.
Media gateways are any type of device that allows the conversion of data from one format to another. This type of application is extremely useful when moving data from one platform or network to a site that uses different criteria for data shape and structure. The media gateway is a common device used in both home and office systems set up to send and receive data over the Internet, as well as most private networks used by multi-site businesses.
Sometimes referred to as a softswitch, the purpose of the media gateway is to preserve the integrity of data as it moves from a point of origin to a point of termination. At the same time, the gateway will allow the data to be converted from its original format to a recognizable format on the receiving side. This means that even if the end user uses a different set of programs than the sender, the data can still be accessed and the information used.
A common application of a media gateway is found in the teleconferencing industry. As an alternative to using international toll-free numbers, you can set up a media gateway at a local switch. When someone in the switch area wants to join a conference call based in another country, the individual dials a number assigned to the gateway. The media gateway converts the digital phone transmission into a data stream and routes the stream across the Internet to another media gateway located at the same receiving point. The second media gateway reads the data stream and then converts the information into a format that can be read and received by the teleconferencing link equipment. This process allows international participants to join a conference call without creating any additional expense for the conference originator.
Three common examples of media gateways include a circuit breaker, an IP gateway, and a channel bank. These different types of gateways can provide a single portal for data conversion or be located at different points in the transmission process. For example, the media gateway process might involve terminating channels from a circuit-switched network to a different type of network or converting streaming media into packets handled by a packet-switched network, as is the case with the sending RPT streams over an IP network.
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