It is independent of the hardware since it can be easily installed on a computer or on a laptop which are quite portable. Also, its new version whenever is released is very easy to download. So you can also easily upgrade it.
Yet another benefit of using softswitch is that it can be expanded easily by simply purchasing the extensions.
Types of Softswitch:
They are classified as either class 4 Softswitch or class 5 Softswitch
The basic difference between these two is that a Class 5 Softswitch routes the calls between the users who are in a small area like a town or a city, a state or a country, whereas a Class 4 softswitch routes the calls between the users over long distance like two countries at a long distance. It can also be said that a class 4 switch routes the calls between different class 5 areas.
A class 4 sofswitch is mostly used for business that requires communicating all over the world, since it can interconnect their VoIP servers. It is able to route huge volume of long-distance VoIP calls. It can filter information by different parameters like client, date, etc. through which reports can be generated about all the incoming and outgoing calls, unauthorized calls, traffic volume and call routing. On the other hand, class 5 softswitch is used a relatively small business having its operations within a country.
A class 5 softswitch is also called an IP switch and is used to connect the phones and other devices to each other by routing calls to the correct IP address, SIP address or DID number. It also allows the users to enjoy features like auto attendant, video conferencing, call transfer, call waiting, call identification and call forwarding, etc. VoIP providers make use of it to meter minutes so as to raise an automatic bill for the customers.
However, some networks make use of both of them class 4 as well as class 5 Softswitch.
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