A Media Server is a network element that may be shared across several applications and provides media resource functions such as: play/record announcements, audio/video conferencing, transcoding, DTMF detection, Audio/Video Streaming ,IVR, ASR, TTS and others.

Media Servers (MS) have become an important element of modern VoIP networks and emerging IMS deployments, as service providers are looking for voice, video and multimedia enhanced services that attract revenue generating customers.

One of the main driving factors for the Media Server business line is the emerging IMS and the Fixed Mobile Convergence deployments. IMS is a unified network architecture that enables the delivery of converged services and a consistent user experience, regardless of the access technology (wireline, wireless, cable, etc.). The IMS framework was initially defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and subsequently it has been chosen by multiple standard organizations as a building block for additional access networks like: 3GPP2 for CDMA-based cellular access, PacketCable 2.0 next generation standard for cable access and fixed network standards group ETSI/TISPAN that is brining in additional requirements to handle fixed networks from a common IMS core network.

IMS is becoming a reality in both the GSM and CDMA markets due to the creation and deployment of new voice messaging, audio streaming and video streaming services being introduced for the enterprise and consumer communities. Service provider architects and network equipment providers are requiring access to a common media resource server for enhanced services creation. The Media Resource Function (MRF) as defined by IMS standards, aiming to provide a decoupled and flexible architecture, thanks to an optional split of the Media Resource Function Control (MRFC) and the Media Resource Function Processor (MRFP).

This element has become widely accepted as a common platform for all applications deployed in the network that require media processing.

Below is an IMS/NGN network diagram depicting the role of the MS/MRF in the solution. The Media Server is controlled either by the MRFC (or a SSW) using H.248 or MGCP or by the Application Server through SIP,control protocol and a markup language/extension sort (eg: VoiceXML, MSCML).

AudioCodes Media Server Solutions
AudioCodes IPmedia 2000/3000/5000/8000 platforms are particularly suitable for NGN, IMS Media Servers/MRF network elements, enabling the following applications:

• Conference servers
• Announcement servers
• IVRs
• Prepaid and postpaid calling card
• Call centers
• Voicemail and unified messaging
• IP Centrex/Hosted PBX
• Wireless 2G VAD services
• Wireless 3GPP – IMS Fixed Mobile Convergence server (MRF)
• Transcoding (including mandatory wireless coders support, AMR, EVRC, etc.)
• Tapping/replication – legal interception, push-to-talk, music-on-hold
• Recording servers
• Speech-enabled services – command & control, speech portals and voice dialing

• IMS-compliant, field proven, H.248 control protocol. MGCP is also available. Advanced Audio services are provided via standard H.248 and PacketCable Packages
• SIP/NETANN/MSCML and VxML standards extension for advanced audio functions

• Graceful Migration (2G ® 3G, G.7xx ® AMR, AMR-WB, G.729ev, etc.)
• Support for H.248 and SIP on same platform/hardware (Software Upgrade only)
• Support for broad range of voice coders, including wireline and wireless on the same platform

Carrier Grade Solution

• Designed for 5 9’s availability with no single point of failure
• Redundant common modules - Power Supply, Fans, Ethernet Switches, Shelf Controllers
• Cost-effective N+1 MRF blades redundancy architecture
• Hot Redundancy - Uninterrupted call upon switchover
• Security-IPSEC/ SSL/SRTP mechanisms

The IPmedia systems and blades are the densest in the industry. We currently support up to 16, 128 media processing channels on 12U, 19’’ shelf (the IPmedia 8000). The IPmedia platforms are based on the same MRF blades (Hardware and Software), including the SIP/H.248 interfaces. This provides the flexibly to choose different platform sizes per different POPs, while leveraging the one-time interoperability and testing investment and benefiting from harmonized spare parts inventory.

• Hundreds of systems deployed in NGN carriers
• Interoperability with major market players