Foreword.


Introduction.


1. Protocols and Topologies of the New PSTN.

The Continuing Evolution of the VoIP Protocol Stack. H.323: More Efficient Ways to Signal, with a Common Denominator. MGCP and NCS. SIP (RFC2543). The SDP Protocol: RFC 2327 with Extensions in RFC 2848 (PINT). Codecs, Tones, Faxes. H.248: The Megaco Protocol. SCTP: Stream Control Transport Protocol (RFC2960). Transport Adapter Layer Interface (TALI). Signaling Transport User Adaptation Layer Protocols: M3UA, M2UA, SUA, and IUA. Firewalls. Other Protocols.

2. Topologies, Equipment, and Communications.

Wireline, Point-to-Point Access Network. Service Provider End Office. Concluding Observations. Signaling, Media, and Platforms: The Necessities.

3. SONET and DWDM Technology Overview: The Present and the Future.

The Basics.

4. The Pursuit of QoS in Packet Networks.

From Best Effort Service to Predictable Performance. Concluding Comments.

5. H.323: The Next Generation.

Protocol Overview. Registration, Admission, Status (RAS). Call Setup and Termination. H.323 over UDP. Ad Hoc Conferencing. Feature Call Flows. Firewalls.

6. Media Gateway Control Protocol.

Protocol Overview. Media Gateway Initialization and Registration with the Softswitch. Call Setup and Termination. MGCP-ISUP Interworking. Special Call Flows. SDP Protocol Review.

7. H.248: Megaco Protocol.

Protocol Overview. Registration with the MGC and Initialization. Call Setup. Extensions and Enhancements to Basic Megaco Signaling. Concluding Remarks.

8. SIP: The Evolution of the Session Initiation Protocol.

Protocol Overview. Basic Signaling with SIP Endpoints. SIP-PSTN Interworking. Compliance and Failure Scenarios.

9. PSTN Signaling Adaptation and Transport.

PSTN Protocols over IP. SCTP. M2UA. M3UA. Transport Adapter Layer Interface (TALI). Fax Relay in IP Networks. General Observations on Testing Issues. Keeping Track of the Objective. Direction in LAN Equipment Infrastructure.

Appendix A: Call Capacity Considerations.


Appendix B: Abbreviations and Acronyms.


Index.