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Cisco Media Gateway Controller (MGC) software operates on a UNIX platform and controls call routing between a traditional time-division multiplexing (TDM) network and a packet data network. Calls are routed through a variety of media gateways (MGW), which are separate devices, that perform the conversion between the TDM and data network formats. The Cisco MGC software uses a dial plan to determine how to map dialed numbers to other destination numbers, and it uses trunk routing information to determine routes and alternate routes for calls that pass through the MGW.
The Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 7 is part of the following solutions:
The supported media gateways for the Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Solution and the Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Voice Gateways Solution are the:
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Note Starting with Release 2.1 of Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution, the Cisco AS5200 can no longer be ordered. Cisco supports the existing installation base only. |
These access servers have hardware and software features to support bearer traffic, as follows:
The system consists of the following required components that are described in more detail in the "Media Gateway Components" section:
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Together these components create a system on an IP packet network that connects to a circuit-based TDM network.
Figure 1-1 provides a graphical representation of the Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution configuration and Figure 1-2 provides a graphical representation of the Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Voice Gateways Solution configuration.


This guide contains descriptions of the media gateway and supported solutions.
Descriptions and installation of the signaling controller and the Cisco SLT are contained in the Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 7 Installation and Configuration Guide. Table 1-1 provides a brief description of the required components.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
Cisco Signaling Link Terminals (Cisco SLTs) | The Cisco SLT handles the incoming and outgoing SS7 messages (MTP layer 1 and 2) from the Signal Transfer Points (STPs). All Cisco SLTs are active and carry traffic. Each Cisco SLT supports one or two SS7 links (one per port), and the links can sustain a maximum of 0.8 erlangs of traffic. The linksets are distributed across the Cisco SLTs to ensure availability and dependability. Each SLT in a pair can handle the entire signaling load in case of failure, with no impact to call processing.
Installation and configuration of the Cisco SLTs are described in the Cisco Media Gateway Controller Hardware Installation Guide. |
Signaling controller hosts | In addition to SS7 protocol interworking functions, the Cisco Media Gateway Controller provides system resource management (including the tracking of circuit IDs for ports on the media gateways when calls are assigned), call control (including originating and terminating call processing and signaling), usage measurements for accounting and management purposes, and alarms. Installation and configuration of the Cisco Signaling Controller hosts are described in the Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 7 Installation and Configuration Guide. |
Media gateway and supported solutions | The media gateway terminates the PSTN trunks, also referred to as bearer channels that carry the call traffic. The PSTN trunks are T1, E1, or T3 PRI interfaces. |
The Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers and Voice Gateways Solutions supports the following media gateways, as listed in Table 1-2.
| Access Gateway | Solution |
|---|---|
Cisco AS5200 | Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution only |
Cisco AS5300 | Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution and |
Cisco AS5800 | Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution only |
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Note Starting with Release 2.1 of Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution, the Cisco AS5200 can no longer be ordered. Cisco supports the existing installation base only. |
The Cisco AS5200 consists of the following components:
You can install one of the following feature cards in any of the three available slots:
In the two remaining slots, you can install carrier cards.
Figure 1-3 shows the front panel of the Cisco AS5200, and Figure 1-4 shows the rear panel.


The Cisco AS5300 chassis consists of the following components:
Figure 1-5 shows the front panel of the Cisco AS5300, and Figure 1-6 shows the rear panel.


The Cisco AS5300 chassis includes three card slots (see Figure 1-6) in which you can install a combination of cards.
In any single slot you can install either of the following cards:
In the remaining two slots, you can install either of the following cards:
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Note The Octal and Quad cards with serial support do not support Microcom cards. |
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Note For details on cards, installation, and troubleshooting, see Cisco AS5300 Universal Access Server Module Installation Guide. |
The Cisco AS5800 components include a Cisco 5814 dial shelf and a Cisco 7206 router shelf. An optional AC power shelf is also available. Feature cards in the dial shelf communicate with the host router shelf over a dial shelf interconnect cable. This nonblocking interconnect cable supports 100-Mbps, full-duplex data transfer.
The Cisco AS5800 is designed with environmental monitoring and reporting functions to help maintain normal system operation and resolve adverse environmental conditions prior to loss of operation. If conditions reach critical thresholds, the system shuts down to avoid equipment damage from excessive heat or electrical current.
Downloadable software and microcode allow you to load new software images into Flash memory remotely, without having to physically access the router shelf, for fast and reliable upgrades.
This section provides physical and functional overviews to familiarize you with your new Cisco AS5800. It contains physical descriptions of system hardware and major components, and functional descriptions of component features.
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Note Descriptions and examples of software commands appear in this document only when they are necessary for installing, configuring, or maintaining the system hardware. For additional software configuration information, refer to the Cisco AS5800 Universal Access Server Software Installation and Configuration Guide that shipped with your system. |
The following core system components are contained in the Cisco AS5800:
The Cisco AS5800 is designed to be rack-mounted. A rack-mount kit is included with each Cisco 5814 dial shelf and each Cisco 7206 router shelf. Each rack-mount kit provides the hardware needed to mount the dial shelf and router shelf in a standard, 19-inch equipment rack or standard telco rack. If you plan to use a 23-inch equipment-rack configuration, you must provide your own brackets or shelves to accommodate the Cisco 7206 router shelf and optional AC power supply.
Figure 1-7 shows a front view of a fully configured Cisco AS5800, and Figure 1-8 shows a rear view of the Cisco AS5800.


The Cisco AS5800 supports online insertion and removal (OIR), which allows you to remove and replace a dial shelf controller card or feature card while the system is operating, without affecting system operation.
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Posted: Fri Aug 25 14:21:09 PDT 2000
Copyright 1989-2000©Cisco Systems Inc.