News

What is a Session Border Controller (SBC)?

A Session Border Controller or SBC is a device that is deployed in SIP-based VoIP networks to protect and regulate communication sessions. In the early days of SBC, it was focused on the borders between service provider networks and controlling VoIP systems. Its role has expanded in regulating all forms of real-time communications like video, text, and other media. For Example: WebRTC Technology.

Whether you’re an Enterprise or a SME, SBC is a vital element that’s recommended when using VoIP and SIP systems to ensure network security and efficiency.

What does Session Border Controller mean?

To understand what SBC is and how it works, it’s best to break the terminology down into simple terms.

A ‘session’ refers to communication between two parties, typically a phone call. Each call is made up of two streams. The first stream consists of one or more signaling message exchanges that controls the call. The other is made up of one or more call media streams that carries the audio, video and data within the call, along with other information, statistics and quality of the exchange. Together, these streams make up a ‘session’. The SBC controls and supports the data flows of each call session.

A ‘border’ is the boundary between one part of a network and the other. The border allows information, calls and other media to flow from the internet into a network, while upholding security and filtering regulations. The SBC’s job is to assist with managing the flow of data across these borders.

Finally, a ‘controller’ is the part of the SBC that controls and influences data streams and sessions as they travel across borders and from one part of a network to another.

In simple terms, the SBC controls and regulates any form of communication that comes from the internet or an outside connection into your personal network.

What are the benefits of SBC for businesses?

1: Security:

The main reason Session Border Controllers are used within businesses is for security. SBC protects against hacking, cyber-attacks, and any bad influence from outside the network. The SBC is essentially a more efficient and secure firewall. Where a firewall is in place for most general systems and networks, SBC is specifically designed to protect your personal network. The SBC also encrypts data, signaling and media preventing outside influences from monitoring your information and activity.

2: SIP communications:

SBCs allow different parts of a network to communicate and share data with each other. An example of how SBCs do this is through SIP normalization. A key role of an SBC is to mediate SIP communication between different devices, systems or gateways that use or ‘speak’ SIP differently. The SBC modifies (or normalizes) and translates SIP signaling and messaging so everything is properly communicated.

3: Quality of service:

The SBC implements the Quality of Service or QoS policy, that measures the performance of a service or network. The SBC regulates and prioritizes rate limiting, traffic policing, call admission control and data flows that come into or go out of the network.

4: Media services:

The newer version of the SBC regulates real-time communications, particularly media services. This includes supporting voice and video calls, data and fax interworking and media transcoding. Media transcoding is where the SBC translates between different codecs. Essentially, codecs convert voice and video signals for digital transmission. The SBC can translate these through transcoding, resulting in better sound quality and reducing network bandwidths. This in turn results in a better call experience for your colleagues and clients.

5: Direct routing:

One increasingly common use for SBCs is in Direct Routing which for example connects Microsoft Teams to the PTSN or the Public Service Telephone Network. Not sure what Microsoft Teams is? It’s an internal communications tool from Microsoft which provides you with real time features like instant messenger, app integrations and document management.

Direct Routing uses a combination of SIP Trunking and SBC to connect the Teams system so it can be used as an official business phone system. This allows you to take advantage of cheaper call rates, better support, and full flexibility to choose your own telephony provider.

Who or what is an SBC for?

Ultimately, SBCs are for anyone who uses IP technology, especially if you’re using SIP. We recommend all business, however big or small, that is installing phone systems to get SBC.

How do SBCs limit call traffic?

As SBCs control the flow of data that comes in and out of networks, they can also limit the amount of data that is exchanged at one time, if you’re experiencing high call traffic. SBCs have speed limiting capabilities if too many calls are coming in or going out at the same time. For example, if there has been a recent power outage and your system is just coming back online, you may be bombarded with calls because of the time you’ve been offline.

The SBC handles congestion where it decreases your responses and incoming call flow, by forming your calls in a queue. It also decides a maximum number of inbound and outbound calls, to limit the amount of traffic at a time.

What’s the difference between an SBC and a firewall?

A firewall is a network security device that prevents unauthorized access to or from a private network and monitors incoming and outgoing traffic, based on security rules. Where a firewall differs from an SBC is how much it covers.

A firewall is focused on monitoring and controlling data from networks to networks, whereas SBC can do this on a wider scale and through telephony systems, like SIP and VoIP. Firewalls have limited awareness to SIP signaling and programs, however SBC is more sensitive to telephony systems, can translate and scan them. Simply putting a firewall is for more general network safety and security. SBC is more developed and tailored to secure VoIP systems.

Do I need an SBC if I have a firewall?

Yes and no. For improved protection and better integration with VoIP systems, it’s best to have both a firewall and SBC. Depending on how big your organization is and if you use VoIP and SIP systems on a day to day basis, SBC is essential and will provide extra protection alongside a firewall. However, if VoIP and SIP aren’t part of your everyday, you can then protect yourself using a firewall.

How do I install an SBC?

SBCs are used in VoIP networks, so if you have a VoIP system, chances are you already have an SBC. SBCs are often installed at a point between two networks and will be installed, configured, and managed by your VoIP / SIP Trunk Service provider.

Clarity is proud to have been providing On Premises and Cloud Hosted Telephony to the America’s and the world since 2006. Our clients are worldwide and currently using our Unified Communications platform with 3CX Phone System. Clarity is also a proud to be an authorized Microsoft 365 service provider. Select the UC that fits your business needs. Clarity Technologies Group, LLC surpasses expectations

 

Call Clarity at 800-354-4160 today or email us at?[email protected]?. We are partnered internationally around the globe and we are open seven days a week 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM EST/EDT. http://45.33.92.219 and https://dotmantech.com.

[mc4wp_form id=”314″]