Gateway Gatekeeper

A Gateway is a network node equipped for interfacing with another network that uses different protocols.  Generally, a node is any device with an IP address.  A gateway is a network point that acts as an entrance to another network. On the Internet, a node or stopping point can be either a gateway node or a host (end-point) node. Both the computers of Internet users and the computers that serve pages to users are host nodes. The computers that control traffic within your company's network or at your local Internet service provider (ISP) are gateway nodes.

A gateway may contain devices such as protocol translators, impedance matching devices, rate converters, fault isolators, or signal translators as necessary to provide system interoperability. It also requires the establishment of mutually acceptable administrative procedures between the two networks.  A protocol translation/mapping gateway interconnects networks with different network protocol technologies by performing the required protocol conversions.

Routers exemplify special cases of gateways.

In IP telephony, a gateway is a network device that converts voice and fax calls, in real time, between the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and an IP network. The primary functions of an IP gateway include voice and fax compression/ decompression, packetization, call routing, and control signaling. Additional features may include interfaces to external controllers, such as Gatekeepers or Softswitches, billing systems, and network management systems.

A Gatekeeper is the central control entity that performs management functions in a Voice and Fax over IP network and for multimedia applications such as video conferencing. Gatekeepers provide intelligence for the network, including address resolution, authorization, and authentication services, the logging of Call Detail Records, and communications with network management systems. Gatekeepers control bandwidth, provide interfaces to existing legacy systems, and monitor the network for engineering purposes as well as for real-time network management and load balancing.

A Gatekeeper is the brain of an H.323 (video) network, performing essential control, administrative, and managerial functions. However, the gatekeeper does not route any data packets in a network. These continue to rely on standard network routing equipment. The primary purposes of a gatekeeper are address translation and zone administration using layer three of the OSI model  In the H.323 world, the gatekeeper provides several important functions. First, it controls access to the network, allowing or denying calls and controlling the bandwidth of a call. Second, it helps with address resolution, making possible email type names for end users, and converting those into the appropriate network addresses. Also handles call tracking and billing, and call signaling.

Data Connect Enterprise offers a full range of
Gateway and Gatekeeper products
We have listed a sampling below

Please contact us 301-924-7400

When it comes to VoIP Gateways, Routers, SIP phones, POE or other VoIP enabling technologies
DCE is well positioned to give you a range of options
and help you decide which product fits your application and budget

Contract Buying and Volume Discounts available !!

Please contact us 301-924-7400