What is media gateway? - Definition from Whatis.com

Home
media gateway

Definition

media gateway

A media gateway is any device, such as a circuit switch, IP gateway, or channel bank that converts data from the format required for one type of network to the format required for another. As defined in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Request for Comments (RFC) 3015, a media gateway might terminate channels from a circuit-switched network (such as a DSO) as well as streaming media from a packet-switched network such as RTP streams in an IP network. Data input could be audio, video, or T.120 (real-time multi-point communications), which the media gateway would handle simultaneously. The media gateway controller is sometimes called a softswitch.

Related glossary terms: Telephony, CoIP (communications over Internet Protocol) , federated presence management (FPM) , dedicated line, Carrier Sensitive Routing (CSR), click-to-talk (CTC), long-distance carrier, zenware, analog telephone adapter (ATA), softphone (software telephone)

This was last updated in March 2002

Dig Deeper

Multipoint HD video conferencing bridges: Capacity vs. quality

Is there a tradeoff between capacity and quality with HD video conferencing bridges? Some vendors say yes, but IT pros must take a broader perspective on multipoint video conferencing.
Hip to SIP quiz

Think you're a SIP superstar? Test your know-how in this tricky terminology test.
Integrating Unified Communications apps into an existing infrastructure.

The main goal of a unified communications strategy should be to facilitate an innovative business process regardless of the communications medium. Read what steps contributor Bill Trussell advises for your unified communications integration.

People who read this also read...
Resources from around the Web
- The IETF document, "Megaco/H.248 Gateway Control Protocol, version 2" describes a media gateway protocol.

Show me more

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.

Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

Research More Tech Terms

Search thousands of tech definitions
Browse tech definitions
Browse Alphabetically:
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- U
- V
- W
- X
- Y
- Z
- #

Powered by WhatIs.com

File Extensions and File Formats

File Extension and File Formats List:

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
#

Powered by WhatIs.com

More from Related TechTarget Sites

Mobile Computing
Networking
Telecom
Networking Channel
Enterprise WAN
Exchange

Mobile Computing
- Bringing BYOD to your enterprise
  
  Bring your own device (BYOD) can be a boon for both employees and enterprises, but clear policies and management tools are needed.
- Meeting technical requirements for mobile health care deployments
  
  IT departments deploying mobile health care solutions must ensure that using mobile devices in health care settings doesn't violate federal laws or compromise security.
- Making the call: Distributed antenna systems and in-building wireless
  
  Distributed antenna systems and in-building wireless solutions are two options to improve wireless cellular coverage within an enterprise facility.
Networking
- Taking WPS attack precautions can reduce unauthorized WLAN access
  
  Admins should take WPS attack precautions to avoid unauthorized WLAN access, yet understanding the WPS protocol and its own vulnerabilities is key to complete network protection.
- Integrating Juniper QFabric into your existing data center network
  
  In this video, learn how to integrate Juniper QFabric into existing data center architecture, taking into account the issues that can be associated with the technology.
- Wireless intrusion prevention system smartens school district Wi-Fi
  
  With AirMagnet’s wireless intrusion prevention system and RF spectrum analysis, a large school district improved wireless LAN security and solved Wi-Fi interference problems.
Telecom
- Smartphone adoption spurs advanced services demand in Latin America
  
  Latin American smartphone adoption is more robust than North America's, and the consumers are more mobile-friendly than their peers in developed economies.
- Need for wireless network upgrade is key AT&T/T-Mobile driver
  
  Rising demand for high-quality network service delivery will require operators to undertake a massive wireless network upgrade, driving deals like the AT&T/T-Mobile acquisition.
- Video: ACG Research dissects telecom routing and switching market
  
  In this ACG Research HotSeat video, Managing Partner Ray Mota gives viewers a quarterly update on the telecom service provider routing and switching market.
Networking Channel
- Cisco Live London: 40 and 100 GbE switching and souped up WLAN
  
  At Cisco Live London, Cisco debuted 40 and 100 GbE line cards for Nexus and Catalyst switching lines, as well as a 4-antenna wireless access point meant to soup up the WLAN.
- Selling public sector IT solutions forces partners to do some homework
  
  The need for public sector IT solutions is growing due to developing network activity, but can partners must be ready to commit to longer sales cycles and other complications.
- IT asset disposal services offer secure data removal and piece of mind
  
  Channel partners can offer Ingram Micro’s IT asset disposal services to provide customers with secure data removal while remaining environmentally friendly by recycling devices.
Enterprise WAN
- WAN optimization Magic Quadrant: Bandwidth management is an old hat
  
  WAN optimization has evolved beyond bandwidth management, according to Gartner's new Magic Quadrant: Enterprises need cloud and mobile optimization.
- Hardware vs. software VPNs: Choose the right enterprise solution
  
  Deciding between hardware vs. software VPNs is the first step in narrowing down the best VPN solution for your enterprise.
- Do Layer-3 MPLS VPNs need to have BGP-4 support?
  
  In this Ask the Expert response, VPN expert Rainer Enders explains why BGP-4 support is necessary when configuring a router for a Layer-3 MPLS VPN.
Exchange
- Microsoft Exchange Online explained
  
  With all the chatter around hosted services these days, it pays to know about Exchange Online. Get a handle on its benefits and drawbacks.
- Exchange Online mobile device support: A comprehensive look
  
  As Exchange organizations look to Office 365, questions arise about mobile device support in the cloud. Exchange Online may have the features your enterprise wants and needs.
- Distinguishing between mail contacts and mail users in Exchange 2010
  
  It’s easy to confuse mail users with mail contacts in Exchange 2010. Our expert sorts out the differences between these seemingly interchangeable terms.

All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2008 - 2012, TechTarget