The MGCF is also where some features and applications reside. In the circuitswitched
domain, the switches provided many features and applications such as conference
calling and call park. These are now under the MGCF, which is the ???brains??? of
the operation.
The signaling function at the MGCF provides call control for all packetized voice as
it enters into the network. The MGCF only communicates with media gateways within
the same domain, however, and is not intended for interfacing with other MGCFs in
other networks. The MGCF must then interface with a gateway function for interconnection
with other domains.
The Breakout Gateway Control Function (BGCF) provides this functionality and interfaces
with other BGCFs in other network domains. The MGCF then provides the call
control within its own network; it may be implemented regionally or within the core
network. Actual implementation of the MGCF function depends largely on the network
topology and size.
For very large networks, it is more efficient to distribute the MGCF within regions,
providing better control from a geographic perspective over growth and traffic grooming.
This could be thought of as analogous with the tandem function within the circuitswitched
domain, but it is just as analogous as the bridging function within LAN/WAN
networks, although the traffic mixes will be significantly different.
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