How we performed the Clear Choice Tests of session border controllers.The session border controller (SBC) test bed consisted of simulated enterprise and carrier sites, connected by a T-1 IP WAN link. The network infrastructure at both sites consisted of Extreme Networks Summit48 L2 and L3 switch/routers.Each SBC tested was configured and inserted, one at a time, into the test bed. The same carrier-side SBC, a leading carrier-class SBC from Sansay, the VSX, Release 6.7.2, was used in all cases.A T-1 of simulated Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) traffic was generated and delivered from the carrier side by Touchstone Industries’ WinSIP (Version 2.4.7) traffic generator. Another T-1 of simulated SIP traffic was generated from a Spirent Abacus 5000 (Version 3.2) SIP traffic generator from inside the enterprise. These enterprise calls were terminated at their respective matching endpoints at the carrier site across the WAN link. For consistency, all SIP calls and traffic from the enterprise had to traverse the Sansay VSX carrier SBC. This also provided a rudimentary view of SBC interoperability.Tests were performed to assess each SBC’s ability to handle standard-SIP calls, and G.711- and G-729-encoded Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) VoIP streams. The SBCs were set to pass the traffic as sent. Voice quality was measured using automated International Telecommunication Union-standardized PESQ, PESQ-LQ and R-factor algorithms. Also measured were jitter, call-setup time and one-way latency. In addition, if supported, the SBC’s ability to transcode the traffic to the simulated carrier was also tested.Our intent with this testing was to verify features and gauge the effects of SBC processing on VoIP traffic flows. The load we applied was a modest T-1’s worth, a few dozen concurrent calls in both directions. These products could reasonably be expected to handle hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of concurrent calls. Users shopping for an SBC will need to assure that call volumes at and beyond anticipated loads are supported on a sustained basis.– Edwin Mier, Anthony Mosco, Robert Tarpley and Robert Smithers, Network World Lab AllianceReturn to SBC tests Related content feature 5 ways to boost server efficiency Right-sizing workloads, upgrading to newer servers, and managing power consumption can help enterprises reach their data center sustainability goals. By Maria Korolov Dec 04, 2023 9 mins Green IT Green IT Green IT news Omdia: AI boosts server spending but unit sales still plunge A rush to build AI capacity using expensive coprocessors is jacking up the prices of servers, says research firm Omdia. By Andy Patrizio Dec 04, 2023 4 mins CPUs and Processors Generative AI Data Center feature What is Ethernet? History, evolution and roadmap The Ethernet protocol connects LANs, WANs, Internet, cloud, IoT devices, Wi-Fi systems into one seamless global communications network. By John Breeden Dec 04, 2023 11 mins Networking news IBM unveils Heron quantum processor and new modular quantum computer IBM also shared its 10-year quantum computing roadmap, which prioritizes improvements in gate operations and error-correction capabilities. By Michael Cooney Dec 04, 2023 5 mins CPUs and Processors CPUs and Processors CPUs and Processors Podcasts Videos Resources Events NEWSLETTERS Newsletter Promo Module Test Description for newsletter promo module. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe