The DiaStar Server uses the Woomera protocol to interact with open source telephony systems such as Asterisk and acts as a network interface to various technologies used in the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
While it is possible to connect an application server like Asterisk directly to one or more PSTN interface boards, there are many compelling reasons for breaking this function out into a separate server:
- Scalability – go beyond the normal channel count possible in a single-box system with multiple application servers being fed from a single network interface server. Media functions may be done, as normal, by the telephony application or may be offloaded to the Woomera server
- Redundancy – a system can be configured so that there is no single point of failure
- Reliability – a new system component can be added/replaced either automatically or with minimal downtime for configuration
- Distribution – separating the whole into smaller components gives a greater control over how each individual piece functions
At the heart of the DiaStar server is Dialogic®’s proven host-based media processing software and PSTN network interface boards. The full suite of PSTN protocols – ISDN, CAS and SS7 over T1/E1 - found in the GlobalCall call control package may be used with DiaStar.
For connectivity to open source telephony systems , DiaStar uses the Woomera protocol, a simple IP-based signaling protocol for Local Area Network (LAN) environments. This open standard uses a readable text-based protocol that is easy to understand and debug. Real Time Protocol (RTP) is used for efficient delivery of media streams
While the first release is primarily a TDM gateway which has Call Progress Analysis (CPA) for outbound calling. Media processing features such as enhanced SIP functionality, audio conferencing, T.30 and T.38 fax and 3G-324M video will be added into the DiaStar shortly.
A Woomera client for the Asterisk telephony system is available today, with other clients for open source telephony systems such as FreeSWITCH being added in the near future.
