Session Border Control

Netrake announced today that it will be combining its session controllers with Level3s technology in order to improve audio chat features for ISP's instant messenger (IM) users.

Through the partnership, Netrake will be helping to solve the security issues involved in traversing residential firewalls in large-scale deployments. Together with Level 3, Netrake hopes to open voice communications capabilities for millions of IM users regardless of firewall complexities.

"Netrake stands at the forefront of solving critical challenges as the largest ISPs, telephone companies and cable operators scale VoIP to millions of subscribers," said Bruce Hill, CEO of Netrake.

Netrake designed the nCite session controllers to overcome the security technology challenges associated with passing VoIP calls through firewalls, as well as through translations from public IP address schemes to private corporate network addresses. The company explained that this Firewall/NAT (Network Address Translation) traversal function is a core capability of Netrake's nCite session controller.

"Netrake's solution will help enable Level 3 to serve its VoIP customers, including ISPs, across a wide variety of applications including instant messaging. This solution allows subscribers, even those connected to the Internet via restrictive corporate firewalls, to enable audio conversation via IM," said Rob Hagens, senior vice-president for Level 3. "This enhancement is available today and adds significant new functionality to an already innovative tool that helps improve the way people communicate," he added.

Todays announcement follows Netrakes recent partnership with West Corporation, a provider of outsourced communication solutions. West made public that is currently employing Netrake nCite Session Controllers to explore the benefits of providing IP call center communications to its customers. Netrake said it designed the nCite solution to provide West and its customers with tools to assure security and to save money as the call center leader takes advantage of IP connectivity and advanced communications features.

"Netrakes nCite solution provides a crucial catalyst for Wests efforts to revolutionize our services while simultaneously maintaining security and lowering costs for our customers," said Mike Mateer, director, systems development for West earlier this year. Wests offering includes a suite of customer acquisition, customer care and retention services, managed and hosted speech and IVR solutions, conferencing, and accounts receivable management services.

Netrake
www.netrake.com 

Level3 Communications
www.level3.com

West Corporation
www.west.com 

Johanne Torres is contributing editor for TMCnet.com and Internet Telephony magazine. Previously, she was assistant editor for EContent magazine in Connecticut. She can be reached by e-mail at [email protected]