hi team,
as this topic comes out really often, I thought to create a brief community post.
Webex Calling Local Gateway (LGW) provides premises-based PSTN services to Webex Calling customers.
In most cases, it connects to local PSTN provider (via SIP Trunk or via TDM interface) from one side, and, on other side, it connects (via SIP Trunk) to Webex Calling solution (hosted on cisco cloud). There are also cases where PSTN services are offered via existing onprem CUCM, so in these cases, LGW interconnects (via SIP trunk) CUCM with Webex Calling side.
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Now, leaving aside many details on LGW architecture (not the scope of this post), let's share what is the story with DNA Essentials and Advantage in regards to LGW.
Important note: focus on this post is for DNA for Routing/Autonomous mode which is most common case and NOT for SD-WAN cases.
DNA Essentials covers the basic CUBE fuction
For CUBE function, you can use DNA Essentials with either hardware-based (C8200/C8300/C1100/etc) or virtual (C8000V/etc.) CUBEs. DNA Essentials support sRTP/TLS that is needed on SIP Trunk towards Webex Calling side.
Ok but when do I need DNA Advantage ?
DNA Advantage is needed if you need TDM interfaces (PRI, BRI, etc).
DNA Advantage is needed if you need DSPs for CUBE transcoding/transarting/DTMF conversion.
You might need this in case you want to fix an interop issue with a PSTN provider. For example, although most PSTN providers will offer G711, as codec option, there might be cases where this is not the case. If you have such case, you should plan for transcoding resources/DSPs.
Two slides below summarize and visualize a bit better what stated above:
Doc references for above two paragraphs
Cisco DNA Software SD-WAN and Routing Matrices
check ''Cisco DNA Software for Routing Feature Matrix'' where :
a)''Essential Voice/UC features (managed via Cisco Catalyst Center) CUBE (IP to IP)'' mentioned as part of DNA Essentials
b) ''Advanced Voice/UC features (managed via Cisco Catalyst Center) Analog cards (FXO/FXS/BRI/E&M) and digital cards (E1/T1), call control (SIP, SIP line “WxC and CUCM”, STCAPP, MGCP), DSP farm services (media termination point, transcoder and conference), SRST3, CME3'' mentioned as part of DNA Advantage
Cisco Catalyst 8300/8200 Series Edge Platforms Ordering Guide
Plus
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/software/one-wan-subscription/guide-c07-740642.html
'Cisco DNA Essentials only supports basic CUBE (without DSP services) whereas Rich voice services and integration with SRST/FXO/FXS/DSP modules are the prime focus of the Cisco DNA Advantage tier. In SD-WAN mode, the signaling protocol is limited to SIP only, however traditional routing mode supports all call-control signaling protocols that are currently supported.'
Another relevant doc is Webex Calling Local Gateway ordering guide but, although it mentions DNA Advantage is needed for TDM interfaces, it does not expand much on all uses cases and what DNA flavor required. Feedback from PM team is that ordering guide will be updated to cover these details.
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Extra note on Webex Calling Survivability:
DNA Advantage is needed for Webex Survivability on hardware-based platforms (C8200/C8300)
Note1 : ISR1100 does not support Webex Calling survivability .
Note2 : C8000V platform supports Webex Survivability with DNA Essentials (not need to go to DNA Advantage for virtualized platforms).
Site survivability for Webex Calling help article mentions platforms that support Webex Calling Survivability.
Plus mentions DNA flavor needed per platform case:
Colocation of Local Gateway and Site Survivability on Cisco IOS Managed Gateways
not directly related to above DNA selection but useful so sharing here
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Apart from above general guidelines/info, please have in mind below notes:
1) DNA software (Essentials or Advantage) renewal is optional for hardware-based platforms
DNA software subscription selection is mandatory when you order a new platform in CCW (either hardware or virtualized one). BUT note, that, for hardware-based platforms only, if you are NOT using vCenter or DNAC (for other purposes unrelated to Webex Calling), then you don't have to renew these DNA subscriptions when these expire. When DNA sub expires, platform will continue to operate (in regards to the voice features we discussed - CUBE/TDM/DSPs) without the DNA subscription using perpetual stack.
DNA Ordering Guide, refer to the "Subscription Tiers" section ''Cisco DNA Essentials includes Network Essentials as the perpetual element''.
2) Selection of bandwidth tier is mandatory
When ordering a new platform with DNA Essentials or Advantage, there is a bandwidth tier you need to select.
Please remember that this needs to be sufficient for encrypted traffic only on the hardware platforms, but all traffic on the C8000V. Will expand soon on this topic and share relevant examples.
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Please rate if you find helpful.
Index of all my collab community posts --> Looking for info on Cisco Collab solutions ?
You can find there other calling-related (Webex Calling and CUCM) related community posts.
thanks!
Alkiviadis