Question 1

Is FreeSWITCH an SBC?

Accepted Answer

Yes! While FreeSWITCH is widely known as a softswitch and media server, it can absolutely function as an SBC (Session Border Controller) too. With the right configuration, it handles signaling, media relay, NAT traversal, SIP normalization, and security - just like a traditional SBC.

Question 2

What is an SBC, and why do I need one?

Accepted Answer

An SBC (Session Border Controller) acts as the gatekeeper of your VoIP network. It manages call routing, handles NAT traversal, enforces security rules, and ensures interoperability between different SIP systems. If you’re connecting to external SIP providers or operating across networks, an SBC is essential for stability and security.

Question 3

Is FreeSWITCH secure?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! When properly configured, FreeSWITCH security is top-tier. You can lock down traffic with ACLs, use encrypted signaling and media (TLS/SRTP), block suspicious IPs with fail2ban, and even implement traffic shaping. It’s well-suited for deployment at the edge of your VoIP network.

Question 4

Can I use FreeSWITCH SBC with multiple SIP trunks?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can! FreeSWITCH handles multiple SIP trunks with ease. You can set up separate gateways or profiles for each trunk, define custom routing logic, apply different dialplans, and even prioritize trunks based on cost or failover rules. That’s the beauty of a flexible FreeSWITCH SBC setup.

Question 5

Does FreeSWITCH support media handling and transcoding?

Accepted Answer

It sure does. FreeSWITCH can anchor media, relay RTP streams, and even transcode between codecs when necessary. This is super helpful for interoperability between devices and carriers with different codec requirements, making FreeSWITCH as SBC a complete solution - not just for signaling, but for media, too.

freeswitch sbc setup

FreeSWITCH as SBC – Benefits, Configuration, and Best Practices