MGCP Switchover and Switchback

MGCP Switchover and Switchback

MGCP switchover permits the use of redundant MGCP call agents. This feature requires two or more Cisco Unified CallManager servers to operate as MGCP call agents. One Cisco Unified CallManager server becomes the primary server and functions as the MGCP call agent. The other Cisco Unified CallManager servers remain available as backup servers.

The MGCP gateway monitors MGCP messages sent by the Cisco Unified CallManager server. If traffic is undetected, the gateway transmits keepalive packets to which the Cisco Unified CallManager server responds. If the gateway does not detect packets from the Cisco Unified CallManager for a specified period, the gateway tries to establish a new connection with a backup Cisco Unified CallManager server.

You can configure a Cisco voice gateway to reestablish connection with the primary Cisco Unified CallManager server when it becomes available again. This is the switchback function.