[1] Targeted at small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the MSBG integrates critical functions such as routing, VoIP, and security (virtual private networking, firewall, intrusion detection/prevention) into a single fault-tolerant platform, with a common control & management plane oriented around services.
[2] Popularly identified in 2004,[3] the MSBG product segment emerged to address the increasing need of advanced voice and data services among small and medium-sized businesses.
The more limited financial and technical resources of SMEs restrict their ability procure, implement, and manage the technologies available to large enterprises.
By integrating critical network functions in a single device, the MSBG provides a solution that is more affordable and also simplifies deployment and management for SMEs.
[citation needed] MSBGs provide a variety of solutions that can be used to support an SME's entire network.