NCS (Network-based Call signaling) is a call signaling protocol  used to control communication units (such as IP telephones). It is used to  setup, manage, and terminate multimedia communication sessions in a centralized communications system. 

Network-based Call Signaling is based on MGCP.  It  is the VoIP signaling protocol adopted by the CableLab as a standard for PacketCable embbed clients. It provides:

• Two or more traditional analog (RJ11) access lines to a voice-over-IP (VoIP) network.
• Optionally, one or more video lines to a VoIP network

NCS provides a PacketCable profile of an application programming interface (MGCI), and a corresponding protocol (MGCP) for controlling voice-over-IP (VoIP) embedded clients from external call control elements. MGCI functions provide for connection control, endpoint control, auditing, and status reporting. They each use the same system model and the same naming conventions.

NCS protocol contains some modifications to MGCP and also some extensions, but the basic architecture and the format of the protocol are the same.

RADCOM provides solutions for monitoring and troubleshooting problems in a cable enviroment and the NCS protocol.