QuickStudy: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

By Bradley Mitchell

February 28, 2006 12:00 PM ET

Comments

(0)

Computerworld -

Listen to the Computerworld TechCast: VoIP.

Voice over IP (VoIP) has exploded in popularity since the first PC-to-PC Internet phone-calling systems were introduced in 1995, as evidenced by the millions of households now subscribed to VoIP services. Audio quality, call reliability and telephony features of VoIP systems are finally maturing to be viable on enterprise networks as well, and only a few barriers remain to widespread corporate adoption of VoIP.

The Case for VoIP

Businesses can benefit from VoIP technology in several respects. One obvious advantage VoIP brings is avoidance of long-distance toll fees by routing calls through Internet connections. VoIP phones can call to (or be called from) any number in the world just like traditional or cell phones. While VoIP will not completely eliminate public telephone charges, geographically dispersed organizations especially can save much money here.

More
Computerworld
QuickStudies

Linking VoIP call management systems with corporate e-mail, instant messaging and database systems also expands business communication capabilities. Using the presence awareness of an application such as Microsoft Office Communicator, VoIP calls to employees can automatically be generated from instant messages as needed according to their preferences. Similarly, incoming VoIP voice mails can automatically be converted into e-mail messages for faster access and response. The benefits of voice and data integration reach even further, increasing the flexibility of IT help desks, human resources and other intranet systems that manage employee information, as well as customer call centers.

To the extent their voice and data networks converge, enterprises implementing VoIP can reduce their IT support burden through consolidation. Compared to how virtual private networks have reduced mobile workers' need for remote access servers and modem pools in some corporate environments, VoIP systems can shrink the infrastructure and support costs associated with traditional telephony systems even more dramatically.

Enterprise VoIP Building Blocks

On an end-to-end enterprise VoIP network, an IP phone replaces the traditional digital phone handset and shares a similar physical appearance. An ordinary PC can also serve as an IP phone (a "soft phone") when VoIP software is installed. Enterprise IP phones typically connect directly to the LAN via Ethernet or sometimes Wi-Fi, while Universal Serial Bus phones exist as an alternative to soft phones. VoIP phones obtain an IP address, normally via Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), which allows them to make and receive calls.

Analog telephone adapters (ATA) allow ordinary telephones to interface with a VoIP-enabled network as an alternative to using an IP phone. ATAs normally feature RJ-11 ports for connecting the phone and corresponding RJ-45 Ethernet ports for connecting to the LAN.

Comment Recommend Digg Twitter ShareThis

Email Print Send Feedback Reprints

Jump to comments

VoIP equipment

Additional Resources

WHITE PAPER

EFD vs. HDD - What You Need to Know

Enterprise flash drives provide a new Tier 0 storage layer capable of delivering high I/O performance at a very low latency. Proper use of EFDs in an Oracle environment can deliver increased performance compared to fibre channel drives. Read the recommendations for identification of the best DB components for EFDs.

WHITE PAPER

Gartner Research Report: Magic Quadrant for Application Delivery Controllers, 2009

The market for products to improve the delivery of application software over networks remains dynamic and innovative. Vendors focused on solving enterprises' most-pressing application problems have become the top players.

WHITE PAPER

Eight Criteria for Server Load Balancing

Server load balancers are a simple yet highly effective means to scale an application environment while ensuring its availability. Today's solutions should also address application performance and security. Read about the top eight criteria you should consider when choosing a server load balancer and how Citrix NetScaler meets those requirements.

What People Are Saying

0 comments | Add new

See all comments (0) | Add new

White Papers & Webcasts

Death to PST Files
Download Now

Business Process Framework Demo
Learn about Configurable Business Processes and Calculated Fields. Watch Now!

A Green Architectural Strategy That Puts IT in the Black
Levergage green computing across your data center. Read more now.

Manager Experience Demo
Go beyond self-service solutions to perform more effectively. Watch Now.

Quantifying the Business Value of VMware View
Learn why you should invest in a centralized virtual desktop.

WAN Optimization as a Managed Service: More than Network Cost Savings
View this Webcast Now!

Forrester Consulting Mobility Study: Taking Control of Enterprise Mobile Device Diversity
Download Now

Asia-Pacific Enterprise Network Solutions
Learn through this Webcast how your business can achieve reliability, performance and value in hard-to-reach locations within the Asia-Pacific region.

What IT Must Do to Support Employee-Owned BlackBerry, iPhone and Android Mobile Devices
Download Now

Mainsoft Webcast w/ Forrester Research: Drive SharePoint Adoption in Lotus Notes Shops
How can you drive mainstream user adoption of Microsoft SharePoint when your users rely on Lotus Notes?

All White Papers | All Webcasts