Now we have accepted that VoIP is no longer just a phone service, it has become feature rich as it merges with computer configurations. The VoIP’s existence has changed considerably over the last few years, coupled with the availability of broadband connection to the Internet, plus leaps in multimedia technology in which virtual operations with remote sites becomes more enhanced, makes VoIP service a viable alternative to traditional communication offerings.
Cost savings is not the only driving force for VoIP implementations, enterprises have to consider some business aspects that VoIP can bring about. VoIP creates potentials for applications that could not have been done before. Collaboration, integration, and interactivity between employees and applications are one of the several business benefits that enterprises can derive from VoIP adoption. Nevertheless, amid euphoria of VoIP technology, there are three important aspects to look at before a company goes VoIP. In the following paragraphs I will summarize the aspect of security, stability, and interoperability that play a key role in the successful implementation of VoIP.
1. Security
VoIP implementations may expose new security risks and challenges that somehow become greater concern than quality and cost-efficiency among vendors and users. VoIP networks are vulnerable to all the same security risks as traditional IP data networks, including:
- Denial of Service (DoS), viruses, worms,
- Toll fraud and unauthorized access,
- Spoofing, and port scanning.
It is recommended that organizations should adopt a layered, defense-in-depth security strategy to address the issue with the increasing proliferation of new Internet-borne attacks and malicious activities in recent years. In this architecture, the network is segmented into secure zones protected by layers of firewall, intrusion prevention, and other security services. This strategy allows the organizations to logically split and secure voice and data networks in front of individual voice and data components and between interactive points in the network.
2. Stability
One of the main issues of VoIP is the amount of bandwidth required for each call. There must be adequate bandwidth reserved and the quality of the link must be well maintained throughout each call to ensure the users are not affected. As the very nature of VoIP call is real-time, any disruption during the call would be easily noticeable and unacceptable. The two issues that enterprises usually have to deal with here are bandwidth and quality of service (QoS).
VoIP calls need a data transmission speed of 64kb/s to produce the quality of voice comparable to that of a normal telephone call. That 64kb/s channel needs to remain open and unaffected for the duration of the call. Theoretically, VoIP installations would not allow such a huge bandwidth to be allocated for VoIP alone. Therefore, there needs to be a compression taking place to compact the voice data into a considerable size before it gets transmitted over a packet switching network. G.723 codec that is incorporated in VoIP standard protocol H.232 can take a 64kb/s stream of data and squash it down to a mere 5.5kb/s or so. Generally, for VoIP to work reliably over WAN links, there has to be low jitter, low packet loss, a considerably high-speed connection between the endpoints, and less than 200ms delay.
3. Interoperability
Compatibility between VoIP equipment from different vendors is a very important aspect to boost the use of VoIP products. Without standardized quality of service mechanisms businesses would need to buy all the equipment and the QoS server from the same manufacturer. The VoIP world seems to be divided between many vendors with reluctance to establish interoperability and some who are trying to be end-to-end supplier but at the same time worried about interoperability. The protocols used in VoIP communication are still considered fairly complex in comparison to most of the other protocols involved in Internet applications. SIP (Session Initiation Protocol – a signaling protocol for Internet conferencing, telephony, events notification, and instant messaging), that is regarded as simple and elegant the other protocols, is still not efficient.
On the bright side, however, SIP is approaching status as an IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) standard, after several years of work. With the recent version, it has achieved a greater amount of stability and changes are becoming smaller and smaller. Phone switch companies such as Nortel have recently begun supporting SIP, and now the manufacturers of handsets and related devices will soon ramp up their support. Motorola, Avaya, and Proxim have made collaboration on the creation and deployment of IP telephony solutions that will deliver new extents of communication mobility and network connectivity.
Finally, with these three VoIP aspects covered, businesses will be able to maximize their investment by applying it as the backbone of internal communication such as phone conversation, videoconferencing, instant messaging, faxing, etc. Another area that will widely make use of VoIP is call centers, in which Web contacts, virtual operations with outsourcers overseas, and remote sites, such as home agents, all could improve the customer experience. New VoIP applications that we have not thought about may also come into existence as the services generates more business and profits for companies.
Here you can compare popular VOIP service providers. Understand what to look for in VOIP solution. Check out also comparison shopping for VOIP system here.
Author: Al Falaq Arsendatama
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Cellphone news
Related Posts -
Internet Telephone Calls - VoIP Basics You've seen the commercials and read the news advertisements for telephone service using your computer: very cheap monthly fees; make all the calls you want; keep your telephone number forever; and voice quality as good as a landline. You've heard the claims and you've heard the term "VoIP." Here's...... - Virtual Small Business PBX Phone Service Good communication with clients and customers is critical for a small business enterprise. Virtual PBX phone service is beneficial for small businesses in that it ensures professional communication features in a cost-effective manner.Virtual PBX system can provide all the features of standard, high-priced PBX systems through hosted service. There......
- Technology Update - MPLS Networking Can Help You Make the Most of One Connection What is MPLS? MPLS (Multi-protocol Label Switching) is a sophisticated Internet protocol (IP) networking technology that quickly and easily routes traffic to its intended destination. By creating a Virtual Private Network (VPN) over a private network (not the public Internet), the technology allows for a level of control and......
- Can One Trust Voice Over Internet For Security? Although the name "VoIP" may seem abstruse or menacing, The Voice over Internet Protocol is simply an easy way to transmit vocal messages through the network. It is not used for broadcasting speeches or for spreading lectures but for plain direct exchanges like the daily phone calls everyone makes......
- VegaStream - VoIP Security These security concerns are being addressed by service providers and equipment manufacturers to make VoIP calls secure and to give buyers peace of mind. Furthermore, as the broader issue of security on and over the Internet is being addressed by the industry, global standards bodies and governments, so we can......
Related Websites - Here's Why Paying For Your Traffic Is A Smart Move There are so many success stories you will hear about how good making businesses on the Internet is. The troubling thing is, there are maybe a tenfold or even a hundredfold of stories contradictory to theirs. Many have unsuccessfully launched a business enterprise that is Internet based but only a......
-
GPS Review: Garmin Nuvi 1690 [/caption] The good: The Garmin Nuvi 1690 features free (and ad-supported) access to Garmin's nuLink data service, which provides traffic data, fuel prices, Google Search for POIs, and a host of other features, including Bluetooth hands-free calling help to keep the driver's hands on the wheel while navigating. The bad:...... -
Peter's Landing Marina, Huntington Beach, CA Phone: (714) 840-1387 Marine Stand By Channel? Yes, the marina monitors channel 16. Average Water Depth? At this time, they do not provide the exact depth. Please contact them before arrival for the current water depths. Is there a pumpout station? Yes, the marina offers this service. Is there...... - Spyware – Understanding and Addressing The Risk - Part One “Spyware” is no longer simply a nuisance to enterprises. It is estimated that 90% of desktop PCs are infected with some form of “Spyware” (Source : US National Cyber Security Alliance). According to Gartner between 20 and 40% of enterprise helpdesk calls are now related to unwanted “Spyware” programs. There......
-
ALCB Win Moneyfacts Business Banking Awards - Again! It gives me great pleasure to announce that Alliance & Leicester have won the Business Moneyfacts Award for Best Overall Business Bank and Best Business Current Account provider, yet again. Moneyfacts - who are they? Moneyfacts is the leading independent financial information provider in the UK. Since 1988, we've been......
Related posts:
