The quality of your VOIP solution lies with the weakest link
The most reliable of all VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) solutions always conducted in accordance with the quality of the data connection in question. To determine how well your proposal VOIP solution will work for you, look no beyond its connection to the weaker data.
If you are looking for a hosted VoIP PBX solution, implementing remote IP telephones or Softphones connected to the office via VPN, connecting multiple offices via T-1 or fiber, or just use the VOIP phone service, the common denominator dictates the quality of your voice service is your data connection. From Voice over IP is a data protocol, only makes sense that the quality of their service be dictated by the strength of their data connection. His voice conversations require uninterrupted bandwidth of up to 90k each to carry out the same quality that has come to expect from traditional analog or digital phone service. Not having the available bandwidth or the bandwidth required without interruption will cause bad results.
The methods common commercial VOIP applications are connecting saw through the offices as well as data connections and remote users connecting to phone system in the premise. Both applications have Huge economic benefits and efficiency, but only if they can implement quality of service. The ability to share resources such as common receptionist, the ability to bypass toll charges by using IP, the ability to connect remote workers, monitoring performance, and to attract the best talent with flexibility and the state of the art technology have tremendous monetary benefits to the enterprise application. However, attention Force should be used in the selection of data connections used to implement the solution successfully.
We take a look at the different types data connections available for these applications, and looks the weakest link of the solution.
ADSL SDSL Cable Wireless Fractional T-1 T-1 T-1 bonded, DS3, OC Point to Point T-1 Frame Relay Fiber Optic
Let's take a look at the connections asymmetric first, since they tend to be more reliable. asymmetric data connections, including DSL standard quality residential, some business DSL, Internet cable, satellite internet, microwaves and Internet. In most of these cases, the download speed is often much higher than the upload speed. For example, it is not uncommon see a package listed in ADSL downloads up to 1.5 M, and to 384K upload. "Up" is the key. You never get full speed, and can often be a little less. A speed test will be in order during several parts of the day to test the speed and changes in the network. DSL typically offers no guarantee levels service or activity time as a shared network, speeds will fluctuate throughout the day. Internet traffic should be monitored carefully if you are using your data connection for voice applications, such as is common for voice conversations to be interrupted by the data traffic if QoS routers are not in place. ADSL circuits also tend to suffer more jitter and latency than other types of circuits, high-quality data, so if this solution is used to connect remote office users, it is necessary to have a VPN router on both sides of the connection to ensure the best possible quality. Some stops are expected on the basis year but can be an enormous cost effective connection option. wireless options, such as satellite or microwave never suggested, as it is often latency very involved to maintain the integrity of call. ADSL is not usually recommended for a place with more than 1-2 users. ADSL is not recommended for a hosted solution.
SDSL, or Symmetric DSL, is preferable over ADSL. This type of connection offers users the same load and download speeds, and usually a business class circuit that comes with a certain quality guarantees. Often, the speeds are seen as down/1.5M 1.5M up. Down/768k 768k up. Advantage over options ADSL, but also much more expensive. For some companies, this would be an acceptable solution for at least one place with multiple users.
Fractional T-1 T-1 T-1 bonded, DS3, OC: All varieties of T-1 service and the greater the tremendous options for VOIP solutions. All fractional T-1 and above circuits have been thoroughly tested over time, and give end users an extremely reliable solution. With symmetrical data solutions usually from 384 K and up, T-1 have a guaranteed uptime unmatched by other available data circuits, plus fiber. Prioritization of voice is still needed and whether at the level of the network via MPLS or end user level when connecting offices. voice conversations should always have priority over bursts of data traffic in order to maintain optimum call quality.
Point to Point T-1 is: As a preferred method of connecting offices, Point to Point T-1 offer reliability top and keep your voice traffic to compete with the Company or unpredictable Internet network traffic. Point to Point T-1 require routers with QoS, CSU / DSU, and may be quite an initial investment, but they provide tremendous quality and uptime. Passing the company complete data network, you are assured of a dedicated connection between sites to be used only as desired. Depending on the size of the connection, offices with dozens or hundreds of people can be configured to operate outside of point to point T-1 circuits without local dial tone.
Frame Relay: If your network uses Frame Relay, it is recommended to run voice services him. Marco was never designed to support voice traffic, and there are much better options and more profitable to choose from.
Optical fiber. The fiber is available for direct connection or point to point applications is becoming more and more common. Some varieties residential and Verizon FIOS are of asymmetric nature, but usually still provide a wealth of reliable bandwidth to support remote users. fiber trade options can bypass all the traditional points failure in the standard network and can provide the best solution VOIP connection. Fiber bypasses the local ILEC in most cases, and gives a clear clean connection directly to the company's central office. With high traffic volume capacity and superior clarity and reliability, the fiber has come to the forefront as the preferred medium for VoIP solutions. The fiber is not always profitable, but the quality results are undeniable.
When set to medium or circuits that support their VOIP solution, understand that the main limitation to the quality that the experience will be the weakest link in data network. If your primary location a T-1 but remote users with IP phones have an ADSL circuit, its weakest link is in the ADSL circuit. If you are experiencing quality problems, is likely to occur there. If your primary location has a bonded T-1 or DS3, but its remote store has cable internet, its weakest link is your cable connection. As always, talk with your local telecommunications circuits to determine the best and most cost-effective to use the data in the application a business grade VOIP solution.
About the Author
Steve Norris is a Texas based telecommunications professional that provides Dallas Business Telephone Systems and telecom services from over 80 carriers nationwide. He specializes in hardware solution for multi-location business with advanced infrastructure needs. Over 90% of his clients are able to implement a new Fort Worth Business Phone System without increasing their budget with TeleTAP.
