VoIP and Unified Communications

Translates technical jargon into practical business communications solutions This book takes readers from traditional voice, fax, video, and data services delivered via separate platforms to a single, unified platform delivering all of these services seamlessly via the Internet. With its clear, jargon-free explanations, the author enables all readers to better understand and assess the growing number of voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and unified communications (UC) products and services that are available for businesses. VoIP and Unified Communications is based on the author's careful review and synthesis of more than 7,000 pages of published standards as well as a broad range of datasheets, websites, white papers, and webinars. It begins with an introduction to IP technology and then covers such topics as: Packet transmission and switching VoIP signaling and call processing How VoIP and UC are defining the future Interconnections with global services Network management for VoIP and UC This book features a complete chapter dedicated to cost analyses and payback calculations, enabling readers to accurately determine the short- and long-term financial impact of migrating to various VoIP and UC products and services. There's also a chapter detailing major IP systems hardware and software. Throughout the book, diagrams illustrate how various VoIP and UC components and systems work. In addition, the author highlights potential problems and threats to UC services, steering readers away from common pitfalls. Concise and to the point, this text enables readers from novices to experienced engineers and technical managers to understand how VoIP and UC really work so that everyone can confidently deal with network engineers, data center gurus, and top management.

Translates technical jargon into practical businesscommunications solutionsThis book takes readers from traditional voice, fax, video, anddata services delivered via separate platforms to a single, unifiedplatform delivering all of these services seamlessly via theInternet. With its clear, jargon-free explanations, the authorenables all readers to better understand and assess the growingnumber of voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and unifiedcommunications (UC) products and services that are available forbusinesses.VoIP and Unified Communications is based on the author's carefulreview and synthesis of more than 7,000 pages of publishedstandards as well as a broad range of datasheets, websites, whitepapers, and webinars. It begins with an introduction to IPtechnology and then covers such topics as:* Packet transmission and switching* VoIP signaling and call processing* How VoIP and UC are defining the future* Interconnections with global services* Network management for VoIP and UCThis book features a complete chapter dedicated to cost analysesand payback calculations, enabling readers to accurately determinethe short- and long-term financial impact of migrating to variousVoIP and UC products and services. There's also a chapter detailingmajor IP systems hardware and software. Throughout the bookdiagrams illustrate how various VoIP and UC components and systemswork. In addition, the author highlights potential problems andthreats to UC services, steering readers away from commonpitfalls.Concise and to the point, this text enables readers--fromnovices to experienced engineers and technical managers--tounderstand how VoIP and UC really work so that everyone canconfidently deal with network engineers, data center gurus, and topmanagement.

1. IP Technology Disrupts Voice Telephony 11.A Introduction to the Public Switched Telephone Network 11.B The Digital PSTN 21.C The Packet Revolution in Telephony 72. Traditional Telephones Still Set Expectations 162.A Availability: How the Bell System ensured service 162.B Call Completion 182.C Sound Quality: encoding for recognizable voices 182.D Low Latency 202.E Call Setup Delays 212.F Impairments controlled: echo, singing, distortion, noise 223. From Circuits to Packets 253.A Data and Signaling Preceded Voice 253.B Putting Voice into Packets 274. Packet Transmission and Switching 334.A The Physical Layer: Transmission 344.B Data Link Protocols 364.C IP, the Network Protocol 384.D Layer 4 Transport Protocols 404.E Higher Layer Processes 474.F Saving Bandwidth 554.G Differences: Circuit vs. Packet Switched 615. VoIP Signaling and Call Processing 675.A What packet voice and UC systems share 675.B Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) 695.C Session Description Protocol 915.D Media Gateway Control Protocol 955.E H. 323 1085.F Directory services 1206. VoIP and Unified Communications Define the Future 1236.A Voice As Before, with Additions 1236.B Legacy Services to Keep and Improve with VoIP 1236.C Facsimile transmission 1346.D Phone Features Added with VoIP/UC 1437. How VoIP and UC Features to Consider 1497.A Space, Power, and Cooling 1507.B Priority for voice, Video, Fax Pakets 1507.C Packets per Second 1527.D Bandwidth 1527.E Security Issues 1537.F First Migration Steps While Keeping Legacy Equipment 1598. Interconnections to Global Services 1638.A Media Gateways 1638.B SIP Trunking 1668.C Operating VoIP Across Network Address Translation 1708.D Session Border Controller 1798.E Supporting multiple carrier connections 1838.F Mobility and Wireless Access 1849. Network Management for VoIP and UC 1889.A Starting Right 1899.B Continuous Monitoring and Management 1919.C Troubleshooting and Repair 19510. Cost Analysis and Payback Calculation 19911. Examples of Hardware and Software20311.A IP Phones 20311.B Gateways 20611.C Session Border Controllers 20911.D Call Switching Servers 20911.E Hosted VoIP/UC Service.11.F Management Systems/Workstations 21512. Appendices 21712.A Acronyms and Definitions 21712.B Reference Documents 22612.C Message and Error Codes 23313. Index 236