Investigation of the Network Related Issues with VoIP Implementation - Term Paper Example

Investigation of the Network Related Issues with VoIP Implementation Name Date     Table of Contents Investigation of the Network Related Issues with VoIP Implementation 1- Introduction VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is new emerging technology for the internet and web based communication. It is also acknowledged as the Internet Telephony or IP Telephony. It is a new method of establishment of the phone calls those are cheaper or totally free. In VoIP the ‘phone’ part is not for all time present in the communication setup, as we are able to communicate without a telephone set. In this regard, Unuth (2010) stated that VoIP offers a broad range of advantages over the customary phone structure. The fundamental cause for which users are so extremely interested into the VoIP technology is its small or negligible cost. VoIP technology is taken as the cheap; however the majority users use it for without charges. For the VoIP technology implementation we are requiring no such complex setup. Here we only require a computer with a microphone plus speakers, in addition a good Internet connection, in this we are able to communicate by means of VoIP for free. This is as well possible by means of our mobile as well as home phone. In case of VoIP technology implementation there are a lot of methods of utilizing VoIP technology (Unuth, 2010). This research and analysis based report is about the analysis of the various VoIP implementation options and issues. Here I will present a comprehensive overview of the some of the main areas of the VoIP implementation options offered by vendors and ISPs. 2- VoIP Technology Voice over Internet Protocol is a comparatively novel technology as well as it has previously attained broad acceptance as an application. However, there are yet a huge areas and aspects those are requiring to develop as well as offering a lot of technological advancements in VoIP in the future. Previously researches have shown that VoIP is proved to be a good candidate intended for swapping the Plain Old Telephone System (POTS). It, certainly, has drawbacks in conjunction with the many advantages it carries; plus its rising growing global utilization is producing new concerns surrounding its regulations as well as security (Unuth, 2010). The expansion of VoIP nowadays could be contrasted to that of the Internet in start of 90’s. The community is taking more and more interest in the advantages they can collect from VoIP at businesses or at their homes. Moreover, the technology of the VoIP is offering facilities to people to not only save, however as well produce massive income from this new phenomenon (FCC, 2010). Past Implementation Issues VoIP is a structure for the communication and firewalls and network address translators (NATs) are structures for the separation. In this regard, both the technology platforms are having opposing forces. However, the main problem happens due to communication pierces separation and separation constricts communication. This situation is similar to law and chaos or day and night (Arad, 2010). The technology structure of the phone is intended for phone calls, and technology platform of computer is intended for software, similarly for the Internet related things. In such arrangement firewalls are established to stop or block something suspicious that approaches into a private network or that is unfamiliar. That incorporates VoIP, as the Internet was not initially meant for VoIP (in opposing to the simple previous phone structure). Configuring NATs and firewalls to permit VoIP communication is a difficulty both intended for the home user (who be short of the technical knowledge) as well as for the system administrator (who does not encompass the time to uphold a lot of strategy and systems for a variety of vendors) (Arad, 2010). Main problems happens in this regard are due to the dynamic nature of VoIP protocols. Here main difficulty is about the VOIP signaling that does not have the ability negotiations as well as opens the media channels dynamically on network ports that are not recognized in advance, to firewall and NATs. Here another main problem takes place that is conceptual one. In this scenario, firewalls and NATs are believed to be the system for the separation, not for communication. It is found that VoIP standardization organizations have not adopted some latest solutions for upholding preferred mode of operation, those can potentially resolve the problem totally (Arad, 2010). 3- Implementation Options In this section I will present a detailed analysis and investigation of the some of the main options for the implementation of VoIP technology. The main aim of this section is to provide a survey of the different VoIP implementation options provided by the VoIP vendors and ISPs. Here I will recommend a suitable VoIP implementation option for our organization. Below I will present three main industry based VoIP implementation options those are preferred and taken as first choice while the business VoIP based support establishment. 3.1- Purchased IP PBX (Private branch exchange) In case of Voice over Internet Protocol technology platform establishment the first option is Purchased IP PBX. In case of implementation of this legacy scenario, the client buys or leases the IP phone structure as well as handsets from a PBX Vendor. Here Voice and/or Internet services are separately contracted (Kinka, 2010). Main advantage of this way of VoIP technology establishment is the main advantages of the implementing an IP PBX system. Here we have the facility of the separate negotiation of Internet or voice services for each location (while a number of may believe this a negative). This technology is extensively used and testing and proved safe (Kinka, 2010) & (Pbxnsip, 2010). 3.1.1-Issues However we can also have various disadvantages regarding such technology based platform establishment. Here customers can still face difficulties in acquiring PBX software patches, maintenance fees, MACs, etc. In addition, there is another difficulty that is related to the services that cannot be packaged in as well as the client can still have to contract with numerous vendors. The main issues we have are about the mobility of the VoIP technology platform that we have acquired. This choice can be limited based on system as well as provider presenting and dependent upon the users connecting to the host website to entrance service. Another main issue we have is about the implementation of VoIP services through PBX because this platform is dedicated to the client thus it is relying on configuration that can be a single point of stoppage. In such structure a complete data network is normally necessary among websites intended for multi‐location deployments. In case of implementation of VoIP services through PBX we could have the limited disaster recovery as well as business continuity choices (Kinka, 2010). 3.2- Managed IP PBX (Private branch exchange) The next main option that I am going to present is about the Managed IP PBX (Private branch exchange). This is just a special pricing alternative on above the usual IP PBX establishment. In case of implementation of VoIP services through Managed IP PBX the client pays a monthly charges intended for an on‐site PBX as well as handsets from a service provider. This is different from previous because this is not having standard buy /lease/maintenance alternative. Voice and/or Internet services can or cannot be bundled in. Here main advantages of such technology based platform is its facility of providing the customer controls that offer the power of timing as well as roll‐out of novel PBX facilities and features. Here we are also having the small operating costs and lesser TCO over legacy alternatives. This technology also offers a lot of advantages about the numerous “perceive” the on‐site environment of the hardware to be one however this is not really the case (Kinka, 2010) & (Verizonbusiness, 2010). 3.2.1- Issues Here we also face various issues regarding this technology based platform such as during the implementation of managed IP PBX. Here we are having main issue that involves the problem of configuration that can be the problem of single point of failure. Here another main issue is regarding the implementation of VoIP through the managed IP PBX technology is about the services those cannot be packaged in and the client would need to contract with numerous vendors. Like pervious VoIP technology establishment options we are having the problem of mobility that involves the alternatives those can be limited depending on system as well as provider presenting and depending on users linking to the host website to access service. In such technology alternative a complete data network is normally essential among sites for multi‐location deployments. There is another issue that is about the limited business continuity and disaster recovery alternatives. Here another issue is about the limited availability and interoperability to 3rd party “open” applications because of the closed environment of the manufacturer’s specific kind of VoIP (Kinka, 2010). 3.3- Hosted IP Telephony / Hosted PBX This is another main alternative for the establishment of the VoIP services those are established through the Hosted IP Telephony / Hosted PBX. Hosted IP Telephony / Hosted PBX technology platform is a completely centralized as well as managed alternative. In this VoIP technology alternative a service provider will provide or sell handsets straight to the client without requiring a local PBX. IP Handsets will acquire their functionalities and features by using the service provider’s VoIP network, IP facilities and feature servers. In addition, all the management, administration, network, long or local distance and normal Internet services will be offered through the VoIP service provider. Here the VoIP technology costs are bundled to offer per user price or can be broken out through number of phone, characteristic, network as well as utilization. IP Feature services placed in the VoIP service provider’s communication network permit for stability of services in spite of the accessibility of services and connectivity at the client’s location (Kinka, 2010). Here main advantages of VoIP services those are established through the Hosted IP Telephony / Hosted PBX are the complete VoIP functionality. Here we are able to have the expected monthly hardware as well as service fees through limited or no up‐front expenses. This technology offers the carrier class operating framework by means of superior VoIP service providers. Here main difference from previous options is the presence of only one PBX. By means of Carrier Class suppliers, there are a number of or numerous PBXs for redundancy. This VoIP technology alternative/option is having a limited local hardware as well as points of failure. This technology options is able to offer the scalability that is about the ability of technology users to simply add VoIP handsets without being concerned with system growth, voicemail capability, port availability, etc. this technology options for VoIP is also able to provide the disaster Recovery facility that involve the calling functions (mobility, voicemail, etc.) to carry on in case of local outage. Here this option also gets rid of site‐to site plus remote employee calling costs intended for multi‐location businesses. This supports the large corporations for the better functionality and quality of services at extremely small cost of entry to demand to smaller offices. VoIP services those are established through the Hosted IP Telephony / Hosted PBX involves the minimized operating costs as well as normally a small TCO than legacy options (Kinka, 2010) & (Hostedip, 2010) & (Dialexia, 2010). 3.3.1- Issues Implementation of VoIP services through Hosted IP Telephony / Hosted PBX also involves some of the main and vital issues. Here main issues are about the quality of service. Here we have observed that a number of VoIP services providers offer dedicated access and a number of do not. If they depend on 3rd party Internet access to obtain to the service provider, in such case the VoIP service quality can be influenced. In this scenario, large size offices/corporations are able to use dedicated leased lines (T‐1) to offer voice, data and PBX services, making sure end‐to‐end quality of service. On the other hand, small offices, home office or SOHO users have to use existing broadband Internet connections, over that the QoS is able to be managed, however not guaranteed. This technology alternative is normally limited to installations of less than 1,000 users for each location. Here in this structure not the entire service providers are the similar as well as provide the similar level of network diversity/redundancy and quality of service. This involves the careful concerns those have to be given to this evaluation. The implementation of VoIP services through Hosted IP Telephony / Hosted PBX also involves failover to secondary access in the result of main access failure is further challenging than on basis based PBXs (Kinka, 2010). 4- Recommendations After the detailed analysis of the some of the main technology alternatives for the VoIP services establishment, we have analyzed a lot of features and issues regarding these technology alternatives. Here the ultimately, the alternative that works most excellent way intended for our business will depend on benefits, features and considerations. In this report, I have analyzed various alternatives and features of three VoIP technology implementation alternatives and found that Hosted IP Telephony / Hosted PBX is the most excellent solution for our business. 5- Conclusion This report has presented a deep analysis of the Voice over Internet Protocol. This research has presented some of the main aspects of the new VoIP technology establishment at the business. This research has offered a detailed and comprehensive analysis of some of the main advantages and issues involved in three VoIP technology options. Then after this analysis I have recommended the Hosted IP Telephony / Hosted PBX VoIP technology platform alternative. I hope that this research will offer better overview of VoIP technology implementation alternatives and options. Bibliography Arad, R., 2010. Why is VoIP so hard on firewalls and NATs? [Online] Available at: http://blog.radvision.com/codeofcontact/2008/08/06/why-is-voip-so-hard-on-firewalls-and-nat/ [Accessed 21 September 2010]. Dialexia, 2010. HERO Hosted PBX. [Online] Available at: http://www.dialexia.com/products/hosted-ip-pbx-HERO.html [Accessed 21 September 2010]. FCC, 2010. VoIP. [Online] Available at: http://www.fcc.gov/voip/ [Accessed 10 September 2010]. Hostedip, 2010. Hosted IP PBX VoIP Solutions. [Online] Available at: http://hostedip-pbx.com/ [Accessed 21 September 2010]. Kinka, S., 2010. Business VoIP Buyers Guide. [Online] Available at: http://audeocom.net/pub/docs/EvolveIP_Whitepaper_BusinessVoIPBuyersGuide.pdf [Accessed 20 September 2010]. Mathiyalakan, S., 2006. VoIP Adoption: Issues & Concerns. [Online] Available at: http://www.iima.org/CIIMA/6%20CIIMA%206-2%2019-24%20Mathiyalakan.pdf [Accessed 21 September 2010]. Pbxnsip, 2010. 10 Reasons to buy an IP PBX! [Online] Available at: http://www.pbxnsip.com/phone-system/ten-reasons-buy-ip-pbx.php [Accessed 20 September 2010]. Unuth, N., 2010. VoIP - What is VoIP? [Online] Available at: http://voip.about.com/od/voipbasics/a/whatisvoip.htm [Accessed 21 September 2010]. Verizonbusiness, 2010. Managed IP PBX. [Online] Available at: http://www.verizonbusiness.com/us/products/managed/ippbx/ [Accessed 21 September 2010]. Read More