What exactly is Voice over IP? There are many definitions floating around, but the most basic one is that VoIP is a collection of technologies which allow you to hold voice communication over a TCP/IP-based network.
VoIP has actually been around for quite some time. Instant messaging and collaboration programs like Microsoft NetMeeting and MSN Messenger have offered the ability to transmit sound through the computer speaker/microphone jacks, allowing remote users to actually converse.
But VoIP is ultimately reliant on networking technologies, and as it’s only in recent years that reliable, high-speed TCP/IP networking has become so prevalent and affordable, it was never really considered much more than a gimmick.
However, with home users on high-speed broadband, and companies able to outfit their buildings with high-speed cabling and switches capable of handling massive throughput, the potential of VoIP as a dedicated carrier of voice communications is being realised.
VoIP does suffer from a popular over-simplification of definition. Many people think that Internet + Voice = VoIP = Free communication. As with many over-simplifications, there’s an element of truth there, but the reality is always more involved.
This guide is designed to help you come to grips with exactly what VoIP is, what it does, whether it’s any good for your business, and how to go about implementing it if you decide it is.
We just installed an Avaya IP Office SOE system. We have two digital extensions in our office, and two IP extensions. (one at home and the other in the office)
The home IP extension talks to the Avaya unit at the office via a VPN provided by two Cisco PIX 501's on regular residential ADSL connections. (ADSL2 at one at the other)
Even when downloading files at each end the phone conversation is unaffected.
I can now work from home in a way thats completly transparent to our clients.
We did hit a stumbling block along the way however, We purchased two NetGear FVS338 Firewall/vpn units however they do not support H.323 properly (even thou the cheaper 318 model has had firmware updates to correct bugs in this area the FVS338 has not)
The NetGear vpns also have other known issues that were not in the marketing material, such as issues with simple things like creating a Remote Desktop session! They advised us it would be fixed in an upcomming firmware update -- What a joke!
So after wasting our money on NetGear we purchased the Cisco PIX 501's and although they were more complicated to setup they provide a faultless VPN environment for our VoIP setup (so far).
We also spend the extra on Voice Mail Pro - which provides us with rich customer interaction when the call is answered. For example we have two options (1 for sales, 2 for support) - the call is automatically routed to the next suitible and available exension number.
Overall the initial cost was high, we have lifted the professionalism of our business as well as provided a foundation for future expansion. (adding handsets or IP extensions is easily achieved using simple management software and can be done fully in house)
I would reccommend the Avaya system to any small business with either multiple small offices or office and home based situations.
Thanks also goes out to Planet Communications (Castle Hill) for their help in setting this up and trouble shooting out VPN!