Current Deployments of VoIP

It is always challenging to deploy new technologies. The change in process makes it much more difficult for the implementing agencies. They have to manage the cultural issues as well as manage productivity with cost. Protecting the current investments by using the existing infrastructure is another big challenge.

Let us take an example of an existing Local Area Network (LAN) and want to deploy VoIP on the LAN to handle both Voice and data. First we need to analyze if the network is capable of taking the load of both Voice and data.

There are three main VoIP implementation scenarios. They are Hybrid IP, Pure IP and Hosted IP.

Hybrid IP

Hybrid IP or IP-enabled VoIP installation is aimed to lower overall telephony charges. The Hybrid IP setup can be used to connect physically separated call centers over existing IP network to form an integrated communication platform.

The problem with hybrid setup is scalability. You may tend to get locked into vendor specific hardware or vendor applications. This is sufficient for a small organization to roll out in hurry and not looking for a long term solution.

Pure IP

Pure IP or end-to-end VoIP installations combine voice and data on the same network. They are scalable and they are cost effective, though the initial costs are higher.
Typically a big call center with offices in multiple locations can implement these kind of networks.

Hosted IP

Hosted IP installation is where a Vendor hosts your services. There could be minimum set up costs. The roll out will be faster than you can imagine. The vendors offer periodical upgrade the systems and offer you more features as new technologies/equipment are introduced. This way, your investment is worth it.

However, you tend to get stuck with one supplier and moving from one vendor to another will be difficult. Hence you need to study the vendors and their offerings, their infrastructure, their vision for future.

For Small centers with limited budgets, a hosted IP is a great boon. More often the vendors offer many applications that will go well with VoIP as a value add.

Bandwidth requirement

Data on a network may not have any problem. However, voice is sensitive to the traffic congestion on the LAN. VoIP needs lot of bandwidth.

Generally 100Kbps of bandwidth is required per call. If you have 100Mbps bandwidth in your Fast Ethernet 100 Base T LAN, you can make 1000 calls. Similarly, if the LAN is of Gigabit Ethernet of 1 Gbps, you can make 10,000 calls. This is only an indicative and not actual figure. One need to analyze the number of calls made during the peak office load (typically 10:00 Am to 2:00 PM) and calculate the peak bandwidth during that period to arrive at the total bandwidth required for VoIP alone. Data transmission bandwidth requirement may be added to arrive at the total bandwidth required for the organization.

Quality of Service (QoS)

Any loss of bandwidth may not affect data much. But the VoIP will suffer and he call quality will be an issue. Hence, when you calculate bandwidth and allocate the same, ensure that VoIP gets that much bandwidth. You shall have a clear Quality of Service (QoS) policy and ensure that the calls do not suffer poor quality reception, delays and dropped calls. Configure your router for QIS for VoIP to enable the organization to leverage VoIP.

Separate Data from Voice

Some experts recommend creating a separate Virtual LAN (VLAN) for IP Telephone on the network. This enables you to keep data network separate from Voice network and the necessary bandwidth can be allotted, as required. This also ensures that incase of failure of one network, other network could be functional.

Handling power problems

VoIP phones need external power supply, unlike the traditional phone, which draw power from the telephone line. Hence the power failure may lead to loss of communication network too. So, Power requirement also need to be analyzed while implementing VoIP.

Security issues

Your traditional telephone exchange is a typical hardware and virus attacks and spam are not heard of. However, when you move to VoIP, you will be installing a server that will work as voice gateway. If your Voice gateway is on a different server than the data network, the security threat is comparatively less.