Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

IP Telephony Systems

• What are some tools to measure jitter?

  What's the best way to accurately measure jitter? There are a variety of tools, but it's important to pick the one that's right for you.  Continue Reading

• E1 and T1 vs. ISDN: What are the differences?

  T1, E1 and ISDN network technology have been used to transmit voice data for years. Compare the similarities and differences between E1 and T1 vs. ISDN links.  Continue Reading

• How do you plan for replacing a business phone system?

  A few factors can indicate it's time to replace a business phone system. Learn when it may be time to switch and how to decide on a course of action.  Continue Reading

• How can organizations address VoIP security threats?

  An unguarded VoIP system could be vulnerable to attack. Learn what security measures can help prevent VoIP security threats from affecting your organization.  Continue Reading

• How does cloud SIP trunking differ from traditional SIP trunking?

  Traditional and cloud SIP trunking perform the same tasks of initiating and ending call sessions, but the method and costs of access create distinct differences in these services.  Continue Reading

• How does embedded communication work with an IP PBX infrastructure?

  Adding communications capabilities to your web browsers or mobile apps? Be sure to use the right protocols for successful interoperability with your IP PBX or telephony infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• What are the E911 location tracking requirements for VoIP?

  The rules around E911 location tracking have evolved as more businesses move away from traditional wired connections to VoIP. Here's how to stay compliant with FCC regulations.  Continue Reading

• How do I troubleshoot SIP configurations to solve service issues?

  When your SIP service isn't connecting properly, process of elimination will help you determine if the issue lies in your configuration or elsewhere on the network.  Continue Reading

• SIP trunking vs. VoIP: What's the difference?

  SIP trunking and voice over IP share some similarities, but they have key differences in origin and functions. How well do you understand these telephony cornerstones?  Continue Reading

• How do you build a disaster recovery communications plan?

  Maintaining voice communications is vital to disaster recovery. Networking expert Carrie Higbie Goetz explains how to build a disaster recovery communications plan.  Continue Reading

• How to configure VoIP on a network

  VoIP configuration requires significant preplanning to meet the requirements of voice traffic. Learn the steps to take when configuring VoIP on your network.  Continue Reading

• What are the requirements for E911 services for VoIP providers?

  VoIP service providers have specific guidelines to meet to ensure E911 services are properly configured and meet regulatory standards. Learn how to maintain E911 compliance.  Continue Reading

• How does Skype for Business telephony stack up as a PBX replacement?

  Learn the benefits and tradeoffs of deploying Skype for Business as a cloud-based telephony service instead of a traditional, on-premises PBX service.  Continue Reading

• How can organizations improve VoIP quality of service?

  While VoIP services are growing in popularity, issues with reliability and quality of calls remain. Learn what organizations can do to maintain and improve VoIP quality of service.  Continue Reading

• Is Skype for Business telephony compatible with my desk phones?

  Telephony expert Jon Arnold explains how large and small organizations can evaluate the compatibility of their desk phones with a Skype for Business telephony deployment.  Continue Reading

• What is a WebRTC server and how does it connect calls?

  A WebRTC server usually refers to a few different types of back-end servers, like signaling and media servers, that help connect browser-based communications.  Continue Reading

• How do you meet VoIP bandwidth requirements?

  Making sure VoIP bandwidth is sufficient can be difficult when the network is shared with non-mission critical apps. Expert Michael Brandenburg offers tips on how to support VoIP.  Continue Reading

• Are digital phones required for a VoIP deployment?

  Configuring VoIP phones can take a good deal of legwork. Network expert Carrie Higbie explains the options available to organizations, from digital phones to softphones.  Continue Reading

• Do enterprises need HD audio conferencing?

  Expert Jon Arnold explains the significance of high-definition audio conferencing services and the types of meetings that would benefit from high-quality audio.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between a VoIP gateway and IP PBX?

  Networking expert Carrie Higbie explains how a VoIP gateway and an IP PBX perform different functions when transmitting voice data.  Continue Reading

• What are the cost benefits of SIP trunking?

  Gartner analyst Sorell Slaymaker explains the cost benefits of SIP trunking for enterprises that make the migration from a legacy telephony system.  Continue Reading

• What is Port 9875 and how is it used in a VoIP setup?

  UC expert Carrie Higbie explains the purpose of Port 9875 and why a network manager would need to direct traffic to this port in a VoIP setup.  Continue Reading

• Should you deploy SIP trunking or hosted telephony?

  How do you decide between SIP trunking and hosted telephony? Expert Michael Brandenburg explains how organizations can determine if SIP trunking or hosted telephony can meet their needs.  Continue Reading

• How can our VoIP phone system keep pace with our company?

  How can we make sure our VoIP phone system can grow with our company? Telephony expert Jon Arnold explains how the flexibility of VoIP allows it to keep pace with growth.  Continue Reading

• Do you need to invest in a VoIP router?

  Does my company need to invest in a VoIP router to provide voice service? UC expert Carrie Higbie explains how a VoIP router can improve voice traffic.  Continue Reading

• Should an IP-PBX system be on-premises or cloud-based?

  Should we replace our PBX with an on-premises IP-PBX system or cloud product? Expert Zeus Kerravala explains how to determine which implementation suits your enterprise best.  Continue Reading

• How do VoIP-TDM gateways differ from SBCs?

  How do VoIP-TDM gateways compare with session border controllers? How do they differ? Expert Michael Brandenburg explains how the two perform similar, but separate, functions.  Continue Reading

• Do we need a PBX system to use VoIP?

  Is a PBX system required when organizations move to VoIP? Or do they need to replace it? Telephony expert Jon Arnold explains the options available to organizations.  Continue Reading

• What options are available to connect VoIP systems to branch offices?

  There are many ways enterprises can connect their VoIP systems to branch offices. Expert Michael Brandenburg explains what options are available.  Continue Reading

• What last-mile communications media options do companies have?

  What are last-mile communications, and what services make the most sense for businesses to adopt? Telecommunications expert Matt Brunk explains.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between a SIP-flood attack and a TDoS attack?

  While SIP-flood attacks and TDoS attacks have similar goals, their attack vectors are very different. Industry expert Michael Brandenburg explains.  Continue Reading

• Virtualized session border controllers: Are there drawbacks?

  As more virtualized session border controllers are announced, it's helpful to understand the strengths and weaknesses of this delivery model.  Continue Reading

• What is a call park phone feature and how does it work?

  UC expert, Matt Brunk, explains a call park phone feature, how it works and how it compares to a visual call park feature in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• What is voicemail and how does it work?

  Our unified communications expert explains what exactly voicemail is and how it works in this Ask the Expert response.  Continue Reading

• What are the different types of private branch exchange systems?

  The types of PBX systems available shifted after the advent of Internet Protocol, according to IP telephony expert Jon Arnold.  Continue Reading

• Are there advantages to using the public switched telephone network?

  You may have to sacrifice some advantages of the public switched telephone network if you switch to VoIP, says telephony expert Jon Arnold.  Continue Reading

• Why is SIP trunking better than PRI and BRI?

  SIP trunking is preferable over PRI and BRI based on flexibility and cost benefits, says telephony expert Matt Brunk.  Continue Reading

• What options do businesses have when choosing VoIP telephony systems?

  Businesses looking to use VoIP telephony technology have many options. Expert Jon Arnold outlines factors to consider when picking a VoIP system.  Continue Reading

• How to handle softphones when keeping voice and data on separate VLANs

  Unified communications expert Matt Brunk answers a reader's follow-up question about handling softphones when you've decided to split voice and data traffic on two separate VLANs.  Continue Reading

• Is it possible to connect the IP PBX to a wireless connection?

  IP telephony expert Jon Arnold uses an inquiry about IP PBXs and wireless networks to discuss the value of extending the LAN to mobile devices through fixed-mobile convergence.  Continue Reading

• The value of toll bypass in the enterprise

  IP telephony expert Jon Arnold explains the value of toll bypass in an IP telephony setup, detailing why enterprises should consider it as an option while tempering cost-savings expectations.  Continue Reading

• What are the benefits and limitations of IP phones and digital phones?

  Our IP telephony expert details the differences between IP phones and digital phones, identifying their unique capabilities and noting the tasks for which each are best suited.  Continue Reading

• When it comes to PBX systems, how would you compare IP EPABX to digital EPABX?

  Learn the differences between IP and digital PBX systems, as well as which type of system would make more sense for a small office of 30 employees in India.  Continue Reading

• Can I keep my PBX while migrating to VoIP?

  Learn how you can keep your traditional PBX while you upgrade to VoIP gradually.  Continue Reading

• Is there a difference between VoIP and IP telephony?

  VoIP and IP telephony are two terms used sometimes interchangeably -- but are they really the same thing?  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between VoIP, CTI and IP telephony?

  What is the difference between VoIP, CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) and IP telephony?  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between VoIP and VoFR?

  What is the difference between VoIP and VoFR?  Continue Reading

• How do we fix 'echo', 'static' and background noise on our new VoIP system?

  Our organization has just implemented a VoIP system on 40 - 50 test phones. However, our users have been complaining of echo, static and amplified background noise during phone usage. The noise can only be heard on our end. Can you please give some...  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between ground start signaling and loop start signaling?

  Learn about the fundamental differences between ground start signaling and loop start signaling in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• Difference between IP PBX and VoIP box

  What is the difference between an IP PBX and VoIP box?  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between an analog and a digital PBX?

  Expert Juan Pablo Pazos compares an analog PBX versus an IP PBX to a reader wondering whether or not PBXes were replaced more than twenty years ago by digital PBXes.  Continue Reading

• How does a computer on the network get its IP address?

  How does a computer on the network get its IP address?  Continue Reading

• How does an ATA work?

  How does an ATA work?  Continue Reading

• Difference between data communications and IP based solution

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• ADSL bandwidth

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• Risk factors for migration to IP telephony

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• What is the difference between Cisco call manager and Cisco SIP Proxy server?

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