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IP Telephony Systems

• 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 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

• ATB Financial banks on cloud communications platform

  For ATB Financial, RingCentral's cloud communications platform offered mobility, integration and legacy support to help modernize its dated telephony infrastructure. 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

• 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

• Microsoft Teams integration with Cisco Spark presents challenges

  Microsoft and Cisco interoperability does exist in unified communications. But, for team collaboration, Microsoft Teams integration with Cisco Spark adds another wrinkle.Continue Reading

• How the net neutrality ruling could disrupt UC services

  Repealing net neutrality could raise operating costs for businesses as they try to maintain reliable voice and video communications across the internet.Continue Reading

• Bolster voice security with these five critical tips

  Proper voice security in the network requires voice gateway isolation, patch protection, next-generation firewalls, traffic encryption and limiting certain VoIP features.Continue Reading

• Layered security approach can thwart VoIP attacks

  A strategically placed firewall within your network infrastructure can help mitigate VoIP attacks. But encryption and proxy services add enhanced security.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

• Bye-bye, legacy PBX; hello, MS Lync?

  MS Lync may change the game for UC, as software firms move into a market networking providers once dominated. Lync integrates it all -- Outlook and instant messaging and video calls -- but can enterprises really get rid of their legacy PBX systems?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 are the use cases for Fax over IP?

  Do use cases for Fax over IP still exist or has communication by fax machine become obsolete? Expert Jon Arnold explains what fax's future holds.Continue Reading

• UC transition from PBX systems surges as vendors end PBX support

  After years of predictions, the enterprise transition from PBX systems to UC platforms is finally gaining speed as vendors phase out PBX support.Continue Reading

• What does 'look-ahead' mean in regard to VoIP?

  In this expert response, learn what 'look-ahead' means when discussing video codec compression in Voice over IP network environments.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

• TDoS attacks on the rise: Who is at risk and what to do under attack

  Telephone denial of service, or TDoS, attacks are increasing and no one is exempt. Learn what to do during a TDoS attack and how to prevent one.Continue Reading

• Session border controller vendors: What should I look for?

  When evaluating session border controller vendors, you should look for qualities that can differentiate certain SBC vendors from the others.Continue Reading

• How important are session border controllers within a UC architecture?

  Session border controllers can be an overlooked aspect of UC architecture, but that doesn't mean they aren't vital, says analyst Michael Brandenberg.Continue Reading

• What's the difference between bits and bytes specific to telephony?

  The differences between bits and bytes specific to telephony equipment is explained by UC strategies expert Matt Brunk in this expert response.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 can make telephone systems more energy efficient?

  You can make just about anything energy efficient, even telephone systems. See what options our unified communications expert suggests.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

• Why are enterprises clinging to legacy phone systems?

  IP telephony adoption will remain slow because legacy phone systems are still reliable, Jon Arnold explains 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 are the benefits of SIP trunking compared with hosted VoIP?

  Benefits of SIP trunking vs. hosted VoIP stem mainly from cost savings, but one isn't necessarily replacing the other, says VoIP expert Matt Brunk.Continue Reading

• Cloud telephony allures businesses with full features, low costs

  Cloud telephony and UC service pricing options and full feature sets are alluring enterprises to move phone systems off premise.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

• 'Securing Cisco IP Telephony Networks': Book chapter download

  Chapter 1 of the book 'Securing Cisco IP Telephony Networks' offers useful information on IP telephony solutions, including how to secure your network from security attacks.Continue Reading

• Viable voice telecom solutions for small, medium and large enterprises

  There is no one-size-fits-all voice telecom solution. The size of your organization determines the viable telecommunication options for you.Continue Reading

• Subpar office telephone systems: Is there a solution?

  When seeking solutions for subpar office telephone systems, assess your company's needs and flaws of the current provider, our telephony expert says.Continue Reading

• Why can't I keep my old digital proprietary phones?

  SMBs looking to change to phone systems that are easier to maintain often have to give up their digital proprietary phones, our telephony expert explains.Continue Reading

• Free collaboration tools a la Google spur better enterprise UC apps

  Rather than eclipsing enterprise collaboration tools and UC apps, free collaboration tools are prompting commercial vendors to improve security and integration.Continue Reading

• Meeting expectations with VoIP implementations

  What's wrong with VoIP implementations? According to UC expert Matt Brunk, it starts with mismatched expectations about Voice over IP among customers, implementers and providers.Continue Reading

• Top 5 trends in enterprise IP telephony

  What comes after full-scale IP telephony deployment? There are five important trends shaping the future of enterprise IP telephony.Continue Reading

• Pulling the plug on desk phones and PBX phone systems

  Desk phones and PBX phone systems have been the de facto standard for years. Not sure if you’re ready to let go? Ask yourself these questions and find out.Continue Reading

• The future of IP telephony still trapped in the PBX era

  The future of IP telephony and the IP PBX is still locked in the PBX era. Enterprises need to stop treating IP telephony systems like TDM systems.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

• Unified communications boost IP contact center productivity, utility

  Many enterprises now use unified communications (UC) in the IP contact center to increase productivity and functionality. While they were once viewed as separate, UC and contact centers (especially IP-enabled ones) are closely intertwined.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

• What are the operational costs associated with VoIP after implementation?

  Learn how to plan for the operational costs of VoIP, after the initial deployment and implementation.Continue Reading

• VoIP islands 101: How did we get here?

  To connect and leverage VoIP islands, one must first understand them. In this tip, you will find out what VoIP islands are, how they came into being, and the implications for enterprise networks that have them.Continue Reading

• Fixed mobile convergence technology fundamentals

  Fixed mobile convergence (FMC) systems based on VoIP service build on convergence technology fundamentals to enable fully converged IP communications. This chapter will review FMC systems technology and discuss real-life deployments.Continue Reading

• The role of VoWLAN solutions

  Learn about voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN) deployment from specific case study applications. This chapter excerpt details specific instances of VoWLAN deployment success.Continue Reading

• Configuring a cost-effective VoIP network for overseas calls

  VoIP deployment does not require a specific network. Learn how to set up VoIP using your broadband connection and make long distance calls for free.Continue Reading

• Streaming Cisco's IP Communicator to an HP thin client

  Find out how to stream Cisco's IP Communicator (VoIP client) to HP's XPe thin client (t5720) using Citrix Presentation Server Platinum Edition (now XenApp Platinum). Streaming VoIP to the end point offers many benefits over traditional solutions, ...Continue Reading

• Cisco Voice over IP: Routing calls over analog voice ports

  This chapter introduces basic configuration of analog and digital voice ports and demonstrates how to fine-tune voice ports with port-specific configurations. Upon completing this chapter, you will be able to configure voice interfaces on Cisco ...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

• Making the decision to shift to hosted VoIP

  Hosted VoIP offers advantages over traditional telephony service, including lowered costs. Learn more about making the switch from IP telephony expert Jon Arnold.Continue Reading

• Is VoIP just a business staple or is it primed for mainstream adoption?

  VoIP will eventually replace existing PSTN systems, but the change will be gradual.Continue Reading

• VoIP vendors focused on solving customer's networking issues.

  VoIP vendors are focused on alleviating the issues of their consumers who need to integrate IP telephony systems with legacy systems.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

• Springer Handbook of Speech Processing

  The Springer Handbook of Speech Processing is widely regarded as a must-read for all telecom professionals. This chapter focuses on how businesses can implement a VoIP system that exceeds expectations and far surpasses the traditional PSTN.Continue Reading

• IP phones get more innovative in 2008

  The IP phone hasn't kept up with the rest of the VoIP ecosystem. Expect 2008 to be the year the IP phone undergoes a facelift as vendors create more functionality in the phone, allowing users to create a more custom experience.Continue Reading

• Can I use my PC as a headset for VoIP or Skype?

  Can I use my PC as a headset for VoIP or Skype?Continue Reading

• What is the best way to build a distributed VoIP enterprise system?

  There are many factors that go into building a distributed VoIP enterprise system. Get expert Carrie Higbie's advice on making it a smooth transition.Continue Reading

• How to be future-ready for IP telephony

  While VoIP is coming under fire from some who question its bandwidth capabilities, among other things, Cisco and Avaya are leading the charge to make sure businesses are confident in their IP telephony environment by improving scalability.Continue Reading

• Microsoft's OCS is finally here, for better or for worse

  Zeus Kerravala reports on the long-awaited launch of Microsoft's OCS. Find out what areas end users should be cautious about and the features that will benefit organizations, regardless of their unique communication requirements.Continue Reading

• Is there a VoIP phone more suitable for someone with hearing problems?

  For those with hearing problems, finding a suitable VoIP phone can be a challenge. In this expert response, Carrie Higbie offers a member some advice.Continue Reading

• Beyond Asterisk -- Other open source PBXs

  Asterisk is the most widely known open source PBX, but other developers are making competitive products in the unified communications market. Learn more in this tip from Gary Audin.Continue Reading

• Open source PBX: Risk or value?

  Open source IP PBX systems like Asterisk have benefits and risks. Learn what they are and assess your readiness for the IP PBX implementation in this tip from Gary Audin.Continue Reading

• What kind of hardware is required for unified communications if there is already a SIP network in pl

  Find out what hardware is required for a unified communications system if SIP is already in place.Continue Reading

• Can Asterisk interact with other vendor-specific PBXes?

  Can Asterisk interact with other vendor-specific PBXes?Continue Reading

• Can you implement VoIP without VoIP phones?

  Learn how to configure a VoIP network without having to buy IP phones in this expert response.Continue Reading

• What equipment is needed to set up a VoIP network from a new satellite service?

  Learn what equipment is needed to set up a new VoIP network with satellite service in this expert response from ATE panelist Carrie Higbie.Continue Reading

• Routing basics -- What VoIP managers need to know

  Voice over IP (VoIP) requires that an organization's voice staff understand many of the fundamentals of data networking. Routing is an essential data networking function that also applies to VoIP. In this tip, learn more about the routers and ...Continue Reading

• Are there options, other than VoIP, hybrid or a traditional PBX, for enterprise-level communications

  Are there options, other than VoIP, hybrid or a traditional PBX, for enterprise-level communications?Continue Reading

• IP PBX: Ten reasons to switch

  Should you throw out the old PBX and replace it with a new IP PBX? This tip from WindowsNetworking.com provides ten compelling reasons to do so, along with a brief explanation of what an IP PBX is, how it works in a computer network and how it ...Continue Reading

• Softphones in a unified communications (UC) strategy? Who are UC market leaders?

  How would softphone capability fit into an overall unified communications strategy? Who are the leaders in this segment of the market?Continue Reading

• Is there a simple ROI calculator for IP PBX deployment? Where can I find a download of it?

  Is there a simple ROI calculator for IP PBX deployment? Where can I find a download of it?Continue Reading

• What is needed to use Voice over WLAN with a 3Com NBX 100?

  What is needed to use Voice over WLAN with a 3Com NBX 100?Continue Reading

• Is it possible to develop VoIP in Java for use on the LAN without using a PBX or a phone?

  Is it possible to develop VoIP in Java for use on the LAN without using a PBX or a phone?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

• How can a small business achieve high quality VoIP?

  As a small trader, I must be able to communicate with my trading partners who are often in other countries. We use IP telephony to keep costs down. Can you suggest how I can have high quality VoIP calls that will exceed PSTN call quality?Continue Reading

• Why do VoIP calls remain active after the phone call is ended?

  For our small business needs, we use a Linksys PAP for our IP telephony service. Sometimes though, we noticed that the call will remain active after we have ended the call and hung up. How do we configure the ATA or gateway to avoid this problem?Continue Reading

• Is SIP really better than HTTP? Follow-up to why use SIP.

  In a previous question, I asked why should I use SIP when my application built on HTTP works fine. You replied that SIP provides URL dialing. Yet, so does my application, with better session routing for all packets. Would you please elaborate? Can ...Continue Reading

• VoIP billing and tracking

  What are your options for keeping track of VoIP calls made in your organization? How can you manage the billing process? In this tip, we profile your options, including software-based tracking and billing, hosted solutions and outsourcing.Continue Reading

• Why should I use SIP for VoIP?

  If my application can do the work for a VoIP call established via HTTP, why should I use SIP?Continue Reading

• Asterisk in the enterprise: Benefits and best practices for business deployment

  Asterisk, the open source IP PBX, boasts a full range of features, functionality and friendliness to support a variety of needs and circumstances. This article highlights a few of those high points and lends perspective to the level of maturity ...Continue Reading

• What is the difference between VoIP and VoFR?

  What is the difference between VoIP and VoFR?Continue Reading

• What is the difference between VoIP and IP telephony?

  Learn about the differences between VoIP and IP telephony in this expert response.Continue Reading

• Can VoIP and PSTN PBX work together?

  Can we use VoIP and a PSTN PBX with each other? When there is a problem with the PBX, will the VoIP still work and our calls still connect?Continue Reading

• What should be considered when deciding between Avaya and Cisco?

  What should be considered when deciding between Avaya and Cisco?Continue Reading

• Secure VoIP with Zfone

  Zfone, now in beta and available for free download, offers a method for achieving secure, encrypted VoIP calls.Continue Reading

• We're opening a remote office -- should we get a new vendor who offers local support and SIP instead

  We're opening a remote office -- should we get a new vendor who offers local support and SIP instead of H.323?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

• VoIP over wireless

  How do I get VoIP or a softphone to work with wireless Internet?Continue Reading

• Follow-up to Can I bypass the PSTN with my current router/gateway setup?

  You mentioned on an answer to a previous question which was follows: "If I have an E1 PRI ISDN GSM gateway (VCL-GSM E1 PRI-30), DX 2030 (Digital E1 VoIP router/gateway Quintum and Internet access of 512 upstream and downstream, can I successfully ...Continue Reading

• Can I set up a VoIP network infrastructure over broadband Internet?

  Is setting up a VoIP network infrastructure over broadband Internet similar to setting it up at WAN level in organizations?Continue Reading

• How do I know when dropped calls happen because of my equipment or my service?

  I use BroadVoice and it drops my calls on every other call without warning. Is there a problem with my equipment or an issue with the service? I checked with SpeakEasy and the upload is usually better than 248kbps. Do you have any suggestions for ...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