When the information technology department plans for upgrades, especially a VoIP deployment, a lot of attention is focused on servers, applications, switches, routers, and network security. Just about no attention is paid to the core network services that provide users access to all these splendid systems, and are in all cases essential for VoIP to even work at all.

If users are unable to get to the applications that they need over the network, or if customers are unable to access the Internet-based Web services or applications that they need, all business transactions come to an immediate stopping point . Since application access is so necessary, it is worthwhile to look at how to make sure everything in the system works properly.

There are four core network services that have to be up and running for users to be able to get to their applications. These are:

1. DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. This service is what gives the user an IP address on the internal network when they connect. No network communication can happen without having an IP address, as well as the other information that the DHCP service provides, which is a default route and the IP addresses of the DNS servers. What most people don’t know is that most often the DHCP service is handled by a non-redundant Windows box , or by a router that provides almost no visibility into the operation of the service. DHCP is necessary for VoIP systems.
2. DNS stands for domain name service. This service is what changes simple to remember names on the network, like a URL in an application , to the IP addresses that the applications running on computers can’t do without . Without DNS, any network-based applications cannot be used. DNS is most often provided centrally by redundant windows servers, and externally by multiple small Linux boxes running BIND. Unfortunately, sometimes the Windows DNS service has stability issues, and it is tedious and error prone to change the BIND settings on the Linux boxes.
3. NTP stands for network time protocol. There are many applications that need the correct time on the servers and workstations, especially SIP-based voice applications and network security programs . NTP is in most cases served from redundant windows servers.
4. IPAM stands for IP address management. It is important to have an overall IP address organizing method in order to ensure that DHCP and DNS are working properly. Entire new subnets are added in a VoIP deployment, so this is especially high priority then.

As you should be able to see, high availability core network services are a very important to the correct operation of everything on the network, and especially VoIP. In your next upgrade planning cycle, it is beneficial to look at upgrading the availability of the core network services of DHCP, DNS, NTP, and IPAM.

A Hosted VoIP Phone system is a great way for a business with 45 users or less to get all the benefits of a business voice PBX without any of the concerns that come with managing it.

There are much better voice and messaging capabilities available with Hosted VoIP Systems than with legacy in-office PBX phone systems. For example, inbound calls can be routed both to the desk phone and cellphone of a user at the same time. Also, any voicemail messages can be sent to an email address for listening to right away. Many of the capabilities that users have on their mobile phones are available on a Hosted VoIP system, like a listing of received, dialed, and missedcalls.

Even though a traditional PBX was very reliable, a Hosted VoIP system actually has a better level of reliability. One of the benefits of using VoIP is the ability to direct a call to another phone that is reachable through a good internet path. So, if your people are unable to come into work due to a flooding, pandemic, hailstorm, or other problem, the calls could still be sent to alternate locations, like VoIP phones at another office, or to VoIP phones at your employees homes, or even to people’s cellphones.

The greatest advantage of Hosted VoIP is the lower cost. Because there is no big system to buy, the upfront cost is limited to the VoIP phones and basic network upgrades to support reliable VoIP traffic delivery. The monthly cost is lower also, since there is no need to have a maintenance contract with a local telephone company.

Voice quality on a Hosted VoIP Phone system can be better than traditional office phone systems as well, as long as some basic guidelines are followed.

Read more about VoIP solutions from an Electrical Engineer and Cisco Certfied Voice Professional who has been designing, installing, and supporting VoIP for business since 2000.

The telecom products available in the market today that can cater well to your business communication needs. These include audio & video conferencing systems, voice mail among many others
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Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone services are becoming very popular in businesses around the world. To put it simply, VoIP telephony is an internet phone. Using the same technology that allows other data to be sent over the internet, such as emails, pictures and music, VoIP allows live conversations over the internet.

VoIP uses IP addresses instead of phone numbers, and Ethernet cables in place of the phone line. There are lots of VoIP applications like Skype, as well as hardware such as specially designed IP phones.

What’s more, with VoIP you can save a lot of money on conventional ‘landline’ phonebills, whilst making internet-to-internet and internet-to-phone calls all over the world. VoIP just plugs into any computer or laptop, making it completely portable, affordable way of staying in touch. Many businesses worldwide are looking to improve business communication through the use of VoIP phone services.

The communication requirements for businesses may vary according to their nature, but the key factors remain the same; Maintaining frequent contact with customers, suppliers, dealers and distributors. To improve business communication, many organisations employ VoIP phone services. They are an affordable means of communication, and are more flexible than traditional phone systems, allowing data to be more easily archived and syndicated.

Businesses can continue using existing permanent phone lines and mobiles, and VoIP allows users to make multiple international phone calls while browsing the web. It is generally accepted that most businesses could benefit from introducing VoIP communication services, to help make tremendous improvements and cut the cost of business communication.

VoIP systems have fax detection built in, to automatically route these calls to the fax machine. VoIP systems allow easy recording of phone calls, allowing for playback for review or to take note of important details. The compression of the sound is adjustable so a large bandwidth is not necessary.

VoIP also allows remote access to computer systems for technicians or managers. Travel, time and money is saved. VoIP can allow home and mobile users to obtain the same amount of access and functionality they would expect when working from the office, and allows a single communications network to handle all communication needs.

Despite their flexibility and convenience, they are not yet desireable for home users, since to use VoIP effectively, a VoIP gateway must be installed at every location where you intend to call regular phones from. This expense may not be cancelled out by the savings in phone bills, which explains why VoIP is still the preserve of major corporations and call centres that ca afford the initial expenditure required to setup a VoIP network.

G3 Telecommunications designs and installs VoIP solutions using IP telephony technology which can stand up to the daily rigors of even the most demanding of enterprise environments.

Article Source: ArticleSpan

Even with business communication advances of the last twenty years, many companies still use outdated office phone systems. They have leveraged the communication advantages of email, instant messaging and dynamic web applications and yet make their calls on archaic systems little removed from Alexander Graham Bell’s original. Modern digital phone systems using VoIP are much more flexible than older PBX phone systems.

Today’s Non-Traditional Worker

Communication technology allows businesses to adapt to the personal and professional needs of individual staff. Workers balancing home and work life appreciate some leeway. When home and work are in harmony the worker is happy, and happy workers are productive workers.

However a versatile office phone system isn’t just about Bob in Accounting working from home when little Johnny has the flu. Companies with full-time telecommuting save money on office space, utilities and other onsite employee costs. Small business VoIP provides business-level phone service for workers in home offices. Clients and partners won’t know if the person on the other end of the phone is in an office, working at a kitchen table, or sitting in a coffee shop.

A VoIP digital phone system helps traveling employees, allowing them to receive calls no matter where they are without having to leave clients a long list of numbers to try. Whether meeting with a client across town or at a conference across the country, staff are available when needed.

Digital Phone Systems Allow Employees to Be Reachable Anywhere

One key feature of a VoIP office phone system is the phone number belongs to the phone not to the geographical location. The handset is plugged in anywhere with internet access, making the employee immediately available. Callers dial the same local number but it rings through to the phone anywhere in the world.

For those who don’t want to carry their IP phones around, business VoIP phone system could forward calls to any possible phone including home or cell numbers. The forwarding can ring specific phones according to a schedule, ring each phone sequentially until one is answered, or ring all at once even across multiple telephone numbers.

Do Not Disturb

The problem with being universally reachable is you are universally reachable. Even the most dedicated employee needs time away from work. The goal of a VoIP digital phone system is not to follow the worker around like some wild-eyed stalker, but to give each individual options to control availability.

During meetings or other time the worker can’t answer the phone, the Do Not Disturb function makes the phone "busy" and sends incoming calls to voice mail. Caller ID allows manual screening of calls while Caller ID lists automatically filter incoming calls so a given number might always be sent to voice mail while another is always allowed through.

VoIP offer every feature of a traditional office phone system along with additional capabilities your old phone system can’t match.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on digital phone system , visit http://www.telesynergy.com/.

Article Source: ArticleSpan