Voice over IP refers to technology that transmits live voice communications across a network connection using IP protocols. A key benefit of Voice over IP is its capability to help reduce expenses because phone calls travel across the data network rather than the phone company's services. IP telephony encompasses the entire range of VoIP related services such as the interconnection of phone sets for communications; associated services such as invoicing and dialing plans; and basic features including group calls, transfer, forward, and hold. These features might previously handled by a Private Branch Exchange (PBX).
Voice over IP is the basis for more advanced unified communications solutions. Cisco's Unified Communications system of voice, image, mobility, and Internet Protocol communications offerings provides the tools for creating a single converged network that can handle multiple types of traffic concurrently. Cisco's solution provides this functionality while sustaining a high level of network resilience, Quality of Service , and Protection. Important advantages of Cisco's telephony technologies include:
- A versatile, interoperable migration strategy that allows you to select IP products that handle your current need, while offering a smooth path for accelerating IP integration
- Quality of Service technologies that provide excellent voice quality by means of tight control of latency, loss, and distortion
- Network management technologies that provide system administration, repair, setup, fault monitoring, and device management
The framework of Cisco's IP communications solution is composed of communications endpoints, call-processing agents, and telephony applications.
Communications Endpoints
A call endpoint is a customer instrument, either a desk phone or a software phone program powered by a personal computer. In the IP environment, every VoIP phone is Ethernet connected. IP phones offer all of the features that a conventional phone provides. Voice over IP phones often have additional functions such as being able to connect to the web or host useful applications. Cisco VoIP phones include Cisco's 24-button Unified IP Phone 7931G, Cisco's Unified Wireless IP Phone 7921G, and the Cisco IP Phone 7985G video phone.
In a Cisco IP phone network, you can also choose the Cisco IP Communicator product, a PC--based telephony application. When using the Cisco IP Communicator off-site, you take your office extensions with you and also have available the same phone capabilities you have in the office. IT managers can set up Cisco IP Communicator the way they do any other Cisco VoIP device, greatly streamlining IP phone management.
In contrast to conventional PBX technology, in a Cisco IP communications network you can implement virtually instant relocations, adds, and changes. You merely move the IP handset to your new location, plug it into the Ethernet connection, and the device announces itself with Cisco Communications Manager (formerly CallManager). All user permissions and settings are programmatically replicated, eliminating the cost and hassle of sending support personnel to wiring closets. Another useful capability is extension mobility, which allows you to sign into any Cisco IP device and receive your personal phone extension and rights.
Centralized and Remote Call-processing Agents
Cisco's call-processing agent is the center of Cisco's IP Communications system. To address your business needs you can elect to deploy a central call-processing design, a decentralized model, or a combination of the two. In a centralized approach, Cisco Communications Manager extends corporate phone features to packet telephony devices such as IP handsets, media management products, VoIP gateways, and multimedia applications across the network. Cisco Communications Manager enables extra voice, video, and data functions including unified messaging, video conferencing, and group-based client interaction networks.
When a central Communications Manager cluster also takes care of call processing for customers at distributed sites, administrators can help ensure continuous call operation using Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony, an IOS Software image for Cisco routers. If a Wide Area Network link fails, Cisco SRST in the router provides core Communications Manager services until the link is restored.
For small networks or remote small corporation branch locations that do not need the complete, high-end feature set available from Cisco Communications Manager, Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express provides a cost-effective alternative that handles the needs of sites with as many as 240 workers. Because Unified Communications Manager Express is embedded in the Cisco IOS Software operating on a Cisco router, smaller organizations can quickly and simply deploy a combined voice/data environment.
Internet Protocol Telephony Applications
Within Cisco's Unified Communications platform, Internet Protocol telephony applications are physically separate from the call-processing and voice-processing infrastructure, and they may be at any location within the network. A cohesive network infrastructure provides a versatile environment for powerful applications, and acts as a solid basis for future convergence-based software.
Cisco works with key technology companies to offer a broad range of third-party Internet Protocol phone applications and products. Cisco also supports the capability to develop and administer customized applications.
Cisco Unity Services for Integrated Messaging
Cisco's Unity product portfolio offers powerful voicemail plus unified messaging options that transparently integrate with Exchange, Domino, and Groupwise. Cisco Unity expands to handle the requirements of major enterprises and provides versatile migration tools and a wide range of efficiency enhancing features.
Cisco's Unity system supports both Cisco Communications Manager and leading PBX systems to allow your business to transition to IP telephony at a comfortable speed and amortize your current infrastructure investments. The solution also includes several networking modules that support advanced message interchange with popular voice-mail systems. While you are upgrading to the Cisco Unity solution, these modules help to ensure a smooth migration by offering you the capability to exchange messages with internal subscribers who reside on an older messaging system.
Cisco Unity Connection incorporates integrated messaging, voice recognition, and call transfer rules into an easy-to-manage system for medium-sized companies with up to 3000 workers. For organizations with up to 500 workers, Unity Connection is offered as a single-server option with Unified Communications Manager Business Edition.
Unity Connection is a feature-rich solution built on an architecture that is straightforward to install and support. With Unity Connection workers can retrieve voice messages using Cisco Unified Personal Communicator, use the screen on their Cisco VoIP handset to view, find, and sort messages. and can even utilize the voice interface of Cisco Unity Connection to connect to and participate in Unified MeetingPlace Express conferences. Unity Connection also provides robust automated attendant features such as intelligent call routing and easily personalized call display and message alert selections.
Cisco Unity Express, available in select Cisco Integrated Services routers, offers affordable voicemail, integrated messaging, interactive voice response (IVR), and automated-attendant services for small to medium businesses and enterprise branch locations with up to 250 users.
How Progent's Consultants Can Help You with Cisco's Voice over IP Telephony Technology
Progent can provide a certified CCIE or certified CCNP to assist you to implement and manage Cisco IP telephony solutions. Progent's developers can create custom unified messaging applications that will help your company to integrate the telephony capabilities of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your company operations for enhanced efficiency. Progent can audit your existing network and Internet access architecture to make sure your environment is configured to accommodate Voice over IP, assist you to choose and deploy Cisco hardware and software that make sense for your present needs and future growth strategy, and integrate your Cisco Voice over IP solution with products from other suppliers.
To learn more information concerning Progent's engineering expertise for Cisco technology, pick a subject:
Introduction to Progent's Cisco Expertise
Fast Access to a Engineer
Cisco ASA and PIX Firewall Consulting Expertise
Cisco Routers Consulting Support
Cisco Wireless Consulting Services
Cisco Switches Consulting Services
Cisco VPN and Protection Professional Help
Professional Services for Cisco-based Datacenters
Consulting Services for Internet Service Providers
Network Management Consulting for Cisco-powered Environments
To ask Progent about technical assistance for Cisco products, phone 1-800-993-9400 or send email to cisco-help@progent.com.
