Internet Phone Services Simplified (VoIP)

by Doherty, Jim; Anderson, Neil

• ISBN13: 9781587201622
• ISBN10: 1587201623
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-25
• Publisher: Cisco Press

Summary

A straightforward, graphic-based reference book for selecting and implementing Internet phone services, based on VoIP.

Author Biography

Jim Doherty is the director of marketing and programs with Symbol Technologies’ industry solutions group. Prior to joining Symbol, Jim worked at Cisco Systems®, where he led various marketing campaigns for IP telephony and routing and switching solutions. Jim has 17 years of engineering and marketing experience across a broad range of networking and communications technologies. Jim is the coauthor of Cisco Networking Simplified and Home Networking Simplified and the author of the “Study Notes” section of Cisco CCNA Exam #640-607 Flash Card Practice Kit. Jim is a former Marine Corps sergeant; he holds a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from N.C. State University and an M.B.A. from Duke University.

 

Neil Anderson is a senior manager in enterprise systems engineering at Cisco Systems and is currently responsible for enterprise wide-area networking, branch-office networking, and teleworking systems architectures. Neil has more than 20 years of diverse telecom experience, including public telephone systems, mobile telephone systems, IP networks, wireless networking, and home networks. Neil has held roles in research and development, systems engineering, and technical marketing. Neil is the co-author of Home Networking Simplified. At Cisco Systems, Neil leads the development of network systems architectures, including voice over IP (VoIP), wireless LAN (WLAN), and security technologies, for enterprise and small-business customers. Neil holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

 

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. xiv
Introduction	p. xv
Internet Telephony Fundamentals	p. 2
Traditional Phone Systems	p. 3
In the Beginning	p. 3
Rise of the Machines	p. 5
Ma Bell	p. 8
Breaking Up the Happy Family	p. 9
Mobile Telephone System	p. 11
Internet	p. 13
Consolidate, Merge, and Acquire	p. 13
Important Things to Know About the PSTN	p. 14
Voice over IP (VoIP)	p. 15
Circuit Switching and Packet Switching	p. 15
How VoIP Works	p. 17
VoIP Signaling	p. 17
How VoIP Carries a Conversation	p. 20
VoIP Features	p. 22
Power in VoIP Networks	p. 22
Putting It All Together	p. 23
Advantages of Broadband Phone Services	p. 25
Lowering Your Monthly Phone Bill	p. 25
Infrastructure Costs	p. 25
Transport Costs	p. 26
Regulatory Compliance	p. 26
Taxes and Fees	p. 26
Phone Number Flexibility	p. 27
Keeping Your Same Phone Number	p. 27
Virtual Phone Numbers	p. 29
Online Call Management	p. 31
Voice Mail	p. 31
Call Forwarding	p. 32
Call Logs	p. 32
Click to Dial	p. 32
Summary of Advantages	p. 32
Knowing Your Limits	p. 33
Reliability	p. 33
It's Electric	p. 33
Reliance on Broadband and the Internet	p. 34
Voice Quality	p. 35
911 and E911	p. 37
How 911 and E911 Works	p. 37
The Challenge for VoIP	p. 39
Solutions	p. 40
Summary of Limitations	p. 43
From the Geek Squad Files	p. 45
Choosing an Internet Phone Service	p. 48
Inventory of Broadband Phone Services	p. 49
Internet VoIP Phone Services	p. 49
Cable VoIP Digital Phone Services	p. 50
VoIP Chat Services	p. 52
Summary of Broadband Phone Services	p. 53
Selecting an Internet Phone Service	p. 55
What Will I Use It For?	p. 55
What Is My Backup Plan?	p. 56
Power	p. 56
Backup Line	p. 57
Keeping a Minimal PSTN Line	p. 57
Which Service Should I Choose?	p. 57
Looking at Total Costs	p. 57
Is It Reliable Enough?	p. 61
Does It Have the Features You Need?	p. 61
Are Specialized Devices Supported?	p. 61
Revisiting Safety and 911	p. 62
Comparing Plans	p. 62
Summary	p. 66
Selecting VoIP Equipment	p. 67
Cable VoIP Service Equipment	p. 67
Internet VoIP Service Equipment	p. 68
Choosing a Terminal Adapter	p. 68
What Do the Internet VoIP Providers Offer?	p. 71
VoIP Chat Service Equipment	p. 72
Summary	p. 72
From the Geek Squad Files	p. 73
Going VoIP at Home	p. 76
Connecting the VoIP Equipment	p. 77
Starting Point	p. 77
Connecting Cable VoIP Service	p. 77
Connecting Internet VoIP Service	p. 79
Signing Up for Service	p. 79
Installing a Stand-alone Terminal Adapter	p. 80
Installing an Integrated Router/Terminal Adapter	p. 81
Connecting VoIP Chat Service	p. 83
Making a Test Call	p. 83
911 or E911 Registration	p. 84
Summary	p. 85
Addendum: Manually Configuring Terminal Adapters for Home Networks Using Static IP Addresses	p. 85
Making VoIP Accessible Throughout Your Home	p. 87
Using Cordless Phones with VoIP	p. 87
Separate PSTN and VoIP Lines	p. 88
Two-Line Cordless Phones	p. 89
Using Your Home Telephone Wiring with VoIP	p. 90
Introduction to Home Telephone Wiring	p. 90
Getting Access to Two Lines	p. 92
Home Wiring with Cable VoIP Service	p. 93
Home Wiring with Internet VoIP Service	p. 95
Issues with Multiple Handsets	p. 96
Overloading Your Terminal Adapter's Ringer Equivalence Number	p. 96
Simultaneous Handsets Off Hook	p. 97
Multiline VoIP Services	p. 98
Specialized Phone Devices	p. 100
Fax	p. 101
TiVo and Satellite Receiver Boxes	p. 101
Home Security/Alarm Systems	p. 101
Summary	p. 102
Using Wireless Networks to Extend VoIP	p. 103
Wireless Bridges	p. 103
Wireless Phone Jacks	p. 104
Summary	p. 106
Troubleshooting: Can You Hear Me Now?	p. 107
Classify the Trouble	p. 107
Service Connection Problems	p. 107
Voice Quality Issues	p. 110
Broadband Speed	p. 110
Broadband Network Quality	p. 112
Other Issues	p. 115
Dialing-Related Issues	p. 115
Getting Additional Help from Your VoIP Provider	p. 115
Summary	p. 116
From the Geek Squad Files	p. 117
VoIP Chat Services	p. 120
VoIP Chat Services	p. 121
Instant Messaging	p. 121
Client-Server	p. 122
Peer-to-Peer	p. 122
Internet Messaging with Voice	p. 125
Summary	p. 128
Using Skype and Google Talk	p. 129
Installing and Using Skype	p. 129
Improving Your Audio Quality	p. 131
Calling People Who Have "Real" Phones (and Phone Numbers)	p. 133
Getting Calls from People Who Use "Real" Phones	p. 134
Installing and Using Google Talk	p. 135
Adding Contacts in Google Talk	p. 137
Using Google Talk	p. 138
Summary	p. 138
The Future of Telephony	p. 139
A Review of What We Have Now	p. 139
The Cost Battle: Consumers Versus Companies and Governments	p. 139
System Convergence	p. 140
Future Use Scenario	p. 140
Mitigating Factor No. 1: Intrasystem Cooperation	p. 143
Mitigating Factor No. 2: Battery Life and Size	p. 144
Conclusion	p. 144
From the Geek Squad Files	p. 145
Glossary	p. 147
Index	p. 153
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.