What is VoIP? |
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| Submitted: |
05-Dec-2005 20:28:32 |
| Imported From: |
zZine (original author: Gisterose)
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| That's exactly what a lot of people are asking. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a very complex subject: one can go into great detail about how it works, the many ways to use it and also the different variations it comes in.
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The easiest way to explain is by thinking of it as a road network with different routes (this will be explained later).
VoIP is telephony (or voice) that is sent over Internet networks externally via the means of packetizing. Don't look at the monitor blankly just yet, here's an explanation:
Packetizing/Packet-switching:
- This is a technique for taking data through a network by putting it into packets (like parcels), putting the address and the transport (routing) information in the form of a packet header, then taking the packets through roads (circuits) until they eventually reach the destination on the address. It's a bit like the postal system! Now, packets from the same source are not really related to one another, which means that every packet has to find a different circuit through the network to reach its destination. If there's bad traffic (network congestion) on the network, then the packet may not always get there.
VoIP is all about switching telephone systems from analogue to digitally enhanced methods so they can work with computers, PDA's or IP telephones. Voice is converted into a data type that's easy to send to another computer and is recognized by a MAC (media access control) address as identification.
All in all, VoIP is the upgrade in the telephone communications industry. It provides speed, clarity and efficiency in one small packet. Once this vast network is set up, you will see just how flexible VoIP can be and how easily it can be integrated into other systems. Just remember, it's not necessary for the caller and the receiver to use a VoIP phone to make a VoIP call, anyone can use it.
References: Wiley – VoIP for Dummies – Timothy Kelly – 2005NACT VoIP Industry Tutorial
This article was originally published by CyberArmy.net in the CyberArmy Library.
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