Voice over IP
Abstract
Organisations and business alike are embracing the use and application of various forms of information technology in their business processes and operations in equal measure. There is a myriad of benefits associated with the use and application of various forms of information technology in business operations and processes. Computer networking has facilitated the advancements currently witnessed in information technology (Jahanirad, AL-Nabhani and Rafidah 4954). While the use and application of information technology have its benefits, it presents various disadvantages as well. Voice over IP is one form of information technology that has been utilised by numerous businesses and organisation to further their businesses missions and visions. The application of Voice over IP presents an organisation with numerous advantages over the traditional telephony or other means of communication. The paper outline the underlying technology and mechanism used to achieve Voice over IP. It presents a non-technical analysis of how Voice over IP works in addition to its various applications in a business environment.
Part 1: Voice over Internet Protocol
Introduction
The non-technical definition or description of Voice over IP varies from a range of definitions. Voice over IP stands for voice over internet protocol; it is the use of internet protocol to relay and transfer voice data between two points simultaneously as a traditional telephone line does. In other words, Voice over Internet protocol is the use of the internet to communicate through voice (Namboodiri and Lixin 566). It is similar to a regular communication using telephone line except that instead of a telephone line the internet is used as the communication platform. Further definition of voice over internet protocol shows that it is a type of communication that enables users to make phone calls over a broadband internet connection as opposed to the traditional analogue telephone line. The basic access to VoIP services enables one to call others who receive calls over the internet.
It is imperative to note that Voice over IP uses the internet as a communication platform instead of the traditional telephone lines. It enables users to exchange voice data simultaneously through a telephone which uses the internet (Jahanirad, AL-Nabhani and Rafidah 4956). The technology employs the same concept of communication as the traditional telephone line except for the relay of the information or voice data. Instead of using the telephone line to relay the voice data, it uses the internet protocol. One of the advantages of using Voice over IP as compared to the traditional telephone is the reach. Voice over IP has a wide reach not bound by physical geography as a traditional telephone. It can easily be used to communicate across the globe while traditional telephone lines are restricted to land.
The use of interconnected Voice over IP services enables users to receive and make calls from and to traditional landline numbers. This service presented by the use of Voice over IP is usually done at a service fee. The technology has various requirements before achieving the desired communication. While the requirements may vary depending on the vendor of the technology, there are some basic and underlying requirements common in all (Zourzouvillys and Eric 69). While some Voice over IP services requires a dedicated Voice over IP phone or a computer, other Voice over IP services enables users to use their landline phones to make Voice over IP calls via a special adapter.
The use and application of Voice over Internet Protocol is gaining popularity as an attractive communication alternative for businesses, organisations and individuals in equal measure. As compared to other forms of communications across long distances, the use and application of Voice over IP presents the user with a myriad of advantages and options. The advantages and options are behind the reasons for the technology’s fast spreading popularity among individuals, businesses and organisations alike (Jahanirad, AL-Nabhani and Rafidah 4954). Voice over Internet Protocol offers an inclination to lower fees for fundamental broadband service. The fast adoption of faster internet services coupled with the trend inclined towards lower fees for fundamental broadband services propels the popularity of this technology. While elaborating the benefits associated with the use of Voice over IP, it is imperative to take note of the threats presented by the same technology as well. The increase in the usage and application of Voice over IP present an increase in potential threats to the distinctive user.
The basic operation of Voice over Internet protocol can be summed up as the transmission of voice over a digital network. While the use of the internet is highlighted as one of the most fundamental components of this technology, the technology does not rely on the internet but instead the same protocol used in Internet communication. The technology takes advantage of the same protocols used on the internet for communication to achieve the transmission of voice over a digital network (Jahanirad, AL-Nabhani and Rafidah 4955). In most cases, Voice over Internet protocol is always confused with the use of the internet to communicate through telephone. It is important to highlight that the technology does not necessarily require the existence of internet to successfully operate (Sinnreich and Alan 37). However, it employs and requires the application of the communication protocols similar to the protocols used on the internet. As a consequence, Voice over Internet protocol can be described as the voice or audio data that travels using the same protocols sued on the internet. Internet protocols are a set of rules and procedures that governs the transmission of data over the internet.
The analogue signal generated by a standard telephone is digitalized and relayed over the Internet to the intended destination using a conversion device. The signal is converted back to the analogue telephony at the intended destination using a similar device appropriate for input to a normal telephone. A gateway is situated between the digital data transport circuit and a voice coded. A similar gateway device is placed at the far end of the network (Namboodiri and Lixin 567). The gateway device is used to carry out the signaling function on a telephone call as well as other functions. The technology uses one of the several codecs to convert the analogue voice signal developed by the standard telephone into a digital equivalent signal (Sinnreich and Alan 38). The binary outcome of the codec is relayed to a conversion device like a packetizer which loads the binary data into an IP payload ranging from 20 to 40 octents. The converter outputs a series of IP packets that are relayed on the internet or through the use of other data circuits for delivery to the desired distant location. At the other end of the voice over internet protocol communication link, the IP packets are fed into a converter removes the IP header and then stores the payload. The payload is then released into a invariable bit stream to a codec. The codec is used to switch the digital bit rivulet back to an analogue signal that is fed into a normal telephone.
The operation of voice over internet protocol is a simple process which employs the same principles as the normal telephone services except for the protocol and media used in the transmission of the information from one location to another. In most cases, voice over internet protocol is known as IP telephony based on the fact that it employs the use of internet protocols as its basis for communication (Hersent 56). The use of internet protocol in relaying audio or voice data over the internet present numerous benefits over the traditional communication. As compared to traditional telecommunication, the application of internet protocol allows for improved voice communications (Namboodiri and Lixin 569). It is important to note that the internet protocols form the basis of Internet protocol networking. This type of networking protocol supports a wide range of networks including cable, private, corporate, public as well as wireless.
The application and use of Voice over Internet Protocol bring together the numerous business and organisation's locations into a solitary congregated communication network. This communication network unity presents the organisation with an unparalleled myriad of telephony support features and services. Additionally, the application of Voice over Internet Protocol presents enhanced bandwidth utilisation through the use of compression, exploitation of silence periods during conversations and sharing of equipment for both data and voice processing. Voice over internet protocol introduces novel services such as distance learning and conferences.
Protocols
The operation of voice over internet protocol employs the use of various elements and protocols such as terminals, gateways (signalling and media), gatekeepers and Multipoint Control Unit (MCU). On the other hand, the protocols used in voice over internet protocol include audio/video codec, RTP, RTCP, signalling and control messages H.225, RAS, TCP, UDP and IP. Terminals are communication end points which are based on local area network (LAN). Gateway is an interface between circuit-switched and packet-switched networks (Jahanirad, AL-Nabhani and Rafidah 4954). There are several subdivisions of the gateway; media gateway, signalling gateway and media gateway controller. A media gateway is used for protocol conversation and voice trans-coding. On the other hand, media gateway controller is used for call state and call handling. Similarly, the signaling gateway is used for signalling mediation. Gatekeepers are used for translation of address, admission control and SNMP services. Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) is employed in the handling of conference calls and broadcasts (Namboodiri and Lixin 566).
Voice over IP Configuration
There are various devices used to configure voice over Internet protocol technology; dedicated routers, software controlled voice over IP applications, USB adapters and dedicated Voice over IP phones.
Dedicated routers
Dedicated routers are devices that enable users to employ the use of traditional phones to make Voice over IP calls. The routers are linked to high-speed internet source, DSL or cable models which enable the user to link an ordinary telephone. Dedicated routers do not need special software applications or interaction with the computer to operate once they have been configured appropriately (Hersent 57). It is a simple plug and plays once they have been configured. The only necessary items include an adapter and a high-speed internet connection as well as a phone.
Software-controlled Voice over IP applications
Software-controlled voice over IP applications plays a significant role in enabling users to make voice over internet protocol phone calls through the use of a computer without the need of a phone. The use of software-controlled voice over IP applications enables users to make direct calls using a computer and a high-speed internet service. Software applications that allow users to make voice over internet protocol call with the use of a computer vary from different venders. The applications and the services allow users to communicate with each other using an internet connection and a computer at no charge and to the rest of the globe for free (Jahanirad, AL-Nabhani and Rafidah 4954). In most cases, these software applications are attractive to customers give that they come configured with all the necessary components needed to get started at minimal to no cost. These software applications provide an interface between the user and the hardware of the computer and the microphone to attain a voice over an internet protocol phone call.
Dedicated Voice over IP phones
A dedicated voice over IP phones is used to attain phone calls over the internet through a direct connection to a high-speed internet source. These types of phones are similar to ordinary cordless or corded telephones. The only difference that exists between a dedicated voice over IP phones and an ordinary telephone is in the connection type. While ordinary telephones connect directly to a traditional telephone line, dedicated voice over IP phone connects directly to a computer network (Namboodiri and Lixin 566). A dedicated voice over IP may be made of a base station that links to the internet and a phone or it may function on a local wireless network. It is imperative to note that Voice over IP adapters must have both a service plan and a service provider.
USB adapters
Adapters play a significant role in the process of making a phone calls using Voice over Internet Protocol. They enable a Voice over Internet Protocol user to employ the use of a traditional phone to make Voice over internet protocol calls. These devices come in the shape and form of USB adapters that are somewhat bigger than the normal thumb drive. USB adapters used in Voice over Internet Protocol technology are composed of a normal modular phone jack which an ordinary phone line is connected. The moment the USB adapters are connected, an ordinary phone operates in a similar manner to a phone connected to a standard phone service.
Part 2: Business applications and limitations
The advantages associated with the use and application of Voice over Internet Protocol has made the technology popular among various businesses and organizations. Voice over Internet protocol technology is currently applied by various businesses and organizations for various purposes. In most cases, voice over Internet Protocol technology is used to provide cheap, reliable and fast global phone calls and communications across large distances all over the globe (Hersent 66). Its applications and uses have evolved into conferencing and broadcasting. Additionally, the application of Voice over Internet Protocol presents enhanced bandwidth utilization through the use of compression, exploitation of silence periods during conversations and sharing of equipment for both data and voice processing.
The use and application of Voice over Internet Protocol bring together the numerous business and organization’s locations into a solitary congregated communication network. This communication network unity presents the organization with unparalleled myriad of telephony support features and services. Voice over internet protocol introduces novel services such as distance learning and conferences. While the use and applications of Voice over Internet Protocol technology present numerous benefits to organizations and businesses alike, its pitfalls and limitations exposes the organization to various threats and risks.
Availability, Requirement and Service Limitations
Requirements
Voice over Internet protocol technology require several components such as Internet connection through an Internet Service Provider (ISP), a Voice over Internet protocol software to make the calls, and a Voice over Internet Protocol service to expand the reach to traditional telephone lines. As opposed to Voice over Internet protocol, traditional telephone line does not require any of the requirements to operate. While the cost of installation and purchase of these requirements may not be expensive and may not limit the use and application of this technology, the availability of the technology is limited by power outage and internet connection or bandwidth.
Availability
The availability of Voice over Internet Protocol technology is limited by both power outage and bandwidth. Typical power outage renders Voice over Internet protocol unavailable since the components of the technology such as computers, adapters and dedicated routers rely on a power source to operate. As opposed to Voice over Internet Protocol technology, the use of traditional phone lines still operates even in the absence of power. To ensure the availability of this technology, it is imperative for businesses and organizations to employ the use of uninterruptible power supply (Namboodiri and Lixin 568). Apart from power outages, bandwidth limits the availability of voice over internet protocol technology. The application and use of voice over internet protocol technology requires the use and connection to high speed internet source. The technology uses the Internet protocol to relay and transmit voice or audio data from one point to another through the internet. The use of internet requires certain amount of bandwidth for reliable functionality. Business organizations employ the use of typical broadband connection which exhibit interruption of service or degradation of quality. This interruptions leads to unavailability of bandwidth die to high internet traffic.
Threats/ Risks
There are various risks and threats associated with the use and application of voice over internet protocol technology. Most of the threats and risks associated with the application and use of this technology are similar to those associated with the use of internet application. Some of the threats and risks include spam over the internet telephony, confidentiality concerns and spoofing.
The application of this technology has allowed telemarketing and spam to plague both internet users and consumers. Similar to email spam, spam over Internet telephony allows for consumers be bothered by commercial messages through the use of Voice over Internet Protocol technology. As opposed to traditional telemarketing, the use of Voice over Internet protocol presents a potential for huge volumes of unsolicited calls owing to a myriad of tools available to hackers on the Internet (Namboodiri and Lixin 566).
Additionally, spoofing presents another risk and threats to users and consumers of this technology. It presents the opportunity for attackers to masquerade another Voice over Internet protocol caller. Attackers use various malware to inject bogus caller identification into a normal Voice over internet protocol call so as to confuse the receiver. It is also imperative to highlight the confidentiality concerns presented by the use of voice over internet protocol. In most cases, the data relayed and transmitted over the voice over internet protocol are not encrypted.
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