Security, Stability, and Interoperability Issues on VoIP Implementation

Now we have accepted that VoIP is no longerallocated for VoIP alone. Therefore, there needs
just a phone service, it has become feature richto be a compression taking place to compact the
as it merges with computer configurations. Thevoice data into a considerable size before it gets
VoIP's existence has changed considerably overtransmitted over a packet switching network.
the last few years, coupled with the availability ofG.723 codec that is incorporated in VoIP standard
broadband connection to the Internet, plus leaps inprotocol H.232 can take a 64kb/s stream of data
multimedia technology in which virtual operationsand squash it down to a mere 5.5kb/s or so.
with remote sites becomes more enhanced,Generally, for VoIP to work reliably over WAN
makes VoIP service a viable alternative tolinks, there has to be low jitter, low packet loss, a
traditional communication offerings.Cost savings isconsiderably high-speed connection between the
not the only driving force for VoIPendpoints, and less than 200ms delay.3.
implementations, enterprises have to considerInteroperabilityCompatibility between VoIP
some business aspects that VoIP can bring about.equipment from different vendors is a very
VoIP creates potentials for applications that couldimportant aspect to boost the use of VoIP
not have been done before. Collaboration,products. Without standardized quality of service
integration, and interactivity between employeesmechanisms businesses would need to buy all the
and applications are one of the several businessequipment and the QoS server from the same
benefits that enterprises can derive from VoIPmanufacturer. The VoIP world seems to be
adoption. Nevertheless, amid euphoria of VoIPdivided between many vendors with reluctance to
technology, there are three important aspects toestablish interoperability and some who are trying
look at before a company goes VoIP. In theto be end-to-end supplier but at the same time
following paragraphs I will summarize the aspectworried about interoperability. The protocols used
of security, stability, and interoperability that playin VoIP communication are still considered fairly
a key role in the successful implementation ofcomplex in comparison to most of the other
VoIP.1. SecurityVoIP implementations may exposeprotocols involved in Internet applications. SIP
new security risks and challenges that somehow(Session Initiation Protocol - a signaling protocol for
become greater concern than quality andInternet conferencing, telephony, events
cost-efficiency among vendors and users. VoIPnotification, and instant messaging), that is
networks are vulnerable to all the same securityregarded as simple and elegant the other
risks as traditional IP data networks, including:protocols, is still not efficient.On the bright side,
Denial of Service (DoS), viruses, worms, Tollhowever, SIP is approaching status as an IETF
fraud and unauthorized access, Spoofing, and port(Internet Engineering Task Force) standard, after
scanning.several years of work. With the recent version, it
It is recommended that organizations shouldhas achieved a greater amount of stability and
adopt a layered, defense-in-depth securitychanges are becoming smaller and smaller. Phone
strategy to address the issue with the increasingswitch companies such as Nortel have recently
proliferation of new Internet-borne attacks andbegun supporting SIP, and now the manufacturers
malicious activities in recent years. In thisof handsets and related devices will soon ramp up
architecture, the network is segmented intotheir support. Motorola, Avaya, and Proxim have
secure zones protected by layers of firewall,made collaboration on the creation and
intrusion prevention, and other security services.deployment of IP telephony solutions that will
This strategy allows the organizations to logicallydeliver new extents of communication mobility
split and secure voice and data networks in frontand network connectivity.Finally, with these three
of individual voice and data components andVoIP aspects covered, businesses will be able to
between interactive points in the network.2.maximize their investment by applying it as the
StabilityOne of the main issues of VoIP is thebackbone of internal communication such as
amount of bandwidth required for each call. Therephone conversation, videoconferencing, instant
must be adequate bandwidth reserved and themessaging, faxing, etc. Another area that will
quality of the link must be well maintainedwidely make use of VoIP is call centers, in which
throughout each call to ensure the users are notWeb contacts, virtual operations with outsourcers
affected. As the very nature of VoIP call isoverseas, and remote sites, such as home
real-time, any disruption during the call would beagents, all could improve the customer
easily noticeable and unacceptable. The two issuesexperience. New VoIP applications that we have
that enterprises usually have to deal with here arenot thought about may also come into existence
bandwidth and quality of service (QoS).VoIP callsas the services generates more business and
need a data transmission speed of 64kb/s toprofits for companies.Al Falaq Arsendatama is
produce the quality of voice comparable to thatweb entrepreneur specializing in technology and
of a normal telephone call. That 64kb/s channelfinance. Please visit Direct TV vs Dish Network
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duration of the call. Theoretically, VoIP installationsTV network.
would not allow such a huge bandwidth to be