August 18, 2012
What is enterprise Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)? The buzzwords and terminology that accompanies this large institution telecommunication solution can be daunting to industry newcomers. This article helps break down the language buzzwords barriers and explains enterprise VoIP in layman terms.
- PSTN – This is known as the traditional Public-Switched Telephone Networks.
- VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol is a general term that is used for technologies that use the Internet Protocol’s connections to exchange fax, voice and other forms of communication that were traditionally completed on Public-Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN).
- Internet Protocol – Otherwise known as IP, this is a network layer protocol in TCP/IP communications that forms the very foundation of company intranets and the Internet.
- Firewall – This is a set of programs, typically located at a network’s gateway or entrance, that protects a network’s resources from external threats and non-authorized users.
- Gateway – This is a network interface that helps convert calls from traditional Public-Switched Telephone Networks to a computer IP network.
- Packets – This is the term for a bundle of binary computer data that is sent over a network.
- H.323 – This is the international standard that is used for real-time video, data and voice communication in packets.
- IP PBX – This is known as a Private Branch Exchange. A PBX is an enterprise telephone system that helps connect telephone extensions to each other, in addition to the Public–Switched Telephone Network.
- QoS – An abbreviation for Quality of Service, this includes a network’s ability to deliver data with maximum availability and minimum delays.
- SIP – This stands for Session Initiation Protocol, which helps provide telephone services that are similar to H.323 systems, but are less complex and require far fewer resources to institute.
- Softswitch – This is a type of programmable network that is capable of processing signals for all types of packets, including those associated with IP.
- VPN – Known as a Virtual Private Network, enterprises use VPN’s to create WANs. WANs cover large geographic areas, which allow VPNs to effectively and efficiently deliver IP packets securely over IP networks through encryption methods.
- WAN – This is a network that covers a large geographic or regional area.
Jive, a leader in the business VoIP industry strives to help customers understand the basic terminology of VoIP phone systems. Breaking down the complexity of these systems helps businesses understand the benefits that VoIP business solutions offer, including decreased telecommunication expenditures, increased productivity and advanced customer service.