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Telecommunications: Can Cisco Answer the Call?
9/29/2004
Still, clarity, delay, and echo problems can also undermine VoIP systems. Clarity refers to the clearness of a voice signal. Many voice quality testers use two algorithms: PSQM (Perceptual Speech Quality Measurement) and PAMS (Perceptual Analysis Measurement System) to determine and troubleshoot the clarity of a voice signal. By contrast, delay is the time it takes for a voice signal to travel from the caller to the recipient. Network routers and switches can increase delays and thereby reduce call quality. Finally, echo is the sound of a speaker’s voice returning to his/her ear via the same telephone. This is often caused by an “electrical mismatch” between the trunk line and phone line, according to NEC Unified Solutions, which examines and troubleshoots networks for clarity, delay, and echo issues.
Security has also emerged as a critical factor undermining VoIP deployments. Just like traditional computer networks, VoIP systems are susceptible to viruses, worms, Trojan horses, packet sniffing, IP spoofing, and other types of data attacks. In fact, according to one senior IT executive of a major Wall Street firm, that company lost both its computer networks and VoIP systems during a 24-hour virus outbreak in early 2004.
To avoid such setbacks, Cisco recommends that customers secure their VoIP systems much the same way they guard traditional IP networks. These steps include deploying “stateful” firewalls and intrusion detection systems, (which keep track of the state of network connections), locking down Simple Network Management Protocol, turning off unneeded network services, and disabling unused network ports.
Coming of Age
Despite all these potential complications, there’s no denying VoIP’s growing popularity—even with students. “The first thing students wanted [from the VoIP system] was a wakeup call service,” recalls Brandeis’s Hanson. “So we had one of our computer students write a program in XML.” One popular option is a recording of the university president imploring students to wake up. Brandeis students also praise the systems’ corporate directory feature, which allows them to quickly find and dial any student, faculty, or staff member listed in the directory.
Looking ahead, some schools are now testing wireless (Wi-Fi) VoIP phones, but two CIOs from East Coast universities report that early models have a few bugs and tend to be expensive—$800 or more per user. Still, prices for VoIP phones should spiral downward as network standards ensure interoperability and competition in the marketplace. “In two to three years, you’ll see VoIP phones for sale in Wal-Mart and other stores,” predicts Hanson.
In fact, the future is already here. Staples (www.staples.com)
recently agreed to carry VoIP-related networking equipment from Cisco and Vonage.
Similarly, Best Buy (www.bestbuy.com)
will offer AT&T’s residential VoIP phone service, dubbed AT&T
CallVantage, in its 628 nationwide stores and online this fall. When the deal
was announced in August, Best Buy indicated that it would continue to expand
its lineup of VoIP networking products. The question is: With consumer expectation
rising, can campus expectation be far behind?
Joseph C. Panettieri is VP of editorial content at Microcast Communications. He blogs
daily at www.techiqmag.com.
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