Friday, July 20, 2018

Word of the Day: VoIP

Word of the Day WhatIs.com
Daily updates on the latest technology terms |July 20, 2018
VoIP (voice over IP)

VoIP (voice over IP) is the transmission of voice and multimedia content over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. VoIP historically referred to using IP to connect private branch exchanges (PBXs), but the term is now used interchangeably with IP telephony.

VoIP is enabled by a group of technologies and methodologies used to deliver voice communications over the internet, enterprise local area networks or wide area networks. VoIP endpoints include dedicated desktop VoIP phones, softphone applications running on PCs and mobile devices, and WebRTC-enabled browsers.

How does VoIP work?

VoIP uses codecs to encapsulate audio into data packets, transmit the packets across an IP network and unencapsulate the packets back into audio at the other end of the connection. By eliminating the use of circuit-switched networks for voice, VoIP reduces network infrastructure costs, enables providers to deliver voice services over their broadband and private networks and allows enterprises to operate a single voice and data network. VoIP also piggy-backs on the resiliency of IP-based networks by enabling fast failover around outages and redundant communications between endpoints and networks.

VoIP protocols and standards

VoIP endpoints typically use International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standard codecs, such as G.711, which is the standard for transmitting uncompressed packets, or G.729, which is the standard for compressed packets. Many equipment vendors also use their own proprietary codecs. Voice quality may suffer when compression is used, but compression reduces bandwidth requirements. VoIP typically supports non-voice communications via the ITU T.38 protocol for sending faxes over a VoIP or IP network in real time.

Once voice is encapsulated onto IP, it is typically transmitted with the real-time transport protocol (RTP) or through its encrypted variant, secure real-time transport protocol. The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is most often used for signaling that is necessary to create, maintain and end calls. Within enterprise or private networks, quality of service (QoS) is typically used to prioritize voice traffic over non-latency-sensitive applications to ensure acceptable voice quality.

Additional components of a typical VoIP system include the following: an IP-PBX to manage user phone numbers; devices; features and clients; gateways to connect networks and provide failover or local survivability in the event of a network outage; and session border controllers to provide security, call-policy management and network connections. A VoIP system can also include location-tracking databases for E911 (enhanced 911) call routing, and management platforms to collect call-performance statistics for reactive and proactive voice-quality management.

Quote of the Day

"To ensure proper identification and troubleshooting of VoIP-related issues, a business should consider a holistic approach to communications monitoring." - Michael Brandenburg

 

Trending Terms

private branch exchange
IP telephony
endpoint device
WebRTC
real-time communications
UCaaS

 
Learning Center

Unified communications vendors continue consolidation carousel
The consolidation trend among unified communications vendors continues, as Polycom, Star2Star and West announce mergers and acquisitions.

The voice technology evolution: From analog to digital to VoIP
Editor Jean DerGurahian reflects on what voice technology used to mean for the phone call process and how quality standards remain the same today.

Network pros troubleshoot VoIP quality, reliability
The need for high VoIP quality keeps network managers focused on performance and reliability as they develop communication services.

The omnichannel contact center is now mandatory
The omnichannel contact center is becoming increasingly important. But voice communications is still the preferred channel for many consumers.

What are the requirements for E911 services for VoIP providers?
Learn the requirements to maintain E911 services and ensure the correct information is routed to the appropriate authorities during an emergency call.

Writing for Business

The _______ reason a company switches to VoIP is to save money.
a. principle
b. principal
Answer

 

Stay In Touch
For feedback about any of our definitions or to suggest a new definition, please contact me at: mrouse@techtarget.com

 

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