VoIP or voice over protocol is one of the latest innovations in communications technology. The main difference it has with the old telephony system is that it uses data packets while the old telephony system uses switch boards.
In case you are not familiar with switchboards, imagine your call being routed to an operator before it reaches the person you are calling. That illustrates how a switchboard works. VoIP uses data packets that are sent and received via the internet. Hence, the basic equipment you will need to enable VoIP is a modem because this is the main device that allows you to get an internet access.
VoIP products come as trunk or hosted. If you are still wishing to use your old telephone device while utilizing VoIP at the same time, you will need to purchase a gateway from VoIP vendors. The gateway comes in a data packet that looks like a box. You would have to connect this to your conventional telephone or fax machine to enable VoIP. However, if you have an IP enabled system, there is no need to purchase the gateway.
There are four ways by which you can make the calls using the VoIP. These include internet-internet, phone-internet, internet-phone, phone-phone. If you are making a call towards a phone, it can be a regular, non-VoIP phone. Otherwise, the recipient of your call also needs to have a VoIP-enabled device. If you are making a call through a computer, you need to have a head set and a VoIP software program. If you are making an internet-internet call, the computer you are calling to must also have the same software as you have. Examples of this software are Skype, that of Yahoo, MSN, etc.
By: Elija James
Posts Tagged ‘Data Packet’
VoIP Tutorial
January 22nd, 2010Understanding The Magic of Bluetooth Technology
January 5th, 2010
Bluetooth technology is a low-power, low-cost wireless technology for short-range radio communication between various fixed and/or portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, PDAs, cars, stereo headsets, MP3s, digital cameras, PCs and computer peripherals. Bluetooth also refers to the standard communication protocol (IEEE 802.15.1) specifically designed for this kind of short-range wireless communication.
The core of Bluetooth technology lies in a low-cost 9 mm x 9 mm microchip that functions as a short-range radio link when inserted into an electronic device, making the device Bluetooth-enabled. Wireless communication between various bluetooth-enabled devices takes place via these radio links, instead of via cables as used in normal networking. Since Bluetooth technology uses radio signals, which are omni-directional and can be transmitted through walls and other obstacles, Bluetooth-enabled devices don’t need to be in line of sight or be pointing at each other.
Bluetooth radio modules operate in the open, unlicensed ISM (industrial–scientific–medical) spread-spectrum 2.4 GHz frequency band, divided into 79 channels separated by 1 MHz each. To avoid interference from other signals, the Bluetooth signal hops to a new channel every time it transmits or receives a data packet, making Bluetooth connection robust and secure. The communication range of Bluetooth technology varies from 1 m to 100 m, depending upon the maximum power permitted (1 mW to 100 mW). Because of this channel hopping, there should not be a consistent problem with other devices using the 2.4 Ghz frequency band, such as old cordless phones.
Each Bluetooth-enabled device can simultaneously communicate with up to seven other devices within a single personal area network, called a piconet. Each device can simultaneously belong to several piconets. Each device negotiates with each other via a defined device name so that each device can keep track of who it is communicating with. The device name to use when you are setting up your Bluetooth device is typically cleared stated in the accompanying device documentation.
Bluetooth technology offers built-in security with 128-bit encryption and PIN code authentication. When Bluetooth products identify themselves, they use the PIN code the first time they connect, thereafter staying securely connected.
Practical Applications of Bluetooth Networking
Some of the popular applications of Bluetooth technology are in wireless networking between a mobile phone and a laptop/desktop, between a mobile phone and a hands-free headset, between PCs in a restricted space and between the input and output devices of a PC (e.g., mouse, keyboard, printer). Bluetooth technology can also be used to transfer files, images and MP3 files between mobile phones or between MP3 players/digital cameras and computers.
Limitations of Bluetooth Technology
Short communication range (up to 100 m) is the greatest limitation of Bluetooth technology. Also, the data transfer rates are much lower compared to other wireless communication technologies. Susceptibility to interference from other devices operating in the 2.4 MHz band, notwithstanding adaptive frequency hopping, is another limitation. The Bluetooth technology is still not fully developed, so there is plenty of room for improvement.
Bluetooth-Enabled Devices
The Bluetooth wireless technology specification is available free-of-charge to Bluetooth member companies around the world. Many companies are interested in making their devices Bluetooth-enabled in order to avoid the clutter of wires with seamless connections and offer simultaneous transmission of data and voice as in hands-free talking.
Bluetooth technology is commercially available in a wide range of applications such as mobile phones, automobiles, medical devices, play stations and many more.
By: Jon Arnold
Internet Protocol Telephony
December 26th, 2009
Many people have family and friends based in foreign countries and they often use the long distance phone service of traditional operators to communicate with them. Many times, these long distance calls are very expensive and unaffordable to low budget users. However, with the introduction of a new kind of communication technology called Internet protocol (IP) telephony, making long distance calls has become affordable even for low budget users.
IP telephony is the use of Internet protocols for the purpose of voice phone calls that can be made over the Internet or other packet networks such as LAN and WAN. The equipments required for this purpose are a standard telephone and a good PC with a properly installed sound card.
Protocol is a fundamental set of programs for network communication and is the most important specification that needs to be considered while searching for IP telephony devices. Protocols specify the software features that need to be used for data communication, which includes the information and structure of the data packet. The popular network protocols used for the purpose of IP telephony are IPX, TCP/IP, AppleTalk, ATM, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Ethernet, 10 Base T Ethernet, 10 Base 2 Ethernet, and 10/100 Ethernet, to name a few.
After protocol, the port performance specifications and features are the next types of specifications that need to be considered for IP telephony. A wide variety of choices are available for users to choose the right kind of port for their system such as AUI, BNC, GBIC, MIC, RJ-45, SC, ST, ISDN BRI S/T and USB and many more. The number of ports used is very important for proper and efficient working of IP telephony.
Performance specifications such as the data rate, operating temperature and number of users are the other specifications needed for the proper use of the ports. It is essential for customers to seek appropriate guidance and help from qualified professional technicians in order to experience stress free installation of IP telephony.
By: Eddie Tobey