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