Multi-Tech Systems Voice Over IP A Primer For Resellers Instructions Manual

Content
Introduction............................................................................................................................. 1
Voice over IP for Multi-Location Businesses................................................................................ 1
Understanding Voice Networks............................................................................................. 2
Public Switched Telephone...

Copyright © 2003 Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.  All rights reserved.1
Voice over IP Primer
Introduction
Voice over the Internet Protocol (VOIP) is one of the hottest topics for multi-location businesses of any 
size  because  of  its  promise  to  transmit  voice  over  data  networks  free  of  charge.  Instead  of  paying  the 
phone  company  to  route  long  distance  calls  between  offi ces,  any  IP  data  network  can  route  the  calls 
over a private intranet or the public Internet and save...

Copyright © 2003 Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.  All rights reserved.2
In order to understand how voice communications would be treated in a data network, let’s fi rst take a 
look at the typical topologies of voice and data networks running separately.
Understanding Voice Networks
Public Switched Telephone Network
For the past 100 years, people have relied on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), otherwise 
known  as  POTs  (Plain  Old  Telephone  Service),  for  voice  communication.  Although  it...

Copyright © 2003 Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.  All rights reserved.3
Another  option  is  to  provide  the  remote  offi ce  with  a  key  telephone  system.  A  key  system  is  a  lower 
priced,  reduced  functionality  version  of  the  headquarters  PBX.  Because  it  is  a  scaled  down  system, 
it  isn’t  designed  to  be  networked  with  other  phone  systems.  Therefore,  calling  a  remote  offi ce  is  like 
calling a separate company.
Using our company example, the following diagram maps out...

Copyright © 2003 Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.  All rights reserved.
Routers and IP Addresses
A router is an advanced networking component that determines the route that IP packets of data will 
take. It has two separate, but related, jobs: 
•It  ensures  that  information  doesn’t  go  where  it’s  not  needed. This  is  crucial  for  keeping  large 
volumes of data from clogging the connection.
•It makes sure that information does make it to the intended destination.
In  performing  these  two  jobs,  a...

Copyright © 2003 Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.  All rights reserved.5
Using the Internet to Extend the Network
Today,  instead  of  simply  dealing  with  local  or  regional  concerns,  many  businesses  now  have  to  think 
about global markets and logistics. Many companies have facilities located across the country or even 
around  the  world.  And,  they  all  need  a  way  to  maintain  fast,  secure  and  reliable  communications 
wherever their offi ces are. 
Before  the  Internet,  this  meant  using...

Copyright © 2003 Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.  All rights reserved.6
Understanding the Converged Network
Voice over IP
Voice over IP uses the data network packet-switching method to provide a more effi cient way of sending 
voice  communication.  Packet-switching  optimizes  the  use  of  network  resources  (bandwidth)  because 
the channel is only occupied during the time the packet is being transmitted. Many users can share the 
same  channel  because  individual  packets  can  be  sent  and  received  in...

Copyright © 2003 Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.  All rights reserved.7
The MultiVOIP Gateway
The MultiVOIP family of Voice over IP gateways is available in analog and digital models ranging from 
one  to  60  ports.  MultiVOIP  gateways  connect  directly  to  phones,  fax  machines,  key  systems,  or  a  PBX 
and  plug  into  the  data  network  to  provide  real-time,  toll-quality  voice  connections  to  any  offi ce  on 
your VOIP  network. With  MultiVOIP,  your  customers  will  avoid 
the hassle and...

Copyright © 2003 Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.  All rights reserved.8
Voice over IP Frequently Asked Questions
The following section covers some of the frequently asked questions a data communications manager 
or telecommunications manager may have as they begin to learn how a VOIP solution can solve their 
telephony challenges and save them money.
Bandwidth Requirements
“How  can  I  be  assured  that  my  data  “pipe”  will  not  be  fl ooded  by  voice  traffi c  and  negatively  impact  the 
timely...