VoIP migration policy: Interview with Doug Hyde from 3Com

Many enterprises are considering migrating to VoIP. Network administrators have many considerations. The SearchVoIP.com website interviewed Doug Hyde, product line manager of the stack switch of 3Com, about some tips on mitigating this transition and ensuring that the network is ready for VoIP.

Q: How can enterprises ensure the service quality of existing networks?

Doug Hyde: an important aspect of ensuring service quality is to reduce latency. Latency in voice communication should be negligible. The best strategy is to prioritize voice communication over data communication. This ensures that voice communication is effectively transmitted from one destination to another.

Q: How do enterprises deal with security threats that come along with IP phones?

Hyde: When you deploy VoIP, security is definitely a worrying issue. Many enterprises have discovered that separating voice communication from other communication networks can ensure better security. A new trend in speech technology is to place voice communication on a virtual LAN. For example, many universities have established multiple virtual LAN, each of which processes different user groups, one for students, one for teachers, and one for staff. This method has proved to be very effective for separating different users and ensuring security.

Q: What do I need to upgrade an existing network to support IP phones?

Hyde: it is important to evaluate your network before the transition to VoIP. Take a look at your network and understand its current capabilities and your needs on this network. When you add the VoIP function to the existing network, the above assessment can ensure a smooth transition.

Many networks are built based on 10 or GB. As these networks now transfer their GB of communication capacity to the desktop, administrators need to understand their current network capabilities. However, not every network uses the GB communication capacity for VoIP communication. You need to know what additional applications your network can run.

In addition, if you use good service quality, you do not need to add more bandwidth on your network. Technology will promote the quality of service to a higher level, so that you can get more from your network without increasing bandwidth. Quality evaluation is an important first step in deciding how to transition to VoIP.

Q: How does an organization support IP phones and other devices on its network? Does this support cause complicated additional connection lines and electronic problems?

Hyde: Ethernet power supply is an increasing area. As more enterprises transition to VoIP, reliability has become a problem that must be solved. Network administrators preparing to upgrade to VoIP should examine this technology.

Using telephones on every desk is done by a traditional PBX system. The traditional system is used, and the power supply is provided through telephone lines. Now, the industry standard Ethernet power supply can connect your power supply and data cable to a single cable. Powered by Ethernet, enterprises can maintain the reliability, save costs, improve security, and minimize the number of connections at each desk of traditional PBX systems.

Q: How can enterprises with more and more travel employees and remote employees support mobile users on this network?

Hyde: Running VoIP on the network can expand the coverage of your telephone system, especially when you have a VPN. A mobile employee may be in a hotel in Beijing, but he has an Internet connection and a soft phone number, so he can answer the phone as at his desk in the North American headquarters building.

VoIP means that employees have the flexibility to receive calls anytime and anywhere. You can always find them whether you use the find me/trace my feature or use Unified Communication.

Q: Can the VoIP system provide multi-vendor integration in their solutions?

Hyde: 3Com focuses on providing various solutions for networks and interconnected VoIP. The administrator can install another manufacturer's VoIP solution from one 3Com Network and is still expected to achieve the highest quality of service. Or they can have another vendor's network and can still successfully integrate 3Com's VoIP solution into their existing network.

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