Matt

1
Matts Hands on with VOIP

• Im a self confessed geek who generally likes
  playing around with technology.

With lots of help from David and Allan
Matthew Smith, works for big blue and is a
certified IT Architect. Note all content is my
personal opinion and not that of my employer.
2
Introduction

• Toilets
• Coffee and Tea is available next room
• Breaks
• Use back USB ports on the computers
• Powerpoint presentation available from the PCUG
  site
• Fire exits

3
Danger Will Robinson..!

• You are logging into the PCs will full access so
  please dont play around with the settings.
• At the end of the session please complete the
  feedback and provide your details if you want to
  keep the sipme account.

4
Agenda

• VOIP Terms
• Overview of setups
• Hands on install of VOIP Software
• Making some calls with VOIP
• If we have time look at Skype
• General talk questions etc

5
Questions..???
Just hit me as we go..!
When is a headset not a headset..?
6
VOIP Terms

• VOIP Voice Over IP
• ATA Analog Telephone Adaptors, box that plugs
  into your network on one side and a phone on the
  other.
• Softphone Similar concept to the ATA but runs
  as software on your computer.
• VSP Voice Service Provider, the company that
  provides the VOIP facility.
• PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network (ie a
  normal phone line)
• Broadband Highspeed internet, much faster than
  using the older dial up modems.
• Router The box most people have which connects
  them to broadband internet.
• Skype Well known VSP great for free computer to
  computer calls, but call rates to land lines are
  not so competitive. Also doesnt use standard
  codecs so cannot use standard ATAs.

7
VOIP Terms

• Codec Software for the conversion of analogue
  (voice) to digital. Most commonly used in
  Australia are 729a and 711a
• 729a Good compressed with some minor sacrifice
  of quality. Some ability to deal with network
  data loss.
• 711a No compression, best voice quality but
  uses significant bandwidth and not good with data
  loss.

Codec Approx bandwidth required per second Approx bandwidth used in 1 hour
729a 31kbps 14Mb
711a 87kbps 40Mb
Note Kilobits per second ie same measure as your
broadband ie 256/64
8
Resources for more information

• Whirlpool VOIP Forums
• http//forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-threads.cfm?f
  107
• OZVOIP Forums
• http//forums.ozvoip.com/
• Dial plan Generator for SPA-3000
• http//www.taet.com.au/dp.nsf/SPADialPlan?OpenForm
  
• Excellent step by step guide to SPA-3000
• http//www.jmgtechnology.com.au/spa_3000_guide.pdf
  
• VOIP Wiki
• http//www.voip-info.org

9
Basic OptionSummary

• Software phone
• Requires a PC to use it.
• Not much good for in coming calls as the computer
  needs to be on 24x7 and you need to be near it.
• Acceptable call quality but not generally as good
  as a dedicated ATA
• Able to select a range of VSPs and obtain good
  cost savings, particularly for STD and
  International calls.

10
Basic VOIP - Setup
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Integrated VOIP

• Ok, you have trialled it and are happy so now its
  time to get serious.
• The aim is to integrate it into your home so that
  when anyone picks up the normal phone its going
  out via VOIP.
• Also incoming calls ring on the same handset

12
Integrated - Setup
13
A good quality router is highly recommended..!

• Router with good quality QoS (Quality of Service)
• Why do I need it..? When you use your internet
  connection for uploading/ downloading files
  unless you have QoS your VOIP calls are going to
  get broken up.
• Most routers provided by ISPs have fairly
  limited QoS capability
• A good quality router will cost around 200.

14
Integrated - ATA

• ATA
• An ATA connects to your network on one side and
  your phone on the other.
• Good quality phone calls.
• Most are programmable so you can have mobile
  phones go to one VSP and STD to another and local
  to another. Allowing you to mix and match.
  Unless yours is locked then you are tied to a
  single VSP

15
Go with a locked ATA?

• There are companies like Engin who offer a
  complete VOIP service, however that only applies
  if you accept a locked ATA.
• Benefit, is that its plug-in and up and running
  good support.
• Downfall is that you cannot add other VSP or
  customise the configuration at all and typically
  comes with a monthly fee.

16
Advanced VOIP

• Asterisk software PABX feature highlights
• Voicemail
• Multiple Extensions
• Redirection to extension based on the calling
  number.
• Full call monitoring and reporting

More information here http//www.asterisk.org/feat
ures
17
Advanced - Typical setup
18
Advanced VOIP

• Asterisk
• Opensource PABX
• Offers excellent features and zero cost
• Whilst there is some excellent How To Guides
  does take reasonable computer skills to get up
  and running.
• Does require a dedicated pc to run on and needs
  to be on 24x7.

19
Handsets

• IP Phones
• Excellent way of deploying VOIP if you are going
  to have multiple handsets as the handset simply
  plugs into your network. Some models even come
  with a mini network switch so you can plug your
  PC into your phone
• Multiple ATAs and phones, usually the more
  expensive option but does allow you to connect
  any normal phone.