Re: FW: [fw-wiz] VOIP versus PBX

From: Roelof JT Jonkman (rjt_at_pobox.com)
Date: 07/21/05

  • Next message: Michael H: "Re: FW: [fw-wiz] VOIP versus PBX" 
    To: "Yehuda Goldenberg" <Yehuda@nj.essutton.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 13:31:17 -0700

    Yehuda,

    This is a bit of an opinion piece, but never the less may give some insight:

    I'm a bit surprised that VOIP is getting so much traction. First thing
    is voice is point to point, ip is a connectionless protocol. (Not to mention
    that most of the underlying long haul infrastructure is really connection
    oriented voice based: sonet.) So the dichotomy is that we're stacking a
    connection oriented thing on top of a connection less protocol on top
    of connection oriented infrastructure. I would be one thing if you can
    completely share the infrastructure and get the reliability similar to
    conventional phone systems. However the general advocacy seems to be *not*
    to share infrastructure. (At the minimum VLAN's is advocated) So the 'cost
    savings' benefit is sort of out the window right there. The other thing is
    complexity. VOIP is more complex to administer than a PBX.

    The only point I can see to VOIP is if you are backhauling a lot of voice
    to a central location, and you have say more than a dozen offices or so.
    Administratively, and cost wise you may save there. (Less cost for
    conventional backhaul lines I'm guessing.)

    If I were you I would price out both options, and include reasonable
    guestimates of running costs for both. (And I would pad the running costs
    guestimate of VOIP royally do to the inherent complexity.)

    Depending on the size of your location (pbx) you may be subject to certain
    sets of legal obligations to provide proper phone system function in cases
    of emergencies. (power outage etc.) Even in my last office of 10 or so
    folks I made sure that the mini lucent pbx/voice box was on UPS etc. Also
    hardwired a regular POS analog phone to one of the incoming analog phone lines
    in the break room. Readily accessible in case of emergency.

                    roel

    _______________________________________________
    firewall-wizards mailing list
    firewall-wizards@honor.icsalabs.com
    http://honor.icsalabs.com/mailman/listinfo/firewall-wizards

  • Next message: Michael H: "Re: FW: [fw-wiz] VOIP versus PBX"

    Relevant Pages