Management Information Systems

p Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol ) is the technology used in the transmission of voice traffic over IP-based networks . The Internet Protocol (IP ) was originally designed for data networking . Scoblete (2007 ) states that the success of IP in becoming a world standard for data networking has led to its adaptation to voice networking

VoIP configurations

IP Phones

These specialized phones look just like normal phones with a handset cradle and buttons . But instead of having the standard RJ-11 phone connectors

, IP phones have an RJ-45 Ethernet connector . IP phones connect directly to your router and have all the hardware and software necessary right onboard to handle the IP call

Computer-to-computer

This is certainly the easiest way to use VoIP . You don 't even have to pay for long-distance calls . All you need is the software , a microphone speakers , a sound card and an Internet connection

Advantages of VoIP

Economy

The main advantages of VoIP are the low cost . If one has a fast Internet connection (DSL or cable ) you can make PC-to-PC phone calls anywhere in the world for free . If one wish to make a PC-to-phone connection however , there 's usually a charge for this but probably much cheaper than the regular phone service . One can also sign up with a VoIP service provider which charges a monthly fee in return for unlimited calls within a certain geographic area . For example , some VoIP services in the United States allow one to call anywhere in North America at no extra charge

Portability

Another advantage of VoIP is portability . One can make and receive phone calls wherever there is a broadband connection simply by signing in to your VoIP account . This makes VoIP as convenient as e-mail - if one are traveling , simply pack a headset or Internet phone and one can talk to your family or business associates for almost nothing . Phone-to-phone VoIP is also portable

Integration

The VoIP technology is easily incorporated into any computer system . It works with different databases and different sets of information (Senia , 2004 ) mentions that it also works in harmony with exchanges over the Internet . It is especially helpful when the client needs video messaging or video conferencing to be included in their voice conversation

Disadvantages of VoIP

Reliability

During a blackout a regular phone is kept in service by the current supplied through the phone line . This is not possible with Internet phones , so when the power goes out , there is no VoIP phone service . One solution to this problem is to use battery backups or power generators to provide electricity

Quality of Service

When data is sent via the Internet it is usually received in a scrambled . However it is difficult for the recover to understand real time scrambled voice messages . This results in a poor quality communication service

Restricted bandwidth

In today 's race mobile telephony world void has to fight for its own bandwidth this is proving to be a...