Voice networking and VoIP

Early adopters of unified communications need to ask about security

Unified Communications complicates security, which means special care is needed to extract value from the technology. Continue Reading

Unified communications market predictions for 2008

Analyst Zeus Kerravala gives his UC market predictions for 2008 so you can get a head start on implementation within your organisation. Continue Reading

Kris Kringle's guide to Mobility

Many see mobility as the next step from VoIP. It was hot in 2007, and it will remain so in 2008. So get some reading done before the new year comes in. Continue Reading

Holiday IPv6 reading guide

IPv6 was a controversial topic in 2007, and for good reason. Learn more in our holiday guide to IPv6. Continue Reading

Best practices for instant messaging security

In this tip, Brien Posey details the steps you can take to protect your organisation from security problems when implementing an instant messaging system. Continue Reading

IMS: Moving from legacy to convergence

This chapter download discusses migration plans to move service providers to IMS in well-planned, business-savvy phases. Continue Reading

VoIP sales up; Cisco admits security hole; Sipera releases top five vulnerabilities list

This week's news featured VoIP sales increasing, Cisco admitting a serious security hole, and the year's top five VoIP security holes. Continue Reading

How to be future-ready for IP telephony

IP telephony confidence comes from being future-ready and having a scalable network that can adapt to new market trends. Continue Reading

Building a UC strategy

To create a UC strategy, you must first understand your current business processes and incorporate your business partners into the strategy. Continue Reading

Voice over wireless LAN deployment requires constant maintenance

Learn how to monitor, troubleshoot and maintain your voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN) deployment. Continue Reading

Confused about unified communications?

Can you define unified communications, or are you still trying to find a common vendor definition? Gary Audin sheds some light on the vendor meaning of UC. Continue Reading

Enterprise collaboration tools from consumer market

Consumer-based collaboration tools are finding their way into the enterprise. IT departments can fight the trend, give up and ignore it, or embrace it. Continue Reading

Voice quality and MOS

Defining the nine elements of voice quality and Mean Opinion Score (MOS), the standard numeric value used to measure and report on voice quality. Continue Reading

Defining unified communications

Read how industry pundits are defining unified communications. Continue Reading

IPTV Crash Course: Chapter 3: The Technology of IP Networks

IPTV service utilises basic IP network technology to broadcast television using the internet. Continue Reading

Managed VoIP keeps regatta's communications afloat

The world's largest rowing regatta utilises managed VoIP to ease its year-round communications needs -- and for a temporary system during its celebrated two-day event. Continue Reading

Microsoft's OCS is finally here, for better or for worse

Zeus Kerravala reports on the long-awaited Microsoft OCS launch. Find out the pros and cons of OCS. Continue Reading

Non-unified communications can cost millions

Fragmented communications are costing companies millions of dollars by disrupting workflow and business processes, a new study has revealed. Continue Reading

Unified communications platform gets SMB twist

While unified communications has eluded the SMB market, Siemens has released an all-in-one UC appliance specifically for the SMB. Continue Reading

Asterisk creator: Consider open source VoIP, think twice about hybrid-hosted

Asterisk creator Mark Spencer clarifies his position on hybrid-hosted VoIP, and discusses open source VoIP and what it means for business users. Continue Reading

Bringing QoS to end-user standards

The phone call setup experience and perception of voice quality are the biggest factors contributing to the user's satisfaction. However, while the dialing experience can be objectively measured, the caller's judgment of voice quality is subjective. Find out which four factors end users expect and how to meet those specifications. Continue Reading

VoIP certification credentials

Many certifications touch on voice over IP topics tangentially, but numerous credentials now focus a fairly substantial portion of their coverage on this subject matter. In this certification survey, we take a look at available certifications, distinguishing between those credentials for which VoIP is a primary topic and those for which it is secondary. Continue Reading

VoIP certification credentials

Looking for VoIP skills? Want to know how to hire a VoIP specialist? This list of VoIP certifications and the skills they impart should be useful reading! Continue Reading

Unified communications new priority for HP

Unified communications is a confusing area with a number of vendors in the mix. HP has launched new services to help ease companies into unified communications and help them determine which integrated tools will best fit their business goals. Continue Reading

Securing VoIP Networks Chapter 7: Key Management Mechanisms

Key management is a fundamental part of protecting Internet multimedia applications like VoIP, but the protocols can be difficult to design. Continue Reading

Unified communications new priority for HP

HP has launched unified communications (UC) services to help companies find and design a UC deployment that is right for their business. Continue Reading

IP telephony adoption rising, quality sagging

IP telephony adoption continues to grow, but service quality is lagging behind, according to a user survey from Psytechnics. Continue Reading

IP PBX eases VoIP transition for gas company

An IP PBX with Sip helped one gas company upgrade to a new phone system while also jumping into VoIP. Continue Reading

How to select the right IP PBX

Selecting the right IP PBX system for your company can be complicated. Here are some important things to consider when purchasing an IP PBX. Continue Reading

How to select the right IP PBX

Selecting the right IP PBX system for your company can be complicated. Here are some important things to consider when purchasing an IP PBX. Continue Reading

Australians more tech-aware

Telecommunications and the internet are becoming increasingly embedded in the lives of Australians, says an ACMA survey. Continue Reading

Unified communications an 'uphill battle' for Microsoft

Unified communications is going to be a tough sell for Microsoft, which is looking to eliminate the PBX and go all software. Continue Reading

End-to-end network management enables reliable VoIP, unified communications

Monitoring voice quality, service availability, and security conditions are discussed in this Q & A with Gurmeet Lamba of Clarus Systems. Continue Reading

Communications-as-a-service taking hold

Communications-as-a-service is taking hold worldwide as a viable hosted IP telephony system. Continue Reading

VoIP, unified communications prompt new technologies, threats

Wireless voice servers and handsets, VoIP and unified communications threats, and licensing agreements constitute recent changes in the VoIP market. Continue Reading

Understanding VoWLAN

Like VoIP, VoWLAN contributes to cost efficiency. Because calls can be routed over the data network internally or over the Internet externally, mobile telephony costs can be eliminated or decreased significantly. In the long term, VoWLAN deployment is a significant step toward interoperability and seamless mobile connectivity between private WLANs and public wireless and cellular networks. Continue Reading

Cisco issues CallManager security update

Security flaws in Cisco CallManager and Unified Communications Manager could be exploited for cross-site scripting and SQL injection attacks, but a security update is available. Continue Reading

VoIP, unified communications study reveals challenges

VoIP and unified communications deployments can affect other applications. A study by Network General highlighted some challenges introduced by convergence. Continue Reading

VoIP, unified communications study reveals challenges

VoIP and unified communications deployments can affect other applications. A recent study by Network General highlighted some of the challenges introduced by convergence. Continue Reading

Australian telecoms growth predicted to fall

Research consultancy BuddeComm has predicted the Australian telecoms market will grow just 2.8% in the 2008 financial year to $36.3 billion, driven predominantly by data and broadband services. This is down from the 3.1% estimated this financial year. Continue Reading

VoIP performance management abounds at VoiceCon

VoIP performance management tools were announced at VoiceCon, signaling a shift in focus from infrastructure to end-user experience. Continue Reading

VoIP performance management abounds at VoiceCon

VoIP performance management tools announced at VoiceCon show that vendors are focusing on user experience over infrastructure. Continue Reading

Hosted VoIP: Take the headache and heartache out of VoIP, Part 2

Part 2 of this series investigates the QoS and security issues of the hosted VoIP model. Continue Reading

Hosted and managed VoIP fundamentals

Adoption rates of hosted VoIP and managed VoIP are increasing as more companies look to reduce the costs and complexities of deploying VoIP in house. Enterprises are factoring revenue growth, enhanced productivity and communication services into ROI calculations to make a business case for hosted or managed VoIP. This guide explains the differences between hosted and managed VoIP solutions and will help you decide if outsourcing VoIP is right for your organization. Continue Reading

Hosted VoIP: Take the headache and heartache out of VoIP, Part 1

No matter what size network an enterprise is running these days, large and small alike are faced with increasing technical and financial challenges. Continue Reading

Voice over IPv6: Architectures for Next Generation VoIP Networks

VoIP technolgies are not immune to system failures, from hacking to jitter, and these issues can present problems for companies who depend on their network. This chapter examines some of the issues that are faced by VoIP systems, focusing on those that can be addressed by IPv6, namely scalability and end-to-end robustness. Continue Reading

VoIP models and services: Complete guide

With clear, concise explanations of existing VoIP business models and deployment methodologies, this guide will enable you to weigh the pros and cons of each based on your needs. Continue Reading

Asterisk PBX solves enterprise's growing communication problem

An Asterisk-based PBX proved to be the solution to one enterprise's communications growing pains. Continue Reading

QoS -- What voice managers need to know

Quality of Service (QoS) technologies can be quite confusing between technical complexities and marketing jargon. In this tip, find out what voice managers need to know about QoS as it relates to VoIP. Continue Reading

VoIP models and services: Complete guide

With clear, concise explanations of existing VoIP business models and deployment methodologies, this guide will enable you to weigh the pros and cons of each based on your needs. Continue Reading

Implementing video on demand

Video on demand (VoD), in at least some of its potential service models, is perhaps the most challenging of all network applications. Implementation of VoD should be should be undertaken in three particular steps. Continue Reading

VoIP vulnerability threatens data

VoIP vulnerabilities have now reached a level of sophistication that allows hackers to steal, view or delete data. Continue Reading

NAS appliance specifications

NAS appliances are noted for their convenience, offering dedicated internal storage that is relatively straightforward to identify and manage. The biggest issue for NAS appliances is avoiding network bottlenecks and supporting expansion without having to proliferate additional appliances across the network. The product snapshots in this chapter highlight key specifications for a cross section of major NAS appliance products. Continue Reading

Application-aware storage promises intelligence and automation

Storage professionals overbuy both performance and capacity in an effort to forestall potential storage problems. Tiered storage was one way to address this problem -- matching storage resources and costs with the value of data. Today, storage is poised to build on this notion with application-aware storage, using business policies to bring autonomy and intelligence to enterprise storage. Still, there is a great deal of confusion surrounding this technology, its capabilities and its deployment. Continue Reading

BT's SDK for do-it-yourself VoIP apps

BT's SDK takes the complexity out of VoIP application development. Continue Reading

How to cheat at VoIP Security

Securing a VoIP infrastructure requires planning, analysis, and detailed knowledge about the specifics of the implementation you choose to use. Continue Reading

Disaster recovery and business continuity fundamentals

The importance of disaster recovery and business continuity planning has been underscored in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Avian flu and 9/11. As important as maintaining continuous communications in a disaster is staying connected when random, fluke incidents occur. Find out how VoIP can keep your communications flowing through natural disasters, unexpected incidents or anything else that can disable your network. Continue Reading

Video networks: The fundamental structure

Video delivery, content network, IPTV, triple play -- these are just a few of the terms used today for video over broadband data networks. This concept of video networks is an increasing challenge, and like most network challenges, this one is influenced by technology, business and regulatory factors. Continue Reading

Understanding IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem)

IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) is an emerging architectural framework, based on SIP and IP, for offering multimedia and VoIP services, as well as fixed mobile convergence. This tip explains exactly what the architecture behind IMS. Continue Reading

Black Hat 2007: VoIP security reaches tipping point

VoIP security is as bad today as it was a couple years ago, industry experts say. But PGP creator Phil Zimmermann thinks his new Zfone software will help turn the tide. Continue Reading

Cisco knocks out Avaya as IP PBX heavyweight

IP PBX adoption is rising as Cisco and Avaya square off for market dominance. Continue Reading

Black Hat 2007 preview: Blue Pill under scrutiny

Among the highlights at the year's most anticipated hacker event, vulnerability researchers will challenge Joanna Rutkowska's Blue Pill concept. They'll also pick apart flaws in VoIP, NAC and Web applications. Continue Reading

Beyond Asterisk -- Other open source PBXs

Asterisk is the most widely known open source PBX, but other developers are making competitive products in the unified communications market. Learn more in this tip from Gary Audin. Continue Reading

VoIP services spell trouble for telcos

The rise of VoIP is paving the way for companies that haven't traditionally sold voice services to do so. Telcos slow to move will be hard pressed to keep up Continue Reading

Justifying VoIP deployment without cost-analysis

VoIP and UC deployment ROI can be measured using non-financial metrics. Learn more about VoIP ROI in this article from Yankee Group's Zeus Kerravala. Continue Reading

VoIP services spell trouble for telcos

The rise of VoIP is paving the way for companies that haven't traditionally sold voice services to do so. Risk-adverse telcos slow to move in this rapidly changing environment will be hard pressed to keep up with more agile competitors. Continue Reading

Justifying VoIP deployment without cost-analysis

VoIP and unified communications deployments remain sluggish, as network managers look for ways to justify the cost of the infrastructure and system upgrades. Non-financial return on investment (ROI) metrics can be used as a way to augment the limited financial measurements available to companies to prove that the shift to VoIP does indeed have business value. Continue Reading

VoIP solution centre answers users' questions

A new VoIP performance management solution center on Fluke Networks' Web site helps IT professionals to answer some of their VoIP network questions. Continue Reading

Open source PBX: Risk or value?

Open source IP PBX systems like Asterisk have benefits and risks. Learn what they are and assess your readiness for the IP PBX implementation in this tip from Gary Audin. Continue Reading

Black Hat Las Vegas 2007: Special news coverage

SearchSecurity.com covers all the controversy at this year's show with news, features, podcasts, interviews, exploits and more direct from Las Vegas. Continue Reading

VoIP performance testing fundamentals

This guide discusses why it is important to run regular VoIP network performance testing and some of the ways it can be done. Continue Reading

Unified communications infrastructure threats and defense strategies

Unified communications systems promise exciting productivity gains for workers and cost savings for businesses, but many often underestimate the security threats facing them. John Burke outlines the threats facing unified communications and how to defend against them. Continue Reading

Updating a QoS strategy for VoIP traffic

Learn how to update your QoS strategy for VoIP traffic in this tip from Tom Lancaster. Continue Reading

Unified messaging system updates company's voicemail

Installing a new unified messaging system helped one company in its daily struggles with an outdated voicemail system. Continue Reading

SIP fundamentals

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) will allow true interoperability, eventually enabling every IP-based device and application to communicate seamlessly with one another. This guide discusses some of the basics of SIP, including vulnerabilities, testing and hardware. Continue Reading

Instant messaging usage increase highlights need for policies

Instant messaging is a valuable business tool for some enterprises. For others, it's a security risk. Either way, a recent Burton Group report suggests that all companies should have an IM usage policy, even if they haven't deployed IM yet. Continue Reading

VoIP/IP Telephony vendor security solutions

Are vendors' VoIP security features all you need, or is it prudent to buy additional security tools to lock down your network? Continue Reading

Instant messaging usage increase highlights need for policies

A Burton Group report suggests that all companies should have an IM usage policy, even if they haven't deployed IM yet Continue Reading

VoIP performance testing fundamentals

VoIP network performance testing can mean the difference between a VoIP system working at a high level QoS and a weak system that runs so poorly customers could take their business elsewhere. This guide discusses why it is important to run regular performance testing and some of the ways it can be done. Continue Reading

Securing the enterprise VoIP perimeter

How to make VoIP work without sacrificing firewalls or network perimeter security. Continue Reading

VoIP security testing fundamentals

Testing your VoIP security system against all the threats that exist on the network can be a full time job. This guide documents how a VoIP system can be tested and suggest some of the available tools to use -- with a focus on fuzzing tools and methods. Continue Reading

What's in a VoIP packet -- An introduction to bandwidth for VoIP

Learn what makes up a VoIP packet, how headers work, what protocols transport voice traffic over the Internet and how this traffic uses network bandwidth. Continue Reading

AIIA outlines federal election wish list

The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) has released its policy expectations for political parties in the upcoming 2007 federal election. Continue Reading

VoIP call quality and reporting software improves QoS

Technology developed to power IPTV networks is also helping improve VoIP quality of service. Continue Reading

Deploying VoIP: Five things every CIO should know

Navigating the complexity of a VoIP deployment can be overwhelming and it may seem like you need a technical degree to understand it. Here are five tips to help steer through the fog of a VoIP migration. Continue Reading

VoIP market evolves in 2007

VoIP will see market changes this year as IP PBX sales increase and market leaders shift their focus. Continue Reading

VoIP performance testing fundamentals

VoIP network performance testing can mean the difference between a VoIP system working at a high level QoS and a weak system that runs so poorly customers could take their business elsewhere. This guide discusses why it is important to run regular performance testing and some of the ways it can be done. Continue Reading

Avaya to merge with Silver Lake and TPG Capital

Telephony giant Avaya will be acquired by a private equity firm. Continue Reading

Deploying VoIP: Five things every CIO should know

Navigating the complexity of a VoIP migration can be overwhelming. Here are five tips to help steer through the fog of a VoIP deployment. Continue Reading

Unified communication case studies: What you need to know

Learn how others overcame the expected and the unexpected challenges of a UC deployment in our case studies. Continue Reading

WAN storage guide -- Chapter 1: WAN basics

The implications of WAN connectivity have had a profound influence on networking. We look at some of the practical WAN issues, such as bandwidth, cost, latency and reliability. Continue Reading

Check Point promises more VoIP security, fewer slowdowns

Check Point's enhanced Open Performance Architecture is designed for deeper security of technologies like VoIP without the network performance problems that often come with it. Continue Reading

VoIP rush heats up cooling debate

Increased VoIP adoption is putting pressure on data centres' power and cooling requirements Continue Reading

Cisco, Nortel frontrunners in Avaya acquisition rumors

Cisco and Nortel are said to be amongst those circling the still-live body of VoIP vendor Avaya, but analysts disagree on which, and why. Continue Reading

The wireless future offers plenty of voice possibilities

Farpoint Group's Craig Mathias surveys the future of wireless networks and their ability to carry voice traffic. Continue Reading

VoIP advice from the trenches

ITKE, or ITKnowledge Exchange, is simply a cool (and quick) way to get a response to your VoIP-related questions. Continue Reading

Mitel acquires Inter-Tel, signaling more consolidation to come

Mitel acquired Inter-Tel last week, signaling a trend toward vendor consolidation in the VoIP market and creating stronger options for SMBs. Continue Reading

Mobile instant messaging enhances company's business processes

A mobile IM service acquired by a hosted VoIP provider encourages more companies to enhance their business processes. Continue Reading

Manipulating VoIP Security

This tip provides an extensive list of sites that track and document VoIP attack tools. Continue Reading

VoIP security fundamentals

VoIP security is a challenge for IT staff because IP telephony brings with it not only the security problems of data networks but also new threats specific to VoIP. In this fundamentals guide, learn about network security threats and emerging IP telephony threats, and how to secure your VoIP systems and endpoints from them. Continue Reading