Voice over IP First-Step

Product Description

Your first step into the world of IP telephony

• No IP telephony experience required
• Includes clear and easily understood explanations
• Makes learning easy 

Your first step to the world of IP telephony begins here!

• Learn how voice and data communications merge in voice-over-IP technology
• Use this reader-friendly guide to understand the benefits of this technology
• Explore real-life applications and theories through case studies in every chapter

Welcome to the world of voice over IP

We use either a telephone or e-mail for much of our day-to-day communication. Today, these two worlds are merging, and companies can place phone calls over their existing data network infrastructures using a technology called voice over IP (VoIP).

No prior experience with VoIP technology is required

Voice over IP First-Step is anyone’s introduction to the world of VoIP networks. The concepts in this book are presented in plain language, so you don’t need in-depth background knowledge to comprehend the technologies covered. If you work with data networks, if you work with telephony networks, if you’re a home user interested in how VoIP can reduce your monthly phone bill, or if the concept of VoIP simply intrigues you, this book is for you.

Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful Exceptional Introduction to VOIP, February 12, 2008 By  Arcwin (Hants, UK) - See all my reviews This review is from: Voice over IP First-Step (Paperback) Once in a while an author appears who stands head and shoulders above most other technical authors. Kevin Wallace is definitely one of that rare breed of authors who has the unique ability to impart substantial technical information in a really accessible manner. I found this book incredibly easy to read, having attempted reading some other books on VOIP and not getting past the 2nd Chapter with most of them. Even though the book focuses mainly on Cisco's VOIP implementation, the information is put across in such a way that you get a good understanding of VOIP principles in general. The chapter in this book on QOS alone is worth getting the book for, as it explains Cisco QOS in a most lucid and user-friendly way. His anologies are excellent and his occastional injection of humour also makes reading the book a most pleasurable and useful learning experience. If you are a newbie to VOIP, then I can't think of a better book to get your hands on. Highly recommended! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you?  Report abuse | Permalink  Comment 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful Excellent quick-read book to introduce yourself to VoIP the Cisco Way, June 20, 2006 By  The Great Mahershi "mahershi" (QoS Land!) - See all my reviews This review is from: Voice over IP First-Step (Paperback) The title of this review pretty much summarizes my thoughts about the book. This is an excellent, quick-to-read book that provides all the basic info about VoIP, focusing on Cisco's offerings. Although I read the book over a couple of days, I believe I put in less than 3 hours to read the entire book cover to cover (over all those days). The book is very simple to read. The book is ideal for network administrators as well as system/equipment design engineers to quickly introduce themselves to VoIP. The book is also good to understand all the varied VoIP offerings from Cisco and how stuff plugs together to provide an integrated service. The last chapter of the book goes beyond vanilla-VoIP, by discussing (in brief) Cisco's IPCC and other interesting offerings. Great book! Read it to quickly and easily understand the fundamentals of VoIP as well Cisco's VoIP equipment. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you?  Report abuse | Permalink  Comment 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful Like the Title Says, a Good 'First-Step.', January 13, 2006 By  John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews    This review is from: Voice over IP First-Step (Paperback) With companies like Vonage beginning to advertise for broad based end user sales on television, VoIP must have become of age. I do notice, however, that Vonage still charges by the minute. I guess they think that this is what customers are used to paying so why not. This book is aimed not at the Vonage type end user, but at the building of a comprehensive understanding of VoIP and would appeal to the sophisticated home user and to the corporate network engineer charged with moving his company to VoIP. It starts with how the traditional phone system worked and then moves to explain the difference between the old circuit switched system that Ma-Bell developed to the newer packet switched systems of today. Most of the equipment being discussed is Cisco, as is fitting because it seems that they have just about the most complete line, and because this book is put out by Cisco Press. It is, as the title says, a 'first-step' book. It's enough to get a system operating... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you?  Report abuse | Permalink  Comment

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Praise For Voice over IP First-Step

Voice over IP First Step
Reviewer Name: Carlyle J. Melancon, Jr., Senior Technical Instructor
Reviewer Certification: CCNA
Rating: 9 out of 10

The Great Migration

The title of this very informative book says it all, Voice over IP First Step. Kevin Wallace presents a concise explanation of how telephony has drastically changed over the last several years with the advances in technology. The information presented in this book can be understood by the average individual who wants more information concerning Voice over IP, to the Cisco Network Guru programming router interfaces with the proper dial peer statements to establish a seamless relationship with the various protocols used within the Voice over IP Network interfacing with the Cisco Call Manager. This book is easily read and provides a wealth of knowledge.

Wallace explains the Analog Telephone Network, Bell calling for Mr. Watson on a simple 2 wire circuit, to an Automated Circuit Switched Digital Network using Time Division Routing, to include the convergence of the H.323 protocol suite to integrate Voice over IP.

Each chapter has a dedicated Case Study that builds upon the concepts of previous chapters. These case studies are designed to assist the reader to consistently evaluate the key concepts of this book, and to understand the fundamental theory of IP Telephony.

One chapter provides the key components of establishing a Voice over IP Network. Wallace emphasizes the importance of understanding protocols. He states that, “these true languages provide Voice, Data, and Video Teleconferencing to various hosts around the world.”

This book will be used extensively in my studies, and I encourage students and peers to read this very practical study. This book with clarity demonstrates the Great Migration from the traditional Telephony Network to the Voice over IP Network.

Additionally, this reference is an invaluable resource, and is written for all levels. This book has a tremendous wealth of knowledge. In conclusion, one can truly understand the various features of VoIP, and this book rates a 9 out of 10 stars.

Index

Download - 103 KB -- Index

Table of Contents

Chapter 7         VoIP Supporting Roles

Leave a Message at the Beep: the Cisco Answer to Unified

Messaging

Which Came First, the Voice Mail System or the CCM?

One-Stop Messaging

Advanced Messaging with a PBX

Have Your People Call My People: Creating a Conference Call

Your Call Is Very Important to Us: The Cisco Answer to Call Centers

Cisco IPCC Express Edition

Cisco IPCC Enterprise Edition

Case Study: Your Turn to Pick Add-On Features

Suggested Solution

Chapter Summary

 Review Questions

Appendix A      Answers to Chapter Review Questions

Appendix B      Next Steps: Where Do I Go From Here?

Glossary

Index

Downloadable Sample Chapter

Download - 276 KB -- Chapter 3: Paving the Pathway to a Voice over IP Network

Errata

Page 45, Note - A Cisco Connection Online (CCO) account with appropriate access privileges is required to access this tool.

Technical Reviewer Bio

Todd Stone is a Technical Marketing Engineer in the Unified Communications business unit of Cisco, the maers of Unity, Unity Connection, MeetingPlace, MeetingPlace Express, IP Communicator, VT Advantage and IPVC. Todd's career spans more than nineteen years in the computer and communications industry, including an initial stint in the US Army as a tech controller at a fixed communications station near Washington DC. His background includes telecommunications, voice systems, and data communications management and design; large scale server and infrastructure deployment projects; administration and management with various directories and messaging systems. He has also been heavily engaged in various other design and deployment activities.

Todd and his wife have three kids and they live in a small town located on the Kitsap Peninsula on the western side of Puget Sound in the state of Washington. Todd attended Northern Kentucky University and has also held various technical certifications.