Video conferencing phone systems have become a staple in businesses across the world. And COVID-19 has only made them more essential.
IT leaders are taking a second look at their phone systems. This article will take you through every step of building an architecture that works best for your company.
However, upgrading your VoIP system can be a challenge. This guide will not only help you get your system running, but will help you support your employees along the way.
What Is VoIP Architecture?
The foundation of a high-quality telecommunications infrastructure is critical for performance, security, and cost-effectiveness. A VoIP architecture is the platform used to run your phone system. This system is responsible for real-time audio over an internet connection.
COVID-19 has made it necessary to upgrade your old technology and implement new features in your office telephone system. The key to selecting the best phone system is understanding how it will be used for your business. Will you use a plug-and-play desk phone or one that allows employees to bring their own devices?
VoIP is the industry standard, even though it has already been around for many years.
Want to upgrade your current VoIP system to a higher level? Momentum has everything you need. Call them today.
VoIP Architecture Components
A VoIP architecture consists of many components. The most important components are the Session Border Controller (SBC), Media Server, Application Server, Database Services, SIP services, IP PBX, Endpoint devices (phone), and the IP network.
Here is a brief breakdown of the most important VoIP architecture components:
- Session Border Controller (SBC): The SBC gateway connects to analog call services, recording information, and bandwidth management control. They also balance and flow network traffic to achieve peak performance. The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is accessible via this VoIP gateway.
- Application Server: Call forwarding, call waiting and transfer, IP network phone service, and call detail records are all supported by this option. These functions are necessary to enable essential telephony functions for customers.
- Endpoint Devices: These are the types of phones or applications that can receive VoIP phone service. Some examples of Endpoint Devices include desk phones, VoIP apps, conference phones, and even fax machines.
- SIP Services: Session Initiation Protocol or SIP is responsible for connecting, disconnecting, and configuring call sessions. This protocol is a foundation for phone, video, and messaging technologies.
- Media Server: A media server is a gateway that handles voice and data traffic. It can be either an edge component, like the CUBE, or a core router architecture for large enterprise networks. VoIP security is critical with these components because they provide access to telephone service and allow for features like voicemail and video calling, and voice.
- SIP Services: Session Initiation Protocol or SIP is responsible for connecting, disconnecting, and configuring call sessions. This protocol is a foundation for phone, video, or messaging technologies.
- Database Services: The database services are what hold all of the details of any SIP device. This database contains a registration for each machine, which is an endpoint. Furthermore, it allows a user to locate an endpoint and translate potentially different addresses in various networks.
- IP PBX: A PBX is a phone system that may be used to manage communications both inside and outside of an organization. It serves as the primary command center for present telephone systems. Voice service is obtained through SIP trunking.
- IP Network: Voice data packets can be sent from one endpoint to an upstream service accessible via one or more IP addresses over multiple IP networks.
How VoIP Works
Voice over Internet Protocol utilizes the Internet rather than a landline for calls, messaging, and video calls. Since voice traffic is a direct derivative of the existing internet infrastructure, it can send and receive data packets through a local area network, vast area network, or the World Wide Web.
A VoIP system converts analog signals to digital at signal processing nodes known as gateways or codecs. It is then transmitted over an IP network before arriving at its destination. However, you can use these services in wireless environments if you have a strong Wi-Fi signal.
The VoIP gateway or codec can further compress the data into smaller packets to travel over broadband. It compresses the signal to avoid having voice quality degrade, sending many packs in a short amount of time.
Cloud-based communication systems are already becoming the norm in virtually all businesses. This means IT departments must keep track of all communications channels, from platforms to individual desk phones.
Planning Your VoIP Architecture
Depending on your company’s growth timeline, you may need to take a different approach. However, there are some critical questions you need to answer.
- Where will your company be in one year?
- How much growth are you projecting?
- How many employees will you have in twelve months?
- What remote work tools do they use?
- Will this differ from your current workforce?
- What VoIP features are essential for your business?
The Importance of Bandwidth
Your network can affect the quality of your calls, messaging, and videos. Making sure that you have a stable foundation is essential.
A VoIP call requires roughly 100 kilobits per second of bandwidth. Divide this number by the number of simultaneous phone calls to obtain an estimate of your bandwidth requirements. On top of that, bear in mind that simultaneous activities such as video conferencing and file backups need additional bandwidth as well.
Sound thought-out network architecture is the key to a successful VoIP architecture. You may have avoided using Quality of Service (QoS) in the past, but prioritizing networks ensures that all users have an excellent experience and there are no outages.
Start a Successful VoIP Journey With Momentum
The process of VoIP communication is not as simple as plugging your phone into a jack. Many components come together to provide you with the seamless, high-quality service you expect.
From quality equipment and providers to an expertly designed network infrastructure, it’s important for every business owner or manager to have all the knowledge they need about what VoIP their company needs—that way they can make informed decisions when selecting their provider.
We hope this blog post has given you some insight on how VoIP works and why our team believes in providing businesses with one of the best networks available today! Call Momentum today!
