IP Telephony is the technology for
transmitting voice communications over a network using
open-standards-based IP. Enabled by Cisco AVVID
(Architecture for Voice, Video and Integrated Data),
Cisco IP Telephony solutions use a single network
infrastructure for the transmission of data, voice, and
video traffic, delivering the business benefits of a
converged network (increased productivity, greater
business flexibility, and reduced operational costs) to
enterprise-level organizations.
With Cisco IP
Telephony, you have a comprehensive suite of IP-based
hardware and software solutions to choose from that
scale to meet your needs. In addition, this suite of
solutions can integrate with existing systems to help
you migrate to full IP Communications and protect your
technology investments.
The Cisco IP Telephony solution has four primary
components:
-
Infrastructure
Includes public switched telephone network (PSTN)
gateways, analog phone support, and digital signal
processor (DSP) farms. Cisco IP Telephony
infrastructure solutions can support multiple client
types such as hardware phones, software phones, and
video devices, as well as provide options for
integrating traditional PBX, voice mail, and
directory systems.
-
IP Phones
Cisco IP phones combine the functions of a
traditional telephone with an Ethernet connection
and optional customizations such as access to stock
quotes, employee extension numbers, and Web-based
content. The Cisco
IP SoftPhone is a Windows-based application for
the PC that offers IP functionality in conjunction
with a Cisco IP phone or as a standalone end
station.
-
Cisco CallManager
This software-based call processing agent extends
enterprise telephony features and functions to
packet telephony network devices such as IP phones,
media processing devices, voice-over-IP (VoIP)
gateways, and multimedia applications.
-
Voice Applications
Voice applications are physically independent from
the call processing and voice processing
infrastructure, and they may reside anywhere within
your network.
