How do I break into IP Telephony, Gracefully?

[Sirrono]

IPO all, I need to get up to speed. Been stuck in PBX only land for too long. Now Mgmt wants a new Definity G3si at the Regional office and we would all like to Network the National office with the eleven other Regional offices. I'm not certified in IP anything and I have vendors coming out of the woodwork to sell me VoIP this, Callmaster that, IPO, S8700, Gateways, what's it all about Alfie?

Is their a particularly marvelous course you would recommend to help me get up to speed on IP Telephony and VoIP and especially where it is integrated with Definity?

Sincerely seeking audience with the grandmasters, gurus, jedi and buckweets out there. Sirrono

 

[GrandmasterOPI]

Well, start with your basic TCPIP info then have a look at QOS, this alone should give you a good understanding of how VOIP either works or doesnt, as for different products and vendors, I guess you can either buy one of each or cruise the forums like this.

 

[routermad]

I would get each of your salesman and perform a demo/prove that it could integrate with a Definity via leaseline or xDSL etc etc.

If you're looking for a brief explaination of VoIP, goto your local bookstore and find a telecom dictionary.

With eleven sites, it would save you money in terms of maintenance and stock by using one manufacture and supplier.

 

[IPGuru]

The IPO WILL connect to deffinity via either Qsig or VoiP (deffinity IP600).

It can aslo use the same handsets, Voicemail Pro can be set to emulate Audix or it can use a central Audix system for limited VM functionality.

If your main offices are already Using Definity & you want a smaller cheaper switch for branch offices I think the case is made.

 

[Detroitred]

Sirrono,
As usual there is plenty of basic information on the web, start there. Another source of helpful information is in the Avaya manual 'Administration for Network Connectivity' version 10 or earlier. Finally, I recommend that after you find a good source, be it a book or web page, that you supplement it with training courses to fill in the blanks.

Your Definity G3si in your Regional office would need a C-Lan card and MedPro minimum. Your other region offices would all be 8100 servers using G600. Check your company's IP network bandwidth you should be able to piggyback the voice (VoIP) over it providing there wouldn't be a dramatic increase in IP traffic.

Detroitred

 

[Sirrono]

Cisco just gave us a demonstration of their IP Telephony solution. This seems to completely fit our needs especially since our LAN architecture is built on Cisco equipment. It looked like would require 2 Call Mgrs, Unity VM, a VG248, about 60 7460 phonesets and a power shelf. How much could that cost? It has to be less than installing an Entire Definity and MM, right?

SirRono

 

[Detroitred]

Not sure about which one is best value for money. It all defends on how big your telephony requires are for both the National and regional offices. Is a G3si really required or can a S8300 with a G700 gateway do the trick using DCS over IP Trunks for connectivity and to centralize the voicemail? A G3si is a bit of over kill for sixty phones. As for compatibility over a Cisco network there shouldn't be any major issues. Has anyone from Avaya or Cisco done a diagnostics of your network to determine the feasibility of using Voip at present? You will with have with any system few issues to resolve in regards to Voice over a previously data only network.