Review of Voice Over IP Technologies: Building the Converged Network (Paperback)

Voice over IP Technologies is an outstanding piece of work, reflecting much of Mark Miller's exceptional knowledge of voice and data communications systems and multi-protocol networks. He is, in fact and without question, one of the leading experts in the field of network design, analysis and troubleshooting across the LAN, MAN and WAN domains. And he is a leading authority on ATM, Frame Relay and the TCP/IP protocol suite ... and their meaningful applications.

The value of all that expertise is much greater value, of course, if it can be shared effectively with others. Mark Miller's considerable skills as an author have been honed in a dozen or so previous books, and are well demonstrated in this excellent work. The information is well organized and clearly stated, and is supported with numerous graphics. There are numerous appendixes, including a most helpful glossary. The work also is very well indexed, which I consider to be extremely important for future reference.

As a technologist, I can appreciate the accuracy of the information contained in this book. As a consultant, I can appreciate its integrity. As an author, I can appreciate the care with which the subject matter has been researched, the way it has been organized, and the thoroughly understandable manner in which it is presented. When I need to research a technical topic for a book, article or column I am writing, or for a consulting project, I generally skip past the several hundred other references on my shelf and reach for one of Mark Miller's books. When the topic is VoIP, I reach for this one first. I recommend that you do the same.

Product Description
Voice over IP Technologies provides solid technical information on how to successfully design and implement a converged network, combining voice, data, fax and video transmissions into a cohesive networking infrastructure centered on the Internet Protocol.

Converged networks, which combine voice, data, fax and video transmissions into a cohesive networking infrastructure -- all centered on the Internet Protocol, or IP -- promise a number of advantages over existing, separate networking environments. But to successfully design and implement a converged network requires expertise on both the voice and data networking sides of the house. Unfortunately, few individuals have these credentials -- either you are a voice networking expert, and familiar with circuit switching and connections between PBXs, or you are a data networking expert, familiar with packet switching and connections between routers and servers.

The objective of this text is to bridge the gap between the voice and data networking sides, and provide the reader with the opportunity to fill in their areas of weakness with solid technical information. In addition, this text presents a number of case studies, from architectural, financial and technical perspectives that illustrate real-world applications for these technologies.

From the Back Cover
Voice over IP Technologies
Building the Converged Network

Your Road Map to Network Convergence

Written to cover new applications and the latest IETF protocols and standards, this comprehensive guide delivers a lucid overview of VoIP technologies for voice, data, fax, and video transmissions - and helps you map out a converged network strategy for your organization. Packed with illuminating case studies (including in-depth examples of real-world multimedia applications), clear explanations of VoIP standards and topologies, and practical advice on applications and implementation, Voice over IP Technologies is all you need to start reaping the benefits of network convergence.

Your One-Stop Guide to VoIP Solutions

• Understand how Voice over IP compares to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
• Find out about VPN and international telephony, voice-enabled e-commerce, desktop video conferencing, Fax over IP, and other multimedia IP applications
• Perform a Voice over IP cost-benefit analysis for your organization
• Discover how VoIP protocols - MGCP, RTP, RTCP, RSVP - fit together with other protocols in an IP network
• Get the lowdown on WAN transport for VoIP, including Signaling System 7 and the latest developments in Voice over Frame Relay, ATM, and DSL
• Learn how H.323, SIP, and other multimedia standards enable VoIP gateways, terminals, and client software to process calls
• Take a detailed, protocol-level look at how VoIP multimedia applications work in real-world internetworks
• Get up to speed on implementation issues: interoperability frameworks, H.323 alternatives, APIs, quality of service issues, and more

Bonus CD-ROM includes

• Key Request for Comment (RFC)documents
• eRing Solutions' itRings! client software trial version
• Westbay Engineers' Westplan demo version

System Requirements
PC running Windows 9x/2000/Me/XP. See the "What's on the CD-ROM" appendix for details and complete system requirements.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Voice Over IP Technologies: Building the Converged Network (Paperback)