What is VoIP Technology?
Voice over Internet Protocol is a family of technologies that enable voice communications using IP networks like the internet. Inventive developers and entrepreneurs have created an industry around VoIP technology in its many forms: desktop applications, telephone services, and corporate phone systems. VoIP is a core technology that drives everything from voice-chat software loaded on a desktop PC to Mac full-blown IP-based telecommunications networks in large corporations. To the Wall Street speculator, VoIP is a single technology investment with many revenue streams. To the enterprise network engineer, it's a way to simplify the corporate network and improve the telephony experience for users of the network. To the home user, it's a really cool way to save money on the old phone bill.

But how? What makes VoIP do all this awesome stuff? Contact a MediaConneX Representative to find out.

What is a SIP Trunk?
A SIP Trunk is primarily a concurrent call that is routed over the IP backbone of a carrier using VoIP technology. SIP Trunks are used in conjunction with an IP-PBX and are thought of as replacements for traditional PRI or analog circuits. The popularity of SIP Trunks is due primarily to the cost savings of SIP along with the increased reliability as backed by the SLAs of SIP Trunk Providers.

What is QoS?
QoS stands for Quality of Service. QoS is a generic name for a set of algorithms which attempt to provide different levels of quality to different types of network traffic.

Queuing
One method of implementing QoS is to utilize some sort of advanced queuing algorithm.

Simple networks process traffic with a FIFO (First In - First Out) queue. Packets which are received first are processed first.

QoS comes into play when the network admin wants to treat some packets differently than others. For example: e-mail packets can be delayed for several minutes with no one noticing, while VoIP packets cannot be delayed for more than a tenth of a second before users notice a problem.

In a true FIFO system, all packets are stored in one queue. An advancement over FIFO queuing is Fair Queuing (FQ). In an FQ system, each type of packet is stored in a it's own queue. FQ isn't terribly useful, but a variation of it is. That variation is Weighted Fair Queuing (WFQ). In a WFQ system, each queue can be given a different priority level. That is where QoS really begins.

What is PoE?
Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) or "Active Ethernet"eliminates the need to run 110/220 VAC power to Wireless Access Points, IP Telephones and other devices on a wired LAN. Using Power-over-Ethernet system installers need to run only a single CAT5 Ethernet cable that carries both power and data to each device. This allows greater flexibility in the locating of AP's and network devices and significantly decreasing installation costs in many cases.

Power-over-Ethernet begins with a CAT5 "Injector"that inserts a DC Voltage onto the CAT5 cable. The Injector is typically installed in the "wiring closet" near the Ethernet switch or hub.

Some Wireless Access Points and other network accept the injected DC power directly from the CAT5 cable through their RJ45 jack. These devices are considered to be "PoE-Compatible" or "Active Ethernet Compatible".

Devices that are not "PoE Compatible" can be converted to Power-over-Ethernet by way of a DC "Picker"or"Tap". These are sometimes called Active Ethernet "Splitters". This device picks-off the DC Voltage that has been injected into the CAT5 cable by the Injector and makes it available to the equipment through the regular DC power jack.

What is FlexiCall?
The FlexiCall software feature turns employee cell and remote telephones into virtual extensions of the Coral IPx telephone system, regardless of location or wireless service provider.

With FlexiCall, no matter where you are, a single phone number and mailbox are all you'll need to handle your business calls. FlexiCall integrates your desk phone and mobile number to make sure you have a chance to answer every call. With the ability to ring both your cell and office phone simultaneously, you no longer have to worry about missing a call when away from your desk.

What is Unified Messaging?
A service that provides a single, integrated in-box for multiple kinds of messages (for example, voicemail, e-mail, fax, video clips). The user can access the in-box via multiple devices (mobile phone, PC) and multiple communications technologies.

PVC vs. Plenum Rated Cable
PVC stands for Poly Vinyl Chloride, which is the insulation used around the copper wires. When it burns, it emits a poisonous gas. Plenum Rated, which is a TEFLON (copyright Dupont) or FEP coating burns at a much higher temperature and is not as toxic.

When should I use PVC and when should I use Plenum Rated?

Well it depends. PVC cable is about 1/2 to 1/3 the price of Plenum Rated cable. Plenum rated cables is used in air plenum ceilings where the return air is forced through the ceiling, rather than being ducted through air conditioning tubes. You should check with the Building and Safety Department of your City. Different cities have different regulations. In general, Plenum Rated cable must be used in an air plenum ceiling.

Speech Recognition
Describes a group of special technologies that allow callers to speak words, phrases, or utterances that are used to control applications. In the case of voice processing, speech recognition is used to replace touch-tone input, make for more intuitive menu structures, and add a level of simplicity and security to some systems. Speech recognition is often confused with voice recording or voice digitization. Voice digitization and recording explain how the human voice is captured, digitized, and stored for later play back. Speech recognition, on the other hand, is a technology that uses the spoken word as input that has an effect on the logic flow and execution of the program in question.