Data Centers and IP PBXs

1. Data Centers and IP PBXs LAN Structures Private Clouds IP PBX Architecture IP PBX Hosting

2. Local Area Networks(LANs) at Enterprises • Characteristics • Ownership • Limited geography • High speeds • Shared devices • Ethernet & TCP/IP

3. Facts about LANs • Local in nature • LAN mostly covers a small area • Router ensures you reach outside network • LAN interconnects computers • LANs can be 100 MB or higher • Economical way to share printers • LANs can be wireless • LAN uses file server for network operating system • LANs have switches to connect devices together • LANs segments can be connected by fiber optic cabling • Can access LANs with a password • Wi-Fi routers support multiple protocols • LAN switches reduce cost of cabling devices together • If main file server gets corrupted all LAN devices can be infected • LANs enable students to share applications • LANs can connect to alarm systems • LANs use Ethernet protocols • Wi-Fi eliminates cost of wiring to devices

4. Architecture: how devices fit together in a network. LAN architecture

5. Data Centers • Purpose of a data center • Environmental considerations • Cooling • Heating • Flooding • Secure access • Space issues • Not too large – space costs $ • Not too Small– need to grow

6. Private Clouds • Created within organizations • Emulate cloud providers’ data center structures • Centralized applications • Standardized applications • Self service • Take steps to achieve greater efficiencies • If at provider; dedicate server to single customer; costly

7. Automatic Failover (backup) to a Remote Site Using Replication Software in Virtualized servers Headquarters site Remote, backup site WAN** Ethernet LAN Ethernet LAN Physical host server with virtual machines Servers at headquarters with replication software and virtual machines Physical host servers Switch SAN* Redundant Switches *Storage area network SAN* **Wide Area Network

8. Virtual LANs • virtual local area networks (VLANs) • “Tagged” as a separate LAN in software • Packets in VLANs prioritized for better voice quality and multi-media services • Only certain packets reach them • Shielded from some viruses

9. A VoIP Telephone System VoIP Architecture Wide area network Remote office Headquarters Voice over IP system in box Router Router Gateway Communications server Layer 2 switch Centralized voice mail/unified communications server PSTN: Public switched Telephone network

10. What do you know about IP PBXs • Changes can be made in software much easier than traditional TDM systems • Phone calls transmitted over the internal IP network • Media gateway has digital signal processor to compress voice • Can connect to PSTN (traditional networks) and Internet (IP) networks • Have built in applications like voice mail • Can transfer voice/video over network • Can contain unified communications email box w/voice mail messages; one software application also video • Can integrate w/some mobile phones • Can easily add more phones/auto attendants/applications • Because it’s digital/ can store more data/ recorded calls • Easier to manage

11. Steps in VoIP PBX Selection • How do you determine the organizations’ needs? • Size of org. in number of people • Number of sites; • Requirements for conference calls – may need more phone lines • Employee functions – does each staff need a phone? • Look at employee usage – phone bill $s; # of calls • Call center needs? – customer support • Budget; security needs • infrastructure • Growth? Financial officer, CEO • What are the 5 most important criteria for system selection? • Cost, User friendliness; reliability, security; size & energy needs • What questions will you ask vendors in order to evaluate them? • What is the difference with competitors; references; service; do they offer more equipment; maintenance? Specifications of what’s included in contract & maintenance contract; what’s included; # of phones, capacity without a processor; cost?; redundancy? Global reach?

12. The Rationale for IP PBXs • VoIP advantages • Open standards • Applications for call centers, voice mail etc. • Telephone compatibilities • Voice and data on interoffice trunks • Centralized Administration • Centralized Unified Communications

13. Hosted IP Telephone Systems - Rationale • Rationale • Lack of in-house expertise • Uncertain growth • Dispersed sites • Media server, gateway and software at provider • Web interface for customer programming Private or Public Internet Provider with VoIP hardware & software VoIP Links

14. Should our Organization Use a Hosted IP PBX? • Absolutely • We don’t want to do maintenance • Just one Ethernet network • We have a positive vision of technology • Easier for vendor not us to update • Save $ on staff • Upgrades by host • More skills at host • For small companies, hosted IP has more services • Save on energy • Not stuck with capital for expensive equipment – more flexible • Never! • Like current system, • More $ monthly • Others will look down on company image poor • Security worries • Want to control system • Tech. too new • If telephone line is cut no service • Not supported in enough countries • Our intellectual property not secure over Internet • What happens if host goes out of business?

15. Summary • LAN architecture • Backbone • Private clouds • Structure of VoIP telephone systems • Hosted IP telephone systems • VLANs (virtual local area networks) & Storage Area Networks