How Does Voip Work?Dave Markel |
Copyright 2006 Dave Markel
To make your VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) work good enough you need to have broadband internet connection. Internet broadband connections are represented with cable or DSL modems with bandwidth of 56 kbits and higher.
The main idea of VoIP is voice connection using computers. All you need is appropriate software installed on your computer and microphone with a headset or speakers connected. Do not forget that using such software is free and easy to download.
Unlike computer-to-computer calls which are free of charge VoIP software is also used as simple trunk-line. But even so such calls are still cheaper then phone-to-phone ones.
Remember- to make computer-to-computer calls you should run the same software at both sides. But in case of making cellular or land-line call via VoIP no extra software or equipment is needed.
How does it work?
All internet transmissions including VoIP appear to be digital data that travels through the telephone, optical fiber or even satellite lines. To transmit the voice signal VoIP software must convert human (analog) voice to the set of 1s and 0s (digital data). It is done with the help of ADC (analog-to-digital converters) and codecs which compress and decompress (on receive) data to make it more compact during transfer.
Compressed data is divided into packets. Without going into details i can say that these packets consist of the header and the body. Headers contain source and destination addresses and other system data. And the body is the spitted and compressed audio file.
All data transmitted over internet follows the set of rules gathered in the models (OSI, TCP/IP). Models consist of layers that represent particular network function.
Video and audio transmission use the set of protocols originally developed or changed for faster work over the internet. Transport layer in VoIP is usually represented with User Datagram Protocol (UDP). And the application layer is Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP).
Drop of delayed packets is the main advantage of RTP. By doing so the VoIP software skips the delayed packets that must be reassembled and decoded. It is quite preferable because it prevents undesirable pauses in the conversation. Even if the amount of dropped packets is big enough the conversation is still legible. Of course, the better internet connection you possess- the better conversation you'll be having after the remote software will receive, reassemble and decode data into the analog signal (human voice).
About the author:
Dave Markel is the owner of a Voip Services Blog. Visit it at
http://voip--services.blogspot.com
The latest information and news on VoIP :
A new report is again indicating that The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is being devalued due to illegal competition from long distance companies offering Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Polycom launches SoundPoint IP 430 VoIP phone (CIOL)
NEW DELHI:Polycom, Inc., provider of unified collaborative communications solutions, has added the SoundPoint IP 430 phone to its SIP based voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) desktop phones portfolio. The newly launched phone is a two-line phone with a full-duplex speakerphone and graphical LCD.
Samsung SGH-P200 GSM/VOIP Hybrid Phone Sighted at FCC (AnandTech)
Cellular and VOIP services all in one handheld...
Consumers to flock to VoIP (theRegister via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News)
The traditional home phone number could become a thing of the past as more and more people opt for fixed-mobile services and VoIP. That's according to ...
VoIP Will Kill Off Traditional Landlines In Europe: Report (Small Biz Pipeline)
VoIP will kill off the use of traditional landlines in Europe, due to the appeal of new fixed-mobile telephone services, says two new reports by JupiterResearch.
X-Lite SIP VoIP Softphone Download (DesignTechnica)
Today's daily download is X-Lite SIP VoIP Softphone. Users who subscribe to a VoIP or Broadband service will be able to use this description.
Ennovative Commerce Solutions Installs VoIP from TelCove (CommsDesign)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Ennovative Commerce Solutions, a Jacksonville-based developer of enterprise-class marketing and sales solutions, has installed a new, company-wide VoIP solution from TelCove, a leading provider of business critical telecommunications services to enterprise customers and carriers.
Consumers to flock to VoIP (The Register)
All change The traditional home phone number could become a thing of the past as more and more people opt for fixed-mobile services and VoIP.?
Tiscali unveils VoIP service (The Register)
VoIPtastic Tiscali - which recently clocked up one million broadband lines in the UK - has unveiled details of a new VoIP service.?
Fusion Softphone Turns Computer into VoIP Telephone (IT Observer)
Fusion Telecommunications International has announced that it has completed the first version of its proprietary computer-based efonica telephone, or 'softphone,' a software application that transforms a personal computer into a VoIP telephone. Concurrent with the launch of Fusion?s new, efonica-branded VoIP services later this month, customers will be able to download a beta version of the