What is an IP PBX?
An IP PBX is a complete telephony
system that provides telephone calls over IP data networks. All conversations
are sent as data packets over the network. IT is a PBX that provides audio, video, and an instant
messaging communication through the TCP/IP protocol stack for its internal
network and interconnects its internal network with the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) for telephony
communication. The
technology includes advanced communication features but also provides a
significant dose of worry-free scalability and robustness that all enterprises
seek. The IP PBX is also able to connect to traditional PSTN lines via an
optional gateway – so upgrading day-to-day business communication to this most
advanced voice and data network is a breeze! An IP-PBX can exist as a hardware object, or virtually, as a
software system. They are business telephone system which incorporates the
power of IP Telephony. They support the routing of calls on VOIP network
providing cost effectiveness to the companies working in nowadays globalized
business environment.
IP PBX
switches calls between VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol or IP) users on local lines while allowing all users to share a
certain number of external phone lines. The typical IP PBX can also switch
calls between a VoIP user and a traditional telephone user, or between two
traditional telephone users in the same way that a conventional PBX does. This
provides flexibility as an enterprise grows, and can also reduce long-term
operation and maintenance costs. Like a traditional PBX, an IP PBX is owned by
the enterprise. Enterprises don’t need to disrupt their current external
communication infrastructure and operations. With IP PBX deployed, an
enterprise can even keep its regular telephone numbers. This way, the IP PBX
switches local calls over the data network inside the enterprise and allows all
users to share the same external phone lines. The IP PBX server functions in a similar manner to a proxy
server: SIP clients, being either soft phones or hardware-based phones,
register with the IP PBX server, and when they wish to make a call they ask the
IP PBX to establish the connection. The key voice-over-IP requirements
discussed in this article are:
- Bandwidth - Determining how much bandwidth you will need for voice-over-IP in your office is your first step.
- The Router - Choosing a low quality or under performing router is a costly mistake which will degrade your call quality.
- Quality of Service - You must decide whether voice traffic will be separated from regular internet users or if it will share the same network.
- VoIP Equipment - There are many digital office phones, soft phones, headsets and telephone adapters on the market to choose from.
- Power Failures - Voice over IP does not work when the power goes out so you should install a battery backup system and possibly a Power-over-Ethernet switch if your budget permits it.
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