Sites With Info

VoIP - What is the Problem?


In the beginning, when the Internet Protocol was first designed, no one was thinking about the possibilities of sending audio and video. Real time communication was not an issue.

Perhaps the greatest single problem is that the Internet Protocol (the IP part of VoIP - Voice over Internet Protocol) wasn't designed to ensure that the packets are delivered in the correct order. When information is transmitted using IP, the data is broken up into information packets, each of which is sent separately. The correct sequence of packets is part of the information in each packet, but nothing specifically exists to make sure that the packets are delivered, and, therefore, received in the proper order.

Now this isn't usually a significant issue for web pages, email, etc. Why? Because these aren't real-time applications. Audio and video however, especially live audio and live video are definitely real-time applications. For a real time conversation to work, the packets have to arrive - pretty much in order and also within certain time limits.

The first, and one of the major challenges then, is to restructure incoming packets into the correct order and to somehow cope with lost and/or trashed packets. Face it, the internet does not provide a quality of service guarantee. If enough packets are lost, an audio or video stream rapidly turns into a useless mess. While packets can be resent - the standard way lost/trashed packets are dealt with - real time communication means that you just can't wait around forever. After a certain time, it's simply too late to maintain a coherent stream.

What we've seen over the last few years is a gradual and now nearly explosive growth in the use of VoIP, and streaming audio and video. The reason is decline of dial-up and the growth of ISDN, DSL, ADSL, cable and other high speed, high bandwidth access modes. Bandwidth is the answer to most of the problems posed by IP. End-to-end high speed links can ensure high quality sound. The sole remaining problem is latency.

For most this is not an issue when they have high speed internet access, however, it can become a problem with satellite links or any other system where unusually long distances and many hops are involved.

On private networks, there is rarely a problem using VoIP and many companies with internal networks (such as telcos and power companies) use VoIP to communicate within their organizational network structure.

However, when the available end-to-end bandwidth is less than 256 Kbps, a good VoIP system will require mechanisms to overcome fragmentation of the data stream.

Security is an issue everywhere on the internet and what this means is that VoIP also needs to deal with firewalls and NATs (Network Address Translation). While some systems can do NAT and firewall traversal on their own, others require the use of SBCs (Session Border Controllers) to manage the traversal.

One major, though non-technical, challenge to VoIP, comes from traditional telephone service providers who are being by-passed by consumers who love the extremely low (or zero) long-distance charges they can get by using VoIP. Exactly how this works out over the long run will be fascinating to watch. In the meantime, VoIP services are continually being improved and extended. Enjoy them.

For more information on VoIP, conference calling, web conferencing and related subjects visit Alta Global Telecom. Find more on wireless and cellular subjects at Alta Global Wireless. For networking and security check Alta Global Net.


MORE RESOURCES:

How To Use Google Profiles — Shelly Palmer
Media 3.0
The app will give users access to every tidbit and stat they desire, as well as live audio streaming for $14.99. While the app is a great deal, ...

and more »


HispanicBusiness.com (press release)

Behavior Changes Linked to NCAA Basketball Tournament, Duke Professor Says
HispanicBusiness.com (press release)
... on television and other media, reported that 4.8 million people used video and audio streaming on their computers to follow games, Clotfelter noted. ...

and more »


Electronic House

Pioneer Adds 7.1 Receivers with iPhone Control
Electronic House
Pioneer's VSX-1020-K Receiver is 3D ready and includes Dolby ProLogic IIz, iPhone certification, Bluetooth audio streaming and more. The VSX-920-K ($399), ...



MSU's 2010 Softball Broadcast Schedule Announced
Mississippi State Buldogs
Mississippi State's 28 Southeastern Conference games, along with any SEC and NCAA postseason action, will be broadcast live for free via audio streaming on ...
MSU Softball Hosts Tennessee in SEC OpenerMississippi State Buldogs

all 4 news articles »


Newport Digital Technologies Develops First LED Digital Signage Solution with ...
Trading Markets (press release)
"The 3G, Wi-Fi and WiMax features will enable this signage solution to have video and audio streaming connectivity anywhere there is 3G, Wi-Fi or WiMax ...

and more »


CNET

2010 Mini Cooper S
CNET
Navigation is DVD-based and Bluetooth doesn't feature audio streaming or phonebook import. The bottom line: The Mini Cooper S can be polarizing with its ...



Mobiletor.com

Basketball Fans, Get Ready for NCAA March Madness on Your iPhone and iPod Touch
Appmodo
You get everything that comes with the Lite version but you will also get live video and audio streaming of every single March Madness game, whether you're ...
CBS returns March Madness to the iPhoneNetworkWorld.com

all 51 news articles »


Skitter, Inc. Announces Skitter Radio™
PR.com (press release)
Digital Audio Streaming Now Supported in the Skitter.TV Converged Entertainment Services Platform: Skitter Radio allows telecom service providers who offer ...

and more »


CNET

MLB's Android, BlackBerry apps step up to the plate
CNET
The iPhone version also has the option to do background audio streaming this season. Since the iPhone doesn't run multiple apps simultaneously, ...
MLB.com releases lesser version of At Bat app for AndroidAndroinica (blog)
Major League Baseball's Awesome iPhone App Is Tearing Up The Charts At A Hefty $15The Business Insider

all 44 news articles »


CNET

Pioneer offers VSX-520-K and VSX-820-K 5.1 channel A/V receivers
TechShout! (blog)
These devices extend Bluetooth audio streaming from a Bluetooth-enabled gizmo to the home theater system and are 3D-ready with HDMI v1.4. ...
Pioneer slides in new 5.1 Channel A/V ReceiversTechGadgets.in (blog)
The Pioneer VSX-520-K and VSX-820-K 5.1 channel A/V receivers for the Ultimate ...Top Tech Reviews

all 15 news articles »

Google News