Internet Phone Services Simplified By Jim Doherty, Neil Anderson Publisher: Cisco Press Pub Date: April 25, 2006 Print ISBN-10: 1-58720-162-3 Print ISBN-13: 978-1-58720-162-2 Pages: 176 Table of Contents | Index Internet Phone Services Simplified gives you the most basic need-to-know information and then teaches you how to get the most out of your VoIP phone services: Understand how broadband VoIP, Internet VoIP, and VoIP Chat services work Learn about and compare different services, their advantages, and their limitations Subscribe to a service, install equipment, and troubleshoot issues that might arise Integrate services into your home, including reusing your existing house telephone wiring and phone handsets Extend VoIP throughout your home by using multiline, extendable cordless phone systems Take advantage of VoIP features, including virtual phone numbers and listening to voicemail using your computer while traveling Internet phone services offer great advantages over existing telephone systems, allowing you to save money and make and receive calls using high-speed and broadband services To help you take advantage of all that the Internet has to offer, Internet Phone Services Simplified provides you with an illustrated guide to understanding, selecting, and setting up voice over IP (VoIP) phone services Internet Phone Services Simplified isn't overly technicalyou'll get just what you need so that VoIP doesn't seem like a mystery and so that you can make good choices about Internet phone services Provides a full-color illustrated and simple approach to learning about VoIP Follow step-by-step instructions for selecting and installing VoIP at home Explore new Internet telephony features and services Approved for Technical Accuracy by The Geek Squad This book is part of the Networking Technology Series from Cisco Press®, the only authorized publisher for Cisco Systems® Internet Phone Services Simplified By Jim Doherty, Neil Anderson Publisher: Cisco Press Pub Date: April 25, 2006 Print ISBN-10: 1-58720-162-3 Print ISBN-13: 978-1-58720-162-2 Pages: 176 Table of Contents | Index Copyright About the Authors About the Technical Reviewers Acknowledgments Foreword Introduction Starting Assumptions Microsoft Windows Mostly Linksys Tips from the Geek Squad Part I: Internet Telephony Fundamentals Chapter 1 Traditional Phone Systems In the Beginning Rise of the Machines Ma Bell Breaking Up the Happy Family Mobile Telephone System Internet Consolidate, Merge, and Acquire Important Things to Know About the PSTN Chapter 2 Voice over IP (VoIP) Circuit Switching and Packet Switching Putting It All Together Chapter 3 Advantages of Broadband Phone Services Lowering Your Monthly Phone Bill Phone Number Flexibility Online Call Management Summary of Advantages Chapter 4 Knowing Your Limits Reliability 911 and E911 Summary of Limitations Chapter 5 From the Geek Squad Files Part II: Choosing an Internet Phone Service Chapter 6 Inventory of Broadband Phone Services Internet VoIP Phone Services Cable VoIP Digital Phone Services VoIP Chat Services Summary of Broadband Phone Services Chapter 7 Selecting an Internet Phone Service What Will I Use It For? What Is My Backup Plan? Which Service Should I Choose? Summary Chapter 8 Selecting VoIP Equipment Cable VoIP Service Equipment Internet VoIP Service Equipment VoIP Chat Service Equipment Summary Chapter 9 From the Geek Squad Files Part III: Going VoIP at Home Chapter 10 Connecting the VoIP Equipment Starting Point Connecting Cable VoIP Service Connecting Internet VoIP Service Connecting VoIP Chat Service Making a Test Call 911 or E911 Registration Summary Addendum: Manually Configuring Terminal Adapters for Home Networks Using Static IP Addresses Chapter 11 Making VoIP Accessible Throughout Your Home Using Cordless Phones with VoIP Using Your Home Telephone Wiring with VoIP Issues with Multiple Handsets Multiline VoIP Services Specialized Phone Devices Summary Chapter 12 Using Wireless Networks to Extend VoIP Wireless Bridges Wireless Phone Jacks Summary Chapter 13 Troubleshooting: Can You Hear Me Now? Classify the Trouble Service Connection Problems Voice Quality Issues Dialing-Related Issues Getting Additional Help from Your VoIP Provider Summary Chapter 14 From the Geek Squad Files Part IV: VoIP Chat Services Chapter 15 VoIP Chat Services Instant Messaging Internet Messaging with Voice Summary Chapter 16 Using Skype and Google Talk Installing and Using Skype Installing and Using Google Talk Summary Chapter 17 The Future of Telephony A Review of What We Have Now The Cost Battle: Consumers Versus Companies and Governments System Convergence Future Use Scenario Conclusion Chapter 18 From the Geek Squad Files Glossary Numerics A-B C D E F G H I J-K L M-N P R S T U V-W-X-Y-Z Appendix Index Copyright An illustrated guide to understanding, selecting, and implementing VoIP-based Internet phone services for your home Internet Phone Services Simplified Jim Doherty Neil Anderson Copyright© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc Cisco Press logo is a trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc Published by: Cisco Press 800 East 96th Street Indianapolis, IN 46240 USA All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review Printed in the United States of America 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 First Printing April 2006 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Number: 2005936930 Warning and Disclaimer This book is designed to provide information about Internet telephony services and applications Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied The information is provided on an "as is" basis The authors, Cisco Press, and Cisco Systems, Inc shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages arising from the information 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Tasman Drive San Jose, CA 95134-1706 USA www.cisco.com Index [SYMBOL] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [Z] maintaining minimal PSTN line multiple VoIP services separate PSTN and VoIP lines manual terminal adapter configuration measuring packet loss mobile phone system SSPs modems (cable), terminal adapters MSCs (mobile switching centers) multiple handsets on VoIP systems effect on audio quality Ringer Equivalence Number, troubleshooting Index [SYMBOL] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [Z] network quality, effect on voice quality number portability and emergency services Index [SYMBOL] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [Z] offline forwarding online call management call forwarding call logs click to dial voice mail online games, utilizing VoIP service operator-based telephone system optimizing Internet telephone service out-of-service forwarding overloaded REN limits, troubleshooting Index [SYMBOL] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [Z] packet loss effect on voice quality measuring packet switching PC-to-PC calling Linksys CIT200 Cordless Internet Telephony kit providers VoIP chat system feature ratings peer-to-peer systems phone number, selecting placing calls with Skype Plantronics headsets power outages, UPSs public telephone system 3-3-4 system Bell System breakup effect on phone system architecture digital switches DTMF hierarchical network design home telephone wiring Internet access local phone services, mobile phone systems long distance companies, slamming operator-based reliability of 2nd SSPs wireless services Index [SYMBOL] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [Z] RBOCs (regional Bell operating centers) "real-time" receiving calls with Skype regional centers registering for 911/E911 services phone services terminal adapters with "do not call" list regulations, effect on VoIP phone service costs reliability as service selection criteria five nines of public telephone system resetting broadband connection Ringer Equivalence Number, troubleshooting overloads Index [SYMBOL] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [Z] sampling satellite receiver dishes SCPs (Service Control Points) selecting headsets phone number VoIP service cable cost features Internet reliability specialized device support typical phone service applications, international calling service connection problems, troubleshooting service plans comparing 2nd selecting signaling converting analog waveforms to digital signals sampling single-line cordless phone systems Skype 2nd available accessories calls placing receiving installing SkypeIn phone numbers slamming softswitches 2nd specialized phone devices fax machines home security/alarm systems satellite receiver dishes support of as service selection criteria TiVo speed of broadband connection effect on voice quality testing splitters, effect on broadband connection SS7 (Signaling System 7) SSPs (service switching points) stand-alone terminal adapters installing static IP addresses, manual terminal adapter configuration system convergence impact on future of VoIP intrasystem cooperation Index [SYMBOL] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [Z] technical support websites telecom industry consolidation Telecommunications Act of 1996 telemarketing, registering with "do not call" list telephone numbers, 3-3-4 system "ten-minute miracle" terminal adapters audio diagnostic messages, playing for Internet VoIP service, selecting indicator lights integrated router/terminal adapters, installing manual configuration registering stand-alone, installing test calls, performing testing broadband connection speed TiVo toll centers toll switches Trillian troubleshooting audio quality, multiple handsets dialing-related issues multiple handsets, Ringer Equivalence Number service connection problems voice quality issues cordless phone interference true peer-to-peer networks trunks two-line cordless phone systems two-line external splitters, installing two-line Internet VoIP services Index [SYMBOL] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [Z] unusable 3-3-4 numbers uplink speed, testing UPSs (uninterruptible power supplies) Index [SYMBOL] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [Z] virtual phone numbers voice mail voice quality issues, troubleshooting VoIP chat services feature ratings Google Talk contacts, adding installing IM limitations of translator programs Linksys CIT200 Cordless Internet Telephony kit providers real-time Skype available accessories calls, placing calls, receiving VoIP phone services [See also VoIP chat services.] adding cordless phones combining electric powering of broadband phone services extending to multiple rooms with wireless bridges with wireless phone jacks multiple handsets, effect on audio quality signaling converting analog waveforms to digital signals sampling VoIPReview website Index [SYMBOL] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [Z] websites for technical support wireless devices, extending VoIP service to multiple rooms bridges handsets, Linksys CIT200 Cordless Internet Telephony kit phone jacks wireless networks, troubleshooting cordless phone interference wireless services Index [SYMBOL] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [Z] Zennström, Niklas ... This book is part of the Networking Technology Series from Cisco Press , the only authorized publisher for Cisco Systems® Internet Phone Services Simplified By Jim Doherty, Neil Anderson Publisher: Cisco Press Pub Date: April 25, 2006 Print ISBN- 10: 1-58720-162-3... Choosing an Internet Phone Service Chapter 6 Inventory of Broadband Phone Services Internet VoIP Phone Services Cable VoIP Digital Phone Services VoIP Chat Services Summary of Broadband Phone Services. .. implementing VoIP-based Internet phone services for your home Internet Phone Services Simplified Jim Doherty Neil Anderson Copyright© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc Cisco Press logo is a trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc