Managing Networks And Telecommunications

Managing Networks and Telecommunications

Introduction       and Executive Summary:

Information communication technology is advancing at a very high rate. In an increasingly globalising world, the need for customer and employee satisfaction is becoming more ads more necessary. Depending on the nature of the industry, the location of the firm, and the size of the firm, the need to use advanced communication systems like VOIP and MPLS is becoming ever important. The use of these two technologies will have to be limited in nature to the type of the firm as well as its size.

1. Technology         – Present a brief description of VOIP and MPLS.

VOIP (voice over internet protocol):

The voice over internet protocol is an internet protocol that provides or enables internet users to have voice signals over the internet. This service also called IP telephony enables the routing of voice conversations over the internet or any form of internet protocol based network.

VOIP generally allows users especially internet users who have under utilized capacities to enjoy voice conversations over the internet at no additional costs. Companies providing VOIP service are commonly referred to as providers,

Managing Networks and Telecommunications

There are two types of VOIP services: -Direct Inward Dialing (DID) and access numbers. While using DID, the DID connects the caller directly to the VOIP user, while in the other case access numbers usually require the caller to input the extension number of the VOIP user.

MPLS (multi protocol label switching):

Multi protocol label switching is a network mechanism that makes it possible to carry data In general telecommunications or computer networks in particular. Multi protocol label switching operates under the open source interface (OSI), and belongs to the packet switched networks family. This layer is believed to exist between the third layer (network layer) and the second layer (data lyre).

1. Potential Applications – Highlight and discuss possible ways in which each technology could be used by the company.

Both these two technologies are very important in any field of operations. VOIP protocols have widely been used to facilitate different tasks that are generally more difficult to achieve while using traditional networks.

Managing Networks and Telecommunications

Functionality:

In any firm or industry the need to relate and interact with fellow employees, customers or suppliers is very important. Thus, there is always the need to use telephone lines. Voice over internet protocol allows firms or individuals to make multiple telephone calls using a single physical telephone line connection. In this organization, there is the need to use telephone calls all the time, thus the use of voice over internet is very important es0pecially for the purposes of cost minimization.

In addition to this, voiceover internet protocol contains packages that most telecommunication companies usually charge a higher price for or are generally unavailable from these companies. Since there is always he need for call forwarding, automatic redial, and 3-way calling then there is the need for the use of voice over internet protocol.

Voice over internet can be made secure using the already existing security protocols. This means that there are no additional costs involved with the use of VOIP

Voice over internet connections can be easily integrated with many other services commonly available over internet connections. These services may include files or data exchanges, message transmission or video conversations. These additional services can be achieved as long as the firm is using the voice over internet protocol. In addition to this company, employees can always share files or data whenever there are issues to be addressed.

Multi protocol layer switching is currently being used as a replacement for earlier technologies that were deployed with identical objectives. Due to its easy adaptability with current and future internet technologies multi protocol layer switching is being preferred to other technologies like frame relay. MPLS combines with the signaling protocol and cell switching to over additional support to voice over internet protocol.

Managing Networks and Telecommunications

Thus, multi protocol layer switching would be very important to the operations of the firm since it is very important especially while deploying large networks. In the case of this firm multi protocol layer, switching would be desirable while deploying a wide area network or a local area network not only for the Australian operations but also for all branches of the company.

Since multi protocol layer, switching allows for the creation of high-speed switches, MPLS has removed the need to use some forms of hardware that were initially required for the sending of huge internet protocol packets.

Within the operations of the firm the use of multi protocol layer switching will also be advantageous since it will offer the firm the ability to sustain multiple service models as well as perform the role of traffic management. In addition to this multi protocol layer, switching also provides an ideal recovery framework that is more advanced than the common protection rings like those of the synchronous optical networks.

Both these technologies can be used by the firm to improve the operations of the firm. The voice over internet protocol can be used to compliment the existing communication infrastructure. On the other hand, since the multi protocol layer switching can be mapped with ATM routers or identifiers it can be used by the firm as a means of a vending machines system. The vending systems could also be used by customers to request for products and or necessary statements. By using this technology, the company would reduce a substantial workload for its employees. This will go a long way in improving customer satisfaction.

1.

2. Cost /   Benefit Analysis – For each of the applications identified in the previous

section, summarize the potential costs and benefits associated with deployment      of

the technology             .

Managing Networks and Telecommunications

VOIP:

The use of VOIP will go a long way in reducing the operational costs of the firm. This is because generally voice over internet calls is usually very cheap when compared to ordinary fixed line calls. In addition, one fixed internet connection can be used to make or receive multiple calls unlike when using general telephony.

To add on to this the operations of VOIP do not require a lot of supervision, this means that the adoption of the technology will reduce substantially some of the operational costs of the firm.

Just like the way VOIP has its advantages it has its limitations too. Among these limitations, the most common is that of cost and quality of service. There is no fixed cost for using the VOIP service but the cost will always vary depending on the service provider and the services available. Thus, it is very hard to estimate the cost since there is always the chance of employees over-utilizing the services. This will end up contributing to the firm’s additional costs.

Depending on the hardware in use and the internet, connection speed there is always the likelihood that the quality of the services offered will be sub-optimal. This may cause not only internal problems but also some customer satisfaction issues too.

There is also the problem of reliability. Since most service, providers do not offer power back up services there might be the problem of unreliability especially when there are power outages within the side of the service providers.

Managing Networks and Telecommunications

On top of this, the implementation of VOIP can and they do get affected by jitters and latency. There is always the problem of routing voice over internet protocol traffic over connections that are protected with firewalls.

In normal inter-connectivity, there is always the possibility of internet packets being lost or delayed within different points between the service users. Once this happens there is always the problem that there will be a momentary loss or drop of the voice, this is mainly evident in highly congested or busy networks.

Voice over internet protocol is also faced with some problems that it has not yet been able to solve. Among these challenges, include the challenge of sending faxes over VOIP connections. The current voice codec’s that exist n the market are not or were not designed with the purposes of sending or transmitting fax signals.

Voice over internet protocol connections is not well suited for making emergency calls. This is because the nature or design of internet protocol makes it extremely difficult to locate the geographical location of network users. This nature makes it difficult to route emergency calls to a nearby call centre. Some VOIP systems are generally incapable of making emergency calls.

In addition to this, there is always the problem that VOIP systems do not have a physical identification like ordinary telephones or mobile phones.

Multi protocol layer switching:

Multi protocol layer switching can be used effectively and efficiently within the operations of the firm. Due to its ability to offer internet security and support his speed broadband connections it

Managing Networks and Telecommunications

would easily be integrated into there operations of the firm and cause a reduction in the firms costs as well as rhea physical workload. Despite this benefit, some costs are associated with the implementation of this technology. These limitations include the fact that in order to adopt this technology there is need for a very hefty initial capital layout. Secondly, the maintenance costs would be very high and in addition, there is need to hire qualified experts to manage the network.

1. Recommendations –   Provide specific recommendations for the CEO to consider.

Identify which applications of the technology would be worth pursuing both in the short and long term and highlight any aspects that would be required to ensure successful deployment of the technology.

Both of these two technologies can be adopted by the firm in order to improve its services. The voice over internet technology would be more advisable to adopt in the short run. This is because the technology does not require a huge initial capital outlay. In addition, the technology has the potential of reducing the operational costs of the firm by limiting the amount of money that is spent on general communication needs of the firm.

Concerning the multi protocol layer switching technology it would not be advisable to adopt the technology in the short run. This is due to the fact that, there is the need to conduct a market survey and determine if adopting the technology will be profitable in the long run. This is because adopting the technology will involve a very huge capital outlay in the short run. This might cause the revenue and profits to be temporarily reduced. In addition to this, we need to know how our customers react to the adoption of the technology. Thus, it would be necessary to launch a pilot project to see how customers react and the time it takes them to be relate and be able to use the service.

1. References(Harvard)

"Deploying IP and MPLS QoS for Multiservice Networks: Theory and Practice" by John Evans, Clarence Filsfils (Morgan Kaufmann, 2007, ISBN 0-12-370549-5)

Managing Networks and Telecommunications

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