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Internet Phone Services Simplified
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 technical??you??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
Jim Doherty is the director of marketing and programs with Symbol Technologies?? industry solutions group. Prior to joining Symbol, Jim worked at Cisco Systems, where he led various marketing campaigns for IP telephony and routing and switching solutions. Jim has 17 years of engineering and marketing experience across a broad range of networking and communications technologies. Jim is the coauthor of Cisco Networking Simplified and Home Networking Simplified and the author of the ??Study Notes? section of Cisco CCNA Exam #640-607 Flash Card Practice Kit. Jim is a former Marine Corps sergeant; he holds a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from N.C. State University and an M.B.A. from Duke University.
Neil Anderson is a senior manager in enterprise systems engineering at Cisco Systems and is currently responsible for enterprise wide-area networking, branch-office networking, and teleworking systems architectures. Neil has more than 20 years of diverse telecom experience, including public telephone systems, mobile telephone systems, IP networks, wireless networking, and home networks. Neil has held roles in research and development, systems engineering, and technical marketing. Neil is the co-author of Home Networking Simplified. At Cisco Systems, Neil leads the development of network systems architectures, including voice over IP (VoIP), wireless LAN (WLAN), and security technologies, for enterprise and small-business customers. Neil holds a bachelor??s degree in computer science.
This book is part of the Networking Technology Series from Cisco Press, the only authorized publisher for Cisco Systems.
CONTENTS:
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
How VoIP Works
VoIP Signaling
How VoIP Carries a Conversation
VoIP Features
Power in VoIP Networks
Putting It All Together
Chapter 3 Advantages of Broadband Phone Services
Lowering Your Monthly Phone Bill
Infrastructure Costs
Transport Costs
Regulatory Compliance
Taxes and Fees
Phone Number Flexibility
Keeping Your Same Phone Number
Virtual Phone Numbers
Online Call Management
Voice Mail
Call Forwarding
Call Logs
Click to Dial
Summary of Advantages
Chapter 4 Knowing Your Limits
Reliability
It??s Electric
Reliance on Broadband and the Internet
Voice Quality
911 and E911
How 911 and E911 Works
The Challenge for VoIP
Solutions
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?
Power
Backup Line
Keeping a Minimal PSTN Line
Which Service Should I Choose?
Looking at Total Costs
Is It Reliable Enough?
Does It Have the Features You Need?
Are Specialized Devices Supported?
Revisiting Safety and 911
Comparing Plans
Summary
Chapter 8 Selecting VoIP Equipment
Cable VoIP Service Equipment
Internet VoIP Service Equipment
Choosing a Terminal Adapter
What Do the Internet VoIP Providers Offer?
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
Signing Up for Service
Installing a Stand-alone Terminal Adapter
Installing an Integrated Router/Terminal Adapter
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
Separate PSTN and VoIP Lines
Two-Line Cordless Phones
Using Your Home Telephone Wiring with VoIP
Introduction to Home Telephone Wiring
Getting Access to Two Lines
Home Wiring with Cable VoIP Service
Home Wiring with Internet VoIP Service
Issues with Multiple Handsets
Overloading Your Terminal Adapter??s Ringer Equivalence
Number
Simultaneous Handsets Off Hook
Multiline VoIP Services
Specialized Phone Devices
Fax
TiVo and Satellite Receiver Boxes
Home Security/Alarm Systems
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
Broadband Speed
Broadband Network Quality
Other 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
Client-Server
Peer-to-Peer
Internet Messaging with Voice
Summary
Chapter 16 Using Skype and Google Talk
Installing and Using Skype
Improving Your Audio Quality
Calling People Who Have ??Real? Phones (and Phone Numbers)
Getting Calls from People Who Use ??Real? Phones
Installing and Using Google Talk
Adding Contacts in Google Talk
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
Mitigating Factor No. 1: Intrasystem Cooperation
Mitigating Factor No. 2: Battery Life and Size
Conclusion
Chapter 18 From the Geek Squad Files
Glossary
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