Dispelling the myths of VoFR
 
|
|||
 | |||
|
Sign up to receive this and other networking newsletters in your inbox.
When you turn old and gray, you will likely put your grandchildren on your knee and tell them about a time when dinosours roamed the earth and companies actually had two separate networks for voice and data.
Although only in its infancy, voice over data is becoming increasingly popular. There are several voice over data alternatives: IP, ATM and, of course, frame relay (VoFR). While future issues will address specific capabilities of VoFR, let's first dismiss some of the misconceptions of this technology.
Myth: VoFR quality stinks.
Reality: Several voice frame relay access device (VFRAD) vendors have equipment that can deliver toll-quality voice, and this is true for leading-edge vendors. The old adage "you get what you pay for" is very true when it comes to VFRADs.
Myth: VoFR can save my company money only on intracompany voice calls.
Reality: VoFR currently is being used by service providers, companies and end users to make economical on-net to on-net, on-net to off-net, and off-net to off-net calls. Although the primary market is on-to-on, making calls to and from off-net locations is possible and economical in many cases.
Myth: My end users will have to learn a new way of using their phone and the VoFR network.
Reality: VoFR usually allows your end users to use their existing phone and numbering plan. In most cases, you can set up an internal dialing plan that allows them to dial fewer digits to connect to internal locations.
Myth: Fax traffic cannot be handled by VoFR devices.
Reality: In fact, most VFRADs have been built with fax traffic in mind. Fax can take up as little as 9.6K bit/sec of bandwidth for each active line.
Myth: I can put voice across my frame relay network for free.
Reality: This is the myth I hate hearing the most, and VFRAD vendors are the worst at spreading this falsity. In fact, you cannot get VoFR for free. You have to have special CPE (which has a cost), you may have to increase your port speed (which has a cost), and you will likely have to increase your PVC CIR (which usually has a cost). So when you hear "voice for free," don't believe it.
RELATED LINKS
Voice over frame relay audio primer
Listen to a five-minue explanation of the technology, then follow links for more info.
Voice over frame relay
This detailed white paper from ACT Networks explains the technology in detail.
Voice over frame relay goes mainstream
Network World, 6/2/97.
Looking to verify carrier promises
Buying a high-speed WAN service? You'd better pay attention. Network World, 8/11/97.
Sign up for the NWFusion Focus: Frame Relay newsletter
Additional NWFusion Focus: Frame Relay back issues
