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Security is an obvious concern when it comes to any sort of
technology, but even more so with any technology that is run
through the Internet. Because VoIP runs through
the Internet any information can be intercepted by anyone at any
time. Because many things go through phone line, private
information can wind up in the hands of the wrong person.
Obviously, nothing is a one hundred percent guarantee because as
fast as technology is made to keep information from getting in
the wrong hands, the wrong hands are working to figure out how
to break through those systems. Luckily, VoIP security is
becoming more and more well rounded all the time and soon it’ll
be so well done that even the best of the best won’t be back to
get their hands on personal information.

One of the ways that most VoIP providers secure their customers
personal information is through the tunneling and encryption
process. These techniques keep hackers and those will ill intent
from capturing information packets as they pass through the
internet. Most VoIP providers use Layer 2 tunneling and an
encryption method called Secure Sockets Layer or SSL to keep
anyone from getting into the information they shouldn’t have.
The security of VoIP will undoubtedly change and become more
sophisticated as technology allows and consumers demand more
security and more privacy. For some time to come VoIP security
will remain a huge concern, just because it’s widely known that
all information that passes over the internet could potentially
fall into the hands of someone with ill intent.

Don’t let VoIP security issues keep you from getting VoIP
services. The benefits of VoIP far outweigh the security risks.
The bottom line is that you are more at risk every time you get
online sending emails and paying bills than you will be every
time you use your VoIP services. So, the features and
convenience are well worth the small security risk associated
with the internet access associated with it!

Some companies take it easy, they enter markets with low
barriers to entry, low development costs, low infrastructure
problems and proven technology. And then there are companies
like Audio Codes that invest millions to create new and unproven
technology and products like Voice Over IP network. Ten years
ago if you mentions Voice Over IP at a party, chance are nobody
would know what you were talking about. While Voice Over IP is
not exactly a house hold word, the millions of people using
Voice Over IP use VoIP to make calls could care less.

Here’s a profile of Audiocodes - Voice Over IP Warrior… Since
its inception, AudioCodes has been a leader in the development
of Voice Over IP networks since 1998. In Voice over IP terms, we
are talking ancient history. From a leading provider of voice
over IP solutions, AudioCodes’ products have become integral
parts of systems sold by leading telecommunications and
networking manufacturers. Its customers include the leading
telecom and Voice Over IP equipment providers globally. from
algorithms and chip development to communication boards and
modules, AudioCodes provides Voice Over IP OEMs on-going product
innovation to ensure a long-term relationship.

Voice Over IP - Products AudioCodes Voice Over IP products
include Packet chip processors, VoIP PCI and cPCI communication
boards and VoIP media gateway modules (PMC form factor) and
Analog Media Gateways (2/4/8/24 ports). These Voice Over IP
products are integral to the most advanced and reliable Voice
over IP and Voice over ATM platforms on the market, and have
been implemented successfully by leading telecommunications and
networking manufacturers worldwide. Also Voice Over IP &
Telephony Communication Boards - Supporting all major industry
standards and protocols. With a unified API, the boards enable
quick and easy implementation of enhanced voice services.

Voice Over IP - Media Gateway Modules AudioCodes provides the
primary building blocks for Voice Over IP development and next
generation equipment such as media gateways, VoIP enabled class
4/5 switches, Voice Over IP enabled conferencing bridges, IP
PBXs, and Voice Over IP enabled routers. The rich variety of
Voice Over IP functions including voice compression,
packetization, media processing, signaling processing and
standard control protocols assures a fast time-to-market
solution with reduced development risk. The modules utilize
AudioCodes award-winning and field-proven TrunkPack software.

Voice Over IP - Future AudioCodes Ltd. enables new Voice Over IP
infrastructure by providing innovative, reliable and
cost-effective Voice over Packet technology and Voice Network
products to OEMs, network equipment providers and system
integrators. when people look back years and years f rom now at
the “Voice Over IP Wars” AudioCodes will be among the most
celebrated Voice over IP Warriors of all time.

For more information on voice
over IP and emerging Voice
over IP technology, visit AudioCodes

Imagine phones (that look like regular phones as we-know-it-today) connecting to the Internet via an Ethernet jack (similar to a PC) instead of the phone plug on the wall. These are called IP-based phones. These phones do not use analog phone lines - instead they get connected to the Internet. One would pick up the receiver and make a phone call just as it is done today and VoIP converts the human voice into IP packets (data similar to email data) and pushes it out through the Internet to the phone switch where it is terminated. In a nut shell, VoIP digitalizes voice into data packets, sending them and reconverting them back into voice at destination.

What are the benefits of VoIP and why you should consider it? To compete effectively in the eWorld, a decent businesses infrastructure MUST HAVE two essential components: A High-speed Internet connection and a sophisticated phone system.

Up until now, to build a solid infrastructure, small businesses had to spend lots of money for having multiple phone lines, perhaps an 800 line, fax line, credit card machine, to name a few. These days the ONLY essential component to worry about is having a reliable high-speed Internet connection. Connectivity can be addressed with either cable or DSL service (typically $250 per month) through cable providers such as Comcast, RCN, etc. and DSL can be provided through the Verizons of the world. The good news is that with the arrival of VoIP, there is no need to pay a dime for multiple phone lines, any phone system (PBX), any local/long distance calls, phone maintenance, etc. At 30% to 50% less than the cost of a typical phone system, a VoIP system will provide a more sophisticated system with increased functionality than any analog phone system. It offers an enterprise-level system that was affordable ONLY by fortune 500 companies. Now small businesses can compete like big corporations at a fraction of the cost!

Small businesses are beginning to realize that IP-based phone system streamlines their communications needs and their call flow in ways that was not possible a year ago. As a result they can improve the customer experience and combined with wireless IP communications, employees can become completely mobile. The beauty of it is that IP enables the phone to be anywhere – this is a perfect solution for companies with remote/satellite offices who wish to have one uniform phone system for all employees regardless of their location.

There’s a whole list of benefits unlocked by VoIP beyond the obvious. One of the most important advantages of using VoIP is reliable continuity. Imagine having a system that can stay operational through the Sept. 11 attacks in New York, or the August blackout and a whole list of building failures by the central phone system. In a typical VoIP system the main elements of the network are offsite, they’re automatically protected from these sort of issues. Another benefit is, unlike a traditional phone system [Time-Division Multiplexed TDM], where the environment is a common point of failure, in a VoIP it is very easy to put in redundancy in which all clients connect to the outside world by more than one path. This guarantees phone connectivity and no call is ever lost.

IP telephony lowers the costs of communications system tremendously while increases productivity in more ways than one. Consider a world where ALL communications, including eMail, voice messages, conference calls, and/or even wireless devices can be integrated through a single system where employees, no matter of the location, can be contacted. For companies with multiple locations, VoIP system can eliminate the need for several receptionists – which is growing in popularity.

The benefits of VoIP are endless. It eliminates the need for having an expensive PBX system; it saves time and resources associated with the maintenance & supporting such systems; it removes the hassle of dealing with phone companies; on and on … while offering a superior phone system at 30 to 50% of the cost.

Hadi Shavarini is the General Manager and co-founder of Blue Robin Inc.- Building eBusiness Infrastructures. Blue Robin offers cost effective enterprise-level VoIP systems. Hadi Shavarini has been involved with VoIP development since 2002. http://www.bluerobininc.com

Have you heard the buzz about VOIP (Voice Over Internt Protocol)? Basically, it’s like communicating over the phone without a phone. Instead you plug your microphone into your computer log on to a website and “boom” you’re talking baby. You may be saying “Hasn’t this been around for a while?”, and you’d be right. But with the advances recently made to internet technology this once “nice to have” product available to everyone, dial-up or broadband. No long distance charges, no entry fees, no codes to remember and even better, with the better services, you can share applications and web browsers.

The ease and convenience of unlimited global calling from your computer. In addition to voice communication, you can send and receive group or private text messages. When you make a presentation to a group, everyone can see the same visual on their own screen.

VOIP technology is turning telephone technology upside down! VOIP will soon become the preferred method of communication. This technology allows business managers to conduct meetings with full audio-visual interaction from the safety and comfort of their office or home. Uses are limited only by your imagination.

Here are a few of the uses we have discovered VOIP applications being used for:

• One-On-One Tutoring

• Online Computer Classes

• Communicating with kids in college

• Business Teleconferencing

• Board Meetings

• Blueprint review

• International calling (no extra cost)

• Establishing online communities

• Supporting International Downline Members

• Online Church Services

And the list goes on…There is no need for anyone to know that you are working from your home. One person I spoke with is using the system to conduct a computer class. She simply announces the class topic, dates, times and price. When people sign up she sends them an email with her link and a passcode. No one even knows that she is working from home or that she is the only person in her organization. The technology is reliable, clear and rivals or exceeds any of the online learning environments offered by “online schools”. Another person is using the system as a means of conducting one-on-one tutoring sessions. Because of the fact that she is no longer constrained to people in her “immediate area” her business has expanded and she has actually had to turn away clients.

There are several service providers and the best by far that we have discovered is ICon Communicator by Madison Dynamics Incorporated. The voice clarity is incredible and the options available set it apart from the rest. The prices are more than reasonable and are often lower than their competition for the same number of “seats” (Seats ore the number of people you can have online with you). You can review their service offer at www.MDIVOIP.com.

Other capable service providers are Go To Meeting and Intranets.

About The Author

Yvette McDonald has been an IT Analyst for 14 years and has designed an programmed on platforms from the AS/400 to the Internet.

biz@yomack.com

The functioning of wireless VoIP phones is similar to that of
regular VoIP phones but Wireless VoIP phones combine VoIP
technology and Wi-Fi (wLAN) systems. Users need to be in the
range of the wireless node in order to make and receive calls.
And when they are in the Wi-Fi’s reach, they are able to do a
lot of the same calling functions enabled by regular desktop
VoIP phones. When one is already equipped with a wireless local
area network as well as VoIP phones, adding wireless VoIP phones
can be a logical step.

Wireless VoIP phones are also known as VoWLAN or voice over
wireless local network areas and Wi-Fi phones. The working of
wireless VoIP phones involves a data network to which Wi-Fi
equipment is connected. The network itself can either be
independent, or connected to the Internet or the public phone
system. The equipment enables high-speed wireless connection to
unlimited access points.

Each access point has an antenna to catch the signal from the
Wi-Fi equipment and broadcast it in a 300-foot radius or a hot
spot. Within the radius all Wi-Fi enabled laptops, personal
digital organizers and wireless phones can tune into the signal.

In wireless VoIP phones, the voice is converted into segments
of data for transmission from the phone antenna to the Wi-Fi
radio waves and then received by the data network. Here the data
segments reverse the process to reach an extension or the
traditional phone network. In other words, an extension can be
carried around.

Although there is no argument about wireless VoIP phones being
advantageous, they have their share of shortcomings as well.
Fore one, they can not yet completely replace hard-wire VoIP
phones mainly due to lack of reliability and the limited
functions of wireless phones currently available in comparison
to desktop phones.

However the biggest disadvantage in wireless VoIP phones is the
limit on the number of simultaneous calls that can be made. The
maximum number of calls in each wireless system cannot exceed
five or ten. This seriously undermines its call handling
capability in a large corporate environment.

Nevertheless, the dramatic reduction in operational costs has
made it possible for wireless operators with high quality
compressed VoIP to bring the ease and comfort of cordless
calling to the VoIP world.

GPS tracking is one of the most interesting technological
advances of our time. GPS stands for Global Positioning System,
and is used just for that. GPS can be used to find anyone with a
tracker anywhere in the world. This is because the whole system
makes use of the satellites that occupy the space above the
earth. With special signals, and a little triangulation, GPS
tracking can help anyone figure out where they are and plan out
where they should go next.

GPS tracking began as a project especially for the United States
military. In the 1980s, the system was being developed so that
the military would have better capabilities on the ground to
keep on target. It could also be used to help find lost soldiers
and to more quickly locate the wounded. GPS provided a powerful
tool for the United States and its allies. And it is still used
by the military today.

Even though civilians could use GPS tracking in the late 1980s
and 1990s, it was not the same system that the military used.
The GPS used by civilians was less accurate and quick. The
military scrambled its signals so that only it had access to the
highly precise GPS calculations used in operations. This is why
GPS was slow to catch on among “regular” folks. However, that
all changed in 2000.

In the year 2000, at the turn of the century and the millennium,
then-president Bill Clinton ordered the military to stop
scrambling its GPS tracking signals. This did not mean that all
of a sudden civilians could access battle plans and find out
where troops were. What it did mean was that anyone with the
right equipment (which is sold just about everywhere and fairly
easy to get) could have access to the military’s system. This
allowed anyone, individuals and businesses, to make use of the
extremely accurate military system.

Since GPS tracking has been open to everyone, the marketplace
has responded by making all sorts of consumer goods that allow
people to find out where they are, and even track their kids and
spouses. These is because the technology is so advanced that
anything can be used for GPS tracking — even a cell phone.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about:
GPS Tracking