Network Assessment

The current technology allows optimum network configurations to deliver VoIP with perceived voice quality close to that of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Not all networks can take advantage of packet voice transmissions. Some data networks have insufficient residual capacity for even compressed voice traffic. In addition, the usual approach to developing data networks by integrating products from many vendors requires testing the components for Voice over IP traffic compatibility.

Avaya assumes that your organization has performed a network assessment with or without Avaya’s assistance before attempting to install Voice over IP. The network assessment provides a high degree of confidence that the existing data network has the capacity to carry voice packet traffic. The network assessment assures that the existing data network is compatible with the required technology.

A network assessment should include:

• A network audit to review existing equipment and evaluate its capabilities, including its ability to meet planned voice and data needs.
• A determination of network objectives, including the dominant traffic type, selection of technologies, and setting voice quality objectives.

The assessment should leave you confident that the implemented network will have the capacity for the foreseen data and voice traffic, and can support H.323, SIP, DHCP, TFTP, HTTP, and jitter buffers in all applications.

It is important to distinguish between compliance with the minimal VoIP standards and QoS support, the latter being a requirement to run VoIP on your configuration.