AVAYA IP Softphone is for employees who work out of the main office, on the road, or at home, communications have just gotten easier with the Avaya Internet Protocol (IP) Softphone Release 3. Accessed through a simple graphical user interface on a personal computer or laptop, the Avaya IP Softphone gives the mobile worker anywhere, anytime access to voice, fax, data, and e-mail, as well as the full suite of MultiVantage features and functions. It brings the power of the Avaya's multiple appearance digital voice terminal to the remote user's computer screen.
IP Softphone delivers MultiVantage software to remote users. These features include high-quality Voice over IP, multiple Call Appearances, Caller ID, six-party Conference, Autodial, Abbreviated Dialing Lists, Send All Calls, Call Coverage, visual Message Waiting Indication, and many other features that increase productivity and overall cost savings.
Call traffic (simultaneous voice and data conversations) are delivered to IP Softphone in one of two ways. Two configurations are available to ensure the right solution for each remote user: Voice over IP (Road Warrior) or circuit-switched voice (Telecommuter). Avaya iClarity IP Audio, which is integrated in the Road Warrior application, provides world-class IP voice sound quality.
The Telecommuter configuration utilizes two ports, one for call control and one for voice traffic. An excellent application is a home office extension user who requires a PC, prefers to talk over a traditional telephone line, and needs the same capabilities provided to local digital extension users.
In the Road Warrior configuration, a single port provides LAN connection to a remote PC running IP Softphone software, which provides IP call control and call traffic handling. Avaya single-extension protocol simplifies administration, reduces hardware connections, and increases system capacities. An employee who travels on business can simply access the Internet to have all the features of his/her digital, multi-appearance office phone with display.
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) client allows IP Softphone access to LDAP-compatible databases, such as Enterprise Directory Gateway. The Avaya IP Softphone is also CTI/TAPI-enabled.
IP Softphone provides a Call History Log (both incoming and outgoing calls), local phone directory and other features designed to improve user productivity.
IP voice needs to be delivered quickly to ensure quality. QoS prioritizes Voice over IP traffic ahead of other network traffic in your Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN). Avaya IP Softphone QoS parameters include proven industry-standard Differentiated Services (DiffServ), 802.1p, and 802.1Q.
DiffServ uses the Type of Service (TOS) value to prioritize voice packets at Network Layer 3 of IP Protocol stack. The 802.1p and 802.1Q values provide eight levels of priority to increase throughput of voice packets at Data Link Layer 2 of IP Protocol stack. 802.1p and 802.1Q also allow identification of several Virtual LAN (VLAN) identifiers. The VLAN identifier at Layer 2 permits segregation of traffic to reduce traffic on individual links, increasing Voice over IP quality.
Voice over IP traffic can also be prioritized by administering IP User Datagram Protocol (UDP) port range values (used at Transport Layer 4 of the IP Protocol stack).
Avaya solutions allow administration by Network Region. A Network Region is a portion of your network that contains multiple IP endpoints (typically a group of endpoints with a common interest or function, such as a single campus in a multi-campus university). Network Regions can contain LAN Segments, which are a more specific grouping of IP endpoints within the Network Region. Administration by Network Region can provide additional flexibility to control traffic on your network, and reduce overall network traffic. One major advantage is enhanced IP voice quality.
Avaya solutions support the download of QoS parameters to IP endpoints (such as IP Softphone). QoS parameters download to an IP endpoints whenever the IP endpoint registers with a Avaya server, and whenever an administered QoS parameter changes values.
Avaya provides industry-leading Voice over IP solutions. These tools are only a few examples of how Avaya provides your business with effective control over the quality of IP voice.
In an E911 emergency services network, equipment and dispatchers at the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) use the caller's number to specifically determine where to send emergency personnel. Avaya IP Softphone Release 3 allows options for your system administrator that can be administered on a station-by-station basis. MultiVantage software can be administered to send the IP endpoint's extension number, send a number specified by the caller during registration, or block the call and force the caller to place a 911 call locally.
This IP Softphone feature works in conjunction with the other industry-leading E911 solutions of its host, including CAMA trunks, Automatic Number Identification over ISDN-PRI, as well as crisis alerting to attendant consoles, to multi-button sets, and to digital pagers. Avaya delivers optimum E911 services.