Monday, June 30, 2008

How Does VoIP Work?

by: Michael Lemm

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. By using a VoIP phone and VoIP technology you can effectively use the internet to make phone calls. VoIP does this by placing the voice calls on network which encrypts the voice in data packets at one end and encrypts it in voice calls at the other end. In VoIP, encryption and decryption is from a analog signal (i.e. your voice call) into digital signal (data packets) and again into the analog signal.

You can make VOIP calls by a regular phone with VOIP adapter or even from your computer using a simple microphone. VoIP applications can generally be used with a simple microphone and computer speakers, but IP telephones or VoIP boxes can also be used, providing an experience identical to normal telephoning. Many VOIP manufacturers are designing phones which are specially meant to work with this technology, called SIP phone, and now extensively used by growing VoIP users.

In the past year, the quality and reliability of VoIP technology has improved to the point that vast numbers of users have abandoned their standard telephone contracts entirely, in favor of VoIP. Local as well as long distance calling is available for VoIP. Rates and plans can vary from one VoIP service provider to another VoIP service provider.

Advantages of using VOIP

Using VOIP you can effectively cut down your phone bills, since you just pay to your regular internet connection and small fees to your VOIP service provider. Setting up conference calls with VOIP is very easy.

You can even set up your own VoIP network and don't need any special equipment like PBX etc. You can call to any local telephone, mobile, long distance number or any international number through VoIP phones. More importantly, the person you are calling by using VoIP technology does not need any special equipment; just a regular telephone.

Many additional features like call forwarding, call tracing, reminders, caller ID are readily available in VoIP Phones. You can even assign a local telephone number to your VOIP phone set, and just need a fast internet connection to use your VOIP service anywhere in the world.

VoIP Dilemma

VoIP applications and services require data transfer in real time. During a call an interactive data voice exchange takes place. Unfortunately, TCP/IP is not well suited for this purpose. Sometimes you have to wait for a few seconds, to hear the other side answering. But with recent developments streaming the flow of voice signals has improved. PC-to-PC and PC-to-phone calling quality is still not as sharp as regular PSTN calls. However, with SIP phones and a reliable high speed internet connection there is little or no difference....and sometimes the quality is even better.

SIP Phones

SIP Phones are the phones which are specifically designed to work as VOIP phones. SIP phone can be considered as a network endpoint routing voice via its IP address. This allows a DID (direct inward dialing) number to move with a user. With SIP phones you can use advanced features like voice mail to email etc. Using a SIP phone also closely resembles a regular analog phone in look, feel, function, and ease of use.

FCC and VoIP

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates VOIP Services in the USA. They are in charge to create and promote telecommunication regulations....such as VOIP services....to benefit consumers. In November, 2004 FCC ruled that individual States do not have the jurisdiction to impose taxes on VoIP services, which made the cost of VOIP services even more attractive in relation to standard PSTN phone services.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Get The Best Service And The Most Options From Comcast

by: Julia Hall

If you are looking to receive the best digital cable TV deals, the quickest Internet service and most convenient phone service, you don't need to look any further than Comcast. Comcast is the only cable provider that offers fully bundled services to let you get the best telecommunications services at the lowest cost. If you want to know what makes Comcast Cable Service such a highly respected company, just look at their cable television service. Their digital TV packages contain 100s of channels of the best quality digital entertainment. Plenty of different programming packages are intended to offer a variety of options to meet every budget and situation. Plus, every package also includes value added features such as dozens of digital music channels, all of your local channels, and a digital receiver.

You even get access to the new On Demand Pay Per View service, which will revolutionize the way you watch current movies. On Demand is a great new way of watching movies where you get to control when and how you watch them. Comcast also gives you more control over your television viewing by offering the opportunity to use a digital video recorder, or DVR. This device is an ingenious innovation that makes it possible for you to quickly record programming and to even pause and rewind live television. With a DVR, you never again will miss a show because you were away from home or otherwise occupied.

Comcast's digital cable television service also provides other advantages such as options like the electronic program guide and parental controls. You can also choose specialty programming such as seasonal sports subscriptions or even high definition television (HDTV).

If you want to extend your entertainment and information choices even further, Comcast's high speed Internet service is the perfect choice. This is a really advanced way of accessing the Internet that allows you to download information at a rate of up to 8Mbs per second. Imagine a connection that works seventy times as fast as dial up and you can get an idea of just how quick this connection is! Of course, having such an incredible connection will make it easier to do everything from use virtual world websites to downloading full length movies.

Comcast's high speed Internet is special because it uses the same cable connections that are used with your cable TV. This means the connection is always on and ready for you to use and that it doesn't preclude you using your telephone. You can spend as long as you like surfing the web without having to worry about missing any telephone calls. The company also gives each of its customers a wireless router that expands your options for getting online. With a wireless router, you can gain access to the Internet throughout your home. Whether you want to use your laptop on the couch or use a smart phone, this wireless router makes it possible.

Comcast also gives you the opportunity to upgrade your telephone service and save money at the same time. Comcast's digital voice service works on the premise that you should not have to pay extra for your domestic long distance. That is why all of your domestic calls (including to Canada) are included in the set monthly fee. Even if you spend 100s of hours on the phone each month, you will never pay an extra dime.

If you want the best service, Comcast Triple Play is the apparent choice.


How To Secure Your Cable Internet Connection

by: Jon T Norwood

Broadband Internet access is now available to most users and web sites are developing into complex constructs that a short time ago few would believe possible. Cable Internet service is one of the prime drivers in this fast paced growth. With an existing network in place, it was a simple matter to configure the network to handle Internet packets and get users flying down the information superhighway.

The new blazing speeds come with new dangers as well. With "always on" cable internet connections, intruders have more opportunity to access or damage your computer. This means your address is always the same, and you are easier to find. With this in mind, we will look at three products that can make your cable Internet experience a much safer one; NAT, Firewalls, and Anti-Virus Software.

Anti-Virus Software:

Anti-virus software is an application that runs on an individual computer that scans files for threats. How this scanning process works depends on the software you are using, but most can be set to check every file as it arrives on your computer, allowing possible threats to be stopped before they infect your computer.

This software can also be used to scan existing files, as well as boot disks and memory. It is s good idea to schedule your software to check your system periodically in case something got through.

NAT (Network Address Translation):

NAT offers an elegant solution to cable Internet's static IP issue. Network Address Translation is a process in which IP addresses on a private network are kept hidden. Home users frequently use a method referred to as "masquerading", and it is an effective method of protecting yourself from anyone attempting to access your computer.

Masquerading allows more than one device to share an IP on a network, and has several uses. Multiple computers can share an Internet connection without purchasing multiple IP addresses from your provider, individual firewalls can be set up in series, and this also keeps the IP of your computer hidden behind the IP of another device such as a modem or router.

Firewalls:

A firewall is a system that imposes access controls between two networks. The purpose of this is too keep out hackers, worms, viruses and other harmful traffic. The name is derived from a very literal process that prevents the spread of actual fires. When a fire begins to spread through a forest area, firefighters dig trenches and saturate areas with water. These areas are called firewalls.

Firewalls that protect computers work in much the same fashion. They sit between the computer and the Internet and monitor activity that crosses them. They can be configured in many different ways, offering very little to iron clad protection. The two types of firewalls readily available to home users are software firewalls and hardware firewalls.

Software firewalls run on individual computers in a network, and only protect the computer that it is installed on. An example is the firewall that comes with Windows XP. Although it is an extremely simplistic firewall, it offers a general protection with ease of use.

Hardware firewalls are devices that sit on your network between all computers and the Internet. These firewalls are very diverse, and offer a myriad of configurations. Though more complicated than traditional software firewalls, it is generally understood that hardware firewalls afford a greater level of protection.

The three security measures discussed here are not the only methods available to secure your cable connection, and nothing is totally secure. Hackers are finding new ways to exploit weaknesses in security everyday; therefore new measure must be used daily to defend against this. When deciding on what security measures to take, it is usually best to use more than one. A firewall and anti-virus software used together is greatly more effective than if just one or the other is alone. When it comes to security as with many things, more is better.

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