Are VoIP Phone Systems Reliable?

Are VoIP Phone Systems Reliable? (Part 1)

There are many elements in deploying a reliable IP phone platform. These elements need to be considered by any potential client when evaluating what to deploy. I will be writing a series of articles that address these considerations. This is part 1 - Reliability.

Reliability has been at the core and heart of the public telephone network and the equipment used to deliver voice services. When you pick up a phone you expect to get dial tone and a quality voice connection. This reliability has continued with the advancement of communication products over the decades. Now that IP telephony is the product of choice the end users expect these standards to be maintained. So how do you view and measure reliability? How do you argue "are we ready for IP telephony"?

First:

1. What are the 5 nines and how do they impact reliability?
2. Uptime - how do you view availability as it relates to reliability?
3. How is an IP system deployed?
4. What architecture does the system employ?
5. How many points of failure does the system have?
6. Can your network provide the platform for a reliable IP system?
7. What about redundancy and how important should this be?
8. How important is maintenance?

Most IP systems can deliver this most crucial element - Reliability. You want a quality connection every time, no excuses. Depending on the system, whether it be hardware or software based, you need to understand what can and does affect reliability. Cost should not be an issue but a component of design and installation. It should have NO effect on the reliability of the system. If designed properly reliability should be the cornerstone of the system regardless of cost.

So historically we ask "how often does the hardware or software in a system fail"? What do we use as a benchmark? This benchmark is called the 5 nines. This 5 nines has been used by carriers for years to position their service as the standard for reliability. This standard should be used as a consideration for hardware or software based IP systems. That means your system should have an uptime of 99.999%. This type of availability determines the basis of the reliability of the system. Availability can be impacted not only by the hardware, but the software the system uses, how it integrates with your network and delivered dial tone. In summary availability is the key for benchmarking reliability.

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