Introduction

The convergence of two highly disruptive technologies, VoIP and WLAN, is set to drastically alter the way we communicate, do business, and play. VoWLAN represents both an opportunity and a threat to traditional business and communications. This report provides the foundation knowledge and understanding necessary to capitalize on this evolution from wireline to wireless and from circuit to packet.

Purpose of VoWLAN Fundamentals

Where other reports fall short, providing only forecast data for the VoWLAN market, VoWLAN Fundamentals is intended to help the reader learn the fundamentals of how to design, integrate and maintain a VoWLAN system. In addition to providing an excellent foundation knowledge to the technical and business issues involved in the convergence of VoIP and WLAN, this report provides enough information to assist in planning the business case and technical challenges of a VoWLAN deployment.

Target Audience for the Report

While this report will be of interest to anyone involved in the business, engineering, planning, and/or operation of a VoWLAN network or service offering, VoWLAN Fundamentals will be of particular value to the following groups:

• Investors in the VoIP, WLAN, and VoWLAN space
• Suppliers of VoIP, WLAN, WiMax, MMDS, and VoWLAN equipment and software
• Hotspot WLAN (WiFi and HiperLAN) service providers
• Traditional circuit-switched and next generation VoIP service providers
• Cellular and broadband wireless service providers
• Consultants, analysts and systems integration companies
• Corporations, VoIP and unlicensed spectrum regulatory agencies, and governmental organizations such as the US Department of Homeland Security

Executive Summary

VoIP Standards and Protocols – A Brief Overview

Signaling Protocols

ITU-T, H.323

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)

Table 1 – SIP Vs H.323 Comparison Table

Cisco Client Control Protocol (CSCCP)

Media Gateway Control Protocols

VoIP Media Transport Protocols

Section Summary

The VoIP Market Opportunity

A Disruptive Technology at Play

Tech Convergence – Cell Phones, PCs and Other Toys

The Global Economy and Enterprise Networking

IP Telephony (IPT)

Voice Services Over the Internet

Telephony in the Enterprise Network

Unified Messaging

Presence

Custom Applications Development

Figure 1 – Voice Services Over the Internet

The Telecommunications Services Frenzy

Internet Telephone Service Providers

Cable Network Telephone Service

Call Centers

Figure 2 - IP Enabled Call Center

Wireless Network Service Providers

Cellular Telephone Networks

Fixed Wireless Network Service Providers

Regulatory Impacts on the VoIP Market Opportunity

Section Summary

WLAN Systems/Standards – A Brief Overview

Table 2 – Spectrum Bands

802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g

Emerging 802.11 Specifications & Feature Enhancements

Table 3 - 802.11a - 802.11b/g Comparison Table

HiperLAN & HiperMAN

802.16 WiMax

MMDS, 2.5 GHz Super-cells

WLL, 3.5 GHz Multi-cells

Section Summary

The Wireless LAN/WAN Market

Hot Spots and Hot Zones

An Interesting Case Study – The Insurance Industry

The Medical Industry Opportunity

Convergence to the Rescue

The Corporate WLAN – Wired Network Extensions

Radio Frequency Identification Systems (RFID)

Wireless Wide Area Networks

Mesh Networks

Mesh Networks, VoWLAN, and Homeland Security

Section Summary

Why VoIP and Wireless?

The VoIP/WLAN Market Opportunity

Corporate Enterprise Solutions

Convergence to the Rescue

Economic Assessment – Does It Pay?

Wide Area Networks

Economic Assessment – Does It Profitable?

Third World Nations

Rural America/Urban America

Second Line Service/Life Line Service

Section Summary

VoWLAN Implementation – Issues and Answers

RF Bandwidth – The Critical Resource

Spectrum Constraints and Technology Selections

Network Audits

Identify Your Traffic

Identify Your Network Technologies

Traffic Planning

VoIP Coding Algorithms & Bandwidth Usage

Engineering Voice Traffic in an IP World – Erlangs

The “V” Challenge

Television Broadcast Video

Digitized Broadcast Video

Video Conferencing

Internet Streaming Video & MPEG Files

Security/Surveillance Video

Digital Collaborative Video

JPEG Files

Traffic Loading – The “Active” User

(Sub) Section Summary

The RF Channel – Characteristics and Planning

Bandwidth

“Raw” Data Rate

Modulation Format

Channel Plan

Figure 3 – Example Channel Plan Using 802.11a

Planning WLAN Channel Capacity

RF Coverage Requirements – Who’s on Net?

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing

Mesh Networking

FDD Vs TDD

RF Site Surveys

Other Networks and Overheads

Protocol Overheads

A Technology Overhead

System Management Overhead

(Sub) Section Summary

Bandwidth Management Techniques

Managing the RF Bandwidth for QoS

Data Grams – MIR & CIR

Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation

Dynamic Adaptive Modulation

Smart Antenna Systems

Networking Protocols & Techniques for BW Management

Policing and Shaping

Congestion Avoidance

IP Class and Marking

Traffic Queuing

Class Based Weighted Fair Queuing

Low Latency Queuing

IP RTP Priority Queuing

Resource Reservation Protocol

Performance Monitoring Tools

(Sub) Section Summary

Network Security – More Issues and Answers

Radio Frequency Interception and Hacking

Wireless Network Security Techniques

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)

IEEE 802.11i, aka WPA2

Upgrading to 802.11i

Security Recommendations for Hot Spot Users

Encrypted Virtual Private Network (VPN) & Security

A WLAN View of VPNs

Authentication

Data Encryption

Management and Security Policy Enforcement

User and Device Management

Security Issues Related to VoIP

SIP Issues

Other Bad News

Intrusion Detection and Counter Measures

A Pro-Active Defense Approach

Intrusion Detection System

Secure Your SIP Network

Section Summary

Emerging Technology – Hopes for the Future

Emerging Technology

It’s in The Chips

Advancements in VoIP QoE

More VoWLAN from Mind Commerce

VoWLAN Planning and Operations

VoWLAN Training

About the Author

About the Publisher