Configuration Tasks

•Integrate your dial plan and telephony network into your existing IP network topology. Merging your IP and telephony networks depends on your particular IP and telephony network topology. In general, we recommend the following suggestions:

—Use canonical numbers wherever possible. It is important that you avoid situations where numbering systems are significantly different on different routers or access servers in your network.

—Make routing and dialing transparent to the user. For example, avoid secondary dial tones from secondary switches, where possible.

—Contact your PBX vendor for instructions about how to reconfigure the appropriate PBX interfaces.

•Configure another device in your network (preferably a Cisco 2600 or Cisco 3600 series router) to act as a gatekeeper. The Service Provider implementation of Voice over IP is configured using both gatekeepers and gateways. Because of the extensive capabilities of the Cisco AS5800 universal access server, it is likely that it will function as a carrier class gateway in a Service Provider environment. Unless it has a gatekeeper to interact with, it will periodically query all devices in the network, searching for a gatekeeper. For more information about configuring gatekeepers, refer to the Cisco IOS Release 12.0(3)T Service Provider Features for Voice over IP feature module.

Configuration Tasks

After you have analyzed your dial plan and decided how to integrate it into your existing IP network, you are ready to configure your network devices to support Voice over IP. The actual configuration procedure depends entirely on the topology of your voice network, but, in general, you need to complete the following tasks:

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Configuring IP Networks for Real-Time Voice Traffic

Configuring Voice Ports

Configuring Dial Peers

Configuring the Cisco AS5800 as an H.323 Gateway

Configuring the Cisco AS5800 for Interactive Voice Response

Configuring IP Networks for Real-Time Voice Traffic

You need to have a well-engineered network end-to-end when running delay-sensitive applications such as VoIP. Fine-tuning your network to adequately support VoIP involves a series of protocols and features geared toward Quality of Service (QoS). It is beyond the scope of this document to explain the specific details relating to wide-scale QoS deployment. Cisco IOS software provides many tools for enabling QoS on your backbone, such as Random Early Detection (RED), Weighted Random Early Detection (WRED), Fancy Queuing (meaning custom, priority, or weighted fair queuing), and IP Precedence. To configure your IP network for real-time voice traffic, you need to take into consideration the entire scope of your network, then select the appropriate QoS tool or tools. In addition, you must use the Cisco IOS ip cef command to ensure that Cisco Express Forwarding (CEF) is enabled.

QoS must be configured throughout your network—not just on the Cisco AS5800 devices running VoIP—to improve voice network performance. Not all QoS techniques are appropriate for all network routers. Edge routers and backbone routers in your network do not necessarily perform the

Voice over IP for the Cisco AS5800 7

AS5800 specifications

Cisco Systems has long been a leader in the networking and telecommunications field, and its AS5800 series of routers exemplify this tradition. The AS5800, along with the AS5850, AS5350, AS5400, and AS5300, provides robust solutions for service providers and enterprise-level networking applications. Each of these models has distinct features and characteristics that cater to the evolving demands of internet traffic and data processing.

The Cisco AS5800 is designed for high-capacity routing and optimized for broadband services. It supports a wide range of services, including voice, data, and video applications, making it a versatile option for service providers looking to deliver integrated solutions. It is equipped with advanced quality of service (QoS) features that ensure bandwidth is allocated effectively, holding strong even under heavy traffic conditions.

In comparison, the AS5850 offers superior processing capabilities and is typically utilized in larger-scale implementations. This model supports high-density interfaces, allowing numerous connections without compromising performance. Its architecture includes enhanced MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) support, enabling more efficient traffic management and better utilization of network resources.

The AS5350 is known for its scalability and energy efficiency, ideal for voice-over-IP (VoIP) and media gateway applications. It supports various telephony features, such as protocol interworking and transcoding, making it a preferred choice for organizations focusing on digital voice technologies. The AS5300, while slightly older, continues to be a valuable asset for less demanding networks, offering reliable performance with VoIP capabilities and basic data applications.

The AS5400 bridges the gap between high-performance routing and operational efficiency. It incorporates Cisco's proprietary technologies to ensure seamless connectivity and robust failover systems. This model is highly regarded for its security features, protecting network integrity and providing peace of mind for businesses relying on sensitive data transfer.

Overall, Cisco’s AS5800 series showcases a progressive evolution of routing capabilities with enhanced features tailored for resilience, scalability, and performance. These routers not only address the technical needs of modern networks but also strategically position organizations for future growth in an increasingly digital world. Each model, with its unique attributes, continues to support the varied demands of global communication infrastructures.