Tripp Lite H2550FL16, H2562, H2561, H2553, H2551, H2552 Integrate Backup Power into VoIP Networks

Integrate Backup Power into VoIP Networks

Voice over IP (VoIP) is exploding in popularity as an application for business data networks. VoIP promises to consolidate a company's data and telecommunications infrastructure as well as its support resources. As a result, a company can lower its hardware and service costs while raising productivity through the use of more elaborate and customizable telephony applications.

Unfortunately, there are serious limitations inherent to the data networks that are increasingly called upon to support VoIP. The primary limitation is power availability. Before moving voice traffic from traditional circuit- switched public phone systems to private data network connections, one must consider a public phone system's unique attribute—battery support. In order to deliver extremely high availability for such vital services as emergency 911 support in the event of extended power outages, public phone systems are connected to massive battery arrays.

While most data networks have some type of backup support during power outages (provided by UPS Systems and/or generators), the backup runtime is generally much less than the 4 to 8 hours of backup that is typically provided for public phone systems. Because of this shortcoming, VoIP applications generally require an increase in the UPS System-supported power capacity (e.g. more or larger UPS Systems). Increased UPS System capacity provides power for network-dependent phones and increases overall backup runtime to ensure that normal telephone operation (including 911 service) remains available in the event of an extended power outage.

Reflecting on important lessons learned during its own transition to IP telephony, Cisco provides several best-practice recommendations. One of the most important recommendations is installing a UPS System to guarantee availability:

“Plan Your Power: When an IP network carries voice, reliability is essential. In case of an emergency, people need to summon assistance by dialing 911. When using inline power to switches and routers, make sure they are connected to an uninterruptible power supply [UPS System] to guarantee dial tone if the power should go out.”

Source: Cisco Systems white paper “The Transition to IP Telephony at Cisco Systems”.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk652/tk701/technologies_white_paper09186a00800cb7fd.shtml

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