Astro Communications

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology used to carry voice conversations using IP by digitizing voice into discrete packets that are transferred independently over the IP network. This is in contrast to traditional circuit-switched protocols used in the Public Switched Telephone Network. In simple terms a VoIP handset converts an analogue voice signal into a digital signal (binary data) that can be placed in an IP packet. For example, the telephone user speaks into their handset. The voice vibrates the diaphragm in the handset microphone and converts these vibrations to an analogue electrical signal. The analogue electrical signal is sampled at regular intervals (e.g. 8000 times per second) and each sample is assigned a binary number - typically 8 bits long. The binary data is assembled into small packets and inserted into the data
field of the IP packet and sent to the destination.

At the destination, the handset receives the IP packet containing the voice data. The handset extracts the voice data and coverts the data back to an analogue electrical signal which is passed into the handset receiver. The electrical signal vibrates the receiver diaphragm faithfully reproducing the original audio voice signal.

VoIP offers a great deal of flexibility and economies of scale. Businesses need only install a single cable per desk position as many VoIP handsets have integral Ethernet switches allowing the users PC to be connected to the handset. The handset can then easily prioritize the voice data over the PC data. There are also many handset software packages available so you can use your PC or laptop as a VoIP phone by connecting a low cost headset. Also, USB handsets are available for less than £10/$15.

VoIP may be used to provide remote telephony services from your main office telephone system. Home workers require a domestic broadband connection and a VPN connection to their office to enjoy the full facilities of the office telephone system at home.

VoIP services are more innovative and cost effective and allow any size business to handle their clients telephone calls from anywhere in the world. Over 78% of small or mid sized companies use VoIP services compared to other legacy networks. VOIP has several other benefits like call waiting, caller id, outbound caller id blocking, speed dial, last number redial, anonymous call rejection, call screening, three way calling, call hold, call forwarding, voice mail, and priority rings etc. We have staff based in France and Australia but as far as our UK customers are concerned, they are working in our office.

Initially in 2004 when VoIP was introduced in the market there was a very little or no demand for these services. But today with technical advancements and innovative ideas VoIP services are more widespread.

VoIP's use IP network to transmit voice data renders our VoIP telephone systems vulnerable to virus attacks and other IP associated problems (e.g. Quality of Service). Software weakness can be exploited and also some sensitive information could be misused or hacked. Hence VoIP should be installed and checked by professionals, especially if you intend to use VoIP for sensitive, personal or secret communications. Security measures can be added without compromising the quality or flexibility of the service.

Would you benefit from a flexible VoIP solution that can enhance your business? Visit www.astro.co.uk.

A telecommunications network engineer in general is a professional who designs, installs and maintains telecommunications and computer networks. This is not an entirely technical role as the Network Engineer will ideally have an understanding of business processes to ensure any design offered is appropriate to the operation of the business. The network infrastructure must enable the business to meet its goals and ensure long term productivity. If the network infrastructure is underspecified it can bring a business to a standstill.

Network Engineers generally hold an engineering or technical degree in Telecommunications or Computer Sciences. In addition to or as an alternative to, some Network Engineers would have started on an apprenticeship scheme and may be manufacturer certified such as Cisco, Juniper, HP or other related companies. In recent years, generic training packages have taken on more relevance to the practical aspects of Network Engineering. The Building Industry Consultancy Services International (BICSI) introduced several training specialties with formal training courses, exams and 'on the job' training and development. These are very good programmes, lending themselves to older students looking to change their career.

Network Engineers use the Open Systems Interconnection, seven layer architecture as a tool for network design and troubleshooting. This is also a very useful tool in the education of Network Engineers. This architecture divides the communication functions of two devices into seven layers. For example, the bottom layer is the physical layer. This includes cables and connectors (or air for wireless connections) needed to physically connect two devices together. The second layer is the Data Link layer which is responsible for safe delivery of data across the physical layer. Layer three is the Network Layer responsible for establishing, maintaining and clearing down connections across a network. The most common layer three protocol is IP.

Other layers are Layer four - Transport (TCP is a transport layer protocol); Layer five - Session; Layer six - Presentation and Layer seven - Application. Understanding the seven layered architecture from the bottom (one) up is essential, with emphasis on Layers one through to four. A good Network Engineer will be able to run and terminate a copper or optical fibre cables, or wireless links and configure the link and routing Protocols in an efficient and effective manner. They will also need to have a very good understanding of network security to ensure their customer's data and telecommunications links are safe from hacker, virus and malware attacks.

A Network Engineer's typically originate from structure cable installers, Network Administrators and ex military personnel (through repatriation training). The Network Engineer may progress on to specialize as a Network Architect, Wireless specialist or Security expert. Salary depends upon his/her level of experience but on an average he/she is paid between $50,000/- to $80,000/-. Good Network Engineers can travel the world as they are in great demand, especially when required to troubleshoot serious problems or redesign failing networks while the business is operational - often a very risky and complex task.

Is your network performing well? Do you need experienced Telecommunications Network Engineers, Architects and/or Wireless Specialists to resolve a problem or design issue? Visit www.astro.co.uk.

The combination of the recent increases in energy costs, the credit crunch and pressure to reduce carbon footprint has placed emphasis on business managers and directors to increase their energy efficiency. As with other business costs, energy costs are fairly complex and identifying exactly where the inefficiencies lie can be a relatively hit and miss process. I am by no means an expert, but I do work with my customers to help them to reduce their electricity energy costs and this article comprises some of my findings.

The most common place to start for many businesses is to review their suppliers and to seek alternative lower cost providers in the market. Some of our larger customers run a reverse auction to find the lowest bidder for an agreed contract period. Although this can have excellent results, other significant changes can be made closer to home!

I am often working on my customer's premises during the evenings and weekends. Until we began customer energy audits last year it had not occurred to me that almost every item of equipment on every desk was left powered on either fully or in standby mode. In addition to the desktop PC and monitor, we generally find an array of powered devices left on 24 hours a day. The majority are mobile phone chargers, calculators and mini network hubs, but we have found fans and fan heaters left on over night. This problem is recognized by The Carbon Trust%u2026 "A typical week has 168 hours and yet a typical working week is only 38 hours. This leaves 130 hours where your office equipment is consuming energy but is not providing you with any value".

I have seen many attempts to educate staff to switch off their devices when they leave every evening. In practice this lasts a few weeks before old habits creep back and the problem is the same as before. Hard pressed business managers just do not have the time to oversee the process. Education has a place but it needs some back up that is not onerous for managers. Also, there is no clear incentive to remember to switch off every evening as it is very difficult to provide any feedback without meaningful results.

The introduction of regular individual desk or departmental metering can turn this situation around by providing weekly and monthly feedback to incentivise staff to change their habits. Some businesses introduce league tables of average power used. This adds elements of competition and fun and brings energy efficiency into focus, with each department or individual wanting to be at the top of the league table.

Some individual metering devices offer a facility to control devices on a desk top to shut them down in the evening and power them back up in the morning. This takes responsibility away from the user completely. Even where team members are diligent in their desk top energy efficiency, remote control devices may still provide considerable gains with other powered devices such as printers, photocopiers and vending machines (Non-perishables).

There are costs involved in any of the approaches to improve energy efficiency. Any manual process has hidden management costs that are very difficult to quantify. Deploying a metering and control system will incur equipment and installation costs. The return on investment depends on the cost per kW/Hour, the power consumption of the devices being controlled and the cost of implementation of any system whether that is a management process or hardware/software solution. The ROI results of our energy audits are ranging from 6 months to 3 years. Some organizations may qualify for government grants. In the UK grants may be available for local government and education establishments.

Whether your business driver is to know where energy is being used, to realize energy cost savings, to reduce carbon footprint or a combination of these; a relatively small amount of effort can provide significant results. To learn more about energy saving solutions, visit: www.astro.co.uk.