User`s guide

Another option is to provide the remote of ce with a key telephone system. A key system is a lower

priced, reduced functionality version of the headquarters PBX. Because it is a scaled down system,

it isn’t designed to be networked with other phone systems. Therefore, calling a remote of ce is like

calling a separate company.

Using our company example, the following diagram maps out their existing voice network.

The Challenge - Limited Networking Solutions

With limited networking solutions, remote of ce workers often feel handicapped by the dif culty of

communicating with the rest of the organization. And, telecommunications managers are challenged

with creating more ef cient and cost-effective voice communications in an environment that wasn’t

designed for networking.

Understanding Data Networks

The Internet Protocol

The Internet Protocol (IP) was designed speci cally for the Internet to act as the  rst truly universal

networking language. It is like a postal carrier — its job is to faithfully transport packages (or packets)

from anyone to anyone over any type of physical connection.

How a Typical IP Data Network Works

An IP data network is a highly distributed networking environment in which clients access information

stored in servers throughout the network. These servers can be anything from giant mainframes

to small departmental  le servers running on PCs. An IP data network utilizes packet-switched

connections, routers and IP addresses to communicate with the different networked devices.

Packet-Switched Connections

IP data, whether in the form of a Web page, a downloaded  le or an e-mail message, travels over a

system known as a packet-switched network. The sending computer chops data into small packets,

with an address on each one telling the network where to send them. When the receiving computer

gets the packets, it reassembles them into the original data.

Company Voice Network