[Essay] Networking Management

Cisco Systems has been known as the main driver and inventor of integrated voice, data and video networking. In fact, it was among the first corporations to install integrated IP networks in location all over the world, including its campus in San Jose, California. In 1998, Cisco has acquired Selsius Systems, Inc. and has planned on incorporating IP telephony into the company’s converged, quality of service (QoS) enable network. While Cisco is a pioneer in these types of technology, the company had also encountered several network problems. However, Cisco has also learned valuable lessons through these challenges. Moreover, Cisco Systems was also able to enhance Cisco IP telephony product line and voice over IP (VoIP) technologies.

After the acquisition of Selsius, Cisco Systems had rolled out an initial deployment to 200 volunteer employees in 1998. A Lucent PBX phone and a Cisco IP telephone are provided to each employee.A Primary-Rate Interface (PRI) link between the CallManager 2.2 and the Definity PBX provided five-digit desk-to-desk dialing and access to and from the PSTN for IP telephony users. Among the problems encountered during the deployment, includes the test users’ difficulty in using the two telephones provided. They were confused which phone to use or which number to give out. In order to avoid this problem was to utilize the familiar and existing Lucent telephone and forget about the IP phone. This eventually became the predominant practice. Another problem encountered was that the Selsius phone has a 10-megabit Ethernet hub. It was connected to the Ethernet network between the user PC and the wall jack. When users sent large files across the LAN while on the telephone, it disrupted voice quality. Finally, power was also considered as a technical issue within Cisco. Local power was required by Selsius phones so they have their individual electrical cord and power transformer. However, the company realized that it was often hard to place a Selsius phone into a conference room, lobby or break room as the power jacks and Ethernet were usually on opposite sides of the room. Indeed, there are several ways of deploying the existing system. However, Cisco engineers had learned valuable lessons, which they used in the future networking endeavors of the company.

Based from these problems, certain pointers are to be remembered so as to avoid these networking problems. For instance, the QoS strategy should be developed in advance. This in turn will save time and money as well as eliminate confused and unhappy users. The company should also create a comprehensive dial plan that can ease ongoing maintenance and administration. Potential routing loops should be avoided, and plan should be developed in order to deal with unauthorized phones. The company should also take advantage of the Ip phone and be able to shift features so as to simplify IP addressing. Power should also be planned, especially when the IP network carries voice. The switches and routers should also be connected to an uninterruptible power supply in order to guarantee dial tone if the electricity goes out.

Reference:

Cisco Systems. (2001). The Transition to IP Telephony at Cisco Systems. White Paper, Cisco Systems, Inc.