/pcq/media/agency_attachments/L8pkS8gpnodJThOdAfv1.jpg)
Follow UsMVP200
communication module.
Rs
69,500
Features: Remote
configuration through telnet; channels for voice and fax
communication.
Pros: Easy to configure; high
voice clarity.
Cons: None.
Source: MultiTech Computers
249-B, Udyog Vihar
Phase
IV
Gurgaon - 122 016
HARYANA
Tel: (0124)
340778, 340779
Fax: (0124) 340776
Email:
Web:
This is a Voice over IP (VoIP) module from
Multitech. VoIP technology uses TCP/IP to carry
voice and fax data packets across a network. So, you can connect a
VoIP box to your local PBX, and anyone in the office can use it, for
instance, to communicate with branch offices over your data link,
without having to pay STD charges.
Modules are easy to set up
and need very little configuration. You can configure all of them at
one central location, and then send them to the respective regions.
You need one module at all sites where you want to establish voice
communication. One of the modules acts as the master VoIP, while the
remaining are slaves. For example, the master could reside in your
head office, and the slaves in your branch offices. The difference
between the two is only in the type of information they have. All
telephone numbers and IP addresses of slaves have to be entered on
the master. The slaves connect to the master to get the relevant
information.
Hooking up a module is
quite simple. Each module has two channels–for voice and fax
communication, and one 10Base-T Ethernet port to connect it to your
network. The unit can be configured through telnet or through a
direct serial connection to a PC. After the initial configuration,
it need not remain connected to the PC. There are two different
ports–one for connecting a telephone directly to the module, and
another for connecting it to the local PBX. Both can be
independently configured with the supplied software.
The configuration software
has a straightforward installation, and the accompanying
documentation clearly explains all the steps. In each VoIP module,
you have to give the IP address of the gateway that you will use to
connect to the remaining modules. This is usually a router that
connects your WAN link. Each module is also given an IP address. The
master module holds these IP addresses, and the telephone numbers in
that location. This configuration requires a working knowledge of
routing.
An important point of
concern is the type of voice codec you use for voice communication.
All modules should be configured with the same codec, otherwise
communication won’t be possible. This is a one-time configuration,
after which you just have to plug the modules into the network to
get them up and running.
We tested the modules over
a 10 Mbps network. Voice communication was pretty good–the voice was
pretty clear, and there were no delays, though there was a slight
echo in the voice.
The existing government
norms prohibit the transmission of voice traffic over IP on the
Internet. So you can’t use this product for voice communication over
the Internet. It can, however, be used where offices have dedicated
leased line links.
Overall, given the price,
these modules are a good buy.
Ashish Sharma at PCQ
Labs