What is IP Convergence?
Data travels across the Internet courtesy of several sets of rules called protocols. Collectively, these protocols make up the Internet Protocol, or IP. The standardized set of rules is what allows computers to communicate across networks. It's what makes the Internet possible.
"You may have encountered a term called IP convergence. What does this mean? If IP is a set of rules that defines how data travels across the Internet, what is convergence?"
It turns out that IP convergence refers to the capability of the Internet to act as a single foundation for various functions that traditionally had their own platforms. The telephone system is a good example. The public switched telephone network (PSTN) supports the traditional telephone system. This is the network of copper wires, circuit boards and switches that transmit analog voice data from one phone to another. Later on, engineers converted much of the PSTN to a digital system.
But upon the invention of the voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), it became possible to make phone calls using the Internet itself as the phone network. All it required was an adapter for a traditional phone, a special VoIP handset or a computer with a VoIP interface program installed on it. Suddenly, it became feasible to consolidate two networks (voice and data) into a single platform. That's what convergence is all about.
"IP convergence isn't limited to voice and data. Video services can be looped into IP convergence, too. One example of this is Internet protocol television (IPTV). Another is transmitting video feeds from security cameras through the Internet. Other protocols are also part of IP convergence."
Benefits of IP Convergence
Getting Wired Businesses in new buildings might consider IP convergence as a way of reducing construction costs. Routing all systems through an IP interface means you don't need a separate telephone system, reducing the cost of wiring. But it might be wise to include one dedicated phone line for the building in case the IP system suffers a failure. While companies take many considerations into account when looking at IP convergence strategies, there are two major factors to focus upon. The first is cost. By consolidating all of your services (phones, data, video, etc.) into one platform, you've only one account to maintain. Several companies offer IP convergence packages specifically designed to reduce a company's operational costs.
The second consideration is that all your traditionally discrete services will be lumped together into one delivery system. This comes with its own set of pros and cons. On the positive side, you only have to maintain one network. You don't require the services of multiple technicians to keep your various systems online and functional -- everything uses the same basic network.
That's also a downside. A single network also means a single point of failure. If for some reason that network should go down, a company would lose all functionality. The phones would no longer work, security camera feeds would be inaccessible and any other functions built into the system would no longer respond.
Another benefit is that IP convergence allows companies to create a more mobile workforce.
Employees can access corporate functions through the company's network, often by using a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN helps maintain corporate security by separating business traffic from other Internet traffic. Remote employees can use the Internet to access everything from corporate files to voicemail messages.
Since IP systems are interoperable and modifiable, they're flexible and adaptive. As new functions and features become available through technological advancements, companies and organizations can incorporate them into their existing systems without the need for new infrastructure.
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