Voice over Internet Packets (VoIP) is a communications suite that involves streaming Internet Packets from one IP address to annother in such a way that they arrive at 95% reliability and are sufficiently fast, and in as close as possible to the originating order to be reassembled and passed on as the original data. This is a somewhat complex assignment, given the dynamic nature of Internet Packet Communications, and the latency (or delays) often experienced when communicating from one point to annother accross the "virtual cloud" known as the Internet.

We at Phoenix Computer Labs; along with our associates (Telefonica America, Telecomm America, and High Forrest Technology) and select vendors of VoIP equipment; are undertaking the development of a "Global VoIP System" that will allow subscribing Clients to call from one geographic location to one of our other seviced geographic locations and place local calls in the destination Phone area. (picture this: A customer in the Mendoza, Argentina phone dstrict calls a relative in say Houston, Texas, USA. The customer picks up his phone in Mendoza, calls a local "gateway" number, receives an acknowledgment tone, enters his five-digit account code {say 32101}, then enters a five digit code {say 21009 - for United States [21] and Houston Texas [009]} that represents the call destination country and city. The customer now receives a recording telling them they are being connected to "Houston Texas - In the United states" {naturally since the customer is calling from Argentina, the announcement would be in Spanish - the native language in Argentina}. Then the customer hears two beeps and a dial-tone. The customer is now connected to the Phone network in Houston,Texas, USA and needs only dial the appropriate "local Number" to reach their Party.

While the afore mentioned scenario may seem far-fetched and unrealistic. This is happening all over the world, right now. The Voice over IP communications Protocol, while still in development is in-place all over the world. Large corporations and many individuals enjoy the freedom of being able to readily call friends, business associates, employess and bosses "cost free" every day. While this is not quite as simple as picking up a phone and dialing (right now anyway), it is in fact happenning - more often than one would expect. Have you ever placed a call with a "Phone Calling Card"? Many prople have, but few are actually aware that some calling card companies utilize a "Inter-Connection Service" that may very well be utilizing a VoIP system put into place to avoid traditional "toll calling charges". This is how many new "Successful" and "Highly Profitable" Phone Card Companies rake in the enormous Cash Revenues that they are capable of.

One of the "Main Requirements for VoIP Communications is that both ends of the communication (ie: sennder/originator and receiver/recipient) must have a "known" IP address. Dial-up (33.6K/56K PPP) communications links have a "dynamic IP" (the IP address changes and is different for every connection). When connected to the Internet with a dial-up (Point to Point Protocol - "PPP") you are assigned an IP address upon being connected - every time you are connected. NOTE: This is normally the same with most DSL connections. With DSL the associted ATM Switch asigns an IP address when the individual sessions are started (or initiated). Unless you have a DSL with an assigned "dedicated" IP address - you have a "dynamic connection".

When you buy one of those VoIP Phone packages at one of your local "Computer Stores" or through a mail-order or Internet Computer Sales company - you will get a Phone or headset that connects to your sound card with the ear piece (or headset) connected to the Speaker (SPK)and the mouth piece (or Microphone) connected to the (MIC) jacks on your computer. You get a software CD that has the appropriate Software suite to allow you to connect to annother computer using the appropriate VoIP Standards currently in use. These standards are H.23 (The Oldest of the three), MEGACO (Media Gateway Controller), and SIP (Sessions Internet Protocol). The Communications Standards Protocol (ie; SIP, MEGACO, or H.23) Software is very crucial in VoIP because it essentially simulates the Central Office System that the Phone Company uses to get your Voice to you - but you will be using your computer and your Internet Connection (not the Telephone cable). Now for the interesting Part. These "Retail" packages advertise "Free Internet Phone Calls" BUT - they charge you a monthly charge to utilize their "Web Site" to co-ordinate and connect your calls. Often the SIP Software included with the Internet Phone Packages is quite capable of connecting to your Friends computer over the internet without having to use the "Host Web Page" but you cannot do this - Why? Because if you are using the dial-up or DSL that most of the people are - you have a dynamic IP address and your computer is not capable of "finding" your friends IP address that was assigned to them when they logged on to the Internet.

But if you have been around, and think - you will recall a term that was the rave from 1996 through 2002 - "Instant Messaging".... Instant Messaging has a little program that runs when you log onto the Internet. This little program sends a "ping" (a little message that only contains a header - and the current IP address connected - to the ICQ, AOL or MSN Web host Site that identifies you and thus makes your current IP address known to all who need it. This same little kernal program can be used with an Internet Phone System to provide the missing key - Information that will be required to establish an SIP session (or phone call). BUT - BUT :: You will need a way for both of you to "Broadcast" the current IP address to each other. After all if you will think and recall what we have covered so far - You are both using a "dynamic IP address" and you can't program your little sub-program to send your current IP address to your friend unless you know his IP address, and since he is using a dynamic address - you can not do this. Your friend has the same problem - he can't send his IP address to you because you are using a dymanic address and he doe not know what it is - yet.

So you see - you do actually need to utilize the "Host Service Web-Site" So that you can each find out what the other person's "Current IP address" is. BUT - DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO? Not if you set up a web-site that is always on and hosted by a "Static" IP address. But now you are back to the chicken and the egg scenario - you are paying for hosting to get away from paying a fee to co-ordinate IP addresses. But trust me - there is a way. You just have to get creative and think "Dynanically".

If you read-on we will explain three simple VoIP Scenarios:

To continue - click here.

If you have already read this and just want to review one of the three scenarios You may select the individual scenario by selecting the appropriate choice:

(1) - To go Directly to Scenario one - click here.
(2) - To go Directly to Scenario two - click here.
(3) - To go Directly to Scenario three - click here.
(4) - To go Directly to Tying it all together - click here.
(5) - To go Directly to Scenario Summary - click here.