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Definition
Cable operators are busy optimizing the existing bandwidth in their networks to deliver high-speed Internet access and are turning their efforts to delivering integrated Internet and voice service over the same cable spectrum. Voice (and fax) service over these cable networks is referred to in this tutorial as cable-based Internet protocol (IP) telephony. This technology, targeted primarily at the home, poses many of the same challenges faced by telecom carriers as they work to deliver to enterprise voice and fax over other types of packet networks such as asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and frame relay.
Overview
This tutorial discusses the challenges of providing cable-based IP telephony and provides discussion of quality of service (QoS) challenges and the effort to develop and implement interoperability standards. An overview of an embedded software architecture is presented, and a system is described for sending voice, fax image, data, and signaling information over the cable network. Benefits to designers and manufacturers of this embedded approach are lower cost of goods sold, faster time to market, and lower development costs.
