What Is VoIP Software?
"VoIP" means "Voice over Internet Protocol." VoIP software converts speech into a digital signal, breaks it up into packets, and sends it over the Internet to a receiver. The receiving computer strips off "metadata," reassembles the packets and converts the digital message back into sound.
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Origins
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Private local area (computer) networks had the speed and capacity to carry interactive conversations before the Internet. The H.323 Protocol, published by the International Telecommunication Union in 1996 created standards for transmission over local area networks, primarily for videoconferencing. With the creation of broadband, these standards were adapted for use over the Internet. The standard is called "Packet-Based Multimedia Communications Systems" and defines transmission of any audio or video data over networks.
The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
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The IETF later defined other VoIP protocols, specifically the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP). These two systems are more commonly used for end-user applications than H.323, which is employed for bulk transmission of voice data.
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VoIP Software
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Software available commercially is more likely to be based on the SIP and RTP protocols than H.323. Commercial service providers usually deliver a router that is pre-loaded with their proprietary software. Thus, the consumer buys a combination of software and hardware. It is possible, however to install VoIP software onto an Internet-ready computer. MSN Messenger and Yahoo Messenger are two examples of this. Skype offers both a downloadable program and a hardware-based alternative that includes a handset. Users who choose just to install software will need to have a microphone and speaker connected to or integrated with their computer.
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References
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