Practical Voice and Video over IP Training Course

Objectives:

• Elaborate on the operation of circuit-switched networks.
• Highlight the distinctions between circuit-switched and packet-switched networks.
• Detail the fields and flags within the IP header, including the newly introduced DSCP field.
• Articulate and quantify the necessity of voice compression and latency management within IP networks.
• Identify the CODECs utilized in voice and video compression, such as G711, G729, and H.261/3/4.
• Identify and explain the components of the Real Time Transport Protocol (RTP) and Real Time Control Protocol (RTCP), including the transmission of DTMF tones.
• Compute bandwidth requirements for different voice compression algorithms.
• Explain and demonstrate the necessity for security and encryption in VoIP systems.
• Describe and explain the H.323 protocol stack.
• Describe and explain the processes of call setup and signalling (H.225).
• Describe and explain H.245, fast start procedures, and H.245 tunnelling.
• Describe and explain SIP call setup mechanisms.
• Describe and explain the role of SIP Servers.
• Describe and explain Session Description Protocol (SDP).
• Describe and explain Soft Switching, encompassing MGCP and H.248 protocols.
• Describe and explain the application of SCTP in backhauling signalling messages.
• Describe and explain the significance of network latency and the requirement for Quality of Service (QoS) within the network.
• Describe and explain the differences between reservation-based and prioritisation-based QoS in IP networks.
• Describe the application of IntServ and RSVP in QoS implementations.
• Describe the application of TOS and DiffServ in QoS implementations.
• Describe and explain the need for multiple queues and intelligent packet scheduling at router/switch interfaces.
• Describe the use of MPLS to deliver QoS in WAN environments.
• Describe the use of VLANs to deliver QoS in LAN environments.

Practical Exercises:

• Lab Exercise 1: Practical VoIP implementation within the LAN.
• Lab Exercise 2: Construct an IP network, place calls, and analyse RTP packets using Wireshark.
• Lab Exercise 3: Place calls and analyse SIP packets using Wireshark.
• Lab Exercise 4: Place calls and analyse H.323 packets using Wireshark.
• Lab Exercise 5: Establish calls between PSTN and IP networks.
• Lab Exercise 6: Configure QoS and place calls to observe the effects.
• Lab Exercise 7: VoIP Security measures.

Equipment used in Practical Sessions:

• Cisco 2600 and 2800 series voice-capable routers, Cisco ASA 5505 [4 units], IP telephones, softphones, and analogue telephones as required. SIP client and server software as required.