Voice over IP FirstStep

Being new to the VOIP world, this book, written by Kevin Wallace is exactly what I needed to start studying with. I especially appreaciated the step by step process begining with the analog phone systems and progressing all the way through Cisco's more advanced software and hardware solutions. Kevin has provided the reader with problems to solve beging with chapter 1 and continuing all the way through to the final chapter 7. These examples have solutions that migrate in complexity and build upon each other. There are chapter reviews with quiz answers provided in Appendix A with a Next Steps, "where do I go from here" in Appendix B. Take your time with this book as it is full of acronyms. My suggestion is to first read through the glossary and study those terms, prior to starting the book, it really did help me.

A good read for those who wants to understand the basics of VoIP. Initially I picked up Daniel Collins' Carrier Grade Voice Over IP and that went way over my head. So I had to retrace my steps and go to something simpler; this one suited my needs. The emphasis is on Cisco gear (CCM, unity and such), but the general principals are all clearly explained. The first two chapters really gets your basics covered and also gives you an elemantary understanding of how PSTNs work; you are then introduced to packets over IP networks. SIP and H.323 is covered with fair amount of detail. The section on prioritizing traffic (QoS) is very helpful. All in all, this is a good introduction for those who are absolutely new to the topic.

This book is 99% written for business VOIP, and CISCO. If you are looking for info for home telephone VOIP this book is NOT the book to use.

Great product / Fast Shipping / As promised

yes, the book looks new as described.

Down to basics.

With companies like Vonage beginning to advertise for broad based end user sales on television, VoIP must have become of age. I do notice, however, that Vonage still charges by the minute. I guess they think that this is what customers are used to paying so why not.This book is aimed not at the Vonage type end user, but at the building of a comprehensive understanding of VoIP and would appeal to the sophisticated home user and to the corporate network engineer charged with moving his company to VoIP. It starts with how the traditional phone system worked and then moves to explain the difference between the old circuit switched system that Ma-Bell developed to the newer packet switched systems of today.Most of the equipment being discussed is Cisco, as is fitting because it seems that they have just about the most complete line, and because this book is put out by Cisco Press. It is, as the title says, a 'first-step' book. It's enough to get a system operating. But if you really have to get down and dirty into the operation at a teckie level, you'll need more books. It is an excellent 'first-step.'

Once in a while an author appears who stands head and shoulders above most other technical authors. Kevin Wallace is definitely one of that rare breed of authors who has the unique ability to impart substantial technical information in a really accessible manner. I found this book incredibly easy to read, having attempted reading some other books on VOIP and not getting past the 2nd Chapter with most of them.Even though the book focuses mainly on Cisco's VOIP implementation, the information is put across in such a way that you get a good understanding of VOIP principles in general. The chapter in this book on QOS alone is worth getting the book for, as it explains Cisco QOS in a most lucid and user-friendly way. His anologies are excellent and his occastional injection of humour also makes reading the book a most pleasurable and useful learning experience. If you are a newbie to VOIP, then I can't think of a better book to get your hands on. Highly recommended!

It's not written for the firs-step readers.