Does IP telephony mean you can have fewer network outlets?
The adoption of IP telephony by many organisations is tempting some system designers to opt for fewer network cabling outlets. This is because each PC can connect to a network outlet on the phone rather than a dedicated outlet. The IP phone then connects to a network switch port via the cabling system. The client appears to save on the cost of a cable run and a switch port. However, this is likely to be a false economy. Lynx Networks has considered the current and emerging technologies and has concluded that the minimum number of ports for a user with a phone and a PC should be two: one for the IP phone and one for the PC. Three good reasons for this are:
- IP telephone handsets currently have 10/100 NIC cards so can’t support a Gigabit connection for a PC. Although the technology in the phones will catch up, by then PCs may require a 10G connection.
- Complications could arise with 802.1X device authentication. This has to be configured on the switch port that the PC is connected to and at the IPT handset to allow forwarding to the PC. However, not all PCs or handsets allow 802.1X to work in this way. Even if the handset could be configured initially, everything would change if the handset or phone system was changed. Bear in mind that the life of a cabling system is usually much longer than that of a phone system.
- To save energy, switches are being developed with ports that turn themselves off when there is no activity. This could cause complications if telephone handsets and PCs are daisy-chained.
The points above are all issues that have been identified in today’s networks. As technology changes and advances it is reasonable to suggest that other considerations and issues will come into play. Against this backdrop, cabling systems must continue to be viewed as long term investments and as such, the infrastructure needs to be designed for maximum future proofing and flexibility; not minimal cost.
Alan Bullen
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