Centralized vs. Distributed VoIP

Centralized vs. Distributed VoIP

Modern businesses need seamless and reliable communications for peak productivity. For the longest time, legacy systems like landlines were the go-to form of communication for all businesses. However, they had plenty of shortcomings. Landlines were expensive to install and maintain. They also did not offer modern features like mobility, automatic call forwarding, seamless conferencing, etc. However, all that changed for businesses once Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), also known as “IP Telephony,” was introduced. Currently, no modern business can afford to miss out on VoIP systems, hardware, and features. Hence, they rely on expert professionals like Communications Solutions Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida, to install and seamlessly integrate VoIP systems in their offices.

That being said, most people are unaware of the difference between centralized and distributed VoIP and how they work. Today, we will compare the two and explain how each one works to help you understand the difference. We will also discuss the benefits of VoIP for businesses that make them so important, popular, and desirable.

Centralized vs. Distributed VoIP

Before we dive into centralized vs. distributed VoIP, you need to understand basic VoIP function and why most businesses prefer this type of telecommunication technology.

VoIP Overview

When you make a regular phone call from a legacy landline phone, sound waves are converted into electrical signals by the analog phone. These electrical signals travel through landlines to another analog phone, where they are converted back into sound waves.

Instead of electrical signals, VoIP converts sound waves into digital data packets and uses the Internet to transport them to the other end of the call. Voice over Internet Protocol is an excellent option for any business, small or large because it helps them save funds by enabling employees to make calls using the Internet.

Almost all businesses already pay for the Internet, making landlines or carrier bills an unnecessary overhead. While VoIP uses the Internet, employees don’t need to use computers or laptops to receive or make phone calls.

How VoIP Works

VoIP transmits digital data, making it easy for two users to conveniently communicate using headsets, VoIP phones, computers, or other capable devices that can transmit and receive digital signals.

This communication is made over a VoIP network, which consists of components like nodes to exchange data packets. A node is simply a connecting point in the VoIP network where VoIP data transmissions can begin or end. The nodes convert data into audio and vice versa.

This node can be any VoIP compatible hardware like a computer, laptop, or VoIP phone, connected to the Internet. The nodes simply require an internet connection to function properly. That being said, there are slight differences in the function of centralized and decentralized VoIP.

·       Centralized VoIP

Centralized VoIP systems have centralized servers that receive incoming data packets and direct them to the desired destination. For instance, if you use a VoIP service, typically, an adapter on your laptop, computer, or device will convert your voice (sound waves) into digital data packets and send them to a central server.

This server will then use the Internet to send the data packets to the device on the other end of your call. The centralized server is a crucial node in the VoIP network of a centralized VoIP system. It is a common solution for businesses that want to restrict their communications over the VoIP network.

·       Distributed VoIP

Distributed VoIP systems work similarly to how data is exchanged over a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. They use the P2P architecture to seamlessly coordinate the exchange of data packets between points or nodes.

This type of distributed VoIP system does not depend too much on centralized servers to enable communications. Since the digital communication between two VoIP nodes uses a P2P network, things are easier, safer, and more reliable.

The chance of failure is relatively lower than a central server, and it is more difficult for malicious eavesdroppers to intercept and monitor communications over a P2P network.

In general, distributed VoIP is the more popular choice and is commonly used by businesses to enable communications over the Internet.

Regardless of the type of VoIP system you use for your business, you will get all the benefits of this innovative telecommunication technology.

Benefits of VoIP for Business

Here are some of the key benefits of VoIP communications that make them so important, popular, and desirable for businesses around the world.

  • Immense Scalability – The digital nature of VoIP communications makes it incredibly convenient and cost-effective to scale for any business.
  • Superior Call Quality – VoIP offers the best call quality because it does not experience the same interference, cross talk, or maintenance issues as analog or other wireless forms of communication.
  • Mobility and Portability – VoIP does not restrict you to a particular area. You can communicate from anywhere as long as you have a decent internet connection.
  • Lower Costs – Since data transmission over the Internet is so inexpensive, businesses don’t have to pay large phone bills or carrier bills for VoIP communications.
  • Advanced Features – VoIP enables advanced features like multitasking, conferencing, automatic call forwarding, virtual receptionist, call screening, voice to email, and much more.

Conclusion

The mentioned benefits of VoIP for business are present in both centralized and distributed VoIP systems. This means that regardless of the type of VoIP a business uses, they can take full advantage of the advanced features, low costs, mobility, scalability, and superior quality of phone calls over the Internet.

There is only a slight difference in how centralized vs. distributed VoIP functions to make phone calls possible. The important thing is to utilize this modern and innovative telecommunication technology to better your business operations.

We strongly recommend businesses in Florida consult the expert professionals at Communications Solutions Inc. in Jacksonville for customized solutions that suit their business needs.

If you want to learn more about centralized vs. distributed VoIP or deploy VoIP systems, networks, and hardware for your business, Contact Us Today.

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