The Internet and enterprise intranets are an extremely complex mediums that use routers, switches, hubs and bridges to transport data/voice/video to and from anywhere in the Internet/Intranet community. Over the years, the Internet/Intranet has evolved to the point where it combines elements of telecommunication, computing, commerce, publishing and other informational services into a revolutionary and new model for global communication.

The Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN) for decades have been the primary carriers of voice communication and the providers of leased line service for data networks. However, in today’s networking, there are several attractive alternatives to the conventional Public Switched Telephone Network. Among the most interesting are the networking technologies based on a different kind of voice transmission called packet voice. Unlike the Public Switched Telephone Network, which is circuit-switched, the Internet/Intranet is packet-switched; communication on the Internet/Intranet is accomplished by sending small packets of data back and forth. In addition to the data itself, each packet contains an address to ensure that it is routed to the correct destination. The data, of course, can be just about anything, including voice and video.

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS), because of its participation in a statewide ATM network, is in a unique position to take advantage of packet switching by creating a Voice Over ATM solution or a Voice Over IP solution. Either solution would allow internal voice traffic to traverse the VCCS IP network, while the external voice traffic would continue to traverse the public phone system for off net voice traffic. Thereby, reducing or eliminating all long distance phone charges among the Colleges and the System Office, and reduce or eliminate tie line and trunk line cost between college campuses.

The VCCS has determined because of several key business requirements to pursue multiple pilot projects using the Voice over the Network technology. The web pages that follow document many of the projects and provide some useful information for those who may be considering deploying this technology.