OK – Here are the responses to the questions I presented in my last posting:

1.)  When choosing a voice T-1 what are the advantages of a PRI over an advanced or basic DSS T-1?

An Advanced T has DID (Direct Inward Dial) number capability, but can’t pass caller ID, and a Basic T can pass caller ID but doesn’t use DID numbers.  A PRI Voice T is the cadillac of T’s, it can pass caller ID information and also use DID numbers.

2.)  Why would a company implement a WAN using MPLS when they want to install an IP/PBX at all of their branches?

IP/PBX uses VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology.  Voice becomes an application like any other on a WAN – and it must be prioritized.  Voice for many customers is the highest priority.  In other words, when you’re working in your office would you notice it if the phone stopped working or was garbled?  Of course you would.  And most likely you wouldn’t tolerate it – you would call your phone support group or IT group and yell at them to fix it ASAP or you’ll ……(just kidding, but this can be a very frustrating thing for folks).  Voice must be prioritized ahead of data packets so we use a technology called MPLS along with CoS and QoS to insure that the voice packets on a IP/PBX are passed throught the WAN ahead of any other traffic.

3.)  How would SIP trunking (SIP service) help me expand my business?

If you wanted a presence in tim-buck-2 but didn’t want to open a physical office there, many of the carriers can (through SIP) give you a fully usable phone line in tim-buck-2 so that everyone there thinks you have an office.  But really the calls will come right back to the office you now work out of.

4.)   Is wireless Internet better than a land based MOE Internet connection?  What are the advantages of each?

Wireless Internet access has the advantage of speed when it comes to the installation interval.  Many wireless connections can be put into place within a week to 10 days from the time you say “go”.  They also avoid the cost of the “last mile” or local loop that you’ll get from your LEC or local exchange carrier so the monthly cost ends up being less.  A MOE or metro optical ethernet connection is a land based Internet service.  Nothing can replace this type of connection for pure speed.  Many customers can now get a 5 or 10Mb connection to the Internet from carriers like Qwest, Level 3 or XO.  The drag of a MOE-like connection is the lengthy qualification and installation interval.  Standard interval for this service ranges from 60-240 days depending upon what construction might have to take place.  Pricing is competitive and ranges between $140-180/Mb even with a local loop.

5.)  What are the best strategies for implementing account codes on my long distance account?

Account codes allow you to manage your long distance calls.  Before a long distance call goes out, callers will be prompted for a code – usually between 2 and 6 digits.  When the bill comes you’ll get a breakdown of calls by that code.  This comes in handy for controlling your long distance calling cost, or many companies use these for billing back customers or projects.  Lawyers love account codes!

6.)  Many carriers offer Integrated VoIP  T-1s – what is the fewest number of lines that a small business owner can get with a single dynamic T-1?

At this point in time Paetec allows you to have a dynamic Integrated T-1 with 4 voice lines and the rest of the bandwidth reserved for data (or to get out to the Internet) for $370.00/month.

7.)  What does DID stand for as it relates to a voice T-1?

DID stands for “Dreaming in Denver”, just kidding, it’s actually “Direct Inward Dial” – when using either an advanced or PRI (Private Rate Interface ISDN) voice T-1 DID numbers are used and given to each employee to be their own personal office number.  Traditionally offices had a main switch board operator that took all incomming calls then transferred those calls to the employees within the company.  With DID everyone can get their own personal calls from outside to ring directly to their desk.  This eliminated the need for many companies to have a front desk person taking all calls.  Now Don Draper can take his own calls directly.

8.)  How many layers are there in the OSI Reference Model?

The Open Systems Interconnection Reference Model has 7 layers.  Many of us in IT today utilize this model to discuss computer network protocol design.  If you’re caught talking about this at a cocktail party you need to distance yourself from your peers.  Have another martini!

9.)  Which country has the best average Internet connectivity speeds?

The average household/business in South Korea gets approximately 12 Mb of bandwidth to the Internet – in the US right now we average about 2 Mb for every household and business.  We really need to catch up -

10.)  What is the difference between a /30 and a /24?

In technical speak, when you ask for a /30 you are asking for 4 static IP addresses, a /24 would be considered a “class C” address or 256 addresses.

How did you do?