How to converge voice and IT networks

When it comes to melding voice and data networks, it's all about scaling up on many fronts, including quality of service, cycle times, reliability, and performance. But that's just one facet, according to an IP expert. Laying down a converged IP network also requires monitoring on a day-to-day basis, advises Hossein Eslambolchi, CIO and CTO at AT&T. Successful convergence of technologies lies in avoiding the 10 most typical pitfalls.

The first is the mistake of putting the security focus at the edge of the network. Another is a lack of open standards and protocols. Then there's a failure to ensure that the IP network put in place can support the traffic requirements of the enterprise -- now and into the future. While everything is about VoIP right now, Eslambolchi notes how networks also should be prepped to handle services over IP (SoIP). Another major pitfall is the decision not to merge networks in the convergence effort. There has to be interoperability among the legacy systems and the newly created IP networks to gain true convergence.

For more on building a strong IP converged network:
- see this InformationWeek article