Specifications

Chapter 1. Introduction

This section provides a brief overview of the telephony marketplace and of the

IBM Voice over Frame Relay (VoFR) solution.

The IBM Voice over Frame Relay solution allows you to integrate voice

applications seamlessly into your existing frame relay network infrastructure. A

typical application of the IBM VoFR solution will include two or more branch

offices communicating with the corporate headquarters over a public frame relay

network. Prior to the implementation of the IBM VoFR solution, the PBXs in the

branches only had trunks to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). All

calls placed between corporate offices were carried over the PSTN with the

corresponding access and long distance charges.

With the IBM VoFR solution in place, the calls between the branches and the

headquarters offices can be carried over the frame relay network.

1.1 Standards-Based Transport over Frame Relay

The IBM solution is fully compliant with the Frame Relay Forum FRF.11 and

FRF.12 Implementation agreements. FRF.11 allows voice packets to be

transported across the frame relay network. FRF.12 allows the network to be

shared by both voice and data applications by segmenting large data packets into

smaller chunks, thereby eliminating excessive delay for the voice traffic.

1.2 IBM 9783 Voice FRAD

The IBM 9783 is a Voice Frame Relay Access Device (VFRAD). It is the Access

Plus F200 of Nuera Communications, Incorporated being remarketed by IBM. It is

a sophisticated voice FRAD with bundled call processing capabilities. This device

allows you to "switch" voice traffic over the frame relay network. This device

allows you to place branch-to-branch calls over the frame relay network. This

reduces your hardware implementation costs in high-end PBX switches and it

also provides superior voice quality by eliminating the tandem compression that

you would experience if you used several PBXs for this function.

1.3 IBM 2212 Access Utility

The 2212 is the key element in providing both voice and data support in the

branch offices. The 2212 supports a very robust set of multiprotocol routing

functions and a wide variety of connectivity options. It also supports voice

functions. The IBM 2212 Access Utility supports three types of voice adapters

that allow you to attach voice equipment directly to the router. These three new

Compact PCI (CPCI) adapters contain state-of-the-art DSP chips and cover a

variety of analog voice connectivity requirements. The three adapter types are:

• FXS -- for connection to a single telephone handset or a fax machine

• FXO -- for connection to an analog PBX or a key system

• E&M -- for connection to an analog PBX or a key system