Basics of Unified Communications (BUC)

Course Overview

This five-day course is intended to be a technical introduction to Unified Communications and converged Internet Protocol Networks. The course presents an incremental approach to designing, deploying and supporting an IT infrastructure for Unified Communications. The range of topics includes network technologies, Virtual LANs, Ethernet, Frame-Relay, MAC Addresses, IP Addresses and TCP/IP. The discussion encompasses not only these topics but also how they specifically relate to the successful operation of a complex converged network as typically used in most corporate enterprise environments today. The class will introduce the technologies used to create a robust and reliable IT infrastructure and incrementally build on UC concepts throughout the week to finally incorporate full interoperability to legacy Telecom devices and the VoIP components. Students will get hands-on experience and practice with TCP/IP design and sub supernetting. Additionally, students will be given hands-on exercises with Cisco Router Configuration and Cisco Unified Communications Manager 6.x (formerly Cisco CallManager) and the support of legacy Analog Telecom and Cisco IP Telephones.

Target Audience

The target audience for this course includes anyone who needs to gain a basic understanding of VOIP: individuals with strictly a PBX or Telecom Service Provider background; individuals with a fundamental data networking background who are moving into the area of converged networks; individuals who are new to supporting data networking projects such as someone with a Project Management or Business Administration background.

Prerequisites

  • Basic computer literacy
  • Basic windows navigation skills
  • Basic Internet usage skills
  • Basic e-mail usage skills

Course Objectives

  • Describe how various networks including Ethernet, Frame Relay, and MPLS function
  • Describe network addressing including MAC, IP, and DLCI
  • Describe networking and network protocols in the TCP/IP suite
  • Describe networking equipment and its use including IP and Analog Phones, Cisco Routers,and Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UCM)
  • Describe telephony and signaling, comparing TDM and VoIP
  • Describe VOIP signaling protocols including H.323, SCCP, and MGCP
  • Describe how to ensure Voice Quality on IP networks utilizing Quality of Service
  • Navigate the Command Line Interface on a Cisco Router
  • Configure Cisco Router “dial-peer” to support working VOIP environment
  • Add and integrate a Cisco IP Phone to interoperate with legacy equipment.