Rating:  Summary: Good Protocol Coverage Review: This book provides excellent technical examples on how to configure Cisco VoIP products. The last chapter also includes information on the new AVVID IP phones. Information that I have been looking for. Also, valuable information that I haven't been able to find elsewhere such as how WFQ is not optimal for VoIP QOS and how CBWFQ and IP RTP Priority solve this problem. Good coverage of QOS concepts.
Rating:  Summary: Good Intro for Those New to VoIP Review: This book will provide a good starting point for those starting the configuration of Cisco voice features. There is decent coverage on topics that I have found little information elsewhere such as the FAX->SMTP gateway features. Chapter 4 is the most valuable portion of this text. The examples in Chapter 4 which illustrate how ip precedence impacts the weight assigned in the WFQ model I also found helpful. In addition formulas included which illustrate how the router calculates these weights helped greatly. The chapter on AVVID is a bit dated already but will provide a good intro.
Rating:  Summary: Good Intro to Cisco Voice Review: This book will provide a good starting point for those starting the configuration of Cisco voice features. There is decent coverage on topics that I have found little information elsewhere such as the FAX->SMTP gateway features. Chapter 4 is the most valuable portion of this text. The examples in Chapter 4 which illustrate how ip precedence impacts the weight assigned in the WFQ model I also found helpful. In addition formulas included which illustrate how the router calculates these weights helped greatly. The chapter on AVVID is a bit dated already but will provide a good intro.
Rating:  Summary: Some VoIP Info, but a lot of other info. Review: This book would be better suited towards a manager's view where justification, ROI calculation and broad knowledge base is necessary. There is a lot of data on the H.323 standards in this book, which I found lacking in the another book like it. I come from the technical/implementation standpoint and have found that ISBN 0-07-134777-1 was better written towards my view. Networking is complex, details are everything, one error can cause the whole thing to fail. Technical detail should be of utmost importance in a book titled "Configuring Cisco VoIP" The text appears to be a compilation of data from various sources. This is like many other technical books, but this book is compiled sloppily. There are many grammatical and technical errors, such as data missing from tables. This made it hard for me to read and trust the information presented. One example, page 98, states that the E&M ports support all types of signalling. The chart on the next page clearly states (correctly) that type IV is not currently supported by Cisco products; a poorly-reviewed cut/paste error that a competent non-technical review should catch. There are other examples I could share. Over 100 pages (over 20% of the book) are dedicated IPv6 Appendices, which not very relevant to configuring today's VoIP. Such depth would be better used in a book whose subject IS IPv6. Additionally, the book seems to be "padded" with extraneous info such as how modem compression doesn't work with zip/gif/jpg files and predictions about the future path of the technology (good info, but this is a book about CONFIGURING VoIP). As far as technical information authority, the author does not have the CCNP or CCIE certifications (yet?).
Rating:  Summary: Impressed Review: This is a very impressive work. It is obvious that these authors have spent countless hours not only researching but configuring and troubleshooting VoIP systems
Rating:  Summary: Great Information of VoIP and Protocols Review: This is the book that I have been looking for. The first chapter of the book provides a good high level business justification for VoIP in the enterprise and then quickly launches into a background on the technology. Intricate detail on the particulars of H.323, SIP and MGCP. The following configuration chapters also clearly presented the concepts using examples and sample config files. Highly recommended for anyone considering a VoIP deployment. VoIP will be included on the CCIE as well.
Rating:  Summary: Good Intro for Those New to VoIP Review: While this isn't the end and be all book on VoIP it provides a good foundation for getting starting on the voice features in Cisco routers. For those of you that have to justify integrating VoIP into your network the first chapter covers some of the business reasons for doing so. The coverage on the different QOS methods I found helpful. Understanding the difference between WFQ and CBWFQ and why one should use the latter helped. The configuration examples were great, I just wish that there were more included.
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