Enhancing Network Infrastructure
As we noted for both IP telephony and IP-based video-conferencing, creating an
AVVID-enabled network requires a great deal of new equipment. Depending on
the needs of the network in question you will most likely be adding devices such
as CallManager servers, IP telephones,WebAttendant consoles, video gateways,
gatekeepers, MCUs,VTAs, and endpoints. All of these devices (and more) are very
necessary to make AVVID a reality for your network. In fact, they require even
more additions. Several enhancements also need to be made to your existing
infrastructure, such as specialized router interfaces and specialized switch cards. As
we discussed before, we must blur the line between our voice and data networks.
Here at Layer 2 (the access layer) of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)
model and Layer 3 (the network layer), where data has always reigned as the
proverbial king, we must now make our infrastructure voice and data friendly—a
shared kingdom of sorts. Previously, we’ve focused on the upper layers; now we’ll
discuss the Layer 2 and Layer 3 devices that will make our new type of network
a reality.