IP Migration | IP VPN Benefits and Steps to IP Migration

IP migration trend is continuing as more and more business are now pursuing the convergence path with migration to IP telephony and VoIP. Over the past 5 years IP VPN has become the standard for wide-area network (WAN) deployment. Australian businesses now entrust IP VPNs with sensitive financial and client data as well as new-generation applications such as teleconferencing, videoconferencing and unified messaging, which makes voice, email, video and fax messages available from a single inbox.

IP Migration |  IP VPN benefits

• IP has QoS functionality that FR does not. QoS is a key feature that can help improve the network’s efficiency and enable certain real-time applications.
• IP technology can be used on a variety of services, transport types, and interface types and speeds.
• Integration of VPN and internet protocols in an intranet or extranet, which allow companies to share information in a controlled, isolated environment.
• Reliable IP routing provides increased flexibility, which helps reduce the network administrative burden for the users.
• Frame Relay and IP VPN services can work together seamlessly to deliver an evolutionary path that allows network managers to implement changes at a pace based on their business needs and network plans.
• The any-to-any connectivity inherent in an IP VPN can greatly simplify network topology by eliminating the need to manage multiple Frame Relay networks.
• IP VPNs can help extend the life of CPE by reducing the load on existing frame routers that have had to manage increasing number of PVCs as the network grew in the old FR environment. Continued utilization of existing network investments
• Cost control that is derived from the technological and operational efficiencies of an IP VPN
• Simplification of support requirements
• Creation of a simple and securely isolated logical mesh network configuration

Real-time applications such as voice and video require strong, reliable service.
IP VPN solutions allow you to:

• Obtain comprehensive reporting for network utilisation and application performance and predict network utilisation trends.
• Reduce the complexity of provisioning and managing WAN and remote site connections.
• Deliver business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities.
• Access greater bandwidth at lower cost.
• Implement flexible converged solutions that improve productivity.
• Prioritise the performance of bandwidth-hungry applications while ensuring the delivery of less critical traffic.
• Enable staff to work from home and access corporate IT resources while on the road.

Nine steps to IP Migration

1. Preparation, self-analysis and planning
2. Create a consistent approach to network directory details.
3. Ensure you size your network to handle all traffic types (e.g. Real time voice, video and data) and headroom for traffic growth
4. Application integration
5. Security consideration (especially for connectivity to the internet, remote and wireless access)
6. If you are planning for a VoIP migration, establish base line cost for both PSTN and IP trunks and tie-lines (you may need to retain components of the old system to support the new system until it is deemed sufficiently reliable).
7. Determine if your Local Area Network and Wide Area Networks are capable of handling the load. Look at power considerations for devices on the LAN.
8. Deploy a back-up service in the event of network problems. Also consider Quality of Service and security.
9. Seek advice from network experts if required.

Macquarie Telecom has proven technical and project management experience to take customer through the journey of migration, from traditional frame relay or leased line data network migration to IP-VPN, and to the future platform of Unified Communications to enable collaborative applications to be deployed to enhance productivity and business effectiveness.

Contact us today to discuss how we can assist your business with IP Migration.