VOIP and Documents Contributed by ECAR

This research bulletin discusses the evolving architectural models for open source IP telephony. It focuses on institutional rationale, risks, and advantages associated with open source IP telephony models that range from the unsupported, downloadable software PBX to the turnkey, commercial-grade, ready-for-service supported PBX.

It has been widely assumed that next generation "phone systems" will be based on Internet Protocol private branch exchanges (IP-PBXs). The ever-increasing ubiquity of IP networks can improve upon the current environment of disparate communications systems. To plan for an integrated real-time communications environment, IT staff will need to become well-acquainted with unified communications (UC) systems, enterprise application integration, service provider IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), fixed mobile convergence, service provider application integration, public IM systems evolution, federation between systems, and the future of Skype. This Burton document analyzes the recent developments in converged communications, and recommends next steps.

In 2002–03, the State University of New York College at Cortland (SUNY Cortland) became the first institution in the 64-member SUNY system to deploy a converged IP-based network. This case study examines the motivating factors, technology choices, implementation strategies, and results of SUNY Cortland's award-winning effort. In addition to detailing the technical issues associated with this deployment, this case discusses the implementation of new call center capabilities enabled by the IP network in key SUNY Cortland functional offices.

This ECAR research study is designed to illuminate a host of current network management practices related to IT in higher education; opportunities for connectivity to external networks; the institutional context of organization, leadership, and management; current and emerging technologies and converged networks; and the future of networking. The study is based on five major research initiatives: a literature review; consultation with the EDUCAUSE Net@EDU Integrated Communications Solutions Working Group; survey responses from 517 chief information officers and network directors in higher education; qualitative interviews with 12 higher education leaders about their view of the future of IT networking in higher education; and three in-depth cases studies involving four U.S. institutions and SURF, a Dutch higher education and research partnership.

This ECAR roadmap is designed to illuminate a host of current network management practices related to IT in higher education; opportunities for connectivity to external networks; the institutional context of organization, leadership and management; current emerging technologies and converged networks; and the future of networking. The roadmap is based on five major research initiatives: a literature review, consultation with the EDUCAUSE Net@EDU Integrated Communications Solutions Working Group, survey responses from 517 chief information officers and network directors in higher education, qualitative interviews with 12 higher education leaders about their view of the future of IT networking in higher education, and three in-depth cases studies involving four U.S. institutions and SURF, a Dutch higher education and research partnership.

This ECAR research study is designed to illuminate a host of current network management practices related to IT in higher education; opportunities for connectivity to external networks; the institutional context of organization, leadership and management; current emerging technologies and converged networks; and the future of networking. The study is based on five major research initiatives: a literature review, consultation with the EDUCAUSE Net@EDU Integrated Communications Solutions Working Group, survey responses from 517 chief information officers and network directors in higher education, qualitative interviews with 12 higher education leaders about their view of the future of IT networking in higher education, and three in-depth cases studies involving four U.S. institutions and SURF, a Dutch higher education and research partnership.

"After the Bust: Service Provider Evolution in a New Era" is a Research Report prepared by Burton Group, an ECAR partner. It is available to ECAR subscribers through special arrangement. This substantial report describes the turmoil in which the national and international telecommunications industry finds itself today: the history, trends, taxonomy, issues, recommendations, and evolutionary future. It is designed to assist managers and network engineers in their efforts to navigate the landscape and understand the complex and confusing world of the telecommunications service providers. Burton Group (www.burtongroup.com) provides technically in-depth research and advisory services for colleges and universities, government agencies, and commercial enterprises. Burton Group's practical and unbiased research and advice helps technologists make smart IT infrastructure decisions in increasingly complex environments. Burton Group covers directories, identity management, application platforms, architecture, and network and telecom infrastructure topics.