Voice over IP: Systems and Solutions
Provides an extensive look at Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and its effects on the communications industry.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Voice over IP: Systems and Solutions
Chapter 14: VoIP Clearinghouses and the Open Settlement Protocol
R H Brennan and R P Swale
14.1 Introduction
The Internet is the largest public IP network today. From its earliest days, and as a consequence of its design and development, it has had to develop specific models for the interconnection and exchange of traffic between the physical networks from which it is constructed. From the point of view of engineering VoIP network solutions, it is important to consider these approaches and contrast them with the requirements of interconnecting existing voice network services. In particular, it is essential to appreciate how the technical and commercial options that have been used for the Internet may enable or inhibit particular VoIP services. This chapter considers these issues and describes how the VoIP clearinghouse approach has emerged as one particular solution. It concludes with a consideration of the technologies used to build clearinghouse solutions and highlights some of the design considerations that need to be taken into account.
14.1.1 Network Model of the Internet
The Internet comprises a hierarchical collection of IP networks; it is through the interconnection of such networks that the Internet is able to achieve both its global reach and scale.
From a service provider's point of view, Metcalfe's Law which suggests that the value of a network is proportional to the square of the sum of the connected nodes has become the core underlying principle that continues to fuel its growth. Put more simply, the more users you can attract on to your network, the more desirable...
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