Networks

Let me start by saying that I have not implemented any VoIP solutions.
However, what I do know is that you should use CAT5e Ethernet cables (or Cat6 if you can afford).

The other item is that in every place you plan to put a computer, run 2 CAT5e cables to that location. One cable will be for the computer, and the other one can be used for the VoIP phone.

If you are doing VoIP, Cisco is probably going to be on your list of potential vendors. With that in mind, I concur with the previous answer that you want to ensure that Cat5e is run to each of the locations you will have a phone/PC located. You actually only need one run, since most, if not all Cisco IP phones have a built in switch (one port on the back of the phone for connection to the PC). The other thing that you will like to look at is PoE (Power over Ethernet), so that you would not need to have AC Adapters (commonly referred to as Wall Warts) for each phone. The Cisco Catalyst 35xx series switches provide this, I believe.

For a totally fresh implementation, I would definitely consider Cisco as my first choice. In a few years, VoIP is going to be the only way that voice is carried (a traditional phone carrier (SBC) just announced that they are going to migrate to VoIP over the course of the next few years).

Cisco deals with specified partners in your area which are certified to implement their VoIP products specifically. This is different that the ordinary Cisco Partner program. For example, a company can be a Cisco Partner, but not be certified as a VoIP implementer.

As a competing technology vendor proposal, (and I always recommend that a company do this, rather than going wholly with one vendor's perspective in the discovery/data-gathering phase), I would recommend looking at Alcatel. They just released a VoIP product that also handles other network services (essentially it is a "network in a box"), and Alcatel is a mature VoIP vendor with a worldwide presence, particularly in Europe and South America. They have a presence, and are making further inroads, in the U.S.

If you are doing VoIP, Cisco is probably going to be on your list of potential vendors. With that in mind, I concur with the previous answer that you want to ensure that Cat5e is run to each of the locations you will have a phone/PC located. You actually only need one run, since most, if not all Cisco IP phones have a built in switch (one port on the back of the phone for connection to the PC). The other thing that you will like to look at is PoE (Power over Ethernet), so that you would not need to have AC Adapters (commonly referred to as Wall Warts) for each phone. The Cisco Catalyst 35xx series switches provide this, I believe.

For a totally fresh implementation, I would definitely consider Cisco as my first choice. In a few years, VoIP is going to be the only way that voice is carried (a traditional phone carrier (SBC) just announced that they are going to migrate to VoIP over the course of the next few years).

Cisco deals with specified partners in your area which are certified to implement their VoIP products specifically. This is different that the ordinary Cisco Partner program. For example, a company can be a Cisco Partner, but not be certified as a VoIP implementer.

As a competing technology vendor proposal, (and I always recommend that a company do this, rather than going wholly with one vendor's perspective in the discovery/data-gathering phase), I would recommend looking at Alcatel. They just released a VoIP product that also handles other network services (essentially it is a "network in a box"), and Alcatel is a mature VoIP vendor with a worldwide presence, particularly in Europe and South America. They have a presence, and are making further inroads, in the U.S.

I currently have VOIP at my location. When implementing you have to consider some things. Some VOIP phone's throughput is only 10Mbps, so if you do like someone suggested and plug them into the cat5E and then into the computer even though you have 100Mbps switch and 10/100Mbps computer, you are going through a 10Mbps phone thus only 10Mbps throughput. Another thing you have to think about is managing the network/phones. VLANs make your VOIP management easier. So if you want VLANs you have to have managed switches. If you have the money go with Cisco. Dell's managed switches are reasonablly priced. Good luck. Hope this gave you a little bit of insight.

Cisco and Alcatel have been mentioned. But don't overlook Avaya (used to be Lucent). Used to use a Lucent Definity pre VOIP and now have an Avaya VOIP solution here. They are a VERY well respected name in the telephony field.

Get a professional job done on the wiring.

Also consider having the phones in their own
VLAN. And if you want to play around with a voip
PBX first you can allways try out Asterisk.
You just need a PC for plain Voip, extra
hardware is only needed when you want to bridge
thgap to ISDN or POTS.
(http://asterisk.org)

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