There are many ways to set up a VoIP system. One of the
advantages of VoIP is the flexibility it affords businesses who can
configure it to suit their needs. One such architecture is the proxy
server which has seen widespread use and is becoming more and more
prevalent especially with the SIP protocol growing in popularity. But it
is by no means the only method. Skype famously uses a distributed and
decentralized solution for its proprietary protocol. In this article, we
look at a few benefits of using a VoIP proxy server and why it makes
sense to choose one.
Security
The security implications of VoIP are still being discovered. Even though most professional businesses implement best practices in their firms, VoIP is still a new technology and it will be some time before we understand the various backdoors and exploits. Unfortunately, VoIP as a communication system is designed to talk to people outside your network and this can be dangerous. A proxy server sits between you and the person on the other end of the call. This means any attack has to first penetrate this line of defense. If you're using a hosted PBX VoIP system, you can be sure that the ITSP has activated advanced security on the server since that's their specialty. The end result is that your own systems are protected from attacks and the proxy acts as a sort of firewall for your organization.
Accessibility
A proxy server also improves the ease with which you can use your company's VoIP service to make calls no matter where in the world you are. Access to the proxy is provided via a username and password and authenticated users can utilize any Internet connection to make calls via any Internet enabled device including mobile phones.
Administrators can also easily monitor suspicious activity in one place by checking the log files of the server. They can enforce procedures such as regular password changing in order to harden the system to attacks and ensure its integrity. The proxy server system also allows you to use your own applications instead of just the ones which your ITSP provides you with. As long as an application is able to communicate with the proxy server using well defined standard protocols, it should be easy to choose your own software to connect with.
This ties in nicely with the philosophy of VoIP which emphasizes choice above all else. A proxy server is the perfect complement to such a system and keeps users protected as well.
Security
The security implications of VoIP are still being discovered. Even though most professional businesses implement best practices in their firms, VoIP is still a new technology and it will be some time before we understand the various backdoors and exploits. Unfortunately, VoIP as a communication system is designed to talk to people outside your network and this can be dangerous. A proxy server sits between you and the person on the other end of the call. This means any attack has to first penetrate this line of defense. If you're using a hosted PBX VoIP system, you can be sure that the ITSP has activated advanced security on the server since that's their specialty. The end result is that your own systems are protected from attacks and the proxy acts as a sort of firewall for your organization.
Accessibility
A proxy server also improves the ease with which you can use your company's VoIP service to make calls no matter where in the world you are. Access to the proxy is provided via a username and password and authenticated users can utilize any Internet connection to make calls via any Internet enabled device including mobile phones.
Administrators can also easily monitor suspicious activity in one place by checking the log files of the server. They can enforce procedures such as regular password changing in order to harden the system to attacks and ensure its integrity. The proxy server system also allows you to use your own applications instead of just the ones which your ITSP provides you with. As long as an application is able to communicate with the proxy server using well defined standard protocols, it should be easy to choose your own software to connect with.
This ties in nicely with the philosophy of VoIP which emphasizes choice above all else. A proxy server is the perfect complement to such a system and keeps users protected as well.
Bhagwad is an expert consultant on Hosted SIP PBX Servers. He also specializes in Mobile VoIP Servers.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bhagwad_Park
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