Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is VoIP?
A: VoIP is a means of transmitting analog voice signals over digital networks. Instead of your voice being transmitted over traditional analog phone lines, your calls with VoIP are now being routed through your existing networking equipment and travel over the Internet Protocol. By using this new technology has dramatically saved businesses and residential customers money and cut costs by installing VoIP hardware instead of using traditional telephone lines that accumulate expensive long distance charges.

Q: Does VoIP require me to have a fast internet connection?
A: Unfortunately dial-up internet connections are not fast enough for VoIP. Usually a reliable broadband internet connection such as DSL or Cable is far plenty enough to suffice the high quality VoIP.  The minimum bandwidth required for VoIP differs on the codecs used.  Uncompressed codecs known as G.711 uses 87.2Kbps down and 87.2Kbps up. It's recommended to reserve about 100Kbps down and 100Kbps up per concurrent call in your QoS device to prevent any bandwidth consumption that would interfere with the quality for each concurrent call.

Q: What's Redundancy?
A: Redundancy is a means that data will not be lost because of a hardware failure. Our engineers have taken the necessary precautions and security measures by implementing certified redundancy equipment such as Hotswap Power Supplies, Raid Storage, Clustering, Battery Back ups, and Dual Diesel Power Generators.

Q: What's a Computer Network?
A: A network is a collection of computers and devices connected to each other by routers, gateways or switches. The network allows computers to communicate with each other and share resources and information. The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) designed "Advanced Research Projects Agency Network" (ARPANET) for the United States Department of Defense. It was the first computer network in the world in late 1960's and early 1970's

Q: What's Wireless Networking and what are the benefits of using wireless networking?
A: Wireless networks offers advantages and disadvantages compared to a wired network. Advantages of wireless include mobility and elimination of the cable tie down and there is also disadvantages of wireless include the potential for radio interference due to weather, other wireless devices, or obstructions like walls and buildings.  Security over the years for Wireless has improved but the advanced novice user can gain access to your wireless device if you don't have the appropriate security measures put into place.

Q: What does QoS mean?
A: QoS is an abbreviated word for Quality of Service which refers to resource reservation control mechanisms than the achieved service quality. In the field of computer networking, it refers to the ability to provide different prioritization to delicate and non delicate applications, users, or data flow controls by guaranteeing a certain level of performance to that particular application or data flow.

Q: Why does my Windows Operating system one day go fast and the others go really slow?
A: As you start downloading and adding more and more data, program files, or images, you will dramatically notice the performance depreciation in your computers daily operation. To improve the performance of the computer is truly based on your daily activities of that computer, such as memory extensive programs, downloading, or programs that use a lot of your system resources. Usually you can increase your memory, hard drive space, graphics or computer processor to the require hardware and software specifications provided to you by the manufacturer.

Q: What's a firewall and do I really need it?
A: A firewall is a secure and trusted software or hardware device that sits between a private network and the public internet. The firewall is configured with a set of rules that determine which network traffic will be allowed to pass through and which will be blocked or refused. Firewalls work as filters to prevent hackers, brute force, and denial of service attacks to the computers connected to the private network. It is highly recommended that you have an Firewall software or hardware installed before going online and browsing the internet.

Q: What's the purpose of an Antivirus Software and shall I purchase it?
A: An Anti-Virus program is a piece of software that is installed on your computer so that you will be alerted immediately when you have or may have a suspicious virus. Anti-Virus softwares are use to help keep your computer safe from worms, viruses, Trojan horses, and many other uninvited applications that may harm your computer or steal your identity. It is highly recommended that you have an Anti-Virus software installed before going online and browsing the internet.

Q: What is a Computer Virus? How did I get it and how do I decrease my chances of geting one?
A: Computer viruses are small software programs that are specifically designed to spread from on computer to another and also to interfere with the computers normal operations usually to gain access.  A virus can corrupt, delete or alter your computer, use your e-mail program to spread itself to other computers, or even erase everything on your hard disk.  Viruses are mainly spread by attachments in e-mail messages or instant message. To help prevent yourself from being infected with these malicious viruses is to keep your computer current with the latest critical updates and antivirus tools.

Q: How do I protect myself from Identity theft and internet fraud?
A: Never give out your personal information (Social Security number, PINs, credit card numbers, etc.) or grant permission to set up accounts, user names or passwords that provide access to your funds to anyone whom you are not personally familiar with whether online, by telephone or in person. There are extra necessary precautions that are also needed to protect your identity when browsing online is to purchase a well known, up-to-date Firewall and Antivirus software with Identity theft prevention and make sure you have it installed correctly.