Dial backup

Last Updated : Nov 05, 2012 |

One cost-effective technique for installing backup WAN links is to use dial backup. This can be done using either ISDN-BRI or analog lines. ISDN lines typically take 2 s to connect, while 56-kbps analog modems take approximately 1 min. Although this strategy is effective for data traffic, it is less effective for voice. First, the bandwidth may have been greatly reduced. If this is the case, the number of voice channels that can be supported might have been reduced proportionally. Also, if QoS is not properly applied to the backup interface, high packet loss and jitter can adversely affect voice quality. Finally, the time that is required to establish the new link can be up to 1 minute, which disrupts active calls. However, providing that these considerations are taken into account, proper QoS is applied, and a compressed codec is chosen, dial backup can be an effective solution for two to four users.