There are plenty of applications that rely on a network for its operation. Applications can effect network performance and, conversely network performance can effect applications. So a careful prioritization has to be implemented so as to maintain a perfect balance between user experience and running cost.
Historically when considering the interaction between the network and applications that ran on the network, bandwidth was the main concern. Batch applications such as FTP, TFTP and other large updates are initiated by a user and then run to completion by the software without any further human interaction. Because of this type of operation, bandwidth was important but not critical as long as the time it took to complete was within tolerable limits. Interactive applications which query and updates database require more human interaction. The user will request the server for some type of information and then has to wait for the reply. In such cases, bandwidth became more important as users tend to get impatient if the network is too slow. However because response time was more dependent on the server rather than the network, bandwidth was still not a critical factor. In most cases, Quality of Service (QoS) features could overcome bandwidth limitations by giving interactive applications preference over batch applications.
However, with the advent of the new generation real time applications like VoIP and video applications, the human interaction involved increased dramatically. Because of the amount of information that is transmitted, bandwidth has become critical. In addition, because these real time applications are time critical, latency or delay through the network is also critical. In this case, not only proper bandwidth is mandatory but the good Quality of Service is also mandatory. VoIP and Video applications are given highest priority.
This means that installing a VoIP system to an existing network could drastically effect the network performance. Proper planning and intelligent design is the only solution to this problem.
Historically when considering the interaction between the network and applications that ran on the network, bandwidth was the main concern. Batch applications such as FTP, TFTP and other large updates are initiated by a user and then run to completion by the software without any further human interaction. Because of this type of operation, bandwidth was important but not critical as long as the time it took to complete was within tolerable limits. Interactive applications which query and updates database require more human interaction. The user will request the server for some type of information and then has to wait for the reply. In such cases, bandwidth became more important as users tend to get impatient if the network is too slow. However because response time was more dependent on the server rather than the network, bandwidth was still not a critical factor. In most cases, Quality of Service (QoS) features could overcome bandwidth limitations by giving interactive applications preference over batch applications.
However, with the advent of the new generation real time applications like VoIP and video applications, the human interaction involved increased dramatically. Because of the amount of information that is transmitted, bandwidth has become critical. In addition, because these real time applications are time critical, latency or delay through the network is also critical. In this case, not only proper bandwidth is mandatory but the good Quality of Service is also mandatory. VoIP and Video applications are given highest priority.
This means that installing a VoIP system to an existing network could drastically effect the network performance. Proper planning and intelligent design is the only solution to this problem.
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