*VoIP and softswitching: technical challenges, proven solutions *State-of-the-art testing techniques for ensuring superior QoS *Key design approaches for MPLS and differentiated services *Covers protocols, topologies, and call flows *By the author of the best-selling IP Telephony The in-depth, up-to-the-minute technical guide to developing and deploying IP-based telephony. This is a complete, in-depth technical guide to the challenges associated with building and deploying Voice over IP (VoIP) networks using softswitch technologies-and today's best solutions. Bill Douskalis, author of the best-selling IP Telephony, reviews the entire current state of the art in protocols for signaling, media transport, and network engineering-and presents expert guidance on designing telephony solutions that meet the needs of both carriers and customers.Coverage includes: *New scenarios for design of VoIP networks based on Class 4 and Class 5 softswitch network technology *Designing for performance and interoperability: challenges, examples, and comparisons of potential solutions *Protocols of the new converged networks and design requirements for seamless integration of softswitch applications with the PSTN *Call flows for SIP, H. 323, MGCP, and Megaco *Testing tips to ensure consistently high QoS in voiceband applications *MPLS and IP differentiated services in VoIP networks: key roles and integration issues Nobody has more experience implementing VoIP in large-scale networks than Bill Douskalis-and no book offers more insight for real-world VoIP design, construction, and deployment. "The book is very well written and provides the practical information on all aspects of a VoIP network in the ever-changing field of communication technologies." -Dr. Tushar Bhattacharjee, AT&T, Polytechnic University of New York