Networks must be ready for UC

Unified communications (UC) can only be deployed if the underlying network is ready, according to an expert.

John Bartlett, principal of consultancy at NetForecast, told the Interop New York 2008 conference that switches, routers and bandwidth must all be up to scratch to use the technology, reports Network World.

He also pointed out that businesses were really starting to take on new media like video.

"We're at a tipping point for video where enterprises are seeing it as a critical new tool that they can use. Part of it is the network finally being ready to support these applications," he said.

However, there are some important things to check on the network, including if the bandwidth can handle the video carriage.

But companies should not rely on average utilisation as a measurement of dataflow behaviour because it doesn't compensate for peak bursting periods.

Mr Bartlett said: "Average utilisation is lying to you about what's happening in the network. When data wants 100 per cent of the link, we have a conflict there."