RoIP Options

RoIP connectivity methods compared: unicast, multicast, SIP.

A side-by-side comparison of the four ways to carry radio over IP - advantages, disadvantages and network requirements for IT teams and systems integrators.

Omnicore Enterprise Dispatch System - Suite | Omnitronics

RoIP Options

IP Connectivity Methods

There are a number of IP connectivity methods to connect Radios over IP, depending on your IP network. The table below explains the Advantages and Disadvantages of each of the methods.

Unlike many competing products, the Omnitronics Range of IP Gateways support all the below connectivity methods. Contact Us if you have any questions about your particular network requirements.

White Paper

Understanding RoIP Networks

Radio over IP differs from Voice over IP technology in a variety of ways. This White Paper explains those differences and the various considerations the IT team and systems integrators need to understand in order to create effective RoIP networks that meet their needs.

Free Download

Connection Method

Unicast Real Time Protocal (RTP)

Advantages

Constantly connected - if the IP link fails at any time, it can be immediately detected by the console software and warn the user
Can be used over the internet - as it can be configured to work via Network Address Translation (NAT)

Disadvantages

Requires static IP addresses for all parts - there could be additional cost from the IT service providers as Dynamic Addressing is not used
Limited operator positions - due to the point to point nature of the protocol
Greater configuration of end devices - especially when multiple transmit designations are required

Multicast RTP

Advantages

Constantly connected
Bandwidth efficiency – more voice path can be transported over the same IP network than other
Simplified configuration through the use of dynamic IP (DHCP)
Supports more consoles & end points on the same IP network

Disadvantages

Won’t work over the internet - LAN/WANT only
Complex setup - many IT administrators will not allow multicasting schemes over the LAN or WAN
All network devices need to support multicast - this could be costly and time consuming
Difficult to identify potential problems when used with more than a single unmanaged switch on a LAN

Secession Initiated Protocol (SIP)

Advantages

Connected only when required - the IP network is freed up to be used by other devices thereby reducing overall bandwidth requirements
Simplified configuration - through the use of dynamic IP (DHCP) & there is no need to configure the destination addresses of the receiving units

Disadvantages

Doesn't work well where there is Bad Packet Loss - if the IP link falls at any time, it cannot be immediately detected by the console software & warn the user without considerable overhead
Can have issue with NAT and firewalls
Many IP networks are not naturally configured for SIP - firewalls will prevent the SIP packets passing through the router and stopping a link being made

Omnitronics Unique Conferencing Mode

Advantages

Enables point to multipoint comms - without the need for multicast support
Reduced router configuration - to achieve the same result as multicast
Can be used over the internet - as it can be configured to work via Network Address Translation (NAT)