This document discusses considerations for migrating from time-division multiplexing (TDM) to internet protocol (IP) networks. It begins with an overview of TDM and how IP networks are more scalable and flexible. Decentralizing components and implementing redundancy improves disaster preparedness. Failover and load balancing ensure continuity of operations. Software-defined networking allows portability and remote access. Standards-based protocols simplify integration and enable support of new technologies over time. The largest obstacles to migration are often time, budget, or security concerns. Migrating to IP improves network resilience and prepares critical infrastructure for the future.

1. Critical Considerations
For Successful
TDM to IP Migration
Kevin Sumrell
Vice President of Utility and Public Safety Sales for Avtec, Inc.

2. A little housekeeping before we get
started….
Listen only mode
Q&A
Polls
Recording

3. About the Speaker
Kevin Sumrell is vice president of utility and public safety sales
for Avtec, Inc., the leading provider of mission-critical console
systems in North America. Sumrell’s key responsibilities
include direct and strategic partner sales of Avtec’s market
leading voice over IP console systems.
Sumrell brings nearly 25 years of engineering, product, and
management experience to the Avtec organization. He joined
Avtec in 2008 as the director of eastern region sales,
became vice president of channel partner sales managing
the building of Avtec’s indirect sales team and channel, and
is now responsible for the continued development of Avtec’s
presence in the utility and public safety markets.

4. Todays Agenda:
• A comparison of TDM and IP.
• Decentralizing for disaster preparedness.
• Failover and redundancy.
• Network wide portability and login mobility.
•

5. What is Critical Infrastructure?
“Critical infrastructure is the backbone of our
nation's economy, security and health. We know
it as the power we use in our homes, the water
we drink, the transportation that moves us, and
the communication systems we rely on to stay in
touch with friends and family.”

6. What is Critical Infrastructure?
“Without a stable energy supply,
health and welfare are threatened,
and the U.S. economy cannot
function…The Energy Sector is
uniquely critical because it
provides an “enabling function”
across all other critical
infrastructure sectors.”
Department of Homeland Security Website: http://www.dhs.gov/what-critical-infrastructure

7. An Introduction to TDM
• TDM (Time Division Multiplexing),
developed in 1870’s for the
teletype industry.
• Based on a dedicated, hardware
intensive and centralized model,
• Custom cabling, proprietary software,
local internal redundancy,
• Site recovery required duplicated, cold
standby infrastructure (2X
investment),
• TDM technology becoming obsolete,
difficult to obtain parts,

8. Contrasting IP to TDM
• Internet Protocol initially developed by US
Dept of Defense from 1960-1981, became
commercially accepted in 1980’s,
• Considered one of the most pervasive and
widely adopted technologies,
• Inherently scalable distribution
backbone for all applications,
• Standards based protocols, simplify
deployment and management,
• Foundation for decentralizing
components.

9. Common practices and
considerations for VoIP
• Private or Enterprise? Do you isolate critical traffic or leverage existing
network?
• Unicast and Multicast? Is the current infrastructure prepared to
support more complicated network requirements?
• Quality of Service vs. Bandwidth…do you have adequate capacity and
what’s the best method to manage priority, real time applications,
• End to end understanding…what do I need to do to make sure my
entire network is ready to support critical voice applications?

10. Poll Question #1
How would you describe the state of TDM to IP Migration in
your organization?
A. We know IP is coming, but are still evaluating options.
B. We have started to migrate.
C. We’re done.
D. Other

11. Decentralizing for
disaster preparedness
• Reduce loss impact by geographically
distributing components,
• Eliminate physical dependencies of
locally connected devices,
• Locate interfaces close to point of origin, eliminate costly and
non-redundant connections,
• Leverage data network redundancies, multiple paths to multiple
locations,
• Access resources anywhere across the wide area network.

12. Implementing failover and
redundancy
• Deployment of primary/secondary or load
balanced components affords hot standby
resiliency,
• Dual network connectivity of devices prevents risk of single link or
network device failure.
• Wireline (Ethernet-based) protocol interfaces enable duplicate
connections to critical components, supporting active/idle redundancies,
• Granularity and scalability of failover and redundancy highly
configurable,
• Local autonomy achieved by providing local backup resources.

13. Network wide portability
and login mobility
• Profile based login delivers consistent end user
interaction regardless of location,
• Primary, backup and remote sites all have
access to network distributed resources,
• IP Addressable communication devices,
hardware or software, enable roaming and
monitoring across an Enterprise,
• Software configurable components updated
without physical touch simplifies maintenance,
configuration and upgrades.

14. Interoperability, Integration
and Flexibility
• Communication interfaces becoming
software centric, eliminating
hardware dependencies,
• Support of legacy conventional
(analog, PRI) and advanced IP
technologies (SIP, P25 CSSI) enables
smooth migration transition,
• Modular software protocol drivers
simplify adoption and support of
emerging technologies (LTE,
Enhanced PTT, DMR).

15. Interoperability, Integration
and Flexibility
• Use of standards based protocols and
interfaces reduces risk, simplifies
integration,
• Scalable and distributed applications,
servers, gateways provides design and
evolution flexibility.

16. Poll Question #2
What do you see as the biggest obstacle to TDM-to-IP
Migration in your organization?
A.Time
B.Budget
C.Security concerns
D.Other
E.None, we’re already implementing

17. In Summary
• Energy delivery is critical to the welfare of the US
population and our economy
• Communications is a crucial component for managing
Utility infrastructure
• TDM technology is dated and obsolete, driving
communications to IP
• IP improves disaster preparedness by geo-diversifying
components

18. In Summary
• Varying levels of redundancy and increased failover
options provide improved resiliency
• Complete network wide access to IP resources, no
physical dependencies like TDM
• Flexibility to relocate, expand and/or change over time
• Backward and forward compatibility enabling easy
migration between technologies

19. Poll Question #3
Would you like to speak to a TDM-to-IP migration specialist?
A.Yes please! I have some questions.
B.No thanks. I’m good for the time being.

20. Questions?