Once you've decided to make the move to cloud communications, it's critical to ensure the solution can interoperate with YOUR infrastructure. When selecting a hosted communications service provider, make sure they are able to work with you to determine your state of cloud readiness and help you prepare your network for hosted communications. By using this list of questions, you will learn what's essential for determining cloud readiness for a successful Hosted PBX implementation.

1. Solutions you want. Support you need.
Is Your Network Ready for Hosted PBX?
10 Questions for Determining Your Cloud Readiness
Once you’ve decided to make the move to cloud communications, it’s critical to ensure the solution can interoper-
ate with YOUR infrastructure. When selecting a hosted communications service provider, make sure they are willing
and able to work with you to determine your state of cloud readiness and help you prepare your network for hosted
communications.
The checklist below is similar to the one that XO uses in the implementation of Hosted PBX solutions and will give
you some examples of what a reputable provider may ask as they begin designing and provisioning your service.
If a prospective service provider isn’t asking these types of questions about your business and your network’s
readiness for hosted communications, ask yourself if the provider is truly qualified and prepared to host your voice
communications. By using this list of questions, you will learn what’s essential for determining cloud readiness for a
successful Hosted PBX implementation.
Questions for Cloud Readiness Why this is important...
1. How do you plan to use the features of the Hosted PBX
service and how are they essential to your business
communications?
The implementation phase is an ideal time to think about
things like auto-attendants that automatically answer your
calls, or hunt groups that quickly find an employee to
handle customer calls.
2. Is Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), an auto-
configuration protocol used on IP networks, configured on
your LAN?
If yes, does the provider require you to configure your
server to operate with their equipment? Will the provider do
this for you?
3. Is your network set-up to use Quality of Service (QoS)
configuration? If not, the service provider should explain
how it should be set-up.
QoS is a key factor on the network. Without it, you will
experience poor voice quality and dropped calls. Ask your
provider to explain what end-to-end quality of service fea-
tures they have implemented.
4. Do you understand the rules for the different types of
traffic that must be allowed on your network/through your
firewall?
For example, these types of traffic are typical:
• ICMP
• UDP on ports 5060, 5061, and high UDP ports in the
range 1024-65535 for call set-up and media
• HTTP and HTTPS traffic for outbound web access
• DNS lookups for SRV and A records used to locate
and connect to the service
Your calls need to be able to reach the cloud so that they
can be processed. In addition, you will need to be able to
reach the cloud from your web browser in order to configure
services such as call forwarding. Your provider should be
able to give you a definitive list of what needs to happen on
your network and in your firewall to let this traffic pass.
5. Have you checked your switches and cabling to ensure
they are optimized for VoIP?
An outdated infrastructure can cause severe disruption to
VoIP traffic.
6. Do you have any servers or other services hosted at the
site that are accessed from outside? Is your provider
aware of these?
Understanding all traffic on your LAN/WAN is critical to
assessing VoIP performance.
7. Are you using any existing VoIP-based endpoints? If yes,
is your provider prepared to support these sites?
If the provider is not willing to support your existing devices,
you need to be prepared to rip and replace all of your
phones.

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Questions for Cloud Readiness Why this is important...
8. Do you require phones with Power-over-Ethernet (PoE)
switches? If yes, ask if the service provider if the phones
offered with their Hosted PBX service are equipped with
POE switches.
PoE switches allow you to plug in your phones wherever
you can get a network connection rather than being limited
to mains outlets.
9. Does your business require a solution for fax machines?
If yes, ask if the service provider can support faxing with
their Hosted PBX service.
Many providers cannot handle fax, or other analog devices,
at all. If this is the case, consider how you will handle both
incoming and outgoing faxes outside of your Hosted PBX
solution.
10. Are you prepared to work with your service provider as
they perform a site survey and review the possible imple-
mentation scenarios?
The provider should be prepared to handle the scenario
you require, such as separate network cabling for voice and
data, or combining the two in a single wire.
This serves as a guide to Hosted PBX implementation, but is not intended as an endorsement of any given
method, solution or device.
XO makes no representation of warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained
in this document, and nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied upon as a promise, representation or legal advice.
About XO Communications
XO is a leading provider of 21st century communications services for businesses and communications services providers,
including 50 percent of the Fortune 500 and leading cable companies, carriers, content providers and mobile operators.
Utilizing its unique and powerful nationwide IP network, extensive local metro networks and broadband wireless facilities,
XO offers customers a broad range of managed voice, data and IP services in more than 80 metropolitan markets across the
United States.
See How XO Does Hosted PBX Better
At XO, we understand how enterprise networks are architected and can help you migrate to the cloud. With flexible service
options for businesses of all size, XO Hosted PBX can be integrated in your existing network as a company-wide solution,
deployed at branch locations, or fit into your hybrid network.
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