VoIP Numbering Plan Vs. Domain names. IPNP

>> Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 13:07:42 +0200
>> From: Vered Nimrod <nim at tadirantele.com>
>> Subject: VoIP Numbering Plan Vs. Domain names. IPNP
>> 
>> Is there any work being done on the above subject ?

IETF has a working group dealing with IP Telephony, but I'm not sure
whether they are dealing with the mentioned problem, or not.

>> There is a need for a universal IPNP (IP Numbering Plan) system. So
>> that every equipment that will be connected to the Internet will
>> have a unique DN (Directory Number).

The solution should rather be sought in the domain name system. And
there is already a possible solution to the problem, outlined in the
RFC 1530 (Principles of Operation of the TPC.INT Subdomain). This
is, of course, my personal view of the matter and just one more idea
on the solution to the problem.

* A user calling from a "net phone" would use a host name in the
  form 7.9.3.3.6.2.9.3.2.7.9.tpc.int to call the phone number
  +972-3-9263397  belonging to a "regular" PSTN (i.e. domain name is
  the reversed phone number, much like IN-ADDR.ARPA system). In the
  DNS, there should be an "MX" record pointing to the PSTN/Internet
  gateway, e.g.:

  *.*.*.*.*.*.3.2.7.9.tpc.int.   IN   MX   10   pstn-gw.domain.com.

  The client application should consult the MX records, find out the
  name of the gateway and then connect to the gateway - the same way
  mail clients do.

* A user calling from a PSTN should probably use an access code to
  reach a local PSTN/Internet gateway - which is exactly the way
  you described. That access code should be assigned by a national
  telecom authority.

Best regards,
Beri

.-------.
| --+-- |  Berislav Todorovic, B.Sc.E.E.     | E-mail: BERI at etf.bg.ac.yu
|  /|\     Hostmaster of the YU TLD          | 
|-(-+-)-|  School of Electrical Engineering  | Phone:  (+381-11) 3221-419
|  \|/     Bulevar Revolucije 73             |                   3370-106
| --+-- |  11000 Belgrade SERBIA, YUGOSLAVIA | Fax:    (+381-11) 3248-681
`-------' --------------------------------------------------------------------