byon FAQs | Service

Questions about Managed SD-WAN

What is the difference between SD-WAN and traditional WAN solutions?

SD-WAN uses software-defined technologies to enable flexible and cost-effective network connections, whilst traditional WAN solutions are based on fixed physical connections and static configurations.

How does SD-WAN differ from MPLS?

Whilst MPLS links are a reliable but more expensive and less flexible option, SD-WAN offers the ability to integrate and optimise different connection types such as MPLS, broadband and the public internet.

Another alternative to using MPLS on its own is a hybrid WAN, which combines traditional MPLS connections with SD-WAN. The combination of MPLS and SD-WAN technology creates a flexible and cost-effective network architecture that utilises both private and public network connections.

Welche Vorteile bietet ein Secure SD-WAN?

Secure SD-WAN integriert Sicherheitsfunktionen direkt in das Netzwerk, einschließlich Firewalls, Verschlüsselung und Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), um die IT-Infrastruktur Ihres Unternehmens zu schützen.

Können SD-WAN-Funktionen in die Cloud integriert werden?

Ja, SD-WANs unterstützen die nahtlose Integration in die Cloud, um die Leistung und Zuverlässigkeit von Cloud-basierten und Cloud-nativen Anwendungen zu verbessern.

SD-WAN-Technologie ist zudem ideal für Public Cloud Umgebungen, da es eine effiziente und sichere Verbindung zu Cloud-Diensten und Cloud-Anwendungen bietet. Wir beraten und betreuen Sie als Ihr Service Provider gerne rund um die erfolgreiche Integration Ihrer SD-WAN-Lösung in die Cloud für einen sicheren Datenverkehr.

Welche Rolle spielt SD-WAN bei der Netzwerküberwachung und -verwaltung?

SD-WANs vereinfachen – unter anderem durch die Integration in die Cloud – die Netzwerküberwachung und -verwaltung durch zentrale Steuerung, Echtzeit-Überwachung und automatisierte Konfigurationsanpassungen.

Wie verbessert SD-WAN die WAN-Optimierung?

SD-WAN-Technologie optimiert die Datenübertragung durch dynamisches Routing, Verkehrspriorisierung und die Nutzung von Overlay-Netzwerken, um die Performance des gesamten Netzwerks zu maximieren. Ein Overlay-Netzwerk ist daher wichtig, weil es der WAN-Lösung ermöglicht, verschiedene Transportmethoden zu überlagern und so eine flexible und effiziente Datenübertragung zu gewährleisten, unabhängig von den zugrunde liegenden physischen Netzwerken.

Questions about KRITIS

Which sectors and industries in Germany are classified as critical infrastructure, and why are they important?

In Germany, there are nine KRITIS sectors, for each of which sector-specific security standards are crucial to ensuring the functioning of the state and society. These include the energy, food, finance and insurance, health, information technology and telecommunications, municipal waste management, media and culture, government and administration, and transport and traffic sectors. These sectors are significant because they provide essential services; any failure in these services could lead to considerable supply bottlenecks and threaten society and public safety. Operators of these KRITIS infrastructures must therefore ensure the safe and reliable operation of these infrastructures.

What risks and threats do critical infrastructures (KRITIS) in Germany face, and how are these addressed?

Critical infrastructures and critical services in Germany are exposed to a wide range of risks, including natural disasters (e.g., storms, floods), technical failures, cyber-attacks, power cuts, epidemics and pandemics, and terrorism. An all-hazards approach is adopted to take all potential risks into account and to promote resilience. Particular attention is paid to interdependencies between sectors, which can lead to domino and cascade effects. As a result, failures and significant disruptions in one area of critical services and infrastructure can affect other sectors and have dramatic consequences for society and public safety.

What is the legal and regulatory framework in Germany and the EU for the protection of critical infrastructure (KRITIS)?

In Germany, there is no single KRITIS regulation, but rather various sector-specific laws such as the Spatial Planning Act and the Civil Protection and Disaster Relief Act. A new overarching KRITIS law is intended to harmonise these regulations. At EU level, there are directives such as the CER Directive and the NIS2 Directive, which promote the protection and resilience of critical infrastructure. In addition, there are national laws such as the IT Security Act and the BSI Act, which strengthen cyber security and the protection of critical infrastructure.

The EPSKI Directive of 2008:  The EPSKI Directive (Directive 2008/114/EC) was adopted in 2008 to identify critical infrastructure in the energy and transport sectors whose failure would have a significant impact on at least two EU Member States. The aim is to protect this infrastructure through appropriate measures.
Directive on the Resilience of Critical Entities (CER Directive):  The CER Directive, adopted on 14 December 2022, replaces the EPSKI Directive. It covers more sectors (including health, banking and digital infrastructure) and provides for the identification and protection of critical infrastructure of national and pan-European significance. In addition, Member States are required to implement measures to improve resilience.

The NIS Directives:  The first NIS Directive (2016) aims to ensure a high level of security for network and information systems in the EU. It sets out minimum security requirements and reporting obligations for operators of critical infrastructure and digital service providers. The NIS 2 Directive (2022) extends these requirements and must be transposed into national law by October 2024 (NIS 2 Transposition Act).
The IT Security Act:  The IT Security Act (IT-SiG) of 2015 and the IT Security Act 2.0 of 2021 set out the legal framework for cyber and IT security relating to KRITIS in Germany. They extend the powers of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and introduce the BSI Kritis Regulation, which legally identifies critical infrastructures and sets out security requirements.

Questions about IP telephony

How does byon vTK work?

byon vTK is a cloud-based telephone system operated in German data centres. All the customer needs is an internet connection and a hardware telephone, or a computer with the relevant software and a headset. The internet connection does not have to be provided by byon.

What contract terms are available with byon vTK?

Contract terms of 1, 36 and 60 months are available.

What is included in a port?

The byon vTK port includes a per-user licence for telephony, as well as a voicemail service. The user simply needs a hardware telephone or our telephony software (add-on module) on their PC.

What additional modules are available?

Users can add specific modules to their telephony port. These include, for example, the softphone and the myPBX client for making calls on a PC, or a Fax2Mail module for sending and receiving faxes on a PC. There is also a Mobility Option that allows you to be reached on your mobile phone via your landline extension whilst on the move.

Where is my data stored?

byon vTK is operated in ISO-certified German data centres in Frankfurt am Main and is therefore subject to German data protection laws. We do not pass on any data to third parties and process the data exclusively in Germany for the purpose of providing our cloud-based telephone system.

What happens if my internet connection fails?

What level of availability does the byon vTK offer?

The byon vTK offers an average annual system availability of over 99.97 per cent.

Do I need a new voice line to use byon vTK?

In principle, byon vTK works with compatible IP voice lines. To ensure full functionality, we recommend adding our byon SIP line to your package. This has been checked and tested to ensure it supports the full range of features offered by byon vTK. You can, of course, keep your existing phone number.

How does VoIP work?

VoIP is the abbreviation for Voice over IP and refers to IP telephony.
IP telephony stands for Internet Protocol telephony. Internet telephony involves making calls via computer networks built to Internet standards. In this process, information typical of telephony – i.e. voice and control information, such as that required to establish a connection – is transmitted over a network that is also capable of carrying data. Call participants can establish a connection using computers, telephone handsets designed specifically for IP telephony, or traditional telephones connected via special adaptors.

Questions about byon vACD – our multichannel contact centre

What should you do if you need to make an outgoing or internal call, or if you need to leave your desk, whilst logged into the ACD?

You set your status to the appropriate special status (Break, Meeting) via the web interface.

How can I tell if a call is an ACD call?

The display and the ‘ping’ change to ‘being called’.

How do you handle NON-ACD calls correctly?

Using the telephone system and the function keys provided for this purpose, depending on the model.

How do you transfer ACD calls correctly?

With byon vACD, you usually press *7 and enter the relevant extension number followed by #, or use the web interface.

What is an ACD?

Virtual Automatic Call Distribution (ACD)

Setting up an ACD enables dynamic, location-independent routing of customer calls and is comparable to a virtual call centre. This call distribution system allows for the optimal use of resources within a team, thereby improving the company’s telephone availability.

The ACD can be controlled by the supervisor from any PC with internet access. The online tool usually includes a traditional wallboard as well as detailed standard reports.

Questions about customer service numbers

What is number porting?

Number porting is the process of transferring a phone number from one provider to another. If the account holder wishes to switch providers, they have the option of keeping their phone number. To do this, they must complete and sign a porting form with the new provider. Technically, the phone number is disconnected from the old line and registered to the new provider’s line. This process, which forms the basis of number portability, is known as porting and may be subject to porting charges. Number portability on the fixed-line network is also known as Local Number Portability (LNP) or fixed-line number porting. This means that when you switch to a new network provider, you retain your local telephone number.
Important: If you simply change your number but remain with the same provider, this is not referred to as porting. In this case, it is simply a number swap.

What is an IN GEO number?

An intelligent geographical service number.

This means that the number has a local area code but is equipped with all the functions of a service number (routing, statistics, etc.)

Who is responsible for allocating service numbers?

The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) is responsible for national service numbers. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva is responsible for the allocation of international 00800 service numbers. The respective national network agencies are responsible for all other international service numbers. In Austria, for example, this is the Rundfunk und Telekom Regulierungs GmbH (RTR).

General enquiries

What does the HPQR certificate mean?

Hesse Pre-qualification Register.

Pre-qualification is the preliminary, contract-independent assessment and certification of evidence of suitability, and serves to reduce red tape in public procurement – for both the contracting authority and the contractor.

By having an independent pre-qualification body carry out an initial review of the evidence of suitability, contracting authorities are spared the need to carry out individual checks during the specific procurement procedure. Instead of providing numerous individual documents, tenderers submit a single certificate covering the most commonly required evidence, which remains valid for one year.

How is data security managed within your organisation?

All our staff are bound by data protection obligations. The data protection agreement covers, in particular, the confidentiality provisions set out in the Social Security Code. The Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) applies. Our staff receive regular briefings and training from the Data Protection Officer. The data protection agreements can be made available to the client. As a general rule, the processing of social data takes place via secure dedicated lines. This is ensured by the relevant IT department and the Data Protection Officer.