Voice Over Internet Protocol Information

VoIP System

A VoIP system consist of several components. There are the telephone, also known as endpoint. These can either be an IP telephone, soft phone or ATA phone system. In a VoIP phone system the endpoint are very intelligent. Typically there are three system as shown below.

Analog Telephone Adaptor

The analog phone adapter is an interface box that enables regular analog phones to be used to make VoIP connection calls. It can be used to convert from VoIP to PSTN and to make a connection to the analog phones in home or office. The analog phone adapter is a product designed for consumer installation which will enables consumers to enjoy the low cost advantages of VoIP with the existing phone. The product is built to comply to the de facto VoIP standard, SIP, which ensures interoperability with and internet telephony operator meeting the SIP standard. [more on ATA]

Soft Phone

Lastly, there is a Soft phone system which is of course the easiest way to carry out a VoIP call. a program that runs on your pc and perform all the same function of a telephone. All you need for this type of connection is microphone, earphone, a full duplex capable sound card and a fast Internet connection. There is no charge for computer to computer calls, you only pay for your ISP fees. [more on Soft Phone]

IP Phone

Then there are IP phones which look like ordinary phone but have RJ-45 connector instead of the RJ-11 connectors we see on phones. The IP phones come with built in programs and hardware to manage VoIP calls, and the IP phones connect directly to a LAN and are powered from Power Over Ethernet. In IP system you need to back up power for all the LAN equipment, other wise you'll be unable to use the phone during power failure.