Types of VoIP Equipment
For VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol caller programming rather than a cell phone provider is used and calls are transmitted through the internet as information packets rather than via a phone tower or fibre-optic lines or copper wires. Since it is over the internet there are the usual issues with internet calling, such as the need for stable and consistent internet connections.
Most corporate and home users are aware that VoIP phone calls are more affordable and feature-rich than traditional landline phone calls. Despite this, you may not be aware of all the many types of VoIP equipment available. Here’s everything you need to know on types of VoIP equipment to help you decide.
Types of VoIP Equipment
- Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) – With an ATA, you can make IP phone calls with an ordinary phone. An ATA is a critical component of an IP phone’s hardware. ATA switches any regular analog phone into a device capable of delivering VoIP calls. For outgoing calls, the ATA transforms analog signals to digital ones that can be understood by local computer networks and the internet. It also performs the opposite for incoming calls, converting digital impulses to analog ones.
- Ethernet Port – This sort of telephony needs the use of an Ethernet cable in order to transfer data over a network. The cable is used to attach computers to the internet through a wired connection.
- IP PBX Server – The poetic core of your phone system is an IP Private Branch Exchange (PBX) Server. This equipment is a computer server and binds you to the internet by routing your call via the proper channel. IP PBX may be setup in half a day via a voip/IP PBX server provided by software, without the need for additional hardware, batch configuration, and inexpensive setup costs.
- PoE Adapter – A PoE adapter, sometimes called as a PoE injector, is the equipment that physically fuels an Ethernet cable. The cable is connected to the device, which will then be plugged to an outlet, enabling the cables to function.
- UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) — This equipment is primarily a spare battery. So even though IP calls depend on electricity and a connection to the internet, you will be able to make a call even if the electricity goes out.
Once you have all the equipment you need, buy a headset and away you go. Cheaper calls are available, especially if you are constantly connected to the Internet and sat at a desk. Much like a call centre at home, you can stay connected and keep on communicating. When you get up and move around, there are other considerations for VoIP which we will talk about in a different article.
