An IP phone is a device which uses an internet connection to make and receive phone calls. Essentially, there are two types of IP phones: Hardware based IP phones that use an adaptor to plug your standard home telephone into your home network and software based IP phones (or soft phones) that consist of software which allows telephone calls to be made directly from your computer.
Hardware-based IP Phones
Hardware based phones consist of an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adaptor) which...
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Thursday, April 1, 2010
Top Reasons for Using VoIP
The number one reason to switch to VoIP technology for telephone service is cost reduction. From that base, VoIP is able to provide some compelling features which makes switching even more attractive.
Eliminating Phone Lines
With VoIP service, you can cancel your traditional phone service through your local telephone company and place all of your telephone calls over your broadband Internet connection.
For a residential customer, this will save around $40 a month. For business...
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Eliminating Phone Lines
With VoIP service, you can cancel your traditional phone service through your local telephone company and place all of your telephone calls over your broadband Internet connection.
For a residential customer, this will save around $40 a month. For business...
Read more...
SPIT
VoIP spam or Spam over Internet Telephony (SPIT) is one of the foreseen future forms of spamming that Internet authorities are preparing for today. With the increasing use and dependence on the Internet for communications and data transfer, malicious software programmers have taken advantage by creating VoIP bots with the ability to harvest data and advertise massively at a very small cost. These advertising methods include email spams, SPIMS or spams over instant messaging applications...
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RSVP
RSVP (Resource ReSerVation Protocol) is a protocol used in VoIP to manage QoS (Quality of Service).
RSVP works by requesting that required bandwidth and latency be "reserved" for the VoIP telephone call by every network device between the two endpoints.
RSVP is defined in RFC 2205: Resource ReSerVation Protocol (RSVP).
RSVP is a unicast and multicast signaling protocol, designed to install and maintain reservation state information at each router along the path of a stream...
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RSVP works by requesting that required bandwidth and latency be "reserved" for the VoIP telephone call by every network device between the two endpoints.
RSVP is defined in RFC 2205: Resource ReSerVation Protocol (RSVP).
RSVP is a unicast and multicast signaling protocol, designed to install and maintain reservation state information at each router along the path of a stream...
Read more...
Where you can get VoIP Training
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a relatively new technology, because of which individual businesses will need someone who is well versed in the intricacies of VoIP. Companies are often willing to invest in training their IT administrators in VoIP because of the sure returns. But, where do you go to obtain a training course that delineates all the necessary concepts and details you need?
There are various options available for those wanting to get themselves trained in VoIP...
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There are various options available for those wanting to get themselves trained in VoIP...
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VoIP Security
| Any technology that involves transfer of data or information is prone to compromised security. It happens with telephones, cell phones, email and Internet transactions. Because VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) has the internet as its mode of transference it's possible to have your Internet-based called intercepted. To make matters worse, there are techno-troublemakers who are armed with the hacking skills needed to eavesdrop on virtually any call over the Internet they want to. It is... | |
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How to Compare VoIP Providers
| VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is changing the way people communicate. VoIP utilizes a broadband internet connection for routing telephone calls, as opposed to conventional switching methods, providing efficient use of existing Internet connections as well as lowering overall costs. Interestingly, there is no need for any large scale infrastructures; just combine a conventional phone with a broadband Internet connection to utilize a single service with minimal software and hardware... | |
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How to Choose a VoIP phone
| The first choice is determining if you want a hardware VoIP phone or a software VoIP phone. Hardware phones are generally easier to use and do not require a PC. Software phones are usually less expensive and may offer better options for CTI (Computer Telephony Integration). Choosing a VoIP Phone With either a hardware or software VoIP phones, the major considerations remain the same: What VoIP call control protocols does the phone... | |
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IAX
IAX is a call control protocol for VoIP.
IAX was designed to replace the earlier call control protocols, H.323 and SIP.
IAX is much more bandwidth efficient than the competing VoIP call control protocols, enabling it to support more concurrent VoIP calls over the same amount of bandwidth.
IAX traffic uses UDP port 4569. The use of a single well-known port enables IAX to be compatible with NAT (Network Address Translation), which can be a serious difficulty for earlier VoIP call...
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IAX was designed to replace the earlier call control protocols, H.323 and SIP.
IAX is much more bandwidth efficient than the competing VoIP call control protocols, enabling it to support more concurrent VoIP calls over the same amount of bandwidth.
IAX traffic uses UDP port 4569. The use of a single well-known port enables IAX to be compatible with NAT (Network Address Translation), which can be a serious difficulty for earlier VoIP call...
Read more...
Common VoIP Hardware
VoIP hardware falls into several categories: VoIP Interface Cards for PCs PC Telephones VoIP Telephones VoIP Switches VoIP Gateways VoIP Routers VoIP PBX's VoIP Telephones VoIP Interface Cards for PCs
VoIP Interface cards for PCs turn your PC into a very capable VoIP telephone.
Leading manufacturers of VoIP interface cards for the PC include: Digium VoiceTronix Quicknet PC Telephones
PC Telephones are telephones which attach to your PC, usually via the USB...
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VoIP Interface cards for PCs turn your PC into a very capable VoIP telephone.
Leading manufacturers of VoIP interface cards for the PC include: Digium VoiceTronix Quicknet PC Telephones
PC Telephones are telephones which attach to your PC, usually via the USB...
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IP PBX
| A PBX (Private Branch Exchange) is a small telephone switch owned by a company or organization. An IP PBX is simply a PBX which supports VoIP (Voice over IP). An IP PBX can also be referred to as a VoIP PBX. An IP PBX may support VoIP both internally and externally. Internal VoIP support means that the IP PBX uses VoIP to communicate with each of its connect PBX phones. External VoIP supports means that the IP PBX uses VoIP to route calls to the outside world. Most IP PBX's also... | |
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How to Become a VoIP Reseller
| If you are serious about reselling Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, there are some questions you will need to ask yourself first. Here are some simple guidelines to help you determine if and how you should pursue your goal of becoming a VoIP reseller. Know the Service If you really want to be a reseller for VoIP services, you need at least a basic working knowledge of how VoIP works and what type of applications are currently commonly used. Among the things you will need to... | |
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H.323
H.323 is an ITU standard multimedia conferencing protocol, which includes voice, video, and data conferencing, for use over packet-switched networks.
H.323 was the first standard for VoIP, but is being supplanted by SIP.
H.323 defines five components of a multimedia network: Terminals Multipoint Control Units (MCUs) Gateways Gatekeeper Border Elements
Terminals are telephone and PC equipment which connect end-users to the H.323 network.
MCUs are responsible for managing...
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H.323 was the first standard for VoIP, but is being supplanted by SIP.
H.323 defines five components of a multimedia network: Terminals Multipoint Control Units (MCUs) Gateways Gatekeeper Border Elements
Terminals are telephone and PC equipment which connect end-users to the H.323 network.
MCUs are responsible for managing...
Read more...
VoIP Conference Software
VoIP conference software comes in two basic varieties: free and commercial.
The free VoIP conference software packages tend to be difficult to setup and use; the commercial VoIP conference software packages tend to be slick and easy to install and use.
Of course, the commercial VoIP conference software packages also come with setup fees and recurring costs for conference room access.
Which option you choose depends upon your budget of time and money. Free VoIP Conference...
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The free VoIP conference software packages tend to be difficult to setup and use; the commercial VoIP conference software packages tend to be slick and easy to install and use.
Of course, the commercial VoIP conference software packages also come with setup fees and recurring costs for conference room access.
Which option you choose depends upon your budget of time and money. Free VoIP Conference...
Read more...
Analog Telephone Adapter
| An Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA), also known as the Analog Telephony Adapter, is an electronic device used to enable one or more analog telephones or facsimile machines for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls and faxes. An Analog Telephone Adapter basically creates a physical connection by use of telephone and internet cables between a conventional phone or fax and a computer or an Ethernet gateway. The ATA usually comes with a digital phone and internet plan provider but it can also... | |
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SIP
| SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is an IETF standard multimedia conferencing protocol, which includes voice, video, and data conferencing, for use over packet-switched networks. SIP is an open standard replacement for the ITU's H.323. SIP is described in RFC 3621 - SIP: Session Initiation Protocol. SIP is an application-layer control (signaling) protocol for creating, modifying, and terminating sessions with one or more participants. These sessions include Internet telephone... | |
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RTP
| RTP (Real-Time Transport Protocol) is used to encapsulate VoIP data packets inside UDP packets. RTP is defined in RFC 3550 - RTP: A Transport Protocol for Real-Time Applications. RTP provides end-to-end network transport functions suitable for applications transmitting real-time data, such as audio, video or simulation data, over multicast or unicast network services. RTP does not address resource reservation and does not guarantee quality-of-service for real-time services. The data... | |
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MGCP
| MGCP (Media Gateway Control Protocol) is a protocol used within a Voice over IP (VoIP) system. This internal protocol was primarily developed to address the demands of carrier-based IP telephone networks. MGCP is a complementary protocol for both H.323 and SIP, which was designed as an internal protocol between the Media Gateway Controller and the Media Gateway. In MGCP, an MGC primarily handles all the call processing by linking with the IP network through constant communications with an IP... | |
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VoIP Codecs
| A codec (Coder/Decoder) converts analog signals to a digital bitstream, and another identical codec at the far end of the communication converts the digital bitstream back into an analog signal. In the VoIP world, codecs are used to encode voice for transmission across IP networks. Codecs for VoIP use are also referred to as vocoders, for "voice encoders". Codecs generally provide a compression capability to save network bandwidth. Some codecs also support silence... | |
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VoIP Gateway
| A VoIP Gateway, or Voice over IP Gateway, is a network device which helps to convert voice and fax calls, in real time, between an IP network and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). It is a high performance gateway designed for Voice over IP applications. Typically, a VoIP gateway comes with the ability to support at least two T1/E1 digital channels. Most VoIP gateways feature at least one Ethernet and telephone port. Controlling a gateway can be done with the help of the various... | |
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What is VoIP?
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is simply the transmission of voice traffic over IP-based networks.
The Internet Protocol (IP) was originally designed for data networking. The success of IP in becoming a world standard for data networking has led to its adaption to voice networking.
The Economics of VoIP
VoIP has become popular largely because of the cost advantages to consumers over traditional telepone networks. Most Americans pay a flat monthly fee for local telephone calls and...
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The Internet Protocol (IP) was originally designed for data networking. The success of IP in becoming a world standard for data networking has led to its adaption to voice networking.
The Economics of VoIP
VoIP has become popular largely because of the cost advantages to consumers over traditional telepone networks. Most Americans pay a flat monthly fee for local telephone calls and...
Read more...
How does VoIP work?
| VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol (sometimes called Internet Telephony) is touted in some circles as the technology of future. The reasoning is simple, really. VoIP is bringing possibilities to the forefront of technological thinking because the possibilities were listed as impossible just a few years ago. VoIP uses a broadband Internet connection for routing telephone calls, as opposed to conventional switching and fiberoptic alternatives. This process holds great promise in providing... | |
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How to Setup Skype
Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP for short, is quickly becoming recognized as one of the leading ways of communication over the Internet.
Skype is one of the most widely used programs for PC to PC calling using VoIP. To use this, you will need to have Skype installed on your computer.
You can download skype from Get Skype.
A window will open asking what you want to do with a file called SkypeSetup.exe. Click 'Run' to downloads and execute the software. A confirmation...
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Skype is one of the most widely used programs for PC to PC calling using VoIP. To use this, you will need to have Skype installed on your computer.
You can download skype from Get Skype.
A window will open asking what you want to do with a file called SkypeSetup.exe. Click 'Run' to downloads and execute the software. A confirmation...
Read more...
VoIP
Free VoIP
Companies offering free VoIP calls usually offer free calls inside their own network and towards other specially selected...