{"id":269643,"date":"2018-06-28T09:46:12","date_gmt":"2018-06-28T13:46:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/?p=269643"},"modified":"2019-02-08T12:10:57","modified_gmt":"2019-02-08T17:10:57","slug":"voip-basics-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/voip-basics-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"VoIP Basics for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-269733\" src=\"\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2018\/06\/2018-06-28.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2018\/06\/2018-06-28.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2018\/06\/2018-06-28-150x75.png 150w, https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2018\/06\/2018-06-28-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2018\/06\/2018-06-28-768x384.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>WHAT ARE VOIP PHONES?<\/strong> <\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a class=\"post-thumbnail\" href=\"\/voip-phones\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-95763 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2014\/12\/yealink_sip-t23g_voip_supply_front-150x119.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2014\/12\/yealink_sip-t23g_voip_supply_front-150x119.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2014\/12\/yealink_sip-t23g_voip_supply_front-300x238.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2014\/12\/yealink_sip-t23g_voip_supply_front.jpg 855w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol. It is a communications protocol for integrating multimedia communication sessions. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phones, also known as SIP phones, are IP (Internet Protocol) telephones that enable your internet service provider to integrate basic phone capabilities with web, email, online chat and more through IP network. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/voip-phone-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In our VoIP Phone Guide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we discuss in details about how to choose the type of VoIP phones that will fit your needs in terms of the features, functions, etc. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note that not all headsets are compatible with your VoIP phones, so be sure to check out the <\/span><a href=\"\/phones-and-headsets-compatibility\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">compatibility guide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"\/voip-headset-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VoIP headset guide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before you purchase!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>CAN I USE A REGULAR PHONE WITH VOIP?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a class=\"post-thumbnail\" href=\"\/voip-adapters\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"368\" height=\"165\" class=\"wp-image-212713 alignright\" src=\"\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2016\/09\/HT812-ata.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2016\/09\/HT812-ata.png 368w, https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2016\/09\/HT812-ata-150x67.png 150w, https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2016\/09\/HT812-ata-300x135.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 368px) 100vw, 368px\" \/><\/a>Absolutely! <\/span><a href=\"\/voip-adapters\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A VoIP adapter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or ATA, is a device that converts analog voice signals into digital IP packets for transport over an IP network. It can also convert digital the IP packets in analog voice streams.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standard VoIP adapters connect to analog telephones via an FXS port. The VoIP adapter then connects to your Local Area Network (LAN) via an Ethernet cable and an RJ45 port. Some VoIP ATAs also feature an FXO port so you can connect to the PSTN. <\/span><a href=\"\/voip-adapter-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See how a VoIP adapter works in our free guide!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>TYPES OF VOIP SERVICE<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><b>On-Premise vs Hosted VoIP Service <\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"801\" height=\"597\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-155383\" src=\"\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2016\/02\/Hosted-vs.-On-Site.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2016\/02\/Hosted-vs.-On-Site.png 801w, https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2016\/02\/Hosted-vs.-On-Site-150x112.png 150w, https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2016\/02\/Hosted-vs.-On-Site-300x224.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 801px) 100vw, 801px\" \/>Once you\u2019ve decided to switch to a VoIP system. The first thing you\u2019ll need to consider is which deployment is best for your organization. There are three typical options:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Hosted VoIP Service &#8211; Have a VoIP service provider host your VoIP phone system off-site<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An On-Premise Phone System &#8211; Host and maintain your own VoIP system<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Hybrid Phone System &#8211; Combine both hosted and on-site solutions <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"\/voip-system-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn more about the types of VoIP systems here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finding your ideal service provider doesn\u2019t have to be a hassle, <\/span><a href=\"\/voip-service-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">follow our guide here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to avoid risky providers and find the right level of service you need.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>VOIP NETWORK EQUIPMENT<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><b>VoIP Gateway<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a class=\"post-thumbnail\" href=\"\/voip-gateways\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"375\" height=\"144\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-269653\" src=\"\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2018\/06\/100g.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2018\/06\/100g.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2018\/06\/100g-150x58.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2018\/06\/100g-300x115.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><\/a>A VoIP gateway is a piece of hardware that bridges an IP network and the PSTN. Depending on where the voice traffic originates, it will convert the voice traffic into the proper form for receipt by the destination network.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two main types of gateways: Analog and Digital. <\/span><a href=\"\/voip-gateway-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow our VoIP gateway guide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you will be able to find the right solution for your application!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Do I Need a Session Border Controller?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <a href=\"\/networking\/session-border-controllers\">Session Border Controller (SBC)<\/a> is a powerful user agent device that sits at a point of demarcation for SMB and Enterprise businesses to provide services such as call control, security, interoperability and voice optimization. An SBC offers: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unique Inspection capabilities and encryption to protect against attacks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ability to connect to multiple carriers and select which carrier to route a call through based on call cost ( cut down your phone bills!) <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sophisticated call processing algorithms to improve your call quality<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check out our <\/span><a href=\"\/audiocodes-session-border-controllers-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SBCs guide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to learn about the types of SBCs and important features.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><strong>MORE TO CONSIDER<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><b><a class=\"post-thumbnail\" href=\"\/manufacturer\/spectralink\/wifiphones\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"277\" class=\" wp-image-77193 alignright\" src=\"\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2013\/10\/SpectraLink-84-Series-Dual.jpg\" alt=\"Spectralink 8440 for Lync\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2013\/10\/SpectraLink-84-Series-Dual.jpg 270w, https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2013\/10\/SpectraLink-84-Series-Dual-146x150.jpg 146w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>WiFi Phones vs DECT Phones<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wireless VoIP phone frees you from the constraints of wires. These VoIP phones either have a built-in WiFi or DECT transceiver unit that connects to an access point or base station. If you need a wireless solution, you have to decide which type of wireless VoIP phone is right for you. WiFi VoIP Phones or DECT VoIP Phones? <\/span><a href=\"\/wireless-voip-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Download our free wireless VoIP guide to find out!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>IP Paging and IP Cameras<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a class=\"post-thumbnail\" href=\"\/paging\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"176\" height=\"176\" class=\"size-full wp-image-269663 alignleft\" src=\"\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2018\/06\/ip-paging-horns.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2018\/06\/ip-paging-horns.jpg 176w, https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/files\/2018\/06\/ip-paging-horns-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 176px) 100vw, 176px\" \/><\/a>Depends on your industry and organization, there might be some other VoIP equipment you would want to consider. For example, some educational institutions need an <\/span><a href=\"\/paging\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IP paging system<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to stay connected with their students, parents, and faculty; some nursing facilities require secure <\/span><a href=\"\/ip-cameras\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IP cameras<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to ensure patient safety.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to learn more? <\/span><a href=\"\/voip-buyers-guides\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Download our VoIP guides<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for specific topics and keep learning! <\/span><br \/>\n<!--HubSpot Call-to-Action Code --><span id=\"hs-cta-wrapper-7cfff716-88f0-494e-aefb-1d9b991f61e7\" class=\"hs-cta-wrapper\"><span id=\"hs-cta-7cfff716-88f0-494e-aefb-1d9b991f61e7\" class=\"hs-cta-node hs-cta-7cfff716-88f0-494e-aefb-1d9b991f61e7\"><!-- [if lte IE 8]>\n\n\n<div id=\"hs-cta-ie-element\"><\/div>\n\n\n<![endif]--><a class=\"post-thumbnail\" href=\"https:\/\/cta-redirect.hubspot.com\/cta\/redirect\/464097\/7cfff716-88f0-494e-aefb-1d9b991f61e7\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"hs-cta-img-7cfff716-88f0-494e-aefb-1d9b991f61e7\" class=\"hs-cta-img aligncenter\" style=\"border-width: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/464097\/7cfff716-88f0-494e-aefb-1d9b991f61e7.png\" alt=\"See All the VoIP Guides\" \/><\/a><\/span><br \/>\n<\/span><!-- end HubSpot Call-to-Action Code --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WHAT ARE VOIP PHONES? SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol. It is a communications protocol for integrating multimedia communication sessions. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phones, also known as SIP phones, are IP (Internet Protocol) telephones that enable your internet service provider to integrate basic phone capabilities with web, email, online chat and more through [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":123,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6693,1220,1573,1219],"tags":[6033,12193],"class_list":["post-269643","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-basic-voip-how-tos","category-business-voip","category-q-a","category-voip-education","tag-ip-paging","tag-voip-guides"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/269643","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/123"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=269643"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/269643\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":282763,"href":"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/269643\/revisions\/282763"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=269643"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=269643"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=269643"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}