How to set up an IP Phone?

Question

Hi i want to know if it would be possible to set up a phone with an extention number in my house.

I have a netgear router and would like to know how i would connect an ip phone. (i think this is what i would use)

Also if i set this up i would have all other normal phones connected directly into the phone line, but just one phone with an extention.

Would this be possible and if so, what would happen if someone rang my number and what would happen if they reang my number along with the extention number.

Dont know if that makes sence, but I hope you get my jist.

Many thanks,

Grant

Answer 1

download skype. It is an internet phone service. it cost 3.00 a month to make internet to regular phone calls any where in the world. Depending on where you live (Canada or US) you can get a number with your local area code. Your computer must be on and the skype program running to make or receive calls. You will also need a good headset with build in microphone or you can get a VOIP phone that connects to your computer and handles just like a regular phone

Answer 2

Let's clear up some terminology here first.

There are many ways to VoIP.  VoIP is just the process of using the Internet to carry voice call data as IP packets..  How you get your voice on the Internet is where terminology differeneces come in.

- Softphones:

Softphones are basically software on your PC that emmulates a telephone.  Softphones take your voice (via a microphone), convert it to IP packets and send it on its way.  It does the reverse for incoming calls over the Interenet, and feeds it to your speakers, or headset.  Softphones also act as your telephone dialer and contacts list manager.  It just facilitates your calls from the PC.

Skype is an example of a softphone that runs on your PC.

But so is Gizmo5, MediaRingTalk, Yahoo Voice, Efonica, PcCall, etc.

Generally, you will use a headset with built-in microphone to use these services on your PC.

- IP-Phones:

IP-Phones are generally a corded phone that has a built-in ATA and sometimes built-in NAT-Router too.  So, an IP phone often looks like a regular office telephone, but is really an ATA/Router combo box with a ready to use handset and dial-pad.  But, most people aren't using IP-Phones, they generally use stand alone ATA's.

IP-Phones are more often used in IP-PBX systems as extension phones within a company network.  However, IP-Phones can be used stand alone, if desired, and configured with a BYOD VoIP service.  However, they don't usually integrate with the rest of the phone system in your house.

- ATA Phone Adapters:

ATA (analog telephone adapter) is how most people emulate home phone and long distance calling services with VoIP.  You just plug your regular telephone into an ATA's, then plug the ATA into your NAT-Router.  In a sense you could call an ATA an IP phone, but it's not really an IP phone - it's a telephone adapter.

I think your question is really referring to an ATA to connect to your house telephone jacks.  However, this will not work if you want to maintain your current PSTN telephone service.  You can't just plug your VoIP ATA output onto your PSTN telephone lines....... unless you disconnect the PSTN phone service coming into your house (physically disconnected at the Demarcation terminal box), which also means cancelling your PSTN phone service first.  Once you disconnect PSTN phone service, then you can distribute the VoIP ATA phone output line by connecting it to one of your regular phone jacks in the house.  Now other phones in the house will have access to that VoIP line too.

But, if you want to keep your PSTN landline and also have a 2nd VoIP line over Internet, you can also do that too.  But, they can't share the same wires.  In this case you could get an expandable cordless phone system, plug the base unit into the VoIP ATA and then have various cordless phone extensions around the house.  This way there is no conflicts between VoIP lines and PSTN landline phones.

So, generally speaking, you don't transfer calls between the two lines as your question suggests.

However, with VoIP it is possible to "forward" your calls to any number you choose to, even your landline.

And with VoIP, it is possible to have multiple phone numbers tied to your one VoIP line.

Most VoIP ATA's come with 2-Lines.  I use a Linksys PAP2T-NA VoIP ATA.  It comes with two separate lines.  Each line is completely independant of the other.  This means I can configure line-1 with one VoIP service and one or more associate phone numbers, and I can configure Line-2 with a completely different VoIP service that is also associated with a completely different phone number(s).

I do this by subscribing to BYOD (bring your own device) VoIP services like CallCentric and InPhonex.  Then I separately purcahsed and configured my ATA with their service.  I'm not tied to contracts or long term commitments.  It works great for me this way.

The Linksys SPA-2102 is also a good ATA to use.  It is a combo NAT-Router and 2-LIne ATA in one box.  I think this is easier for many people to manage vs. separate Router and separate ATA.

But for the less technically inclined, many VoIP services will sell you preconfigured ATA's that only connect to that service only.  For some people, that works for them.