Hardware Required for VoIP Services

VoIP Equipment – Adapters and Routers

To use VoIP services, such as Vonage broadband phone service, there is some required hardware. This article will cover the hardware necessarily for using analog phones to make phone calls over the Internet. Part of understanding "what is VoIP?" is knowing what hardware is necessary to use VoIP in your home or office. Depending on your setup and needs there are two options of hardware for you to choose from to use with discount VoIP services:

• Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA)
• VoIP Router

ATA Method for Using VoIP Services

Using an ATA is a simple and efficient way of connecting an analog phone and a high-speed Internet connection. An ATA includes everything internally to start making phone calls through VoIP services, without the need of additional computer or software. The main function of the ATA is to convert the analog signal of the telephone into a digital signal for transmission over the Internet. The ATA is also responsible for converting the digital signals coming in from the Internet back into an analog signal for the telephone.

When comparing ATAs look for how many analog ports are available. The more analog ports there are than the more physical phones you can plug in and use with the ATA. Some ATAs only come with one available analog port, but other models of ATAs can have up to 4 analog ports. The ATA itself will have one Ethernet port that will connect with your high-speed Internet modem, router, or switch and then the analog phone will also plug into the ATA through a standard analog phone cord. Many discount VoIP services providers offer ATAs for free or with rebates to new customers.

VoIP Router Method for Using Vonage Broadband Phone Service

A VoIP router is both an ATA and an Internet router. If you have a high speed Internet connection you will most likely have a router to connect your computer to the modem. VoIP routers work the same as other network routers except that they feature analog ports for telephones and have ATA functionality. VoIP routers have both Ethernet data ports for network devices such as computers and analog ports for telephones. Some hardware redundancy is reduced with a VoIP router as the ATA is built- in, while the other arrangement requires an external router and separate ATA connected.

Do You Choose an ATA or a Voip Router For Your VoIP Services?

As far as performance advantages go, it shouldn't make a difference whether you choose a stand alone ATA or a VoIP router. For your Vonage broadband phone service either setup will work for VoIP service. The number of available ports might be of importance to you if you're going to plug in multiple telephones.

The major difference of course is that the VoIP router also provides Ethernet data ports and combines all the features of a router, in many cases will also feature wireless, and the ATA in one unit. VoIP routers are typically more expensive than the stand alone ATA, but that's because you're paying for both a router and an ATA.

Hardware Compatibility With VoIP Services

For the best compatibility and support get hardware from your discount VoIP services provider. Getting your hardware from your VoIP services provider will eliminate concerns of compatibility and functionality as they will only offer hardware that is fully compatible with their VoIP services.

You may decide to purchase an ATA or VoIP router from a third-party for several reasons such as cost of hardware, features and capabilities. Make sure that the third-part hardware you're considering is compatible with your VoIP services provider. Contact your discount VoIP services provider to confirm that they have not experienced compatibility problems or concerns with the hardware you're considering. The main issue at hand is that there are several VoIP protocols in use and you'll want to be sure that the third-party hardware and your VoIP services provider use the same VoIP protocols.

Summary of VoIP Services and Required Hardware

Both ATAs and VoIP routers demonstrate a combination of technologies, bringing together analog phones and VoIP services. ATAs and VoIP routers greatly simplified the amount of hardware and installation necessary in enabling VoIP services and Vonage broadband phone service to be used in homes and offices. VoIP services and Vonage broadband phone service are "plug and play" technologies due to their ease of hardware installation.

Vonage Broadband Phone Service Softphone

Vonage broadband phone service offers the Vonage softphone which is software that allows computers to make phone calls. It's like having a phone built in to your computer. With Vonage softphone, you only need a high speed Internet connection, not an ATA, as Vonage softphone handles the digital/analog conversion of signals. Get Vonage softphone with Vonage broadband phone service and use VoIP wherever your computer goes without having to take your home ATA or VoIP router with you because they're not required for the Vonage softphone to operate.

Continue reading our VoIP articles to learn about the VoIP phones, devices that incorporates all required hardware including the phone, all in the same unit. We also talk about VoIP softphones, software used to make calls. Learn more about "what is VoIP?" with our VoIP services articles.