Know Facts about VoIP Gateways

VOIP technology has become increasingly popular in the communications and networking fields over the last few years because it is both efficient as well as cost effective. VoIP technology, simply stated, is the conversion of data signals over the internet through a data network. The latest concept to gain popularity in this communication field is the VOIP Gateway.

VoIP gateway transfers the analog signals into a data packet over a broadband connection. Thus, making calls through this process cost considerably less when compared with calls made through the standard telephone cables.

VoIP Gateway may be defined as a network device that enables conversion of voice calls as also fax messages between the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and an Internet Protocol (IP) network in real time. Technically speaking, the basic functions of VoIP gateway consists of voice and fax compression/decompression, packetizing, call routing, and control signaling.

VoIP gateway offers many features including call management, call directing and call translation across multiple Internet telephony services. VoIP gateway also enables interface to external controllers - Gatekeepers or Softswitches, Billing Systems, and Network Management Systems.

Converting incoming PSTN/telephone lines to VOIP - The VoIP gateway allows calls to be received and placed on the regular telephony network. Many continue to use traditional phone lines because it guarantees a higher call voice quality.

Connect a traditional PBX/Phone system to the IP network - The VoIP gateway allows calls to be made through VoIP facility. Incoming calls can be placed using a VOIP service provider, or routing the calls via the Internet. VOIP gateways are available as external units or as PCI cards. A VoIP gateway will have a connector for the IP network with one or more ports to connect the phone lines to it.

There are two different types of VoIP gateways – Analog units and Digital units.

• Analog units, as the name suggests, are used to connect regular analog phone lines to it. Analog units are generally available for up to 24 lines.

• Digital units, on the other hand, enable connecting digital lines either one or more BRI ISDN lines (Europe), one or more PRI/E1 lines (Europe) or one or more T1 lines (USA).

This technology is being used by many business houses because of advanced features like web conferencing, video conferencing etc that enable users to have face to face meetings with their clients spread across the globe. It is therefore not required for them to travel to different locations to hold meetings spending a lot of money and time.

Yet another advantage is international calls can be cheap as they are made with the help of SIP protocols and SIP cards. VOIP Gateway system is scalable as the user does not require any phone extensions or lines for the transmission to take place.

Standard telephone lines run the risk of disruption if there are heavy rains, floods, storms and other natural disasters. As VOIP gateway is based on satellite transmission, such risks are minimal. VoIP gateway is easy to configure unlike the conventional telephone system and it is also easy to manage this system as the web configuration interface is nothing complex.

The essential requirement for availing this VOIP technology is a high speed broadband connection. It needs PCI cards for the external units along with a connector and a few port lines for making the connection between the computer and the telephone.

James Allen - About Author:
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