Hosted Voice Over IP (VoIP) telephone service differs from traditional phone systems because you are connected to the Internet instead of copper wires or analogue phone lines. As such, your required network setup and equipment includes a high-speed Internet connection, a modem, a router, and digital VoIP phones. A switch is also needed, depending on how many of your employees are using the service.
Our technicians can provide you with recommendations, general installation support, and diagnostics, while your professional IT administrator can implement the solution, depending on the complexity of your environment.
A variety of Internet services and equipment are available. Here is a high-level overview of how to use these services and equipment in your environment.
| High-Speed Internet |
While options include DSL, Cable, Fiber Optic, T1, wireless, microwave, and more, not all of these are compatible with VoIP. Recommended: DSL, Cable, Fiber, and T1 connections deliver the clearest connection for VoIP service. See Bandwidth and VoIP to determine whether your current Internet connection meets your business needs. Not Recommended:
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| VoIP Phones |
Use VoIP phones that connect to an Ethernet cable, which support Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone. See Authorised Phones for recommended VoIP phone models that include Polycom and Panasonic. | ||||||||
| Routers |
Offers a private internet network that typically plugs into your modem. Consider how the following affect your services in a VoIP environment.
IMPORTANT: The amount of traffic that passes in and out of a router can cause synchronization issues. We recommend you restart your modem, followed by your router every two weeks. Many customers schedule a restart on a Friday evening when everyone is out of the office. | ||||||||
| Switches vs Hubs |
While these devices look identical, they operate in different ways.
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The setup of your network is crucial for the functionality of the phone system. And a typical setup only requires a few pieces of equipment connected in the right order. Look at the following three examples to understand what works best for you.
This diagram shows a regular standalone modem (without a built-in router) that you would normally receive from a Cable Internet Service Provider (ISP). It is important to configure your network in a similar layout to ensure the highest quality of service.
The diagram begins with a modem. You use a network cable to connect the modem to a router, effectively creating a LAN (Local Area Network). From the router, you can plug in a few devices, including computers and phones. If your router does not have enough ports to accommodate all the phones and computers, you can plug a switch into the router.
Note that the phones and the computers are separate. The phones are connected to the switch, and the computers are connected to the router. This scenario can help cut down on network traffic and slightly improve your quality of service. However, it is not necessary in most cases.
In this scenario, the modem/router combination device has been modified to function only as a modem only. As the router is disabled, you must purchase a standalone router. It is important to configure your network in a similar way to ensure the highest quality of service.
This is the ideal setup for enterprise level equipment. In this scenario, the computer and the data traffic, as well as the advanced enterprise level equipment have been separated. It is important to configure your network in a similar layout to ensure the highest quality of service.
