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In the last segment of the Field Guide for Voip Virgins, we learned about some of voip’s most basic concepts. Today, we’ll discover what all the equipment does and find out what typical examples look like.

Voip headset: A headset with microphone is commonly used to allow people to make and receive telephone calls from their computer. The device has two plugs that connect to the computer’s audio in port (speakers usually go here) and the audio out port (sometimes has a microphone icon next to it).

It’s also possible to use regular computer speakers and a standalone microphone device.

USB (Universal Serial Bus): In a nutshell, it’s the quick and easy way to connect computers to other computers and peripheral devices, like printers, keyboards, and digital cameras, to computers. Each cable has one end that is a flat rectangle, as in the first two pictures. This goes into the computer, while the other end, often shaped like the third picture, is plugged into the peripheral. The last symbol is used to denote a USB connection. You’ll see it on USB compatible devices and cables.

USB phone: These phones don’t plug into a typical phone jack, instead, their cord ends in a USB connection that can plug right into your computer. Many USB phones are specialized to work well with certain common SoftPhone applications, like Skype, for instance. USB phones generally trend toward a simplified interface without many bells or whistles.

Voip phone: These also don’t plug into a typical phone connection, but they don’t necessarily plug into your computer, either. Instead, they are designed to plug into your computer network, via a router, or high speed modem, using an Ethernet cable.

Ethernet: This is a computer networking technology that encompasses a complex set of standards used to connect computers and peripherals in a network. Ethernet cables look similar to phone wires, but their ends are flatter and wider.

ATA (Analog Telephony Adapter): Also known as a voip internet phone adapter, this is the device that enables an analog, or standard, phone to connect to a digital voip network. There is usually an Ethernet port that connects the adapter to your broadband modem or a router. You’ll commonly find several regular telephone ports that an analog phone can be connected to.

LAN (Local Area Network): A LAN is a network of computers and devices that covers a relatively limited area, like in your house, for instance, or a group of buildings, like those found with a university or hospital. Personal LANs can be set up easily so internet connections and peripherals can be shared with different household computers, as well as allowing a voip internet phone adapter to access the broadband connection.

Router: This device connects two networks together. Packets of information come into the router and are subsequently redirected to the desired destination. Missing or late packets are noted and requests made to have the necessary data sent again. Routers may be hardwired, wireless, or have the capacity to handle both types of connections.

Cable modem: Many people get their broadband internet service from the same people who provide their TV service; the cable company. A cable modem allows you to get online by taking the information being sent or requested and putting it into a 6 MHz channel, which can then travel over the cable just like a TV program does.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line): Another option for high speed internet access, this connection utilizes telephone lines, instead of cable. Unlike regular modems, a DSL connection doesn’t tie up your phone line, so you can still make and receive phone calls while the internet connection is being used.

DSL modem: This device is what you use to access the internet over regular phone lines. It works by first splitting the phone line traffic into three discrete sections. Voice traffic is relegated to a band from 0-4 KHz; downstream information coming from the internet is carried in a band from 240 KHz to about 1.5 MHz; while upstream information being sent from the user’s computer goes anywhere between 25 KHz to 160 KHz.

Now that we know more about how voip works and the equipment we need to use it, we’re in good shape to tackle next week’s topic: putting the pieces of your voip internet phone system together.

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By Nadia Jones