With VoIP there are many different ways to make a call, however, the three most commonly used methods are:

1) ATA

ATA (analog telephone adaptor) is a device that allows you to connect a standard phone to your computer or your Internet connection. Basically, the ATA acts as a analog-to-digital converter. It takes the analog signal from your traditional phone and converts it into digital data for transmission over the Internet.

2) IP Phones

IP phones are almost identical in appearance to analog phones. The major difference however, is that the standard RJ-11 phone port is replaced with an RJ-45 Ethernet port. IP phones connect directly to your router to work in conjunction with software installed on your PC.

3) Computer-to-computer

This is the simplest form of VoIP. All you need is the right software, a headset, a sound card and an Internet connection (generally a broadband connection). Both parties, however, must have the same software installed.

What is an IP PBX?

The term PBX comes from the original term PABX, which is an acronym for Private Automatic Branch Exchange. Essentially, a PBX is a private telephony switch that resides inside a business and is used for its internal employees to communicate both between themselves and the outside world.

An IP PBX replicates this function in a software environment, incorporating the use of VoIP. With a traditional PBX, separate networks must be used for voice and data communications. One of the main advantages of using an IP PBX is the fact that it employs converged data and voice networks. This means that Internet access, as well as VoIP communications and traditional telephone communications, are all possible using a single line to each user. This gives flexibility as a business grows, and can also reduce long-term operation and maintenance costs. Like a traditional PBX, an IP PBX is owned by the business.

What is a Hybrid IP PBX?

A step up from an IP PBX, a Hybrid IP PBX is an IP PBX that, along with VoIP, also supports legacy and analog switching protocols such as TDM. A Hybrid IP PBX will typically also support analog phones to complement its support of IP Phones. Hybrid IP PBX’s are considered to be the next step in the evolution of the IP PBX, and the benefits of using it trump that of its predecessor.