VoIP Adapters - Using An Analog Phone With VOIP
An adapter with at least one FXS port or telephone jack that connects a standard telephone and an ethernet jack that connects the adapter to the LAN is the most common analog telephone adapter. And you can connect a standard phone with a device like an ATA, which communicates directly with a VoIP server and does not require any software to be run on a personal computer, like a softphone, to a remote VoIP server.
The ATA conveys information via the remote VoIP server using VoIP protocols like SIP, MGCP, H.323 and IAX. Then it encodes and decodes voice signals with voice codec: gsm, ILBC, ulaw, alaw, etc.
FXS to USB Adapters
Hook up your phone with your person computer (pc). To hook up an FXS port / telephone jack to a standard telephone and a USB connector to a pc adapter, an FXS to USB adapter is the choice to use. Note that although FXS connects to Ethernet gateways, FXS to USB adapters do not communicate directly with VoIP servers. Software is necessary in order for the equipment to work, generally a softphone. This software then conveys the information via the remote VoIP server, performing the voice encoding and decoding. FXS to USB adapters do need drivers (software) which may not be available nor compatible across all operating systems and system platforms, so check in advance to coordinate your systems.
FXS to Dialup Adapters
Hook up with dialup. You can hook up an FXS to a dialup adapter, a unit with at least one FXS port / telephone jack that links the standard telephone and one FXO port with a built-in dialup modem to convey information via the dialup ISP. With this type ATA, it is possible to connect a standard phone with remote VoIP servers. The ATA then transmits via the remote VoIP server using a VoIP protocols; H.323, SIP, MGCP or IAX. And it encodes and decodes voice signals with codec; gsm, ILBC, G723.1, etc. Good news is that no software is needed, since ATAs work directly in conjunction with VoIP servers.