What is a VoIP Router?

A VoIP router is like an intersection that connects two streets, only the router will connect networks together. The birth of the VoIP router began in January of 1980, when William Yeager was challenged to find a way to connect computers in the Stanford University computer science department, medical center, and department of electrical engineering. After several revisions, he came wrote an optimizer for PDP11/05 assembler.

Traditional phone lines connected two callers through a circuit that was continuously open during the duration of the call. Around 1960 and before, the call transmission would be through a single copper wire that would connect the individual calls. Currently the traditional phone lines are fiber optic and several individual calls are digitalized and sent simultaneously along the fiber optic cable. This reduced the cost of traditional phone service and increased its efficiency.

Internet connections work differently:

• Packets (small chunk of data) are sent
• Connection is briefly open to send packets
• Packets are sent to routers
• Data is reassembled at destination

A VoIP router is needed when Voip phone calls will be connecting with traditional landlines and cell phones. A router is connected to a VoIP adapter (which is connected to the phone). Wireless versions are available and are sometimes referred to as gateways. VoIP routers have different features to provide VoIP solutions for business, individuals, and call centers.

VoIP router features:

• Multiple phone jack connections
• Prioritization
• Firewall technology
• WPA encryption support
• Configurable IP access
• HTTP/SNMP manageable from any location
• Remote office compatibility
• Auto-provisioning for automated configuration & SW upgrades.

Research is the key to satisfaction with any purchase. Before researching the VoIP routers that are available, identify what you need in a router. Consider growth and future VoIP router needs. VoIP solutions are different for the following uses:

• Individual
• Business
• Call Center

Look for value and the best price. Researching online makes it easy to comparison shop. Some VoIP and internet services bundle services and it will qualify users for various discounts. Sometimes a VoIP router will be included in the bundled offer..