VoIP PBX Telephone Systems & The Advantages
By Lee A. Smith
VoIP PBX or IP PBX (Internet Protocol Private Branch Exchange) is a telephony
system that makes use of IP data networks to facilitate telecommunication. The
immediate advantage of VoIP PBX is that enterprises using it need not have to
replace their existing phones or phone numbers to accommodate the new VoIP
facility. It is a robust technology that works in tandem with the existing
communication infrastructures. In other words, the VoIP technology can use the
existing PSTN lines via the VoIP gateway, and there is no much of additional
infrastructure involved in its entire installation.
How does a VoIP PBX work?
The basic architecture of an IP PBX system consists of an IP PBX server, one or
more SIP phones or VoIP phones, and a VoIP gateway, as mentioned already, to
connect to the existing PSTN lines (optional though). The IP PBX server functions
quite similar to a proxy server. The SIP or VoIP phones, which can be either
hardware phones or soft phones, has to register with the IP PBX server, and
when they wish to make a call to another phone – a VoIP or SIP phone – actually a
request is send to the IP PBX server to establish the connection. The IP PBX
server will have a directory of all users/phones and their respective SIP addresses,
and using this info, it could connect an internal call or route an external call via a
VoIP service provider or a VoIP gateway, whichever is applicable. The process
is just quick and simple.
So, what are the advantages of VoIP PBX over conventional PBX systems?
The most important plus of VoIP PBX is that it is many times easier to install and
configure than a traditional phone system. Any one who knows the basics of
computer and networking can install the IP PBX in a PC and maintain it reasonably
well. Also, since it is all software, there is no complex wiring involved anywhere. If
somebody wants to connect a hardware phone to an IP PBX system, he/she can
directly plug it into a standard network port (soft phones can be installed directly
into the PC). This must be read in the backdrop of the fact that in the case of
proprietary phones, only a trained technician could handle its installation,
configuration, wiring, and overall maintenance.
Another big advantage of IP PBX is its low cost of operation. Since the calls make
use of IP networks, even long distance international calls are many times
cheaper. If the call is made between the phone systems that links the branches of
enterprises, it is absolutely free of cost. Further, since IP PBX is built on an open
SIP standard, users can use any SIP software/hardware phone with virtually any
SIP based PSTN Gateway, IP PBX or VoIP provider. There is no question of a
vendor lock-in in any circumstance.
Yet another positive with IP PBX is that it could easily handle any number of
additional phone connections and extensions without disturbing the efficiency of
the network. This is in deep contrast to the conventional phone systems, which
might require additional hardware modules to accommodate the newer
connections and extensions.
Finally, with VoIP PBX, it facilitates hot desking and roaming, provides easy
usability, and better manageability via the IP PBX Windows client. With proprietary
phones, in order to implement the latter feature, it might require expensive
hardware components.
Lee Smith writes about VoIP PBX Telephone Systems VoIP PBX
By Lee A. Smith
VoIP PBX or IP PBX (Internet Protocol Private Branch Exchange) is a telephony
system that makes use of IP data networks to facilitate telecommunication. The
immediate advantage of VoIP PBX is that enterprises using it need not have to
replace their existing phones or phone numbers to accommodate the new VoIP
facility. It is a robust technology that works in tandem with the existing
communication infrastructures. In other words, the VoIP technology can use the
existing PSTN lines via the VoIP gateway, and there is no much of additional
infrastructure involved in its entire installation.
How does a VoIP PBX work?
The basic architecture of an IP PBX system consists of an IP PBX server, one or
more SIP phones or VoIP phones, and a VoIP gateway, as mentioned already, to
connect to the existing PSTN lines (optional though). The IP PBX server functions
quite similar to a proxy server. The SIP or VoIP phones, which can be either
hardware phones or soft phones, has to register with the IP PBX server, and
when they wish to make a call to another phone – a VoIP or SIP phone – actually a
request is send to the IP PBX server to establish the connection. The IP PBX
server will have a directory of all users/phones and their respective SIP addresses,
and using this info, it could connect an internal call or route an external call via a
VoIP service provider or a VoIP gateway, whichever is applicable. The process
is just quick and simple.
So, what are the advantages of VoIP PBX over conventional PBX systems?
The most important plus of VoIP PBX is that it is many times easier to install and
configure than a traditional phone system. Any one who knows the basics of
computer and networking can install the IP PBX in a PC and maintain it reasonably
well. Also, since it is all software, there is no complex wiring involved anywhere. If
somebody wants to connect a hardware phone to an IP PBX system, he/she can
directly plug it into a standard network port (soft phones can be installed directly
into the PC). This must be read in the backdrop of the fact that in the case of
proprietary phones, only a trained technician could handle its installation,
configuration, wiring, and overall maintenance.
Another big advantage of IP PBX is its low cost of operation. Since the calls make
use of IP networks, even long distance international calls are many times
cheaper. If the call is made between the phone systems that links the branches of
enterprises, it is absolutely free of cost. Further, since IP PBX is built on an open
SIP standard, users can use any SIP software/hardware phone with virtually any
SIP based PSTN Gateway, IP PBX or VoIP provider. There is no question of a
vendor lock-in in any circumstance.
Yet another positive with IP PBX is that it could easily handle any number of
additional phone connections and extensions without disturbing the efficiency of
the network. This is in deep contrast to the conventional phone systems, which
might require additional hardware modules to accommodate the newer
connections and extensions.
Finally, with VoIP PBX, it facilitates hot desking and roaming, provides easy
usability, and better manageability via the IP PBX Windows client. With proprietary
phones, in order to implement the latter feature, it might require expensive
hardware components.
Lee Smith writes about VoIP PBX Telephone Systems VoIP PBX
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