VoIP Hardware

VoIP Phones and Conferencing Tools

VoIP phones range from very basic corded phones to more advanced devices with multiple speakers or video components. A very basic corded VoIP phone starts around $45, and more advanced phones, (usually meant for businesses that do a lot of conference calling), like the Yamaha P JP-50USB, can go for as much as $1100.

More basic corded phones are most appropriate for use in the home. You can also get very simple cordless phones.

There is a wide range of IP business phones. There are basic multi-feature IP phones like Cisco’s SPA300 series with basic functions like call waiting and call forwarding. These phones generally run between $57 and $85.

Then there are more advanced phones like the Cisco SPA500 series. These are usually full-featured SIP enabled phones, meaning they can be completely integrated into the VoIP system of a large company. Extra features on these phones include a larger number of lines (up to 12) and WiFi connection. These phones generally cost between $60 and $300.

Some businesses may also need conference phones. These are much more elaborate phones that may have multiple speakers, or built in cameras to better facilitate telephone conferencing. These phones usually have multiple lines and call conferencing features that allow you to speak over several lines at once. Cisco’s IP Conference station 7937G (around $575) is an example of this sort of phone.

Other conferencing tools include speakers and webcams which you may want to use to enhance your video conference clarity and sound.

Prices can range for conferencing tools. For example, a new set of Cisco MX300 conferencing screens can cost $23,460, while a small webcam attachment for a computer can cost as little as $57 for a Logitech B525, and even less for some simpler cameras.

IP Fax Machines

To use VoIP or IP faxing, you don’t actually need to have a fax machine. However, if you feel more comfortable using an actual fax machine for your Internet faxing, new IP fax machines start around $110 and range as high as $2000.

Adapters and Gateways

Adapters are very useful if you have just a few analog devices that you want to be able to use with your new VoIP system. Adapters can be very cheap, as low as $30 for a small adapter like a Grandstream HT502 (which works for 2 devices at once). Smaller adapters usually can’t accommodate more than 4 lines. For example, a more expensive adapter like the AT&T Synapse SB67050 Analog Terminal Adapter (which costs $249) only accommodates 2 devices, but includes lots of features like voicemail support, paging, and on-hold music. A gateway device is a specific kind of adapter that connects an analog device to your LAN (Local Area Network, like Ethernet or WiFi). Gateways can usually accommodate more lines than a smaller adapter, usually up to 48 lines. They can range from about $60 to over $1000.

VoIP Accessories

VoIP accessories may refer to a wide range of products including:

• Computer monitors
• Cords,cables, and wires
• Headsets
• Webcams
• Brackets and wall mounts

Essentially, a VoIP accessory is any miscellaneous device that you would use to improve your VoIP system.

PBX Hardware

Today, many people are choosing hosted PBXs. Business VoIP providers usually feature a hosted PBX as part of their basic packages. A hosted PBX has all of the same features as a traditional PBX machine without the need for a manual operator or expensive machinery.

However, if you don’t want to buy a business VoIP service but you still want to use Internet telephony, then you can buy PBX hardware to adapt your PBX for an Internet connection. Or you can build your own IP PBX to serve an office or to connect an office to the PSTN (the public switched telephone network, the system behind traditional analog telephone service).

As we said before, if you already have an old PBX, a SIP trunking service should be able to help you connect that PBX for VoIP calling.

Switches and Networking Tools

A switch is necessary for transferring calls from one line to another. Switches range in price depending on the number of devices they can accommodate. Prices start around $25 and range as high as $9000.

One important switch to note is the PoE, or Power over Ethernet switch. This switch connects your power source directly to your Ethernet which will improve your Ethernet’s performance.

In addition to physical switches, you can also get softswitches, software systems which perform the same functions as these hardware switches.

“Networking tools” is a broad term that refers to the equipment you use to build up a VoIP system. In addition to switches, networking tools include routers, edge devices, and other accessories.

Routers connect your LAN to your various Internet-capable devices.

Edge devices protect your devices and your network from viruses and other security breaches.

VoIP Alarms and Security Systems

VoIP security systems are security cameras and sensors that are operated over Internet service, rather than a traditional phone line.

VoIP alarm systems may include bells, alarms, buzzers, pagers, and loudspeakers, all of which can be easily programmed and managed over the Internet.