How to Connect VoIP Phones to a Router

Many people are confused by the various interconnections required to set up a VoIP phone system. It's not really difficult at all. The only problem is that without experiencing it first hand, it's a bit tough to visualize. In this article, we take a look at a typical VoIP wireless router and explain how it hooks up to provide VoIP service to a home. This is one of many different ways to get the Job done, but its common enough to warrant a look.

In the US, lots of people get their Internet connection from a cable modem. Using this set up, an ethernet cable goes from the modem into your Computer, allowing you to access the Internet. This is a very simple configuration and it allows just one device to connect to the Internet. There's no wifi either.

The first thing to understand is that a device called a wireless router will allow you to do two things. First, it will allow you to connect many more devices to the Internet than just one Computer. Second, it can provide wifi for any number of other devices to connect to. A system like this dramatically improves the capability of a single cable modem. The wireless router first has an ethernet port which accepts the incoming connection from the cable modem. So instead of going directly to your Computer, it Plugs in here instead.

Along with this port for the incoming connection from the cable mode, the wireless router has several other outgoing ethernet ports. Any device like your computer which needs a wired connection to the Internet can be connected to the router using a standard ethernet cable. This is how a single net connection is spliced between multiple devices.

In addition, the wireless router will have a little antenna that uses the Internet connection from the original cable modem to provide additional wifi capabilities so everyone with a mobile phone, a laptop, or a netbook can move around fully connected to the Internet.

Finally, a VoIP wireless router will have additional ports into which you can Plug in regular phone jacks. Depending on the model, you can have one or many ports. Those familiar with the system will recognize these as similar to ATA adapters which convert analog into digital and vice versa.

The VoIP wireless adapter is a multi functional device which can split your single Internet connection to multiple devices, provide wifi throughout your house, and also allow you to digitize your analog telephone system!

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