VoIP gateways are a type of VoIP equipment that uses VoIP technology to convert analog voice streams to digital voice packets. Voice over IP gateways interface TDM networks (PSTN), traditional telephones and PBX systems with Ethernet based networks.
This allows companies to IP enable a legacy PBX system, connect existing telephones to a new VoIP system and or make calls through the PSTN using a VoIP phone system.
To accomplish these functions there exists a variety of different VoIP gateways.
Analog Voice over Internet Protocol Gateways
Analog VoIP gateways come in two different configurations, FXS and FXO.
- FXS Gateways - FXS (Foreign eXchange Station) gateways are primarily used to connect traditional telephones to a VoIP system. With an FXS gateway the traditional telephones plug into the FXS ports, while the gateway's Ethernet port connects it to the network (which the VoIP system is also connected to).
- FXO Gateways - FXO (Foreign eXchange Station) gateways are primarily used to connect a VoIP system to POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines. With an FXO gateway the POTS lines plug into the FXO ports, while the gateway's Ethernet port connects it to the network (which the VoIP system is also connected to).
Analog IP gateways can be found in a number of configurations, from 4 ports to 48 ports. There are even combo analog VoIP gateways that feature both FXS and FXO ports.
Digital VoIP Gateways
Digital Voice over IP gateways come in four different configurations, T1, E1, J1 and BRI.
- T1 Gateways - T1 Gateways are used primarily in North America.
- E1 Gateways - E1 Gateways are used in Europe and most other parts of the world (except North America and Japan).
- J1 Gateways - J1 gateways are used in Japan.
- BRI Gateways - BRI gateways are used with ISDN service.
Digital IP gateways can be found in a number of channel configurations, from a single channel to 32 channels. Digital IP gateways usually ship in combo T1/E1 or T1/E1/J1 configurations.
If you're looking for more information, feel free to browse the other articles on this site about the topic or feel free to contact me directly.
Garrett Smith is a VoIP industry expert, thought leader and current Director of Marketing and Business Development at VoIP Supply, the leading supplier of VoIP Systems and VoIP Gateways in North America since 2002.
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