ATA is actually an analog to digital converter, meaning it translate the analog audio signal from your phone and to digital data then allowing it to travel over the Internet to perform the call. ATA is quite easy to use. You simply plug the cord from your home phone, which normally goes into the wall jack into the ATA then you’re ready to make that call!

The Internet Protocol or IP phone is the next device in our list. This is just like your typical phone at home, with the usual handset and buttons. The only difference is that a standard phone has RJ-11 phone connectors, whereas an IP phone has a RJ-45 Ethernet connector. This device is directly connected to a computer’s router and includes all hardware and software that are needed to make a VoIP call straight from your computer. Since it works just like a standard phone it makes making a call relatively easier, compare to making calls using a microphone and speakers.

That’s about it for the basic VoIP devices. Now let’s move on and take a closer look at the more complicated VoIP equipments, namely the gateway, router, firewall and lastly the so-called “power over Ethernet”.