What is Ip telephony (VOIP)

What is Ip telephony (VOIP)

IP Telephony or VOIP ( Voice Over Internet Protocol) is the transmission of telephone calls over a data network. this is accomplished by packetization of the voice streams. VOIP enables users to make telephone calls over a data network like the Internet.

VOIP converts the voice signal from the telephone into a digital signal that can be transmitted across the data network. At the receiving end the signal gets converted back to voice.


The basic telephone functions between traditional voice and VOIP are identical. Users pick and the receiver hear dial tone and dial numbers as they have done in the past.

In fact , many VOIP users are unaware that they are not on a traditional PBX phone system untill they learn about the additional features and functions that an IP Telephony system provides.

Components of IP Telephony system

IP Telephony system are composed of these basic elements:-

1.End Devices-- 

These may be Ip phones, traditional telephones and/or audio equipped personal computers.

2.Gateways--

It handles signal translation between traditional telephone equipment and IP network devices.

3.Gatekeepers/Proxies--

The gatekeepers/proxies provide centralised call management functions such as user location , authentication , bandwidth management , address translation , etc..