Voice Over IP (VoIP)
Voice over IP (or VoIP for short) is basically operating a telephone-type service across an internet-like network. The network can be the Internet itself or any Local Area Network (LAN).
VoIP services are extremely scaleable and can usually be integrated with any existing PSTN services. There are also VoIP Service Providers (VSPs) that perform some of the more expensive or more intricate interconnections, charging a much more palletable monthly fee to the user. There are commercial and free (usually Open Source) exchange-like software, typically configured as a Private Automated Branch Exchange (PABX) - similar to what a lot of larger organisations use, in addition to being a more inteligent and congifurable option that a Commander-like system.
Four broad typical configurations are:
- Mini - typically useful for a Home or Home/Office,
- Small - typically useful for a Small Businesses,
- Meduim - typically useful for Most Businesses, and
- Large - for those whose needs exceed the others.
Each is described in more detail on the linked pages.