How to Set Up VoIP Telephone Adapters

You need an adapter to use VoIP.

"Voice Over Internet Protocol," (VoIP) is an increasingly popular alternative to a traditional telephone service. With VoIP, telephone calls are made using your Internet connection instead of a telephone line. Many services, such as Vonage, Lingo and BroadVoice, allow you to connect any telephone to the VoIP service, allowing you to use your home phone to make and receive phone calls. To use your telephone to place VoIP calls, you must use a VoIP telephone adapter.

Things You'll Need

• Telephone cable
• Ethernet cable
• Router
• Cable modem
• Telephone

Instructions

1. Place the VoIP telephone adapter in the same location as your cable modem and router.

2. Connect the telephone cable from your telephone to the port labeled "Telephone 1" on the rear of the VoIP telephone adapter. If you have two telephones and your adapter supports a second line, plug the second telephone cable into the port labeled "Telephone 2."

3. Plug the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on the rear of the VoIP telephone adapter. Plug the other end into an open Ethernet port on the rear of your router.

4. Plug the power adapter into the power adapter port on the rear of the VoIP adapter, then plug the other end into the power outlet.

5. Contact your VoIP provider for activation instructions. Many VoIP providers will require the MAC address, which is typically located on the label of the adapter itself, often below a barcode. Once the adapter is activated, the VoIP adapter will be ready for use.

Tips & Warnings

• Before purchasing a VoIP adapter, check with the VoIP service provider to ensure that the model is compatible with their service.

References

• Cisco: Internet Phone Adapter User Guide