What is common VoIP Hardware?

VoIP hardware falls into several categories:

VoIP Interface Cards for PCs
PC Telephones
VoIP Telephones
VoIP Switches
VoIP Gateways
VoIP Routers
VoIP PBX's
VoIP Telephones

VoIP Interface Cards for PCs

VoIP Interface cards for PCs turn your PC into a very capable VoIP telephone.

Leading manufacturers of VoIP interface cards for the PC include:

PC Telephones

PC Telephones are telephones which attach to your PC, usually via the USB port, and allow you to make telephone calls through your PC.

VoIP Telephones

VoIP telephones are telephones which attach directly to Ethernet network ports.

VoIP Switches

VoIP switches are devices which allow you to connect multiple phone lines to one Ethernet port. This allows every telephone which is connected to the switch to place VoIP calls.

VoIP Gateways

VoIP Gateways connect VoIP networks to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).

VoIP Routers

VoIP Routers route VoIP traffic in much the same way that regular routers route IP (Internet Protocol) traffic.

VoIP PBX's

VoIP PBX's are high-tech low-cost equivalents of traditional telephone PBX's. In addition to traditional PBX functionality, VoIP PBX's configure and manage VoIP network capabilities.