On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 09:22:46 +1030, Tim wrote: [...]
I connect to a SMC7004VWBR router/firewall wirelessly, but well enough for skype. I would be using my computer as a gateway, of sorts, with this device?
Not normally. That router is the gateway to the internet for everything on your LAN. It's a standalone device, and you don't need any computers running to use it.
That is much the best way to do VOIP. You don't need a power-wasting PC running all the time.
While it may be the best way to do VoIP, it's not an option for me, as I don't have physical access to the router :(
[...]
As the other person said: You need a VOIP provider, just pick one that you're happy with. Start off by looking for one that publishes set up instructions where you can find them before having to sign up. There are some that are set up to work with some pre-configured devices, and don't provide information for using other devices.
Another gotcha is how do you call someone on another VOIP network?
[...]
Whatever it is that a softphone, such as Skype, is doing, I want to do with hardware. I don't need the functionality described.
Is it possible to configure the computer and the ATA to make VoIP calls, such as I currently do with Skype? I've looked at the Skype phones which plug into the USB port of a computer, but don't like that option.
thanks,
Thufir