Installing a Telephone Adapter


The majority of broadband Internet phone installations today use telephone adapters (TAs). These small devices convert the Internet bits and bytes to signals that a common, everyday telephone can understand (Figure 4.3). In addition, they convert your dialing tones to instructions that the VoIP provider uses to route your call.

Figure 4.3. The telephone adapter converts digital Internet communications to analog audio signals.


Note

In this section, I describe the installation process for a TA, from Internet connection to telephone handset connection. I also describe some of the possible configuration scenarios you may encounter when setting up your service. These instructions are, by necessity, somewhat generic. The wide variety of TAs now available makes a detailed model-specific guide impossible in the context of this book. What you will learn, however, are the general steps and gotchas to look for as you install your own device. Your device will include a setup guide that will assist you with specific installation steps for your TA that you can use along with what you learn here.


Properly installing your TA will help ensure that you have a successful VoIP installation. Your TA will be able to locate your VoIP provider and properly insert itself into the provider's network. Your phones will work properly with your TA, and you can even configure your phone lines to distribute Internet phones throughout your home.

Connecting your TA

Your TA should include a quick-start guide for connecting it to your network and telephones (Figure 4.4). You should read this guide carefully before beginning your installation. It will provide pictures to help you locate the proper ports for your connections, a simple step-by-step procedure for connecting, and a list of precautions to help you avoid problems.

Figure 4.4. Quick-start guides are included with telephone adapters to help you set up your device quickly.


Installation Steps

The installation procedure for a TA device is quick. As you perform the installation, you typically take the following steps:

1.

Generally, you connect your TA to your network and telephones before applying power to the device. This ensures that the device does not experience power surges or send voltage spikes to your other devices.

2.

After connecting your TA, you apply power to the device. Observing the status lights will allow you to determine whether the device has successfully located its mother ship and established communications.

3.

When your TA is communicating, you may perform additional steps to complete your configuration. You may dial configuration codes into your telephone or use your computer's Internet browser to access configuration menus.

Tip

Often, you will be directed to complete your service activation before powering on your telephone adapter. This allows your VoIP service provider to have a connection prepared for your device on its end. If you are using a telephone adapter ordered directly from your VoIP service provider, it will be preactivated and can be powered on immediately. For more information on service activation, see Chapter 5.


Connecting your Phone

In addition to connecting a telephone directly to your TA, you might want to connect your TA to your home's telephone distribution system. I discuss this topic in depth later in this chapter, in "Distributing the Telephone Signal."

Note

If your Internet gateway does not automatically assign an address to your TA, you may have to use your telephone handset to address the TA manually. Your TA has a voiceresponse menu that you can use to configure these settings. Look for instructions on this procedure in the user manual that comes with the device. Also, I discuss this scenario in Chapter 6.


Checking your work

If everything proceeds according to plan, you should be hearing a dial tone from your TA. This tone indicates that the TA has established contact with your VoIP service provider and is ready to make calls. All status lights should be lit in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

If you do not hear a dial tone, or if you hear a busy signal, your TA might not be finding the VoIP service provider. You might have to troubleshoot settings or repeat a portion of the configuration process to get it working properly.

All appropriate status lights should be lit. If not, troubleshoot the connection that does not show a light. Network issues such as a missing address will prevent the network status light from lighting. You can troubleshoot address settings by using the steps I outline in Chapter 6. If status lights do not appear for VoIP ports, you might have to contact your VoIP service provider to see whether there are configuration problems with your account.

Tip

Most quick-start guides assume certain network conditions. It is common to assume, for example, that the TA installation will be behind a gateway that automatically assigns IP addresses. Deviations from this basic environment will require some changes in your installation plan. Reading this book and the documentation included with your TA should equip you with the information you need to manage this process.


Safety concerns

You might wonder how there can be anything dangerous about VoIP communications. Aside from what is being said over the telephone, Internet phone communications are very safe. Just keep a few things in mind when dealing with telephone circuits.

Ring Voltages

To make your telephone ring, your local phone company puts a ring voltage on your phone line. The voltage is usually between 65 and 90 volts and can shock you if you happen to be touching an exposed wire when the ring comes through.

Your TA can generate the same voltages. Use caution when handling phone wires and plugs to avoid learning any new dance steps.

Heat

Your TA generates a fair amount of heat when it's in use. Avoid placing it under a hat or a big fluffy pillow. It should be placed in a position where it can get good airflow in the bottom and out the top so that heat can be removed by natural convection. See a physicist for more details.



Fire the Phone Company. A Handy Guide to Voice over IP
Fire the Phone Company: A Handy Guide to Voice Over IP
ISBN: 0321384865
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 94
Authors: David Field

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