With the advent of technological progress and flawless global connections, VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) has come out as a crucial innovation that has transformed the way people communicate. In this world of communication technology, there is a critical device known as the internet router, which is needed to make all types of VoIP calls.
For many decades, circuit-switched networks have transmitted voice signals through traditional landline telephone systems. However, since the age of the internet began, communicating through VoIP has started to trend, as it makes use of data networks for digitally transmitting voice packets. The technology of VoIP enables users to make voice calls through the internet, and the expenses incurred are much less when compared to using a traditional landline.
VoIP Router
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) router makes it possible to impart voice communication along with multimedia data over the internet network. It is separate from the traditional phone systems as it converts voice signals to digital packets when transferring them over IP (Internet Protocol) networks.
A VoIP router plays the role of a catalyst that enables the flawless combination of voice and data communication, which ensures many functions that provide a well-organized and reliable communication system. This router helps traverse between conventional PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and modern IP systems that let users make and receive calls through their regular telephones by using the internet as a transmitting medium.
Types Of Routers
Depending upon specific needs for communication, different types of VoIP routers are selected for use. Other kinds of routers include,
Wireless Routers
Without physical cables, wireless routers combine routing capacity with wireless access points. The development of wireless routers has helped VoIP phones and even softphones communicate wirelessly. Routers with advanced features like WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia) help maintain reliable voice quality that reduces any possible disruptions.
Services Routers
Integrated Services Routers (ISRs) are integrated with switching, routing, firewall, VPN (Virtual Private Network) and VoIP capabilities into one single gadget. It supports VoIP features like voice gateway, which benefits call processing and SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunking, which makes it a suitable choice for all types of networking solutions.
Core Routers
Core routers play an important role as they are situated at the core of a vast network and direct the existing data to travel between various subnets and networks within a company.
With well-organized, low-latency data transmission across the network, core routers indirectly improve VoIP communication performance, as they contribute towards network stability with quality.
Edge Routers
The routers are placed at the edge of the network and gets connection to external networks, like the internet. They manage the data entering and exiting the local network. These routers also play an essential role in securing the network by approving firewall rules. They also detect and stop all forbidden threats.
VPN Routers
Virtual Private Network (VPN) routers increase the security and privacy in VoIP communication through an added layer of protection. They secure data over untrusted networks like the internet by establishing coded tunnels between locations or devices that are remotely connected.
Wired Routers
Wired routers have existed for decades and are the foundation of almost every network structure. They help interlink devices within the LAN (Local Area Network) and connect the LAN to the wider internet to ensure uninterrupted calls.
Best VoIP Routers
A few of the best VoIP Routers out there include,
- SonicWall TZ Series
- Net Gear Nighthawk X10 Router
- Asus RT Series
- Net Gear Pro Safe
- Linksys EA8300 Max Stream
- Cisco 900 Series
- Sophos UTM
- ZyXEL Zy Wall
- WatchGuard Firebox T35
- FortiGate 52E SMB Firewall