SIP Trunk Account Basics
SIP trunks, or remote-access programs, are an online application of a telecommunications network that eliminates the need for physical phone lines and instead lets calls to and from various devices be made and received through data transmitted over a high-speed Internet connection. This new technology is becoming increasingly popular with today’s more technologically savvy customers and is especially used in several industries including medical, manufacturing, and telecommunication. A SIP trunk serves the same function as a traditional telephone exchange – providing access to a local area network (LAN) for users who may not have internet access at home.
How SIP Trunking Works:
The SIP system works by allowing calls to the server using a VoIP protocol, which is a set of protocols that allow the transmission of digital packets. Each of these packets contains a small portion of information in the form of a call header. The purpose of the header is to maintain data integrity between the customer and the VoIP provider, as well as to ensure that the proper call routing happens based on the destination of the incoming call.
To make a call, a customer dials a toll-free number assigned by the VoIP service provider, and a message is automatically sent to the VoIP provider containing the customer’s phone number, and an authorization code to activate the call. This code is then sent back to the customer’s phone using SIP trunking technology, and the call is routed to the correct destination. The same process happens whenever data packets arrive at the server.
This service, called VoIP phone systems, are very effective when it comes to providing services like answering the phone and making international calls. The fact that they do not require physical lines makes them ideal for smaller businesses and home offices where it may not be feasible to install high-speed internet access to all employees.
Most VoIP services require an account to be established with a VoIP provider before they provide the necessary infrastructure for users. The account holder has a few options with regards to this: he/she can use a SIP trunk account hosted on a third-party server, or he/she can set up an account on their own by using a dedicated IP network to connect all computers in the office using IP phones.
The former method, which is the less expensive option, can be implemented by using the help of an administrator on an IP network, while the latter involves the entire network of the network. The former method will only require the setup and configuration of a number of servers that are connected to each other via an Ethernet or WAN connection.
An administrator can configure the SIP account either via the Internet by a VoIP phone, or through another means such as an onsite training course. For those not familiar with the terminology, administrators can also learn the details of the account configuration process over the Internet, or they can visit the website of the organization hosting the software for an online tutorial.
As part of the setup process, the administrator of the service account must create a user ID and password, assign an IP address, and a domain name, as well as configure the account settings. The administrator also has the option of assigning a port number to each computer that uses the account and can customize the settings to match the types of calls that they want to receive. Finally, the administrator can assign a unique IP address to each device using the account. A SIP account can be either shared by all employees within the organization, or it can be configured so that each person can access it.