How To Set Up A VoIP Server At Home

Want to access an on-premise VoIP solution from the comfort of your own home? Whether for business or personal use, a simple and straightforward VoIP server setup makes it possible. You can very quickly enjoy the perks of IP telephony without fearing the hosting provider will move or alter a vital feature or even worse – go out of business.

With an installed VoIP server – you can have it your way. A full hands-on experience is readily available with this setup to match your individual needs and retain full control over your system and personal data. In just a few simple steps, this guide will walk you through the setup of your very first VoIP server from home.

Step 1 – Select Your Server for Your PBX

To share your service with more than one person, a PBX (Private Branch Exchange) service is required. With many retailers available, you can select an on premise system that truly matches your needs. Once you’ve made your pick, you should also choose where you’d like to have your PBX server set up. There are two ways you can go about it:

Personal PC

You can use your personal PC for your setup. The vast majority of the PBX vendor systems are fully compatible with popular operating systems such as Microsoft and Linux. This means no extra investment is required on your end to get your IP telephony up and running – ideal for cost-conscious users!

PBX Appliance

Depending on the number of extensions and calls you are expecting to have, you might need a dedicated machine for your IP telephony. You can opt in for an affordable compact PBX appliance instead, such as mini-PC or Raspberry Pi. These are ideal for home setups as they require minimum space, power as well as reduce noise and heat production. PBX vendor 3CX, offers a pre-installed PBX System on a RaspBerry Pi for approximately $100. Within minutes you can have a full spectrum of audio, video, messaging features that you can adapt to fit your small business needs right away.

Step 2 – Make Sure Your Internet Connection Is Reliable

A reliable internet connection with a good bandwidth and uptime percentage is essential for your IP telephony setup. If your network goes down, you won’t be able to place or receive calls. You can confirm that your network connection is reliable by taking a speed test to understand how well your internet connection can handle the VoIP calls from home.

A perfect setup for IP telephony usually includes a separate home connection dedicated exclusively to your PBX. This way you can avoid sharing your bandwidth with other devices such as gaming consoles or PCs and minimize the chances of the network being overwhelmed.

This doesn’t mean a WiFi service can’t work. However, since there’s always a risk of a network compromise, and excessive bandwidth consumption – a dedicated wired connection is preferred, especially for smooth business operation.

Step 3 – Choose Suitable VoIP Hardware

A VoIP phone, modem, router, Ethernet cables, and maybe even headsets are a few examples of additional equipment you’ll need to get your home setup up and running. The most important item on that list is the VoIP phone, and there are two types, a hardphone or a deskphone and a softphone.

A softphone is just software or an app developed by your provider. It’s easily installed on your PC or mobile phone and helps support calls over the internet. A deskphone, on the other hand, is a physical device you can also get from your provider or other manufacturer.

When choosing the right phone for your home, consider features like speakerphone, display size, number of extensions, routing capabilities, and power over Ethernet support. These small details can drastically elevate your calling experience, as well as comfort.

If you want to cut on spending and use your existing phone at home as an IP phone, you also have an option for that. You can convert your phone from analog to digital signals using an analog telephone adapter, and it will work just fine for voice over IP calls.

You’d also need a modem or a router to provide a good internet connection. Opt in for a router with high Quality of Service (QoS) to avoid interruptions during periods of peak traffic.

Finally, although optional, VoIP headsets can be very important accessories to assure an excellent audio quality for your setup. When working from home, headsets are ideal for keeping your business conversations private or simply avoid disrupting people living with you. Plus, if you are going for wireless options, you will also get to enjoy additional perks like being able to move around and multitasking by keeping your hands free.

Step 4 – Get A SIP Trunk Provider

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunk is a virtual phone line that utilizes VoIP to reach local and international numbers. Many businesses are scrapping traditional phone lines by adopting SIP trunks instead to receive access to a much cheaper solution especially when it comes down to the long-distance and international calls for your home setup.

SIP trunking allows tremendous levels of flexibility by erasing the need for physical phone lines to connect to the PSTN network. What’s even better, this solution is also bulletproof for buyers who need additional room for scalability. In just a minute, you can add or remove SIP trunks depending on your current needs. This is particularly convenient for companies struggling to approximate the number of lines they will need even 2 or 6 months down the line.

There’s a wide range of SIP trunk providers available with a variety of features, settings, and service tiers, so making the best choice can be overwhelming. You should consider quality, price and security as your main starting points, as well as inquire if porting previous business numbers is possible in case necessary.

Final Words

Once your hardware and software are connected, your home VoIP server setup is officially complete. We always advise to have your setup tested once everything is properly installed, before making your first official call. This way you can resolve any unforeseen problems without causing an important conversation to go to waste.

That’s all there is to know about a VoIP setup at home. It is the communication technology of the future, so this post and others on Voip-Info.org will equip you with all you need to stay on track with all the latest developments.