A VoIP Phone System requires the use of SIP phones / VoIP phones. SIP phones come in several versions and types:
SIP / VoIP Soft Phones – Software Based SIP Phone
A software based SIP phone is an application which makes use of your computer’s microphone and speakers or an attached headset to allow you to make or receive calls. An example of a SIP phone is 3CX’s own SIP clients, 3CXPhone, which are free to use for all 3CX Phone System 12 users.
3CXPhone for Windows, Android and iPhone
Hardware SIP Phone
A hardware based SIP phone looks and behaves just like a normal phone. However, it is connected directly to the data network, rather than your standard PSTN line(s). These phones have an integrated mini hub, so that they can share the network connection with the computer, which means you don’t need an additional network point for the phone. Examples of hardware SIP phones are snom and Yealink IP phones which work seamlessly with 3CX Phone System for Windows.
Use an Analog Phone via an ATA Adapter
If you want to use your current phone with the VoIP phone system, you can use an ATA adapter. An ATA adapter allows you to plug in the ethernet network jack into the adapter and then plug the phone into the adapter. That way your old phone will appear to the VoIP phone system software as a regular SIP phone.
