Glossary / Devices and Hardware
🎧 Devices and Hardware covers the physical equipment used in VoIP and Cloud PBX systems. From desk phones and headsets to network switches and gateways, this section contains 17 terms that help you understand which hardware you need and what each device does.
On this page: IP Phone/VoIP Phone · Conference Phone · DECT Phone · Headset · USB Headset · Bluetooth Headset · DECT Headset · Speakerphone · ATA · VoIP Gateway · SBC · Media Server · PBX Server · PoE Switch · Network Switch · Router · Paging System/SIP Door Intercom
IP Phone / VoIP Phone
A desk phone designed to make calls over an internet network using the SIP protocol. It looks similar to a traditional phone but connects to your network with an Ethernet cable instead of a phone line. IP phones have built-in displays, programmable buttons, and support features like HD Voice, call transfer, and directory lookup.
Conference Phone
A specialised phone designed for group calls in meeting rooms. Conference phones have multiple microphones and a powerful speaker that can pick up voices from across a table. High-end models use beam-forming microphones that focus on the active speaker. They connect to your PBX just like a regular IP phone.
Related: IP Phone/VoIP Phone · Speakerphone
DECT Phone
A cordless phone that uses DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) technology. A DECT base station connects to your PBX, and one or more wireless handsets communicate with the base station. DECT phones let users walk around the office or warehouse while on a call. Range is typically 50 metres indoors and 300 metres outdoors.
Related: DECT Headset · IP Phone/VoIP Phone
Headset
A device worn on the head that combines a speaker (earpiece) and a microphone, allowing hands-free phone calls. Headsets are essential for call centres and for employees who need to type or move while talking. They connect to phones or computers via USB, Bluetooth, or DECT wireless.
Related: USB Headset · Bluetooth Headset · DECT Headset
USB Headset
A headset that connects directly to a computer's USB port. USB headsets are commonly used with softphone applications (software phones installed on a PC or Mac). They offer reliable audio quality because they use the headset's own sound processing instead of the computer's built-in audio chip.
Related: Headset · Softphone
Bluetooth Headset
A wireless headset that connects to phones or computers using Bluetooth radio technology. Bluetooth headsets offer freedom of movement within a range of about 10 metres. They are popular for mobile workers and hot-desking environments. Battery life and audio quality vary by model.
Related: Headset · DECT Headset
DECT Headset
A wireless headset that uses DECT technology for a dedicated, interference-free wireless connection. DECT headsets offer longer range (up to 50 metres indoors) and better audio quality than Bluetooth in busy office environments. They connect to a base station that plugs into your desk phone or computer.
Related: Headset · Bluetooth Headset · DECT Phone
Speakerphone
A phone or device feature that allows you to hear the caller through a built-in speaker and speak through a built-in microphone without holding the handset. Standalone speakerphone devices (sometimes called conference speakers) are used for small group calls at a desk or in a huddle room.
Related: Conference Phone · Duplex/Half-Duplex/Full-Duplex
ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter)
A small device that connects a traditional analogue phone to a VoIP network. The ATA converts analogue voice signals into digital SIP packets and vice versa. ATAs are useful when you want to keep using existing analogue phones (such as a fax machine or a lobby phone) after switching to a Cloud PBX.
Related: VoIP Gateway · IP Phone/VoIP Phone · SIP
VoIP Gateway
A device that connects a VoIP system to the traditional telephone network (PSTN) or to legacy phone systems. It converts SIP traffic to analogue or ISDN signals and back. Businesses use gateways during migration from old phone systems, or when they need to connect to equipment that does not support SIP.
SBC (Session Border Controller)
A network device that sits at the edge of your network and controls all SIP traffic entering and leaving. The SBC provides security (blocking attacks), interoperability (translating between different SIP implementations), and quality management. Larger businesses and service providers use SBCs to protect their voice infrastructure.
Media Server
A server that processes audio and video streams during calls. Media servers handle tasks such as conference mixing (combining audio from multiple participants), music on hold playback, IVR prompts, and call recording. In a Cloud PBX, the provider operates the media servers in their data centre.
Related: Transcoding · PBX Server
PBX Server
The central hardware (or virtual machine) that runs PBX software, managing all call routing, features, and user accounts. In an on-premises PBX, this is a physical server in your office. In a Cloud PBX, the provider runs PBX servers in their data centre and you access the system over the internet.
Related: Cloud PBX · Media Server
PoE Switch
A network switch that provides Power over Ethernet, sending both data and electrical power through a single Ethernet cable. PoE switches are essential for IP phone deployments because they eliminate the need for separate power adapters at each desk. They also power devices like wireless access points and cameras.
Network Switch
A device that connects multiple devices on a local network and directs data to the correct destination. Unlike a basic hub, a switch sends data only to the device that needs it, reducing congestion. Managed switches support VLAN configuration and QoS, both of which are important for voice quality.
Router
A device that connects your local network to the internet (or to other networks). The router directs traffic between your LAN and the outside world. For VoIP, the router must support QoS and handle SIP traffic correctly. Many VoIP problems are caused by routers with SIP ALG enabled or insufficient processing power for voice traffic.
Paging System / SIP Door Intercom
Paging systems are speakers installed in hallways, warehouses, or outdoor areas that broadcast announcements from the phone system. SIP door intercoms are intercom panels with a speaker, microphone, and sometimes a camera, installed at building entrances. Both connect to your PBX via SIP, allowing you to answer the door from your desk phone or open a door lock remotely.
Related: IP Phone/VoIP Phone · SIP
Related Sections
🔗 Networking for VoIP — Bandwidth, QoS, PoE, and network infrastructure
🎵 Audio, Media and Codecs — Codecs, echo cancellation, and audio quality
📡 SIP Trunking — How your PBX connects to the telephone network
📞 PBX Systems — Cloud PBX, hosted PBX, and on-premises systems
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