replace home phone with VOIP phone

BBCModelB

I use a mini PC with 1xLAN and 1xWAN network ports as my Pfsense appliance at home

I want to replace our 'traditional' landline based telephone with a VOIP phone and I don't have a dedicated port on my Pfsense appliance to plug the phone into

Would it be wise to plug the VOIP phone into the LAN side of the Pfsense appliance?

NogBadTheBad

@bbcmodelb I do it with a Snom SIP phone for work, I have a separate VLAN for voice and the phone is the only device on the subnet.

Get yourself a nice cheap Snom 710 off ebay and give it a go, it can all be set up from the phone itself if you have a SIP account & number defined.

I still have my old traditional landline as I'm using ADSL.

BBCModelB

@nogbadthebad said in replace home phone with VOIP phone:

Snom 710

so a VLAN is the way to handle it - ok, I'll look into it

if you happen to be UK based, any recommendation for a service provider?

BBCModelB

@bbcmodelb

the provider I'm looking at recommend an adapter that allows you to plug in your existing phone - this is ideal as my existing phone is cordless

http://www.grandstream.com/products/gateways-and-atas/analog-telephone-adaptors/product/ht801

Grandstream HT801 adapter

NogBadTheBad

@bbcmodelb That adaptor plugs into a phone socket so it wouldn't even touch pfSense, it would still need plugging into the phone line.

dotdash

@nogbadthebad
It's got Ethernet and a POTS port. Ethernet goes to the LAN so it can send call via SIP over the Internet. The POTS port goes to a phone.

NollipfSense

@bbcmodelb I recently set up a VOIP using FreePBX for my home office. Routing from LAN presents a problem with the firewall I found. So, I had to set up a DMZ; however, to do that, you'll need three ports and your mini PC only has two.

bingo600

I have used Linksys SPA2102 & SPA3102 ATA's wo. any problems , behind pfSense.

Just make sure your sip register frequency (or sip keepalive) is lower than the "Firewall state cleanup" , and depending on your device capability to set the "outside ip" , use a STUN server.

I changed recently to a Gigaset SIP phone , and had no problems with that one too.

provels

Just sayin', but I left VOIP at home about 10 years ago for Cell alone with a Link2Cell phone base station with 5 handsets to spread around the house. I can use my cell at home, but VOIP in the car is tough...

JKnott

@nollipfsense said in replace home phone with VOIP phone:

you'll need three ports and your mini PC only has two

That's where VLANs and a managed switch come in handy.

BBCModelB

@provels said in replace home phone with VOIP phone:

Just sayin', but I left VOIP at home about 10 years ago for Cell alone with a Link2Cell phone base station with 5 handsets to spread around the house. I can use my cell at home, but VOIP in the car is tough...

cell phone coverage is unreliable where I am, so that's a no go

I've found a VOIP phone in the attic, a Polycom CX600, which should do the job. I'll set it up on a VLAN behind Pfsense as suggested and see how I get on

Thanks all for the comments

JKnott

@bbcmodelb said in replace home phone with VOIP phone:

cell phone coverage is unreliable where I am, so that's a no go

Cell coverage is poor in my condo, but WiFi calling works well.

NogBadTheBad

@bbcmodelb said in replace home phone with VOIP phone:

CX600

Think you might find it only supports Microsoft Lync, maybe that's the reason why it's in the Attic.

BBCModelB

@nogbadthebad said in replace home phone with VOIP phone:

@bbcmodelb said in replace home phone with VOIP phone:

CX600

Think you might find it only supports Microsoft Lync, maybe that's the reason why it's in the Attic.

in that case, am I better off buying a proper VOIP phone or an adapter to plug into my existing phone(which will be redundant) - I'm thinking call clarity / features?

NogBadTheBad

@bbcmodelb If you have network ports scattered about the house, you could move a VOIP phone wherever you wanted, the features would mostly be down to the VOIP provider.

There are plenty of cheap ones on eBay.

The Snom 710 I mentioned is all configureable via a web page once the phone gets an IP address.

bingo600

I'd go for either an ATA (Analog to VoIP) adapter , and reuse your existing phone.

Ie.
The linksys is a quite old design , but well proven
https://www.amazon.com/Eboxer-Gateway-Protocol-Internet-Adapter/dp/B07KKD1HY3/

I'd prob go for this one , the $4 more for an extra analog channel (2'nd phone). could come in handy.
https://www.amazon.com/Grandstream-GS-HT802-Analog-Telephone-Adapter/dp/B01JH7MYKA/

Same func as the GS above , but only 1 analog port
https://www.amazon.com/Grandstream-HT801-Single-Port-Telephone-Adapter/dp/B06XW1BQHC/

Or get a new DECT set w. VoIP capabilities.

I can recommend Gigaset DECT VoIP phones.
https://www.amazon.com/Gigaset-C530-Duo-Additional-Businesses/dp/B08M6CWBXX/

https://www.amazon.com/Handsets-Affordable-Replacement-Nationwide-robocalls/dp/B085RV13ZP/

I think you're UK based ... Just found out

Too bad you're not in EU anymore.
https://www.amazon.de/Gigaset-C430A-Telefon-Schnurlostelefon-Freisprechfunktion-Go-platin/dp/B00TG2BHBO/

A Gigaset GO-Box 100 - They usually connect to most DECT/GAP handsets
See reviews
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigaset-GO-Box-100-black/dp/B087XN4YZ4/

Handset for the Go Box
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigaset-C430H-Additional-Cordless-Handset/dp/B00F5V2FJ8/

Or dual (Just don't connect the Base) so you'll end up w. 1 charger
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigaset-Nuisance-Blocking-Cordless-Answering-black/dp/B00F07U4R2/

Note:
DECT phones from EU uses different freq , than US.
Make sure your choice has ~~US freq's~~ EU freq's , aka. buy locally.

Watch out for things like this one , (remember to get the DECT/VoIP base)
https://www.amazon.com/Grandstream-DP720-Dect-Cordless-Telephone/dp/B01GUFAZ9O/

Base
https://www.amazon.com/Grandstream-DP750-DECT-Station-Black/dp/B01GUFAYPO/

If you're happy with your existing analog , i'd prob try the ATA first.
If you need more handsets scattered around the house , i'd go for a new DECT system w. VoIP capabilities.

/Bingo

slimypizza

Have you thought of Ooma? I have a wireless phone system with the base hardwired to my LAN and all extensions cordless.

BBCModelB

@bingo600

great info, thanks

BBCModelB

thank you all so much for the great info - will check out all options mentioned

BBCModelB

@bingo600 said in replace home phone with VOIP phone:

Gigaset-C430A

How is Skype doing these days? Does it have a poor reputation? The phone I found in the attic is designed for it. Its a Polycom CX600.