Installing Your Broadband Telephone Adapter

Please follow the instructions that came with your device as these will be the most current instructions.  If you have any problems, contact customer care for assistance.

Home Networking

VoIP service requires an internet connection, so for most people this means setting up a home network since a home network will allow you to share your Cable or DSL connection with both your phone/adapter and your PC.  This may sound complicated at first, but it's actually pretty straight forward, especially with the latest gear that's been designed for ease of use. 

This section will give you a quick primer on setting up a home network if you don't have one already.

Basic Components

Most home networks have the following pieces and parts:

Broadband Modem: This device is usually provided by (or bought from) your broadband (cable, DSL) service provider.  It converts cable or phone signals to internet signals.

Router:  This device is the brains behind your network.  It's responsible for directing all of the internet traffic to the proper location.  Some broadband modems already have router's built in (e.g. the Actiontec Modem that comes with Qwest DSL), but most home networks have a dedicated router/gateway (e.g. Linksys BEFSR41) that plugs into the modem. 

"Hubs" and "switches" are similar to routers and are used if you don't need as much control over the traffic (e.g. if your broadband modem already has a router built in).  Also, routers typically have a 4 ports switch built in where you can plug in up to 4 internet capable devices (like your PC and Broadband Phone Adapter). 

Ethernet Cables:  If you are setting up a "wired" network (see below), you'll need Ethernet cables to connect the pieces.  (Ethernet cables are like phone cords for internet devices.)

Wi-Fi Access Point:  If you are setting up a "wireless" network (see below), you'll need a wi-fi access point.  These are typically built into routers.

Ethernet (Wired Network)

Because all of the components are connected via cables, Ethernet is the fastest, most reliable, and typically least expensive method of home networking.  However, cables can be a limitation if the devices you want to network are not close together.  Also, running and installing Ethernet cables involves more effort than a wireless network.

In order to set up your home network you will need the following equipment:

• (Cat 5) Ethernet Cables
• An Ethernet port on each device that you want to plug into the network.  Most PCs and other network ready devices already have these built in; those that don't can be augmented with a Network Interface Card (NIC).
• Hub, Switch, or Router*
• Cable or DSL Modem

Whether to use a hub, switch or router depends upon how many devices you need to network and if you want to share an Internet connection.  If you want more than one computer to share a broadband connection, then a router is your best choice.  Be sure that whatever device you choose has the appropriate number of ports for your network.

The following steps explain the basic set up for a Ethernet Network.

1. Make sure that each computer on the network has an available Ethernet port and install a NIC on any computer that doesn’t have one.
2. Plug a Cat 5 Ethernet cable into the "LAN" port (or similar) on the Cable/DSL Modem
3. Plug the other end of the Cat 5 Ethernet Cable into the "WAN" port of the Hub, Switch or Router.
4. Run a Cat 5 Ethernet Cable from each device in the network to a "LAN" port in the Hub, Switch or Router.
5. Configure the network software on each computer.  In most cases you'll need to do nothing since addresses should be automatically assigned to each device.  If you've changed one of your devices to use "static" IP addresses, however, you may need to manually set this up.  See your device manual for details.

Wireless Networking

Wireless networking is ideal for people who want to have the ability to use their network from multiple locations without having to run cables.  Wireless networks do have their limitations, however, primarily in that wireless networks are subject to interference from physical objects and other electronic devices (e.g. cordless phones).  Wireless networks also tend to be more expensive and slower than Ethernet connections.

In order to set up your wireless network you will need the following equipment:

• Wireless Network Interface Card (NIC) for each computer on the network
• Wireless Gateway or  Cable/ DSL Modem  with Access Point, or Router

A wireless gateway is essentially a router with the cable/DSL modem built in.  If you choose a gateway you do not need a router. Whether to use an access point or router depends upon how many devices you need to network and if you want to share an Internet connection.  If you want more than one computer to share a broadband connection, then a router/gateway is your best choice.   Be sure that whatever device you choose has the appropriate number of ports for your network.

The following steps explain the basic set up for a Wireless Network.

1. Install your router in a central location where there will be little interference.
2. Plug a Cat 5 Ethernet cable into the Cable/DSL Modem
3. Plug the other end of the Cat 5 Ethernet Cable into the Router.

6. Make sure that each computer on the network has a Wireless Network Interface Card and install a NIC on any computer that doesn’t have one.

4. Configure the network software on each computer.