Ordering voIP Service

What is voIP?

voIP stands for "voice over IP". In simple terms, it means a phone call originating from a regular telephone (such as in your home), cell phone or even a computer is routed over the internet. The party receiving the phone call can also be speaking on a regular telephone, a cell phone or through a head-set connected to a computer. A few well known examples of voIP is Skype(tm) or Google Talk(tm).

What is a DID?

DID stands for Direct Inward Dial. For SoftTouch, a DID is a local phone number across the United States or in more than 40 countries. When someone calls the phone number, the call is sent over the internet to a computer running SoftTouch. SoftTouch then answers the call and the caller is able to use the phone dating system.

How does internet service work?

It's easiest to locate your computer in what is called a co-lo (co location). A co-lo is a business that takes your computer, provides you with high speed internet service, and can provide other services such as 24-hour access, power backup, security and maintenance. When you put your computer into a co-lo, you don't need to worry about ordering internet service. You just tell the co-lo exactly what you intend to use your computer for. In this case, you intend to receive calls through voIP. You usually pay a monthly fee depending on how big (tall) your computer server is.

If you instead decide to have internet installed in your home or office, you will need to make sure the connection speed up and down is fast enough. You can contact us for assistance on calculating how much internet speed you need.

What does a co-lo need to know?

Your computer server will be between 1U and 5U. 1U is very flat and small and 5U is tall. The more U's, the more you will pay. For example, an average charge may be $50 per U. In other words, a 2U case might cost you $100 per month for the rental space. A 5U case might cost you $250 per month for the rental space.

If you are accepting 120 calls or more at the same time, you should be using a 1000Base-T network controller in your computer and ask for a 100Base-T network connection from the co-lo. Most servers these days have 1000Base-T network controllers. For more information on voIP hardware requirements for SoftTouch, see our FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions). A minimum of one 100Base-T or 1000Base-T network controller is required in the computer.

You will need to choose an operating system for your server from the list of supported operating systems. Again, please see the FAQs for more information. The co-lo might want to know what operating system you are running so they can make sure they have staff that are familiar with it in case it's necessary to perform configuration or maintenance operations for you.

What do I need from the co-lo?

You will need to get the IP address of your server on the internet from the co-lo. You will need this number (ex: 192.168.0.100) in order to give it to a DID provider company.

What does the DID provider company need from me?

The DID provider company will need:

• The IP address of your server on the internet (ex: 192.168.0.100)
• The voIP protocol you intend to use: SIP, g.711, UDP
• The DTMF mode: ask for "inband DTMF"

What do I need from the DID provider company?

You will need to know what the IP address is that they will be connecting to your server from. You need this information because you will need to make sure any firewall on your server won't block their attempt to connect to you. If their connection is blocked, you won't receive any phone calls.