VoIP Server
The VoIP Server is the piece of software that the client connects to it to make or to receive a call. Without a server, a lot of services would not be possible.
First of all, a server takes care of routing. It finds the paths between two endpoints along which pieces of information will pass from one to the other. There are different algorithms for determining that, varying from the shortest path to the most secure or the fastest. This is done automatically, so there is no need for human intervention.
The VoIP server can also be used to make communication possible through a lot of types of protocols. Modules that implement different protocols can be added. But what happens if the caller knows a protocol and the other one doesn’t know it. It is just like two different people are trying to talk to each other, but they speak different languages. In this case, the role of the translator can be taken by the server. This function is called proxying.
Finally, the server has to look after the network’s clients. It handles a list with every client that is allowed to use that network’s VoIP. Some of the functions that a server may implement are listed below:
- Anonymous Call Rejection – you can reject all the incoming calls that you cannot find out their number
- Blacklist – maintain a list of numbers that your phone will not accept
- Call Forwarding – redirect incoming phones to another telephone
- Call Return – redial the last called number automatically
- Call Waiting – make a beep when you have a second incoming call
- Caller ID – find out the number of the person that is calling
- Caller ID Blocking – make a phone without sending out your number
