Exploring VoIP in Linux
GET CONNECTED
Using a headset and a webcam to make phone calls is easy, interactive, and even free, thanks to VoIP. In this month's cover story, we'll help you choose a VoIP softphone, and we'll show you how to configure your own Asterisk exchange server.
VoIP offers many benefits, not the least of which is economy. PC-based phone calls are typically free, apart from the Internet charges you would pay anyway. VoIP also provides features that aren’t available on most conventional phone lines. For instance, VoIP clients (also known as softphones) support video as well as voice, meaning that the person you call can actually see you. And VoIP is portable. If you register your current public IP address with your provider, your provider can forward your calls to wherever you are on the Internet.
Of course, VoIP has its disadvantages: for a good conversation over the Internet, you’ll need a fast Internet connection. And if you want to receive incoming calls at any time, you will need to leave your computer switched on.VoIP might not be for everyone, but Internet telephony is growing increasingly popular as an alternative to conventional phone services. In this month’s cover story, I explore VoIP in Linux.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
openSUSE Tumbleweed Ditches AppArmor for SELinux
If you're an openSUSE Tumbleweed user, you can expect a major change to the distribution.
-
Plasma 6.3 Now Available
Plasma desktop v6.3 has a couple of pretty nifty tricks up its sleeve.
-
LibreOffice 25.2 Has Arrived
If you've been hoping for a release that offers more UI customizations, you're in for a treat.
-
TuxCare Has a Big AlmaLinux 9 Announcement in Store
TuxCare announced it has successfully completed a Security Technical Implementation Guide for AlmaLinux OS 9.
-
First Release Candidate for Linux Kernel 6.14 Now Available
Linus Torvalds has officially released the first release candidate for kernel 6.14 and it includes over 500,000 lines of modified code, making for a small release.
-
System76 Refreshes Meerkat Mini PC
If you're looking for a small form factor PC powered by Linux, System76 has exactly what you need in the Meerkat mini PC.
-
Gnome 48 Alpha Ready for Testing
The latest Gnome desktop alpha is now available with plenty of new features and improvements.
-
Wine 10 Includes Plenty to Excite Users
With its latest release, Wine has the usual crop of bug fixes and improvements, along with some exciting new features.
-
Linux Kernel 6.13 Offers Improvements for AMD/Apple Users
The latest Linux kernel is now available, and it includes plenty of improvements, especially for those who use AMD or Apple-based systems.
-
Gnome 48 Debuts New Audio Player
To date, the audio player found within the Gnome desktop has been meh at best, but with the upcoming release that all changes.