What is H.323 and why do you need a softphone for it?
If you are looking for a way to communicate with voice and video over the internet, you may have heard of the H.323 protocol. But what is it exactly and how can you use it effectively? In this article, we will explain what H.323 is, why it is useful, and how you can choose and use the best softphone for it.
What is H.323?
H.323 is a standard from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that defines how multimedia communication can be done over packet-based networks, such as the internet. It supports various types of media, such as audio, video, data, and fax, and enables both point-to-point and multipoint conferences. It also provides interoperability with other communication protocols, such as SIP, ISDN, PSTN, and QSIG.
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What are the advantages of H.323?
Some of the advantages of using H.323 for your communication needs are:
It is widely implemented by many vendors and service providers, so you have a lot of options to choose from.
It is backward-compatible with previous versions, so you can communicate with older devices and systems.
It offers high-quality voice and video transmission, as well as security features such as encryption and authentication.
It supports various supplementary services, such as call transfer, hold, park, pickup, and conferencing.
What is a softphone?
A softphone is a software application that allows you to make and receive phone calls using your computer or mobile device. It simulates the functionality of a traditional phone, but with more features and flexibility. You can use a softphone to communicate with other softphones or with regular phones over the internet.
What are the benefits of softphones?
Some of the benefits of using softphones for your communication needs are:
They are easy to install and use. You just need to download the software, register an account, and start making calls.
They are cost-effective. You can save money on phone bills by using low-cost or free VoIP services.
They are portable. You can use your softphone anywhere you have an internet connection.
They are versatile. You can use your softphone for voice calls, video calls, instant messaging, file sharing, screen sharing, and more.
Now that you know what H.323 is and why you need a softphone for it, let's see how you can choose the best one for your needs.
How to choose the best H.323 softphone for your needs?
There are many H.323 softphones available in the market today, but not all of them are created equal. To find the best one for your needs, you need to consider some factors such as compatibility, features, quality, security Ekiga
One of the H.323 softphones that you can try is Ekiga, formerly known as GnomeMeeting. Ekiga is an open source and cross-platform application that runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS. It supports both H.323 and SIP protocols, as well as various audio and video codecs, such as G.711, G.722, G.729, iLBC, Speex, H.261, H.263, and H.264.
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What are the features of Ekiga?
Some of the features of Ekiga are:
It allows you to make and receive voice and video calls over the internet or your local network.
It supports call transfer, call forwarding, call hold, call resume, and call history.
It has a built-in address book that lets you manage your contacts and groups.
It has a presence feature that shows your online status and availability.
It has a chat feature that lets you send and receive instant messages.
It has a conferencing feature that lets you join or create multi-party calls with up to eight participants.
What are the pros and cons of Ekiga?
Some of the pros and cons of Ekiga are:
ProsCons
It is free and open source.It has a dated and cluttered user interface.
It is compatible with many platforms and devices.It has limited support and documentation.
It supports both H.323 and SIP protocols.It does not support some advanced features, such as video conferencing and screen sharing.
How to download and install Ekiga?
To download and install Ekiga, you can follow these steps:
Go to the official website of Ekiga at .
Select the version that matches your operating system and click on the download button.
Save the file to your computer and run it to start the installation process.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
Launch Ekiga and create an account or use an existing one to sign in.
Configure your audio and video settings and enjoy using Ekiga.
Grandstream Wave
Another H.323 softphone that you can try is Grandstream Wave, a mobile application that runs on Android and iOS devices. Grandstream Wave supports both H.323 and SIP protocols, as well as various audio and video codecs, such as G.711, G.722, G.729, iLBC, Opus, H.264, VP8, and VP9.
What are the features of Grandstream Wave?
Some of the features of Grandstream Wave are:
It allows you to make and receive voice and video calls over Wi-Fi or cellular networks.
It supports call transfer, call forwarding, call waiting, call recording, and call history.
It has a built-in contact list that lets you manage your contacts and groups.
It has a presence feature that shows your online status and availability.
It has a chat feature that lets you send and receive instant messages.
It has a conferencing feature that lets you join or create multi-party calls with up to six participants.
What are the pros and cons of Grandstream Wave?
Some of the pros and cons of Grandstream Wave are:
ProsCons
It is free to download and use.It is only available for mobile devices.
It is compatible with many platforms and devices.It has some stability and performance issues.
It supports both H.323 and SIP protocols.It does not support some advanced features, such as video conferencing and screen sharing.
How to download and install Grandstream Wave?
To download and install Grandstream Wave, you can follow these steps:
Go to the official website of Grandstream Wave at .
Select the version that matches your device and click on the download button.
Save the file to your device and run it to start the installation process.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
Launch Grandstream Wave and create an account or use an existing one to sign in.
Configure your audio and video settings and enjoy using Grandstream Wave.
Yealink VC Desktop
A third H.323 softphone that you can try is Yealink VC Desktop, a desktop application that runs on Windows and macOS. Yealink VC Desktop supports both H.323 and SIP protocols, as well as various audio and video codecs, such as G.711, G.722, G.729, Opus, H.264, and VP8.
What are the features of Yealink VC Desktop?
Some of the features of Yealink VC Desktop are:
It allows you to make and receive voice and video calls over the internet or your local network.
It supports call transfer, call forwarding, call hold, call resume, and call history.
It has a built-in contact list that lets you manage your contacts and groups.
It has a presence feature that shows your online status and availability.
It has a chat feature that lets you send and receive instant messages.
It has a conferencing feature that lets you join or create multi-party calls with up to 16 participants.
It has a screen sharing feature that lets you share your desktop or application with others.
What are the pros and cons of Yealink VC Desktop?
Some of the pros and cons of Yealink VC Desktop are:
ProsCons
It is easy to use and has a modern user interface.It is not free and requires a license fee.
It is compatible with many platforms and devices.It has some compatibility issues with some firewalls and routers.
It supports both H.323 and SIP protocols.It does not support some supplementary services, such as call recording and call waiting.
It supports screen sharing and video conferencing features.It does not support some audio and video codecs, such as G.723 and H.263.
How to download and install Yealink VC Desktop?
To download and install Yealink VC Desktop, you can follow these steps:
Go to the official website of Yealink VC Desktop at .
Select the version that matches your operating system and click on the download button.
Save the file to your computer and run it to start the installation process.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
Launch Yealink VC Desktop and enter your license key or request a trial one.
Configure your audio and video settings and enjoy using Yealink VC Desktop.
How to use your H.323 softphone effectively?
Now that you have chosen your H.323 softphone, you may wonder how to use it effectively. Here are some tips and best practices for using your softphone:
Set up your audio and video devices
The first thing you need to do is to make sure that your audio and video devices are properly connected and configured. You can use a headset, a microphone, a webcam, or a speakerphone for your softphone. You can also use an external camera or speaker if you want to improve the quality of your calls. You can check your device settings in your softphone application and adjust them according to your preferences.
Adjust your network settings
The second thing you need to do is to optimize your network settings for your softphone. You need to have a stable and fast internet connection for your softphone to work well. You can use a wired or wireless connection, but make sure that it is not congested or interrupted by other devices or applications. You can also use a VPN or a proxy if you want to enhance your security or bypass some network restrictions. You can check your network settings in your softphone application and adjust them according to your needs.
Test your connection
The third thing you need to do is to test your connection before making or receiving a call. You can use a test call feature or a test number provided by your softphone or your VoIP service provider. You can also use an online tool such as to evaluate your VoIP readiness and compatibility.
Troubleshoot common issues
The fourth thing you need to do is to troubleshoot common issues that may arise when using your softphone. Some of the common issues are:
No sound or low volume: You can check your device volume, mute button, sound card, speaker, microphone, headset, or earphone. You can also check your softphone audio settings, codec settings, and network settings.
Poor sound or video quality: You can check your internet connection, bandwidth, firewall, router, modem, or VPN. You can also check your softphone audio and video settings, codec settings, and network settings.
Call drops or disconnects: You can check your internet connection, bandwidth, firewall, router, modem, or VPN. You can also check your softphone network settings, registration settings, and session timeout settings.
Unable to make or receive calls: You can check your internet connection, firewall, router, modem, or VPN. You can also check your softphone network settings, registration settings, dial plan settings, and call forwarding settings.
If you encounter any of these issues or other problems, you can consult the user manual, the FAQ section, the support forum, or the customer service of your softphone or your VoIP service provider.
Conclusion
In conclusion, H.323 is a protocol that allows you to communicate with voice and video over the internet. To use it effectively, you need a softphone that supports it. In this article, we have introduced three H.323 softphones that you can choose from: Ekiga, Grandstream Wave, and Yealink VC Desktop. We have also given you some tips and best practices for using your softphone effectively.
We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you.
FAQs
What is the difference between H.323 and SIP?
H.323 and SIP are both protocols that enable multimedia communication over the internet. However, they have some differences in terms of architecture, features, and implementation. H.323 is older and more complex than SIP. It uses a hierarchical structure of gatekeepers and gateways to manage calls and sessions. It supports more media types and codecs than SIP. It also provides more interoperability with other protocols and systems than SIP. SIP is newer and simpler than H.323. It uses a peer-to-peer structure of user agents and proxies to manage calls and sessions. It supports fewer media types and codecs than H.323. It also provides more flexibility and scalability than H.323.
Can I use both H.323 and SIP on the same softphone?
Yes, you can use both H.323 and SIP on the same softphone if it supports both protocols. However, you cannot use them simultaneously on the same call or session. You have to choose one protocol for each call or session that you make or receive.
How much does it cost to use a H.323 softphone?
The cost of using a H.323 softphone depends on several factors such as the software license fee, the VoIP service fee, the internet service fee , and the device and network maintenance fee. Some H.323 softphones are free to download and use, such as Ekiga and Grandstream Wave, while others require a license fee, such as Yealink VC Desktop. Some VoIP service providers offer free or low-cost calls to other users or to certain destinations, while others charge per minute or per month. Some internet service providers offer unlimited or high-speed plans, while others have data caps or slow speeds. Some devices and networks are more reliable and secure than others, while others need more repair and upgrade.
How secure is a H.323 softphone?
The security of a H.323 softphone depends on several factors such as the encryption, authentication, and firewall settings of the softphone, the VoIP service provider, the internet service provider, and the device and network. Some H.323 softphones support encryption and authentication features that protect your data and identity from unauthorized access or interception. Some VoIP service providers offer secure servers and protocols that prevent hacking or spoofing. Some internet service providers offer firewall and antivirus protection that block malicious attacks or viruses. Some devices and networks are more resistant to tampering or eavesdropping than others.
What are some alternatives to H.323 softphones?
Some alternatives to H.323 softphones are:
SIP softphones: These are softphones that use the SIP protocol instead of the H.323 protocol for multimedia communication over the internet. Some examples of SIP softphones are Zoiper, Linphone, and X-Lite.
Web-based softphones: These are softphones that run on your web browser instead of your device. They use web technologies such as WebRTC, HTML5, and JavaScript to enable voice and video calls over the internet. Some examples of web-based softphones are Google Hangouts, Skype for Web, and Jitsi Meet.
Mobile apps: These are applications that run on your smartphone or tablet instead of your computer. They use cellular networks or Wi-Fi networks to enable voice and video calls over the internet. Some examples of mobile apps are WhatsApp, Viber, and FaceTime.
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