FXS and FXO: External Ports Ensuring VOIP Connectivity

With the rapid advancement in information technology and broadband services, organizations are relying more on innovative and productive facilities to simplify their business issues. Communication is considered as the bedrock for all businesses; if there is no proper channel for communication between the internal departments, companies today will not be able to operate to their full potential. Therefore, every organization is constantly seeking better communication technologies that can balance both, operational efficiencies and budget constraints. Lately, VOIP technology has been bagging the limelight as it reduces the overall call costs and diminishes the efforts to integrate data and voice network by channelizing them into a single interface. 

The prominence of VOIP in Business World

Many organizations have adopted VOIP phone systems to replace the traditional phone lines with IP protocol. With the inclusion of VOIP, businesses can use their private network to channelize their long-distance communications such as voice, data, fax etc. VOIP is considered ideal for businesses that are spread over multiple locations and are looking for communication solutions that can reduce the cost of calling and ensure efficient intra-office calling.

Here are a few seamless communicational features of VOIP and its application in business. 

• Office-To-Office Communication: By installing and configuring VOIP solutions on the intranet, an organization can make calls or send faxes by linking other offices within one network. 

• Off-Net Calling: Unlike the broadband-based telephony system, a VOIP system can place off-net calls within the office premises with the help of an intranet network.

• Off Premises Extensions: With the help of PBX and other integrated extensions, an organization can connect to different external offices by simply dialing an extension code.

FXO and FXS

VOIP solutions are assisted by advanced devices and ports that provide a hassle-free calling experience and establish a stable connection between multiple channels. FXO and FXS are part of the communication infrastructure that helps in creating the apparatus for VOIP phone systems and further ensures its functionality. Both, FXO and FXS are considered significant extensions for connecting the VOIP adapters and gateways. 

FXS (Foreign Exchange Subscriber)

Basically, Foreign Exchange Subscriber is a port that establishes a connection between the server and the VOIP equipment such as, phone, fax, PBX, modem, etc. and enables the transmission of analog signals. FXS port is a plug on the wall that provides a dialer tone, loop current and required voltage to the machine. An FXS gateway is required to link the VOIP system with PSTN lines and translate analog signals into digital signals.  

FXO (Foreign Exchange Office)

Foreign Exchange Office is another port that connects POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) with the VOIP adapter. FXO port merges the internal phone system with an external telephone line by providing the essential parameters for calling. Just like FXS, FXO also establishes a connection between the VOIP phone system and analog phone lines.

Connection Between FXO and FXS

FXO port must be properly connected to FXS port in order to establish proper functioning VOIP services. When both the external ports are connected appropriately to their respective devices, a signal is received from the VOIP service providers that confirms the connectivity between the ports and other VOIP devices.

FXO and FXS Supporting VOIP Phone Systems

VOIP is basically providing effortless communication solutions which combine the voice and data transmission into a single network. With constant support from VOIP phone systems, organizations are able to set up and maintain multiple voice networks for their business. The rapid adoption of IP in voice over phone systems has integrated a seamless voice and data communication via the prevailing network interface. VOIP solutions along with auxiliary extensions like FXO and FXS ports widen the potential to save expenditure on telephony systems and investments on conventional communication architecture.