IP Phone Overview (Windows CE 5.0)
An IP phone is a device that provides normal telephony functionality, like placing and receiving calls, but uses an IP network connection for connectivity instead of a traditional phone network.
Because IP phone voice traffic is carried over the same IP network that exists in many locations, enterprises (and consumers) only require a single data connection, reducing installation and maintenance expenses.
In addition, because IP phones are nodes on an IP network just like any other node, they can provide a range of services that are difficult or expensive to provide on a traditional phone network, like seamless integration with schedule and contact information on an enterprise server.
Windows CE includes a wide range of functionality to build IP phones. This functionality includes the following:
- Core components that enable cost-effective, rapid development of a broad variety of VoIP devices
- A highly flexible and customizable solution
- An extensible platform that provides for the inclusion of value-added applications and services
- A full-featured user interface to provide phone functionality
- Access to all of the other features provided by Windows CE, including the .NET Compact Framework
For a step-by-step guide to learning and using the VoIP functionality in Windows CE, see How to Develop an IP Phone.
Documentation Roadmap
IP phone information exists in two primary locations in the Windows CE documentation. The following table shows these locations.
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
| Developing an IP Phone | Provides general information about building an IP phone using Windows CE, including step-by-step instructions for using the VoIP functionality in How to Develop an IP Phone. |
| Windows CE Features | Includes documentation for all Windows CE functionality, organized by Catalog item. The most relevant Catalog items for Windows CE VoIP functionality,in general order of usefulness to a typical IP phone developer, are: |
See Also
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