SIP Switch in English
Version Française de My SIP Switch



FAQ



What is My SIP Switch?

My SIP Switch is an experimental service sponsored by Blueface that allows you to route multiple SIP accounts from different suppliers through a single SIP login. Simply put this means you can channel phone calls from several different VoIP providers through to one piece of hardware like an IP phone, an ATA or a softphone. It allows you to easily handle multiple SIP accounts.


Do I need to be technical to use the service?

No! It sound a bit techy alright but it is not very difficult to comprehend. You can read our getting started guide on the forum. If you find yourself stuck, you can always post on the forum. Users are usually quick to answer.


How can I make calls?

Once you have created your account at My SIP Switch, which is free by the way, and that you registered your phone with My SIP Switch, you need to set up your "dial plan".
It is composed of lines with a prefix and your VoIP provider details (more parameter can be added but that's optional). You will need to add a line for each SIP accounts you want to use.
When you will dial a phone number, My SIP Switch will look at the prefix of the call (it can be 0044XXX if you are calling a UK number from outside the UK for instance) and then, it will make you call via the corresponding VoIP provider.


How can I receive calls?

The easiest way to receive calls, once you have set up your account and registered a device with My SIP Switch, is to set up a 3rd party SIP Registration. Basically, it means that My SIP Switch is going to register on all your SIP accounts, as a SIP phone would do for a SIP account. Then, you will receive your phone calls to all these accounts, via you phone registered with My SIP Switch. You don't need anymore to have as many phones as you have SIP accounts.


What is the typical use of My SIP Switch?

It really is handy if you are often using more than one VoIP provider (usually to get better call rates or to allow others to call you for less). If you are not using My SIP Switch and if you have N SIP accounts, you'll need N phones to use them at the same time … Very quickly that becomes a nightmare to handle. With My SIP Switch, you simply need to take a bit of time to get started and then, it does everything for you.


What is SIP?

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is a signalling protocol that plays a key role in internet telephony or VoIP. It is used to create and control communication sessions over an IP network. SIP enables your computer to establish a session and connect to the telephone of the person you want to talk to. These communication sessions can also be used for other communications such as instant messaging, conferencing or interactive gaming.
Because SIP is based on Internet protocol it is not restricted geographically, this means you can treat your phone service the same way you would your email and access it any where in the world. SIP also allows users with different service providers to communicate with each other.


What kind of hardware do I need?

You don't need any extra hardware from what you were using your former SIP accounts. My SIP Switch works with any SIP compatible phone. It can be an IP phone, an ATA or even a softphone.


Can I use a softphone with My SIP Switch?

Yes. Any SIP compatible softphone.


Will the service remain free?

Yes. My SIP Switch handles only SIP signaling, it doesn't handle media (RTP streams). Handling media involves more bandwidth and more processing power so it is more expensive to host. My SIP Switch will remain free for that reason.
If you want to help us, the best way is to speak about us in blogs, forums, websites, or any media really :) We would be very grateful if you helped us to communicate about our tool.


What are the benefits of using My SIP Switch?

If you are setting up you dial plan correctly you can, automatically (without having to dial specifically a prefix), call with the best rate. That will make you save money.
You will also be able to receive all your call on the same phone. That can prove to be very handy (and will become even handier as VoIP reaches more people).


Which web browsers are compatible with My SIP Switch?

All of them really! We tend to test with all the major ones.


How does My SIP Switch interact with audio codec?

No! My SIP Switch doesn't handle media at all, so there is not even a remote possibility that it affects audio quality.


Which SIP port shall I use?

The default SIP port (5060) is usually better. If you need to use another one it is also possible.


Where can I download the source code?

The source code is available for download at: http://www.codeplex.com/mysipswitch.


In which language the source is written?

The application is written in C#.


Can I join the community of developers?

We are currently only 2 developers involved in the project. We would be very pleased to welcome any motivated person. Feel free to contact us.


Which software is required to compile the source?

We are using Microsoft Visual Studio 2005.


What can I do to help the project?

If you want to help us, the best way is to speak about us in blogs, forums, websites, or any media really :) We would be very grateful if you helped us to communicate about our tool.
If you are a programmer and know C#; do not hesitate to contact our admins to join the team of developers.


Does it work with all VoIP providers?

It certainly works with the great majority! We have not tried with all of them though …


What is Blueface?

Blueface is sponsoring My SIP Switch.
My SIP Switch was initially designed by Blueface CTO (Aaron Clauson) and then with the help of other Blueface engineers. The service is hosted on a Blueface server.
Blueface was founded in Dublin in 2004 to provide internet telephony services to the Irish and UK markets. Blueface develop open-standards based VoIP technologies, including a private label (white label) platform. This has been deployed to major ISP's in Ireland, in Southern and Eastern Europe and in the Caribbean. Blueface operate infrastructure in both Ireland and the UK, with direct interconnects with the incumbent operators, along with VoIP and TDM interconnects for worldwide voice termination. Blueface is a privately owned company with offices in Dublin and London.


Is Blueface benefiting from My SIP Switch?

Apart from gaining a few visits on its website and a few Google Adwords revenue (not enough to pay a dedicated web hosting …), Blueface is not benefiting from My SIP Switch. The service is free and will remain free.


Can I be called from a regular phone?

Definitely! It simply gathers your SIP accounts into a single one, so all your contacts can call you as they used to do.


Is it secure?

The website is using https with SSL encryption, so all your passwords and logins are safely transmitted. Our server is hosted as all other Blueface servers which require a high level of security. My SIP Switch is secure.


Does it work with IAX?

No. IAX implies that media and signaling travel along the same path. That won't be compatible with My SIP Switch project.


What are the future directions of the project?

We will keep on improving the service according to users' recommendations. It will remain free.