Can I use a VoIP phone with my iMac??

Question

Level 1

9 points

Can I use a VoIP phone with my iMac??

I've just got a digital phone service (VoIP). I would like to share the internet connection from my mac to hook up the phone. My mac running on a wireless connection.

Is there a way to allow internet sharing through the ethernet port that would allow the phone to work? It works fine when I hook up other computers.

iMac Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jun 14, 2009 2:56 PM

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Answer 1

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,541 points

Jun 16, 2009 10:41 AM in response to haasjs

I have just tried doing this and cannot figure out how it can work.
I turned on wireless for my Mac mini and my gateway and setup a wireless network with internet access. Then I connected the VoIP device to the ethernet port on my Mac mini. But I could not figure out a way to configure sharing the internet connection to the VoIP device because I could not figure out a way to get the Mac to see the VoIP device connected to the Ethernet port.
However, perhaps you could assist the VoIP device with its own wireless connection to your router by using an AirPort Express Base Station. It has an Ethernet port. But it is US$99.00! Otherwise, you need a very long Ethernet cable to go around the room from the router to the VoIP device next to your iMac.

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Answer 2

haasjs Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 15, 2009 5:18 AM in response to Templeton Peck

Well, I tried it and I can't get the phone to "register"... which means it has established a connection.

I've allowed all connections through the firewall as well.

Just wondering if anyone esle has done this.

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Answer 3

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,541 points

Jun 15, 2009 7:26 AM in response to haasjs

Could you tell us more about your wireless connection? Do you have a wireless modem for service from your ISP? Or are you using some neighborhood free wireless service?
I use a Vonage telephone with my service but I have a gateway, a modem with a built in router. This way each of my Macs on the LAN and the VOIP phone have their own separate LAN IP and work independent of one another's internet connection.

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Answer 4

haasjs Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 16, 2009 7:36 AM in response to Dah•veed

Yes, I do have a wireless router hooked up to my modem from Comcast. I know that I could just hook the phone up to the router, but it's on the other side of the room. I would very much like the phone next to the iMac... that's what I'm trying to accomplish anyway.

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Answer 5

Jun 14, 2009 2:58 PM in response to haasjs

Is there a way to allow internet sharing through the ethernet port that would allow the phone to work?

Sounds like you already know what you need to do, so try it and find out.

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Answer 6

haasjs Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 17, 2009 4:00 AM in response to Dah•veed

Thanks so much for doing all of that. I was afraid that I would have run a line around the room... oh well.

Thanks again!

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