Getting Started
From VoIP.ms Wiki
This guide will help you to start using your Voip.ms account and services related, depending on the needs from your business or for personal use. A recently created account can be related with a lot of questions, most of those questions can be answered by the Support staff via Live chat or Ticket system, however the information here is intended to make easier your first contact with VoIP.
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Create your account
You can create an account for free, just follow this link Signup, you will access to the sign up page, enter the information required and click on submit. After signing up you will receive an email to confirm your email address and validate the account.
Remember to check on your spam box to ensure you received the email, if not, contact VoIP.ms at [email protected]
Once you have done this, have in mind what is exactly you want to do with your account. You can check the following information and refer to the option that is more related for your case.
Adding Funds
In order to use VoIP.ms services, you will need to add funds to your account, note this is a pre-paid service, the amount added will be reflected in the Account Balance, look for this option at the "Finances" link in the customer portal.
Adding funds is a simple procedure, click on Finances --> Add Funds in the customer portal. Make a payment with any of the available payment options such Credit Card or Paypal, thhe minimum to add is $25 USD. Contact VoIP.ms staff for more information when using Western Union or Bank Wire.
Outgoing calls
If you intend to use VoIP.ms services for the purpose of making calls, you will need first a device or softphone to do this, you can use any type of software or device (unlocked) which support SIP or IAX2. Including free softphones such as X-lite, free open source PBX Asterisk, Voxalot, Trixbox distribution, VoIP ata's and VoIP phones, Hardware CISCO VoIP switches etc. Basically, any hardware or software that support one of the 2 protocols offered.
When you define what is the equipment you will use with the service, you need to configure it using the credentials provided when creating the account. You will receive an Account number ID that consist of six digits (e.g. 100000), along with this you have a password used when creating the account (you can change this password later in your Account Settings). The additional information missing now is the VoIP.ms server we will use to register, for that will be recommendable to visit this link Choose Serverso you can have an idea about which server to use.
Refer also to the Configurations samples here on the Wiki to find specific instructions for your equipment.
Once registered first dial 4443 to reach "echo test" this tool is useful to test the quality of your line since is the only number you can call without adding funds. After doing this, you are ready to add funds and call to the desired destinations, remember to check the Termination rates inside the customer portal.
Incoming calls
To receive calls with VoIP.ms, you probably will need a DID number, you can still receive calls via SIP URI using a sub account, but for use most of the features included in the portal, will be necessary to get a DID number for the incoming calls and different options offered for this scenario.
You have different options to get a DID number, since local US & Canadian numbers to International or Toll free numbers. You fill find also some interesting alternatives such Virtual numbers or iNUMs. Refer to DID Numbers >> Order DID in the customer portal and pick the number that suits best for your needs.
Once you have a DID Number you can see it in your portal, listed under DID Numbers >> Manage DID(s). In this section you will have different options to configure for your number. The first recommended test is to route it to System >> Echo test, to make sure you received a number that is properly working.
You can find different options for the Routing of your number:
- To your main or sub account (this basically means you can route your number to a device or equipment previously configured).
- To an IVR (digital receptionist) this is useful to handle your calls at your business and direct the callers to a specific department.
- To a calling queue (members that can login and answer your calls).
- Time conditions (specify different routes for your numbers depending the time of the day).
- Call forwarding (route your calls to an external number such a landline or cellphone number).
- SIP URI, to call another person or company via SIP.
- Ring group (you have different devices registered, using different sub accounts, you can route one number to all of them with this feature).
- Recording, play a simple message for people to hear when calling your number.
- Call back, (you can use for example your cellphone to make calls via VoIP.ms service).
- DISA (works similar to call back but instead you have to enter a PIN number first).
- Voicemail (give people calling you an option to leave a message, so you can contact them later).
- System (Used for echo test and other responses, such a busy tone or message for unwanted calls).
Sub Accounts
Most VoIP.ms users that recently created an account, can probably have questions regarding sub accounts, for what are they and what is the benefit to create them?
With VoIP.ms you have the possibility to register more than one device, softphone or system, this can be achieved by using the sub accounts offered. You can create as many sub accounts you need, depending on how many devices you want to register at the same time.
Registering multiple devices only with the main account is not recommendable since can cause some connectivity issues.
When you create sub accounts, is like having additional accounts, but managed all together, for this you get a different User ID an password to register a device:.
For example: Sub Account : 100000_101 Password: You set it on the sub account Sip Proxy : atlanta.voip.ms
Sub accounts are also useful to communicate our devices between them, say you have 2 sub accounts registered to Atlanta server, you can make calls directly between the sub accounts using an internal extension that can be configured, at the moment you create the sub account, this same internal extension can be used as a SIP URI.
You can always check the status of your ATA / softphones on the Portal Home Page (Main Menu >> Portal Home). If you look at your list of Sub Accounts near the bottom of the page, you will see the registration status.
Why would I want a Sub Account?
If you want to receive incoming calls from other SIP devices or VOIP providers, you will need a sub account as you will now have a SIP URI that accepts incoming calls.
You can also have the sub accounts based on different continents! So let's say you live in New York, but your parents live in Seattle, and your Aunt lives in England. You can create a sub account for each of them. Let's say your sub account is set up as extension 101, you parents as 102, and your aunt as 103. To call each other, you would simply pick up the phone and dial the 3 digit extension number. There would be no charge for this call as it is considered an internal call.
Remember that every sub account should be registered to the same server, otherwise the internal calls wont work.
If you work from different locations, you might want to set up an extension in each physical locations. Have an ATA & phone hooked up in your home, and an IP phone on your office desk for example.
Basically, you can think of sub accounts as additional extensions to setup additional devices or systems on your VOIP network.
There are many reasons to use your Sub Accounts!
Conclusion
I hope this Getting Started Guide will serve as a useful "how to setup voip.ms" how to guide for new users. Existing users, please feel free to add more to this wiki!!!
