Xblue Networks X-50 - Manual (Page 16)

Introduction
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Product Configuration
The X-50 IP small business system is a fully functional VoIP Telephone System, Auto (Receptionist) Attendant
and Voice Mail as well as a full featured Internet Gateway (IGW). A Gateway is used to join two disparate networks
such as a Local Area Network (LAN) and a Wide Area Network (WAN).
LAN vs. WAN
In reality a “Network” is nothing more than the “network of wires”, which is used to join computing devices.
However, it has become common place to refer to the Local Area Network (LAN) as “the Network”, which includes
computers, computer devices and peripheral equiptment such as network printers. The Local Area Network is also
referred to as “the Intranet” meaning the “Internal Network”. This manual may use these terms interchangeably.
The LAN port on the X-50 is used when installing endpoints, such as the X2020 telephone or other computer
devices within the same Subnet, which is generally a small geographical area like a single building. The WAN port
is used when connecting endpoints that are not within the same Subnet, which is generally a larger geographical
area or remote location such as a home office.
LAN
A Local Area Network (LAN) or Intranet is created when two or more computing devices are connected together to
share information or access to another device. A network switch, or multiple network switches, can be used when
connecting more than two devices. The LAN port of a X-50 VoIP Telephone System is used to communicate with
all of the connected devices and to connect these devices to other networks such as the PSTN or other WAN
Devices.
The X-50 routes calls over a standard Intranet using a TCP/IP backbone, and does
not require or rely on the Internet.
Therefore, it is possible to use the X-50 as a standalone telephone system without
connecting it to the Internet.