Abstract: A gateway 11 for using non-IP digital telephone handsets 10 with an IP call controller (“PBX”) 12, 24, 42. The gateway may be implemented to work with any non-IP digital telephone handset and any IP call controller. The call controller may be a public protocol IP Centrex call controller 24 or a proprietary protocol call controller 12, 42. The gateway is programmable so that a single hardware unit can be programmed after it is plugged in to work with any such devices. The programming is accomplished via IP download from a server on the global IP network 23. The gateway may be implemented as a plug in card 40 for an IP call controller 42 that accepts plug in cards. Alternatively, it may be implemented to work with remote IP call controllers 12, 42. In this latter configuration, the gateway may include a router for other IP devices which is designed to give voice quality preference to the telephone handsets over other IP devices.

Abstract: In a system having a switching device in a first location, and an extending device in a second location, a method of providing a communications link between (i) a first phone associated with the extending device and (ii) a second phone local to the second location and not associated with the extending device includes analyzing parameters associated with the first phone and the second phone so as to determine that the first phone and the second phone are local to the second location. The method further includes separating signaling data associated with the communications link from voice traffic associated with the communications link. The method further includes directing the signaling data through the switching device via an extension link between the switching device and the extending device, and directing the voice traffic between the first phone and the second phone.