Homing and controlling IP telephones

摘要

The present invention relates to providing server functionality in a dedicated module or a specially configured packet-switched telephone. The server function is preferably adapted to control the configuration and operation of a plurality of packet-switched telephones configured to operate as clients of the server function. The server function may control specific operation of the packet-switched telephones as well as support communications between the packet-switched telephones and other telephony devices over the packet-switched network. The server function may operate to facilitate communications with the supported packets-witched telephones using a first protocol and with the other telephony devices using a second protocol. The second protocol is preferably the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).