A communication management system operates with a packet switched local
area network and includes a PSTN interface for communicating over a
telephone line with a service provider central office. The system
comprises means for establishing a logical channel over the packet
switched local area network to support a real time communication session
with a real time communication device in response to receiving session
signaling from the real time communication device; means for controlling
the PSTN interface to transition the telephone line to an off hook state
in response to receiving session signaling; and translation means for
providing digital audio over the logical channel, the digital audio
representing a dial tone received on the telephone line from the central
office and providing one of a plurality of dual tone multi frequency
signals on the telephone line in response to receipt of data from the
real time communication device corresponding to the one of a plurality of
dual tone multi frequency signals.