An outlet for a Local Area Network (LAN), containing an integrated adapter
that converts VoIP to and from analog telephony, and a standard telephone
jack (e.g. RJ-11 in North America) for connecting an ordinary analog
(POTS) telephone set. Such an outlet allows using analog telephone sets
in a VoIP environment, eliminating the need for an IP telephone set or
external adapter. The outlet may also include a hub that allows
connecting both an analog telephone set via an adapter, as well as
retaining the data network connection, which may be accessed by a network
jack. The invention may also be applied to a telephone line-based data
networking system. In such an environment, the data networking circuitry
as well as the VoIP/POTS adapters are integrated into a telephone outlet,
providing for regular analog service, VoIP telephony service using an
analog telephone set, and data networking as well. In such a
configuration, the outlet requires two standard telephone jacks and a
data-networking jack. Outlets according to the invention can be used to
retrofit existing LAN and in-building telephone wiring, as well as
original equipment in new installation.