“Wait… Do I need a username? Or do I just shout my IP into the void?”
Let’s make it crystal clear: Bitcall offers two ways to authenticate your SIP connections — and picking the right one depends on what you’re connecting from.
🧪 Quick Comparison Table
Feature | SIP Credentials | Trusted IP (IP Auth) |
🔐 Auth Method | Username + Password | IP Address Only |
👤 Ideal For | Softphones, mobile apps | PBX systems (Asterisk, FreeSWITCH, 3CX) |
🌍 Use From | Anywhere, even dynamic IPs | Static/public IP only |
📱 Devices | Zoiper, Linphone, Bria, etc. | Servers, SBCs, SIP trunks |
🛡️ Security Risk | If password is leaked | If IP is spoofed or changes |
📦 SIP Registration? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (Bitcall expects IP calls) |
⚙️ Setup Complexity | Easier for individuals | More reliable for servers |
🔑 SIP Credentials – When and Why
Use SIP Credentials when you’re connecting from:
Mobile or desktop apps (Zoiper, Bria, Linphone)
Dynamic or changing IP addresses (home networks, VPNs)
Any device that requires registration (REGISTER packets)
🔧 Example Settings
username: demo-user password: p@ssw0rd domain: gateway.bitcall.io port: 5060 transport: UDP
✅ Works with TCP, TLS too — if you use gateway.bitcall.io instead of IP.
🏠 Trusted IP (IP Authentication) – When and Why
Use IP Authentication when you’re:
Running a PBX server (Asterisk, FreeSWITCH, 3CX, etc.)
Hosting from a static IP address
Using IP-to-IP SIP trunking (no need to REGISTER)
🔐 Example Flow
You tell Bitcall:
“Only accept calls from this IP: 102.44.18.77”
We tell our SIP gateway:
“Anything from that IP? Sure, let it through.”
No password. No registration. Just traffic between two known points.
⚠️ IMPORTANT:
You must ensure your IP is static and not behind NAT.
You can only use IP authentication with UDP. TCP/TLS needs SIP credentials.
🧠 Which One Should I Use?
You Are… | Use… |
A casual user on a softphone app | SIP Credentials |
A telecom operator with your own PBX | Trusted IP |
Hosting on dynamic IP (e.g., 4G hotspot) | SIP Credentials |
Using Zoiper on your iPhone | SIP Credentials |
Hosting FreeSWITCH on your VPS | Trusted IP |
Want TLS or TCP encryption | SIP Credentials |
🕵️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using SIP Credentials AND setting an IP → Bitcall will expect both = failure
❌ Setting IP Auth on a softphone that needs to REGISTER → no calls will go through
❌ Using IP Auth with a VPN that changes IP → calls will fail randomly
❌ Choosing IP Auth just to “avoid passwords” → not safer if you’re on a home IP
🧠 TL;DR Recap
✅ Use SIP Credentials if you're on a phone or app
✅ Use Trusted IP if you're on a PBX/server with a fixed IP
❌ Never mix both
❗ Passwords are optional — but IPs must be stable!
💡 Bonus Tip
For the ultimate test — try setting up both!
Use SIP credentials on your Zoiper, and Trusted IP on your FreeSWITCH box. Bitcall lets you manage multiple SIP accounts, so go wild responsibly 😄
Let’s build the next one!