Network communications having endpoint device with automatic connection to iPBX

A telephony communications arrangement comprising:

• an internet-based private branch exchange including programmable means for controlling a server at the internet-based private branch exchange, the internet-based private branch exchange adapted to communicate to a plurality of remote internet telephones over an internet communications link using packet-based communications, the internet communications link being further coupled to a plurality of other packet-based servers;
• and
• a plurality of packet-communicating internet telephones, each internet telephone comprising:
• means for receiving an audible voice signal and for converting the audible voice signal into packet-based voice data for communicating on the internet communications link;
• means for receiving packet-based voice data via the internet communications link and for converting the packet-based voice data into an audible signal;
• and
• communications means for automatically discovering the internet-based private branch exchange and, in response to the automatic discovery, establishing communications with the internet-based private branch exchange for requesting the establishment of telephone communications between the internet telephone and a recipient telephone;
• and
• wherein the server at the internet-based private branch exchange is configured and arranged for facilitating the communication of voice data between one of the internet telephones and a recipient telephone in response to the communications means of the one of the internet telephones requesting the establishment of telephone communications with the recipient telephone.