The Cisco SoftPhone has two primary modes of operation. The first mode of operation is reference to as CTI mode. In this mode, the Cisco SoftPhone is used in conjunction with a physical IP phone. The Cisco SoftPhone allows for software based control of the physical phone. The second mode is Virtual Mode. In virtual mode, the Cisco SoftPhone is the phone device itself. In the terms of IP telephone, the Cisco SoftPhone is the media termination point.
In either case ..you need Call Manager for SoftPhone to work.
Amisha.
Cisco Systems