Re: [asterisk-users] VOIP PBX replacement suggestions?
On Jun 6, 2012, at 4:40 PM, Cary Fitch wrote: Where do you get your IP connection? The cable monopoly? Not yet, but we will. We have a T1 that has our servers on it (we have our own ARIN-assigned netblock). I don't think that'll be fast enough for VOIP once the servers start taking more load, so plan to order a cable line from the monopoly to run VOIP over and share the office download bandwidth. On Jun 6, 2012, at 10:47 PM, Lee Howard wrote: Unless you're going to move to an internet fax service provider you'll probably not want to attempt to switch your fax line to a VoIP line and still attempt to fax over it. And even then, depending on how much fax traffic you have moving to an internet fax service provider may not save you any money. I thought that was what iaxmodem was for? Part of the plan here was to dodge buying serial cards or modem banks when we started faxing more. (I'm getting even more off topic here, but I just had to say something…) On Jun 6, 2012, at 5:59 PM, John Novack wrote: One wonders how viable this business can even be, with one line, one fax, and no budget to replace an aged telephone system. Not very, but we're doing a lot better than a lot of our former neighbors who closed up and never came back. The guy behind us manufactured camping stoves by hand until the day he died. There's towns around here that went from around 10% unemployment to over 50% unemployment in one week when the local major manufacturer announced plant closures. Times are tough for everyone. It's just now starting to get better. We're seeing increased revenue for the first time since we started. Our service had its first major project and it passed with flying colors, despite deliberate interference. It's now starting the second. Next week we are calling back some employees we laid off over a year ago. That's why I have no budget for this, we're using it to pay them. I'm a strong supporter of our service and I firmly believe (as does my boss) that it's going to improve a lot of peoples' lives if we can just stick it out long enough for it to happen. Both of us have invested nearly everything we have to try to keep us going. This is not just some random IT job. We're not going to manufacture some piece of consumer glitz that people will be happy with for a few months and then throw away, we're not blasting ads at people to try to convince them to spend money they don't have, and we're not grinding out crapware for some app store or social network; we aren't even really concerned with making loads of money. We're going to get results. We're going to make a real difference, or die trying. I would much rather try and fail than spend the rest of my life wondering if this could have gone somewhere. Just one old fart's opinion. I'm sure there's more than a few that would agree with you. Most would have probably given up and gone away years ago, and I do not feel they are wrong. Everyone has their limits and priorities, but every once in awhile there's some crazies who care about more than just getting a paycheck. I guess I'm one of them. -- _ -- Bandwidth and Colocation Provided by http://www.api-digital.com -- New to Asterisk? Join us for a live introductory webinar every Thurs: http://www.asterisk.org/hello asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Re: [asterisk-users] VOIP PBX replacement suggestions?
On 06/07/2012 06:18 AM, Daniel Seagraves wrote: On Jun 6, 2012, at 10:47 PM, Lee Howard wrote: Unless you're going to move to an internet fax service provider you'll probably not want to attempt to switch your fax line to a VoIP line and still attempt to fax over it. And even then, depending on how much fax traffic you have moving to an internet fax service provider may not save you any money. I thought that was what iaxmodem was for? Part of the plan here was to dodge buying serial cards or modem banks when we started faxing more. IAXmodem was developed in order to make the modem hardware-agnostic. In other words, iaxmodem functions independently from the hardware, but that doesn't mean that you can provide a suitable audio channel to IAXmodem without some kind of hardware. Every once in a great while someone will come onto this mailing list or any number of others and announce that they've successfully got fax-over-VoIP going for them. In almost all of those situations that I've been permitted to analyse they're simply getting lucky in that ECM (error correction) is saving them, the remote senders and receivers support a well-implemented ECM, and the jitter isn't too bad where ECM couldn't remedy things. And I fully expect that at some point down the road things the VoIP provider will do things differently or the user will change some things on their network, and suddenly what used to work tolerably well for them will suddenly stop working. Save yourself this headache. So it doesn't matter what hardware you use: Digium, Sangoma, OpenVOX, etc. But you'll need to use some kind of hardware to interface with your PSTN service for fax. If your VoIP provider supports T.38 and if their T.38 implementation works with the T.38 implementation in t38modem or Asterisk 10 then you may be able to utilize one of those and avoid continued use of your PSTN fax connection. Understand, however, that almost all fax failures that you may have after that change will not likely be able to be resolved on your end alone. Nearly all fax protocol problems will have to be resolved by your T.38 provider, and depending on your relationship with them and the demand that you may have on high-reliability faxing this could be frustrating. Thanks, Lee. -- _ -- Bandwidth and Colocation Provided by http://www.api-digital.com -- New to Asterisk? Join us for a live introductory webinar every Thurs: http://www.asterisk.org/hello asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Re: [asterisk-users] VOIP PBX replacement suggestions?
1) Is there a way I don't know about to get Asterisk to talk to either the IPRC or the IP Phone+ directly in such a way that gets calls from one to the other? Since you've stated that your budget is absolutely zero, I'd have to say no. It also depends on how the old system connects to the telco. If via PRI or T1, you can use a dual-port Digium card and Asterisk between the telco and the old PBX. If analog, you could do the same with a multi-port analog card. Either way, you'd have to spend some money. Doug -- Ben Franklin quote: Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -- _ -- Bandwidth and Colocation Provided by http://www.api-digital.com -- New to Asterisk? Join us for a live introductory webinar every Thurs: http://www.asterisk.org/hello asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Re: [asterisk-users] VOIP PBX replacement suggestions?
On Jun 6, 2012, at 3:06 PM, Doug Lytle wrote: 1) Is there a way I don't know about to get Asterisk to talk to either the IPRC or the IP Phone+ directly in such a way that gets calls from one to the other? Since you've stated that your budget is absolutely zero, I'd have to say no. It also depends on how the old system connects to the telco. It has analog lines now, but it used to have a T1 interface. I still have the T1 card. I run a 4-port Sangoma T1 card in our router PC, of which 3 ports are available. That card doesn't have an echo canceler though. -- _ -- Bandwidth and Colocation Provided by http://www.api-digital.com -- New to Asterisk? Join us for a live introductory webinar every Thurs: http://www.asterisk.org/hello asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Re: [asterisk-users] VOIP PBX replacement suggestions?
--Don Don Kelly PCF Corp People Come First 651 842-1000 888 Don Kell(y) 651 842-1001 fax -Original Message- From: asterisk-users-boun...@lists.digium.com [mailto:asterisk-users-boun...@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Daniel Seagraves Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2012 2:40 PM To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com Subject: [asterisk-users] VOIP PBX replacement suggestions? The boss wants to move from landline service to VOIP service as a cost-cutting measure. We have one voice line and one fax line. The telco is billing over $100 a month for the two. We're using Hylafax for faxing and a PBX for the voice line. Our existing PBX is an Intertel Axxess box with the old v5 processor. The management and voicemail computer died years ago (PSU burned up). I'm worried that it's going to die before too much longer. We have the IPRC and several IP Phone+ devices. It's my understanding that the IP Phone+ speaks only a proprietary Intertel protocol and can never be used with any non-Intertel equipment. I would like to dump the entire Intertel box and move to Asterisk instead, but my budget for this project is exactly $0. I can't afford to buy new devices. The boss is leaning toward getting digital voice service from the local cable monopoly. They want to charge us $30 a month per line to start, and we will have to sign a 3 year contract. The monopoly in question has a reputation for very poor service, but they are a monopoly so my boss sees them as the only alternative. My worry is that if we sign that contract, we are trapped with both the intertel and the cable monopoly, and if I exceed the capacity of the intertel (or it just dies) I am SOL. My questions then are as follows: 1) Is there a way I don't know about to get Asterisk to talk to either the IPRC or the IP Phone+ directly in such a way that gets calls from one to the other? 2) Are there any reputable VOIP providers that provide business service at a rate less than $30 per line per month? The boss is adamant that we need unlimited minutes. -- _ -- Bandwidth and Colocation Provided by http://www.api-digital.com -- New to Asterisk? Join us for a live introductory webinar every Thurs: http://www.asterisk.org/hello asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users -- _ -- Bandwidth and Colocation Provided by http://www.api-digital.com -- New to Asterisk? Join us for a live introductory webinar every Thurs: http://www.asterisk.org/hello asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Re: [asterisk-users] VOIP PBX replacement suggestions?
--Don Don Kelly PCF Corp People Come First 651 842-1000 888 Don Kell(y) 651 842-1001 fax -Original Message- From: asterisk-users-boun...@lists.digium.com [mailto:asterisk-users-boun...@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Daniel Seagraves Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2012 2:40 PM To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com Subject: [asterisk-users] VOIP PBX replacement suggestions? The boss wants to move from landline service to VOIP service as a cost-cutting measure. We have one voice line and one fax line. The telco is billing over $100 a month for the two. We're using Hylafax for faxing and a PBX for the voice line. Our existing PBX is an Intertel Axxess box with the old v5 processor. The management and voicemail computer died years ago (PSU burned up). I'm worried that it's going to die before too much longer. We have the IPRC and several IP Phone+ devices. It's my understanding that the IP Phone+ speaks only a proprietary Intertel protocol and can never be used with any non-Intertel equipment. I would like to dump the entire Intertel box and move to Asterisk instead, but my budget for this project is exactly $0. I can't afford to buy new devices. The boss is leaning toward getting digital voice service from the local cable monopoly. They want to charge us $30 a month per line to start, and we will have to sign a 3 year contract. The monopoly in question has a reputation for very poor service, but they are a monopoly so my boss sees them as the only alternative. My worry is that if we sign that contract, we are trapped with both the intertel and the cable monopoly, and if I exceed the capacity of the intertel (or it just dies) I am SOL. My questions then are as follows: 1) Is there a way I don't know about to get Asterisk to talk to either the IPRC or the IP Phone+ directly in such a way that gets calls from one to the other? 2) Are there any reputable VOIP providers that provide business service at a rate less than $30 per line per month? The boss is adamant that we need unlimited minutes. === Where do you get your IP connection? The cable monopoly? There are several companies you can get service from. One is Teliax.com Cary -- _ -- Bandwidth and Colocation Provided by http://www.api-digital.com -- New to Asterisk? Join us for a live introductory webinar every Thurs: http://www.asterisk.org/hello asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Re: [asterisk-users] VOIP PBX replacement suggestions?
Daniel Seagraves wrote: The boss wants to move from landline service to VOIP service as a cost-cutting measure. We have one voice line and one fax line. The telco is billing over $100 a month for the two. We're using Hylafax for faxing and a PBX for the voice line. Our existing PBX is an Intertel Axxess box with the old v5 processor. The management and voicemail computer died years ago (PSU burned up). I'm worried that it's going to die before too much longer. We have the IPRC and several IP Phone+ devices. It's my understanding that the IP Phone+ speaks only a proprietary Intertel protocol and can never be used with any non-Intertel equipment. I would like to dump the entire Intertel box and move to Asterisk instead, but my budget for this project is exactly $0. I can't afford to buy new devices. The boss is leaning toward getting digital voice service from the local cable monopoly. They want to charge us $30 a month per line to start, and we will have to sign a 3 year contract. The monopoly in question has a reputation for very poor service, but they are a monopoly so my boss sees them as the only alternative. My worry is that if we sign that contract, we are trapped with both the intertel and the cable monopoly, and if I exceed the capacity of the intertel (or it just dies) I am SOL. My questions then are as follows: 1) Is there a way I don't know about to get Asterisk to talk to either the IPRC or the IP Phone+ directly in such a way that gets calls from one to the other? No Intertel made sure of that long ago! 2) Are there any reputable VOIP providers that provide business service at a rate less than $30 per line per month? The boss is adamant that we need unlimited minutes. Doubtful voip.ms provides excellent service, but not unlimited minutes. it can even work into an ATA outputting an analog line, then you could go to the input of the Intertel and if/when it dies completely move to another analog system or single line phones You have been given an unreasonable charge. No budget but obtain the moon! You or your boss will live to regret getting into any contract, and with a company that already has a bad reputation even more so. One wonders how viable this business can even be, with one line, one fax, and no budget to replace an aged telephone system. I do hope you are either independently wealthy or have other prospects for employment. Just one old fart's opinion. Worth what you paid for it John Novack -- _ -- Bandwidth and Colocation Provided by http://www.api-digital.com -- New to Asterisk? Join us for a live introductory webinar every Thurs: http://www.asterisk.org/hello asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users -- Dog is my Co-pilot -- _ -- Bandwidth and Colocation Provided by http://www.api-digital.com -- New to Asterisk? Join us for a live introductory webinar every Thurs: http://www.asterisk.org/hello asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Re: [asterisk-users] VOIP PBX replacement suggestions?
On Wed, Jun 6, 2012 at 3:59 PM, John Novack jnov...@stromberg-carlson.orgwrote: You have been given an unreasonable charge. No budget but obtain the moon! You or your boss will live to regret getting into any contract, and with a company that already has a bad reputation even more so. One wonders how viable this business can even be, with one line, one fax, and no budget to replace an aged telephone system. I do hope you are either independently wealthy or have other prospects for employment. Just one old fart's opinion. Worth what you paid for it Indeed, the amount of effort wasted in trying to save $40/mo just on this list has already exceeded that savings for many years. A business with one line and putting great effort into saving a pittance really needs to rethink its priorities. -- Carlos Alvarez TelEvolve 602-889-3003 -- _ -- Bandwidth and Colocation Provided by http://www.api-digital.com -- New to Asterisk? Join us for a live introductory webinar every Thurs: http://www.asterisk.org/hello asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Re: [asterisk-users] VOIP PBX replacement suggestions?
On 06/06/2012 12:40 PM, Daniel Seagraves wrote: The boss wants to move from landline service to VOIP service as a cost-cutting measure. We have one voice line and one fax line. The telco is billing over $100 a month for the two. We're using Hylafax for faxing and a PBX for the voice line. Unless you're going to move to an internet fax service provider you'll probably not want to attempt to switch your fax line to a VoIP line and still attempt to fax over it. And even then, depending on how much fax traffic you have moving to an internet fax service provider may not save you any money. my budget for this project is exactly $0. I can't afford to buy new devices. Unless your boss wants you to do VoIP from a headset on the PC I think you're chasing a lost cause. And, for what it's worth, $100 per month for two analog PSTN lines is rather typical. Depending on how much voice traffic you have and how much of it is local or inbound... switching to a VoIP service may not actually be a cost-cutting measure. Thanks, Lee. -- _ -- Bandwidth and Colocation Provided by http://www.api-digital.com -- New to Asterisk? Join us for a live introductory webinar every Thurs: http://www.asterisk.org/hello asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
