choosing an IP-PBX 3

[torledo]

Hi All

We're looking to purchase a hybrid IP-PBX system. Narrowed
down to Avaya IP Office 403, Siemens HiPath 3300/3350 and
the Ascotel 200 or 2025.

We like the Avaya IP office but am confused about it's VoIP capability. We're a single site office but would be looking into implementing a teleworker solution i.e employee using a softphone to connect to the pbx via dsl to use messaging and voice fearures (with calls from the remote PC routed out through the office ISDN trunk). I know both the Avaya and HiPath have VoIP gateways(siemens thru the HG1500) but in every avaya document/manual i've seen such a setup is not described - only on the higher end Index systems thru media gateways. Also the Avaya office softphone is hideously expensive. Basically we want a one box solution (with the addition of necessary modules) and if needed a cisco router/firewall to terminate the DSL VPN at the office end (no VoIP hardware at the remote end). Any insights on the avaya and siemens in general would be really helpful - like management of system, documentation, CHEAP 3rd party apps e.g PC softphone, vm etc.

 

[Furball8675309]

There are devices that can integrate most of the VOIP features into your existing system.

 

[torledo]

Furball, can u give examples of/recommend such devices. We don't have an 'existing system' Our
current setup is telewest centrex - but i hesitate to call it a pbx, although they refer to it as a managed pbx. So we don't have a proper pbx at present - i hesitate to go for a complete ip solution that's why i'm considering a hybrid

 

[ccmuser]

Small office with no current phone system.. Go VOIP all the way!!!

 

[Trotski]

Have a look at Panasonic TDA30

 

[doktor]

Hi torledo

The Vodavi Telenium IP PBX gives you full facility level on your IP phones. This also includes ACD on home or small remote offices.
The voice mail feature gives you full control from your mobile telphone to dial in an listen to voice mail messages and/or forward you telephone to new aor another destination.
The system is also atractive seen fron the economical part.

BR doktor

 

[Furball8675309]

Torledo, You can install a multitech gateway at each end of a few systems. It can emulate fxs and fxo ports to be used with the existing systems you have.

 

[torledo]

thnaks for the info furball. I've decided to go for a cisco 2801 CCME bundle - will post technical questions in the Call manager forum

 

[GoTellBigDaddy]

torledo

you are making the same mistakes many others before you have made.

Softphones on DSL ??? Not a good idea.

Start over.

 

[GoTellBigDaddy]

It’s been interesting to see the rise and fall of IP products. The real challenge is to stay ahead but not too far ahead, and in the black. When things go wrong in IP-telephony, they go downhill fast, spiraling, and survival means time, patience and never ending energy.

It’s a tough business where everyone thinks they are “in the phone business” and yet the simple sobering truth is in that thing we all take for granted- dial tone. “PCs are expected to break but when the phones are down customers go nuts” as has been frequently told to me by IT folks selling and servicing IP-PBXs.

Who to partner with, why, will they survive, and do they really have the knowledge base needed? These questions become more relevant today even when posed to ANY company.

Companies adopting IP-PBXs must remain proactive and use whatever influence and power they have to maintain that precious birthright of dial tone. In the old days of post AT&T divestiture, it was heard over and over- “Nobody gets fired for buying AT&T.” Is there a paradigm today that “Nobody gets fired for buying CISCO IP-PBXs?”

Since software will obviously impact most hardware especially when the firmware gets nasty because something passed on as a “software release” hasn’t been adequately tested, then users should continue to expect faulty hardware. It is difficult to handle and identify especially if the manufacturer does not have in place good communications to its dealer base notifying them of all software and or hardware defects.

The automotive and other industries call these RECALLS. There are indications that do distinguish hardware from software issues but I wouldn’t bank too heavily on anything today, next year, or until the manufacturers gain more history and experience to develop a better knowledge base. By then, the market will go through another shakeout of who remains, who dies, and who survives to be in the position of providing businesses with mission critical telephone systems.

On-line Resources

http://www.voiptroubleshooter.com

very cool site

http://www.dnsreport.com/

DNS Report.com

http://www.dnsstuff.com/

DNS Stuff.com

http://www.robertgraham.com/pubs/sniffing-faq.html

Packet Sniffing

http://www.nbxgroup.com

http://www.secnap.com/downloads.html

Security

http://www.grc.com

Security


Essential IP-PBX Tool Box

• Analog Simpson Volt Meter – signaling, grounding, erratic behaviors
• Fluke Volt Meter – precise measurements
• Butt Set aka Telephone Lineman’s test set by Harris – it’s not ALL IP yet
• Voice Network Analyzer – Model VNA70A by MetroTel
• Craft tools – screwdrivers to hammer drills
• Portables – TDRs, LAN testers, Scanners, handhelds for specific jobs like PRI, T1
• Cables – crossovers, straight throughs, null modems, DB9/DB25, gender changers
• Laptop
• Inexpensive Power Tester - Tasco

http://www.tasco-usa.com/acmon.htm

• Software: SMS NetMon, packet sniffer of your choice, Windows everything, 3Com Network Supervisor, Apple Wares if you support the MACS, and EhteReal


Visit Specialized Products at:

http://www.specialized.net

for a lot of gizmos listed above.

Recent Essential Business Communications Review Articles:

http://www.bcr.com

BCR Access: Study Finds Major Impact From Network Downtime; BCR, March 2004 pg 6

Power Protection- Pay A Little Now, Or A Lot Later; BCR, February 2004 pgs 52-56

Shifting Responsibilities; BCR, January, 2004 pg 66

The Border Patrol: Firewalls For VoIP; BCR, October, 2003 pgs 23-27

The Realities of IP-PBXs; BCR, September 2003, pgs 32-37

Field Report On Converged IP Networks; BCR, June, 2003 pgs 34-36

Troubleshooting IP-PBX Systems: Live And Learn; BCR, April 2003 pgs 24-30

Designing VoIP Networks: Lessons From The Edge; BCR, February, 2003 pgs 42-48

- - - - - - - - -

The most valuable tool will be paper, pencil and your ability to ride things out.

 

[ccmuser]

So you will run a hard phone but now a softphone over DSL?
Am I missing something? does GSM Or g729 operate change cause it is terminated on your laptop? Are you sure you did not just have a crappy softphone/laptop?