First step of VoIP implementation

[DoahMonty]

Assuming cost isn't a factor, equipment would I need to implement the following scenario?

An internal VoIP solution, that still uses POTS externally. Each office person (approx 10) having his or her own extension/voice mailbox. This just kind of got thrown at me, and I have 0 hours of experience with it.

Now assuming cost is a factor?

What is the difficulty of setup?

Any input greatly appreciated.

 

[kwing112000]

You may want ot look into a small phone system. either a hybrid or pure VOIP solution. Look at Avaya IP Office. it is really good in that range.

Kevin Wing
ACA- Implement IP Office
Carousel Industries

 

[Vonexer]

I agree with kwing112000. Avaya IP Office is an excellent system. If using VOIP 5600 phones then the IP Office can do DHCP and TFTP server for the phones. Otherwise, If you have a DHCP server you will have to set up a scope for the phones to use. Or you may decide just to go with digital 4600 phones and bypass the network management. Either way the IP Office system give quality voice sound and you can connect to POTS or PRI. The base 406 unit comes with 8 digital connections, an ethernet port, and 2 analog ports for analog devices.

So if you need 10 phones then you can go all IP or mix IP and digital sets to add up to 10. Plus you have 2 analog ports for faxes or creditcard machine type stuff.

 

[DoahMonty]

kwing112000 and Vonexer...

Thank you very much... I'm going to try and get in contact with Avaya and see what it's gonna take to get this off the ground... Thanks again...

 

[Sympology]

Network, Network, Network!

You can have an all singing, all dancing state of the are system, but if you have a lousy network, you'll have a lousy system.

Before EVER installing VoIP ensure you have a decent network set up. QoS is installed, plenty of capacity on the links, no bottlenecks (firewalls and routers are the main ones).

You can have a 200mph race car, but if the road it full of potholes, it's going to be one awful experience.

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[kwing112000]

Stu is correct. make sure your network is set up properly and you have the gear to run VOIP properly.

Kevin Wing
ACA- Implement IP Office
Carousel Industries

 

[DoahMonty]

Noted guys... Our network is 100% Gigabit (printers excluded of course), and we have excellent uptime... Is there something I might be missing?

 

[kwing112000]

Most of the phones out there.(that i have seen) are not Gig. they are usually 10/100. make sure your netowrk gear can handle VLANs and or QOS is very important.

Kevin Wing
ACA- Implement IP Office
Carousel Industries

 

[Sympology]

Yes, you can have a superfast network but if your Firewall cannot handle Voice traffic very well it will die.
Just check your manuals and if in doubt contact the supplier.
With voice it's not just how fast it is, but how it handles the traffic. Most traffic will be UDP, so if it drops packets, they are not retransmitted (no point).

If you are unsure, look at some of the free PBX's (ondoo orasterix@home) and set one up, then stress test them (SIPp is good for this).

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[DoahMonty]

Just wanted to update this post. I ended up, through reading all of your helpful replies, and through talking with a salesperson at Avaya, that VoIP is definitely NOT the solution for my office. We will go with a normal telephone system, and just add on the features we need as we go. Thanks for all of the great replies to this thread. Tek Tips definitely is the best forum on the big I. ;-)