Hey gang, I'm looking at escaping from a Nortel Meridian CISC system to Asterisk/Digium/SIP phones. I'm currently in the testing and proof of concept phase. I'm going to need a SIP phone and don't want to re-purchase and have "orphans" around. We currently run Nortel 7310 phones and they work great. I'm sort of overwhelmed by all of the different IP phones. I was hoping some folks would share what they have found. My primary goal is to replicate the 7310's features and to allow room for growth in the future with telephony applications. Our primary driver is configurability and features that we can get in Asterisk, that we can get without a lot of money from Nortel. Namely- Voicemail, telecommuting workers on the pbx, better call handling, better automation. I'd like to be able to integrate smart features like directory and call handling to the handset, but I'll freely admit I'm just starting out. My initial goal is to just to get onto Asterisk and get it working. I'll worry about cool stuff later. Our integration and migration plan is as follows: If anyone has some suggestions or pointers I'd love to hear them. 1. Test and evaluate Asterisk with TDM400 with 1 FXO/FSO port each. 2. Configure Asterisk to be the primary PBX and slave the Nortel Meridian system to it using a second TDM400. This avoids immediate replacement of all handsets. Will allow immediate access to features such as Voicemail. 3. Overtime, upgrade desk phones to IP phones. When all phones are replaced, decommission Nortel and sell on Ebay. :) Cold turkey option is to spend the extra $ and buy the handsets upfront and just ditch nortel without a transition period. We currently have 4 pbx lines and 1 dedicated fax/credit card line. We have 10 handsets. Thanks, Brian Greul Texas Shirt Company www.txshirts.com 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax)
Many use cisco IP phones, almost any model. Support and firmware access has a fee. SNOM 190 works well, free firmware, good community support. Lots of reports of good luck with Polycom phones (IP500), but they wont provide any support when used with * and you have to get your firmware from the net, not from polycom, even if are willing to pay.> -----Original Message----- > From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com [mailto:asterisk-users- > bounces@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of brian@txshirts.com > Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 8:51 AM > To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com > Subject: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations? > > Hey gang, > I'm looking at escaping from a Nortel Meridian CISC system to > Asterisk/Digium/SIP phones. I'm currently in the testing and proof of > concept phase. I'm going to need a SIP phone and don't want to > re-purchase and have "orphans" around. > > We currently run Nortel 7310 phones and they work great. > I'm sort of overwhelmed by all of the different IP phones. I washoping> some folks would share what they have found. > My primary goal is to replicate the 7310's features and to allow room > for growth in the future with telephony applications. > > Our primary driver is configurability and features that we can get in > Asterisk, that we can get without a lot of money from Nortel. > > Namely- > Voicemail, telecommuting workers on the pbx, better call handling, > better automation. > I'd like to be able to integrate smart features like directory andcall> handling to the handset, but I'll freely admit I'm just starting out. > My initial goal is to just to get onto Asterisk and get it working. > I'll worry about cool stuff later. > > Our integration and migration plan is as follows: If anyone has some > suggestions or pointers I'd love to hear them. > > 1. Test and evaluate Asterisk with TDM400 with 1 FXO/FSO port each. > 2. Configure Asterisk to be the primary PBX and slave the Nortel > Meridian system to it using a second TDM400. This avoids immediate > replacement of all handsets. Will allow immediate access to features > such as Voicemail. > 3. Overtime, upgrade desk phones to IP phones. When all phones are > replaced, decommission Nortel and sell on Ebay. :) > > Cold turkey option is to spend the extra $ and buy the handsetsupfront> and just ditch nortel without a transition period. > > We currently have 4 pbx lines and 1 dedicated fax/credit card line. > We have 10 handsets. > > Thanks, > > Brian Greul > Texas Shirt Company > www.txshirts.com > 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax) > > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Okay, I'm feeling a little stupid here.... But I'm gonna ask anyway. You mention support and firmware on the Ci$co phones. I understand the support item. I guess it makes sense that the phones have firmware. Does it have to be updated or changed or messed with that often? If there is an article somewhere that covers this I'd love to read it. It seems like most of the VOIP marketing-speak is aimed at companies with mega$$$ who want to spend $500/head on it. We're a tad smaller and we have $ to spend not $$ or $$$ or $$$$. :) Worse yet, we need $ to go find and bring back it's friends. :) Anyhow, I haven't seen anything that really tackles moving from a CISC Nortel Meridian KSU to a IP based system. I'm guessing that this is Nortel's absolute worst nightmare. It seems like they trickle down the technology from the large switches to the micro PBX systems. Brian Greul Texas Shirt Company www.txshirts.com 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax) -----Original Message----- From: Damon Estep [mailto:damon@suburbanbroadband.net] Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 10:10 AM To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations? Many use cisco IP phones, almost any model. Support and firmware access has a fee. SNOM 190 works well, free firmware, good community support. Lots of reports of good luck with Polycom phones (IP500), but they wont provide any support when used with * and you have to get your firmware from the net, not from polycom, even if are willing to pay.> -----Original Message----- > From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com [mailto:asterisk-users- > bounces@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of brian@txshirts.com > Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 8:51 AM > To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com > Subject: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations? > > Hey gang, > I'm looking at escaping from a Nortel Meridian CISC system to > Asterisk/Digium/SIP phones. I'm currently in the testing and proof of> concept phase. I'm going to need a SIP phone and don't want to > re-purchase and have "orphans" around. > > We currently run Nortel 7310 phones and they work great. > I'm sort of overwhelmed by all of the different IP phones. I washoping> some folks would share what they have found. > My primary goal is to replicate the 7310's features and to allow room > for growth in the future with telephony applications. > > Our primary driver is configurability and features that we can get in > Asterisk, that we can get without a lot of money from Nortel. > > Namely- > Voicemail, telecommuting workers on the pbx, better call handling, > better automation. > I'd like to be able to integrate smart features like directory andcall> handling to the handset, but I'll freely admit I'm just starting out. > My initial goal is to just to get onto Asterisk and get it working. > I'll worry about cool stuff later. > > Our integration and migration plan is as follows: If anyone has some > suggestions or pointers I'd love to hear them. > > 1. Test and evaluate Asterisk with TDM400 with 1 FXO/FSO port each. > 2. Configure Asterisk to be the primary PBX and slave the Nortel > Meridian system to it using a second TDM400. This avoids immediate > replacement of all handsets. Will allow immediate access to features > such as Voicemail. > 3. Overtime, upgrade desk phones to IP phones. When all phones are > replaced, decommission Nortel and sell on Ebay. :) > > Cold turkey option is to spend the extra $ and buy the handsetsupfront> and just ditch nortel without a transition period. > > We currently have 4 pbx lines and 1 dedicated fax/credit card line. > We have 10 handsets. > > Thanks, > > Brian Greul > Texas Shirt Company > www.txshirts.com > 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax) > > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users_______________________________________________ Asterisk-Users mailing list Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
You could, but in a business environment the features of the phones are very useful, such as multiple call appearances without annoying call waiting beeps, a multi line display, a web interface for address books, remote firmware updates, the list goes on. ATAs are great for residential and fax machines (assuming the ATA is fax aware).> -----Original Message----- > From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com > [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Me > Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 9:34 AM > To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion > Subject: Re: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations? > > Why not use ATA adapters? This way you can use just about any > phone you want. > > > Start Your Own Internet Service! > http://www.YourOwnISP.com > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <brian@txshirts.com> > To: <asterisk-users@lists.digium.com> > Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 10:28 AM > Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations? > > > Okay, > I'm feeling a little stupid here.... But I'm gonna ask anyway. > > You mention support and firmware on the Ci$co phones. > > I understand the support item. > I guess it makes sense that the phones have firmware. Does it have to > be updated or changed or messed with that often? > > If there is an article somewhere that covers this I'd love to read it. > > It seems like most of the VOIP marketing-speak is aimed at companies > with mega$$$ who want to spend $500/head on it. We're a tad > smaller and > we have $ to spend not $$ or $$$ or $$$$. :) Worse yet, we need $ to > go find and bring back it's friends. :) Anyhow, I haven't seen > anything that really tackles moving from a CISC Nortel > Meridian KSU to a > IP based system. I'm guessing that this is Nortel's absolute worst > nightmare. It seems like they trickle down the technology from the > large switches to the micro PBX systems. > > > Brian Greul > Texas Shirt Company > www.txshirts.com > 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax) > > -----Original Message----- > From: Damon Estep [mailto:damon@suburbanbroadband.net] > Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 10:10 AM > To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion > Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations? > > Many use cisco IP phones, almost any model. Support and > firmware access > has a fee. > SNOM 190 works well, free firmware, good community support. > Lots of reports of good luck with Polycom phones (IP500), but > they wont > provide any support when used with * and you have to get your firmware > from the net, not from polycom, even if are willing to pay. > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com > [mailto:asterisk-users- > > bounces@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of brian@txshirts.com > > Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 8:51 AM > > To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com > > Subject: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations? > > > > Hey gang, > > I'm looking at escaping from a Nortel Meridian CISC system to > > Asterisk/Digium/SIP phones. I'm currently in the testing > and proof of > > > concept phase. I'm going to need a SIP phone and don't want to > > re-purchase and have "orphans" around. > > > > We currently run Nortel 7310 phones and they work great. > > I'm sort of overwhelmed by all of the different IP phones. I was > hoping > > some folks would share what they have found. > > My primary goal is to replicate the 7310's features and to > allow room > > for growth in the future with telephony applications. > > > > Our primary driver is configurability and features that we > can get in > > Asterisk, that we can get without a lot of money from Nortel. > > > > Namely- > > Voicemail, telecommuting workers on the pbx, better call handling, > > better automation. > > I'd like to be able to integrate smart features like directory and > call > > handling to the handset, but I'll freely admit I'm just > starting out. > > My initial goal is to just to get onto Asterisk and get it working. > > I'll worry about cool stuff later. > > > > Our integration and migration plan is as follows: If > anyone has some > > suggestions or pointers I'd love to hear them. > > > > 1. Test and evaluate Asterisk with TDM400 with 1 FXO/FSO port each. > > 2. Configure Asterisk to be the primary PBX and slave the Nortel > > Meridian system to it using a second TDM400. This avoids immediate > > replacement of all handsets. Will allow immediate access > to features > > such as Voicemail. > > 3. Overtime, upgrade desk phones to IP phones. When all phones are > > replaced, decommission Nortel and sell on Ebay. :) > > > > Cold turkey option is to spend the extra $ and buy the handsets > upfront > > and just ditch nortel without a transition period. > > > > We currently have 4 pbx lines and 1 dedicated fax/credit card line. > > We have 10 handsets. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Brian Greul > > Texas Shirt Company > > www.txshirts.com > > 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax) > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Asterisk-Users mailing list > > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users >
You will always want access to firmware, SIP phones evolve quickly and new features and bug fixes are usually implanted via firmware updates.> -----Original Message----- > From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com > [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of > brian@txshirts.com > Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 9:29 AM > To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com > Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations? > > Okay, > I'm feeling a little stupid here.... But I'm gonna ask anyway. > > You mention support and firmware on the Ci$co phones. > > I understand the support item. > I guess it makes sense that the phones have firmware. Does > it have to be updated or changed or messed with that often? > > If there is an article somewhere that covers this I'd love to > read it. > > It seems like most of the VOIP marketing-speak is aimed at > companies with mega$$$ who want to spend $500/head on it. > We're a tad smaller and we have $ to spend not $$ or $$$ or > $$$$. :) Worse yet, we need $ to go find and bring back > it's friends. :) Anyhow, I haven't seen anything that > really tackles moving from a CISC Nortel Meridian KSU to a IP > based system. I'm guessing that this is Nortel's absolute > worst nightmare. It seems like they trickle down the > technology from the > large switches to the micro PBX systems. > > > Brian Greul > Texas Shirt Company > www.txshirts.com > 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax) > > -----Original Message----- > From: Damon Estep [mailto:damon@suburbanbroadband.net] > Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 10:10 AM > To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion > Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations? > > Many use cisco IP phones, almost any model. Support and > firmware access has a fee. > SNOM 190 works well, free firmware, good community support. > Lots of reports of good luck with Polycom phones (IP500), but > they wont provide any support when used with * and you have > to get your firmware from the net, not from polycom, even if > are willing to pay. > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com > [mailto:asterisk-users- > > bounces@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of brian@txshirts.com > > Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 8:51 AM > > To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com > > Subject: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations? > > > > Hey gang, > > I'm looking at escaping from a Nortel Meridian CISC system to > > Asterisk/Digium/SIP phones. I'm currently in the testing > and proof of > > > concept phase. I'm going to need a SIP phone and don't want to > > re-purchase and have "orphans" around. > > > > We currently run Nortel 7310 phones and they work great. > > I'm sort of overwhelmed by all of the different IP phones. I was > hoping > > some folks would share what they have found. > > My primary goal is to replicate the 7310's features and to > allow room > > for growth in the future with telephony applications. > > > > Our primary driver is configurability and features that we > can get in > > Asterisk, that we can get without a lot of money from Nortel. > > > > Namely- > > Voicemail, telecommuting workers on the pbx, better call handling, > > better automation. > > I'd like to be able to integrate smart features like directory and > call > > handling to the handset, but I'll freely admit I'm just > starting out. > > My initial goal is to just to get onto Asterisk and get it working. > > I'll worry about cool stuff later. > > > > Our integration and migration plan is as follows: If > anyone has some > > suggestions or pointers I'd love to hear them. > > > > 1. Test and evaluate Asterisk with TDM400 with 1 FXO/FSO port each. > > 2. Configure Asterisk to be the primary PBX and slave the Nortel > > Meridian system to it using a second TDM400. This avoids immediate > > replacement of all handsets. Will allow immediate access > to features > > such as Voicemail. > > 3. Overtime, upgrade desk phones to IP phones. When all phones are > > replaced, decommission Nortel and sell on Ebay. :) > > > > Cold turkey option is to spend the extra $ and buy the handsets > upfront > > and just ditch nortel without a transition period. > > > > We currently have 4 pbx lines and 1 dedicated fax/credit card line. > > We have 10 handsets. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Brian Greul > > Texas Shirt Company > > www.txshirts.com > > 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax) > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Asterisk-Users mailing list > > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users >
Ah.... That makes sense. Thanks for pointing that out. I'm so used to thinking of phone as bricks with a wire and handset and some stress relief buttons. :) Your other post about the ATA adapters is dead-on. Multi-line display and friends (address book etc) are invaluable. I thought about going soft-phone. But I'm not sure I trust our windows systems that much. We still have a couple of applications that have us hogtied to windows. Evil UPS OnlineWorldship is one such poorly written application. Ironic that UPS uses Unix on the backend but won't support it for clients. I have about 8 Win9x machines because of that issue. I'm eyeing a flight from Exchange/Outlook later this year. And our graphics stuff is all Windows/Adobe based. I guess the thing with soft-phones is that I'm not sure how stable the machines are. It's bad enough to lose your phone or your computer, but both at once is really spooky. ;) On a bright note, we have gigabit everywhere in the building. So QOS and bandwidth had better not be an issue internally. :) Brian Greul Texas Shirt Company www.txshirts.com 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax) -----Original Message----- From: Damon Estep [mailto:damon@suburbanbroadband.net] Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 10:39 AM To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations? You will always want access to firmware, SIP phones evolve quickly and new features and bug fixes are usually implanted via firmware updates.> -----Original Message----- > From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com > [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of > brian@txshirts.com > Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 9:29 AM > To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com > Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations? > > Okay, > I'm feeling a little stupid here.... But I'm gonna ask anyway. > > You mention support and firmware on the Ci$co phones. > > I understand the support item. > I guess it makes sense that the phones have firmware. Does it have to> be updated or changed or messed with that often? > > If there is an article somewhere that covers this I'd love to read it. > > It seems like most of the VOIP marketing-speak is aimed at companies > with mega$$$ who want to spend $500/head on it. > We're a tad smaller and we have $ to spend not $$ or $$$ or $$$$. :)> Worse yet, we need $ to go find and bring back it's friends. :) > Anyhow, I haven't seen anything that really tackles moving from a CISC> Nortel Meridian KSU to a IP based system. I'm guessing that this is > Nortel's absolute worst nightmare. It seems like they trickle down > the technology from the > large switches to the micro PBX systems. > > > Brian Greul > Texas Shirt Company > www.txshirts.com > 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax) > > -----Original Message----- > From: Damon Estep [mailto:damon@suburbanbroadband.net] > Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 10:10 AM > To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion > Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations? > > Many use cisco IP phones, almost any model. Support and firmware > access has a fee. > SNOM 190 works well, free firmware, good community support. > Lots of reports of good luck with Polycom phones (IP500), but they > wont provide any support when used with * and you have to get your > firmware from the net, not from polycom, even if are willing to pay. > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com > [mailto:asterisk-users- > > bounces@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of brian@txshirts.com > > Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 8:51 AM > > To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com > > Subject: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations? > > > > Hey gang, > > I'm looking at escaping from a Nortel Meridian CISC system to > > Asterisk/Digium/SIP phones. I'm currently in the testing > and proof of > > > concept phase. I'm going to need a SIP phone and don't want to > > re-purchase and have "orphans" around. > > > > We currently run Nortel 7310 phones and they work great. > > I'm sort of overwhelmed by all of the different IP phones. I was > hoping > > some folks would share what they have found. > > My primary goal is to replicate the 7310's features and to > allow room > > for growth in the future with telephony applications. > > > > Our primary driver is configurability and features that we > can get in > > Asterisk, that we can get without a lot of money from Nortel. > > > > Namely- > > Voicemail, telecommuting workers on the pbx, better call handling, > > better automation. > > I'd like to be able to integrate smart features like directory and > call > > handling to the handset, but I'll freely admit I'm just > starting out. > > My initial goal is to just to get onto Asterisk and get it working. > > I'll worry about cool stuff later. > > > > Our integration and migration plan is as follows: If > anyone has some > > suggestions or pointers I'd love to hear them. > > > > 1. Test and evaluate Asterisk with TDM400 with 1 FXO/FSO port each. > > 2. Configure Asterisk to be the primary PBX and slave the Nortel > > Meridian system to it using a second TDM400. This avoids immediate > > replacement of all handsets. Will allow immediate access > to features > > such as Voicemail. > > 3. Overtime, upgrade desk phones to IP phones. When all phones are > > replaced, decommission Nortel and sell on Ebay. :) > > > > Cold turkey option is to spend the extra $ and buy the handsets > upfront > > and just ditch nortel without a transition period. > > > > We currently have 4 pbx lines and 1 dedicated fax/credit card line. > > We have 10 handsets. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Brian Greul > > Texas Shirt Company > > www.txshirts.com > > 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax) > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Asterisk-Users mailing list > > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users >_______________________________________________ Asterisk-Users mailing list Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
-----Original Message----- Okay, I'm feeling a little stupid here.... But I'm gonna ask anyway. You mention support and firmware on the Ci$co phones. I understand the support item. I guess it makes sense that the phones have firmware. Does it have to be updated or changed or messed with that often? -because SIP UA's control the features (conference/transfer/redial etc) and each UA is under constant development to provide new features this will most likely be a requirement to keep current with the available features. If there is an article somewhere that covers this I'd love to read it. It seems like most of the VOIP marketing-speak is aimed at companies with mega$$$ who want to spend $500/head on it. We're a tad smaller and we have $ to spend not $$ or $$$ or $$$$. :) Worse yet, we need $ to go find and bring back it's friends. :) Anyhow, I haven't seen anything that really tackles moving from a CISC Nortel Meridian KSU to a IP based system. I'm guessing that this is Nortel's absolute worst nightmare. It seems like they trickle down the technology from the large switches to the micro PBX systems. - http://www.citel.com/index/index.asp I saw this yesterday and this may be an option for folks like you that have a big investment in handsets but want new features. I have no idea what one of these boxes costs but it looked interesting. Seems to be a play from Mitel to penetrate other mfg's installed bases with the 3300 ICP product. Remember that * is really a PBX where pretty much every system commercially available (other than class 5 equipment) is a hybrid of Key System technology and PBX functionality. Good Luck Jason Kawakami Open Telephony Labs, LLC Salt Lake City, UT
brian@txshirts.com
2004-Dec-29 10:42 UTC
[Asterisk-Users] RE: RE: IP Phone recommendations?
I agree with your comments about the KSU systems vs. * It just seems like every asian, latin american, and european electronics company has a "VOIP" product that they are selling now. Doesn't seem like we have seen any shakeout where a handful of companies emerge with good, solid products that perform day in and day out and provide a good value. I guess where we are really looking is for a SIP that is equivalent to our M7310 Nortel phones so that we can get rid of the Meridian system and it's phones. What I don't want is two PBX/KSU systems for 10 employees. NO WAY. :) I just figured that mentioning the M3710's might help clear the clutter of LG,Epson, Uniden, Emerson, Hampton Bay (kidding), etc aka crap at the bottom. I did consider ATA devices, but they cost half as much as a decent SIP appears to and they don't provide all the PBX features on their front. There is nothing worse then trying to teach employees "secret" phone codes to get to stuff. My impression is that the market shapes into three bands of phones: 1- Economy phones aimed at providing VOIP dial-tone substitutes. Under $100 2- Business Phones Between $100 and $200 3- Premium Business Phones From $250 My focus is squarely on 2 and possibly 3 if the phones are decent enough. NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT CALL AND SOLICIT ME. A couple of people have already tried and it's a real abuse of the listserv. I already own Asterisk, some digium equipment, and a production class server for it and I don't want to buy a box or a service provider's product. We prefer to be our service provider. Brian Greul Texas Shirt Company www.txshirts.com 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax) -----Original Message----- From: Jason Kawakami [mailto:jkkawakami@optellabs.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 11:23 AM To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com Subject: [Asterisk-Users] RE: RE: IP Phone recommendations? -----Original Message----- Okay, I'm feeling a little stupid here.... But I'm gonna ask anyway. You mention support and firmware on the Ci$co phones. I understand the support item. I guess it makes sense that the phones have firmware. Does it have to be updated or changed or messed with that often? -because SIP UA's control the features (conference/transfer/redial etc) and each UA is under constant development to provide new features this will most likely be a requirement to keep current with the available features. If there is an article somewhere that covers this I'd love to read it. It seems like most of the VOIP marketing-speak is aimed at companies with mega$$$ who want to spend $500/head on it. We're a tad smaller and we have $ to spend not $$ or $$$ or $$$$. :) Worse yet, we need $ to go find and bring back it's friends. :) Anyhow, I haven't seen anything that really tackles moving from a CISC Nortel Meridian KSU to a IP based system. I'm guessing that this is Nortel's absolute worst nightmare. It seems like they trickle down the technology from the large switches to the micro PBX systems. - http://www.citel.com/index/index.asp I saw this yesterday and this may be an option for folks like you that have a big investment in handsets but want new features. I have no idea what one of these boxes costs but it looked interesting. Seems to be a play from Mitel to penetrate other mfg's installed bases with the 3300 ICP product. Remember that * is really a PBX where pretty much every system commercially available (other than class 5 equipment) is a hybrid of Key System technology and PBX functionality. Good Luck Jason Kawakami Open Telephony Labs, LLC Salt Lake City, UT _______________________________________________ Asterisk-Users mailing list Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com wrote:> Hey gang, > I'm looking at escaping from a Nortel Meridian CISC system > to Asterisk/Digium/SIP phones. I'm currently in the testing > and proof of concept phase. I'm going to need a SIP phone > and don't want to re-purchase and have "orphans" around.I've got a few different IP phones in my lab (including a C7960), I'm currently loving my Polycom 300 - a solid phone for the price, and everyone says the 500 and 600 are even better. I think I'll be going with Polycom for my customers until the next best thing comes along. I looked at the Snom phones when I was at Astricon, and while they may be technically great, the problem I had with them is that they are not weighted properly. If you've ever yanked your phone off the desk you'll understand the need for a proper ballast. The handsets feel cheap too, because they're too lightweight. Still, from everything I've read you'll certainly want to try one out. Also, the Snom 220 seems to be the best bet as a reception phone, especially if you want a busy lamp field on your swithboard. The Cisco phones are great, but it's hard to stomach paying an extra $100-$300 for that little drawing of the Golden Gate Bridge they put on all their products. One of the exciting things about standards-based telephony is that you can mix and match your phones. It's the same as analog sets; the agony is in the sheer number of choices available.> We currently run Nortel 7310 phones and they work great. > I'm sort of overwhelmed by all of the different IP phones. I > was hoping some folks would share what they have found. My > primary goal is to replicate the 7310's features and to allow > room for growth in the future with telephony applications.One of the big differences between the Norstar and the Asterisk is that the Norstar is a key system, the Asterisk is a PBX. If you completely replace the Norstar your users will will no longer have access to line status on their phones; that is all handled behind the scenes. Also, you will not get busy lamp field, which means you won't be able to monitor who is on the phone (there are ways of doing this in Asterisk, but it's not as intuitive to implement). Finally, the Norstar has hundreds of easy to use features; each one you'll want to keep will need to be carefully hand-crafted in the dial plan.> Our primary driver is configurability and features that we > can get in Asterisk, that we can get without a lot of money > from Nortel.Nortel sure has fallen behind. Even the VoIP stuff they have does not work well, and is barely standards-compliant (if at all).> Namely- > Voicemail, telecommuting workers on the pbx, better call > handling, better automation. I'd like to be able to integrate > smart features like directory and call handling to the > handset, but I'll freely admit I'm just starting out. My > initial goal is to just to get onto Asterisk and get it > working. I'll worry about cool stuff later.I think you'll be wise to leave the Nortel KSU in place for a bit. That way you can introduce new features to the users without them also having to learn new phones. There are challenges either way.> Our integration and migration plan is as follows: If anyone > has some suggestions or pointers I'd love to hear them. > > 1. Test and evaluate Asterisk with TDM400 with 1 FXO/FSO port > each. 2. Configure Asterisk to be the primary PBX and slave > the Nortel Meridian system to it using a second TDM400. This > avoids immediate replacement of all handsets. Will allow > immediate access to features such as Voicemail. 3. Overtime, > upgrade desk phones to IP phones. When all phones are > replaced, decommission Nortel and sell on Ebay. :)Are you using calling line ID? The problem here is that you have two systems that will each need to wait two rings before answering. The Asterisk will need two rings to get the caller ID, and then it'll take two more to pass the same CLID on to the Norstar. [PSTN]==(2 rings for CLID)==[Asterisk]==(2 rings for CLID)==[Nor*] Make sure you put an autoattendant in the middle, to ensure your callers don't have to wait too many rings before some indication that there's a system at the other end. Also, there is some danger of echo if you put the Asterisk in the middle. You'll want to be patient with this, as it may take a bit of tweaking to sort out. IMPORTANT: Make sure your Asterisk and Nortel are grounded to the same point. Best way to achieve this easily will be to plug them into the same electrical outlet. You do NOT want voltage potentials on the analog loop between the * and Nor*, believe me. The fact is, analog is a technology that really doesn't lend itself well to integration. It can be made to work, but callers and users will have to deal with a lot of extra rings. Also, transfers and the like will involve hookswitch flashes and such. I'm not saying avoid it, just be aware of the need to manage user expectations. One possible way to handle this would be to configure the system so that the Norstar sees the Asterisk as a sort of Centrex service. This would require dedicating an analog line for any set you wished to integrate. [Asterisk] [Norstar] FXS(ZAP/1)---L001(R&A)-x21 FXS(ZAP/2)---L002(R&A)-x22 FXS(ZAP/3)---L003(R&A)-x23 FXS(ZAP/4)---L004(R&A)-x24 FXS(ZAP/5)---L005(R&A)-x25 FXS(ZAP/6)---L006(R&A)-x26 FXS(ZAP/7)---L007(R&A)-x27 FXS(ZAP/8)---L008(R&A)-x28 The Norstar offers a lot of Centrex integration features, so your voicemail/message waiting and such would work well. Also, the Asterisk would then easily be able to handle the different users on the Norstar, as it would have a dedicated line for each of them. The only problem there would be the cost of the integration hardware, and the fact that your CICS can only grow to a maximum of 8 analog lines. Another possibliity would be to use BRI to integrate the two. This, however, will require a BRI card in the CICS (as well as a services cartridge), as well as BRI hardware for the Asterisk. Not to mention that BRI is a pain in the butt to configure. Still, one you've got it working you'd have full ISDN integration between the boxes, which'd be technically superior to analog. It really depends on what sort of a science project you want this to become.> Cold turkey option is to spend the extra $ and buy the > handsets upfront and just ditch nortel without a transition period.It'll be easier technically, but for the users this might be a bit more painful.> We currently have 4 pbx lines and 1 dedicated fax/credit card line. > We have 10 handsets.Well, your Asterisk will certainly put you in an excellent position to grow. Cheers, Jim. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.296 / Virus Database: 265.6.6 - Release Date: 28/12/2004
Thanks for the really splendid details on * vs Nor*. You bring up some really valid points. My only question is that I understand Norstar etc to be a "digital" phone system as opposed to a "analog" phone system. I think it's just a different voltage/frequency, but perhaps someone could enlighten me. I'm leaning towards a forklift operation. Mainly because there are only a couple of users who live on the phones and the other stations are just to save people from running to answer a phone. We had narrowed the field when I put the question out there, but I wanted to leave it open to gather unbiased feedback. I opted to use the Polycom 500 for our phone-intense stations. It's a good phone and will best mimic our current phones. Based on some other feedback I have my eye on a Sipura SPA-841 as a "basic" phone. It should support all the features we currently use with only Two line appearance. That is fine for most people/stations. For now I'm going to develop * off to the side with two Polycom 500's. Then we'll get the hardware in place, get the dialplan built, and do a few weekend tests where we patch the lines over for the weekend and torture them. If all goes well we'll leave the Nor* offline and decomission it after a two week safety period. I figure this maximizes our ROI on VOIP by allowing us to sell the whole nor* system to someone who will appreciate it. The testing phase will allow me to train the 1 or 2 people who do heavy phone work ahead of the cutover so that they can help other employees get the hang of it. The nice thing as I see it is that VOIP will add features, not remove them. Initially our goal will be to keep the dialplan nice and simple. Down the road we can make it complicated by adding cool features. But of course, that's the strategic advantage to * as opposed to our current Nortel MoneyPit. Down the road I'd like to get a 802.11b wireless phone. It would be cooler still if I had one that was GSM capable and could play on cingular's network when it couldn't find a wireless station. I guess we have to have something to dream about :). Although I seem to remember GTE MobileNet had a service like this 10 years ago that was wireless when you were away and landline when you were near. Brian Greul Texas Shirt Company www.txshirts.com 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax) -----Original Message----- From: Jim Van Meggelen [mailto:jim@vanmeggelen.ca] Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 2:59 PM To: 'Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion' Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations? asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com wrote:> Hey gang, > I'm looking at escaping from a Nortel Meridian CISC system to > Asterisk/Digium/SIP phones. I'm currently in the testing and proof of> concept phase. I'm going to need a SIP phone and don't want to > re-purchase and have "orphans" around.I've got a few different IP phones in my lab (including a C7960), I'm currently loving my Polycom 300 - a solid phone for the price, and everyone says the 500 and 600 are even better. I think I'll be going with Polycom for my customers until the next best thing comes along. I looked at the Snom phones when I was at Astricon, and while they may be technically great, the problem I had with them is that they are not weighted properly. If you've ever yanked your phone off the desk you'll understand the need for a proper ballast. The handsets feel cheap too, because they're too lightweight. Still, from everything I've read you'll certainly want to try one out. Also, the Snom 220 seems to be the best bet as a reception phone, especially if you want a busy lamp field on your swithboard. The Cisco phones are great, but it's hard to stomach paying an extra $100-$300 for that little drawing of the Golden Gate Bridge they put on all their products. One of the exciting things about standards-based telephony is that you can mix and match your phones. It's the same as analog sets; the agony is in the sheer number of choices available.> We currently run Nortel 7310 phones and they work great. > I'm sort of overwhelmed by all of the different IP phones. I was > hoping some folks would share what they have found. My primary goal is> to replicate the 7310's features and to allow room for growth in the > future with telephony applications.One of the big differences between the Norstar and the Asterisk is that the Norstar is a key system, the Asterisk is a PBX. If you completely replace the Norstar your users will will no longer have access to line status on their phones; that is all handled behind the scenes. Also, you will not get busy lamp field, which means you won't be able to monitor who is on the phone (there are ways of doing this in Asterisk, but it's not as intuitive to implement). Finally, the Norstar has hundreds of easy to use features; each one you'll want to keep will need to be carefully hand-crafted in the dial plan.> Our primary driver is configurability and features that we can get in > Asterisk, that we can get without a lot of money from Nortel.Nortel sure has fallen behind. Even the VoIP stuff they have does not work well, and is barely standards-compliant (if at all).> Namely- > Voicemail, telecommuting workers on the pbx, better call handling, > better automation. I'd like to be able to integrate smart features > like directory and call handling to the handset, but I'll freely admit> I'm just starting out. My initial goal is to just to get onto Asterisk> and get it working. I'll worry about cool stuff later.I think you'll be wise to leave the Nortel KSU in place for a bit. That way you can introduce new features to the users without them also having to learn new phones. There are challenges either way.> Our integration and migration plan is as follows: If anyone has some > suggestions or pointers I'd love to hear them. > > 1. Test and evaluate Asterisk with TDM400 with 1 FXO/FSO port each. 2.> Configure Asterisk to be the primary PBX and slave the Nortel Meridian> system to it using a second TDM400. This avoids immediate replacement> of all handsets. Will allow immediate access to features such as > Voicemail. 3. Overtime, upgrade desk phones to IP phones. When all > phones are replaced, decommission Nortel and sell on Ebay. :)Are you using calling line ID? The problem here is that you have two systems that will each need to wait two rings before answering. The Asterisk will need two rings to get the caller ID, and then it'll take two more to pass the same CLID on to the Norstar. [PSTN]==(2 rings for CLID)==[Asterisk]==(2 rings for CLID)==[Nor*] Make sure you put an autoattendant in the middle, to ensure your callers don't have to wait too many rings before some indication that there's a system at the other end. Also, there is some danger of echo if you put the Asterisk in the middle. You'll want to be patient with this, as it may take a bit of tweaking to sort out. IMPORTANT: Make sure your Asterisk and Nortel are grounded to the same point. Best way to achieve this easily will be to plug them into the same electrical outlet. You do NOT want voltage potentials on the analog loop between the * and Nor*, believe me. The fact is, analog is a technology that really doesn't lend itself well to integration. It can be made to work, but callers and users will have to deal with a lot of extra rings. Also, transfers and the like will involve hookswitch flashes and such. I'm not saying avoid it, just be aware of the need to manage user expectations. One possible way to handle this would be to configure the system so that the Norstar sees the Asterisk as a sort of Centrex service. This would require dedicating an analog line for any set you wished to integrate. [Asterisk] [Norstar] FXS(ZAP/1)---L001(R&A)-x21 FXS(ZAP/2)---L002(R&A)-x22 FXS(ZAP/3)---L003(R&A)-x23 FXS(ZAP/4)---L004(R&A)-x24 FXS(ZAP/5)---L005(R&A)-x25 FXS(ZAP/6)---L006(R&A)-x26 FXS(ZAP/7)---L007(R&A)-x27 FXS(ZAP/8)---L008(R&A)-x28 The Norstar offers a lot of Centrex integration features, so your voicemail/message waiting and such would work well. Also, the Asterisk would then easily be able to handle the different users on the Norstar, as it would have a dedicated line for each of them. The only problem there would be the cost of the integration hardware, and the fact that your CICS can only grow to a maximum of 8 analog lines. Another possibliity would be to use BRI to integrate the two. This, however, will require a BRI card in the CICS (as well as a services cartridge), as well as BRI hardware for the Asterisk. Not to mention that BRI is a pain in the butt to configure. Still, one you've got it working you'd have full ISDN integration between the boxes, which'd be technically superior to analog. It really depends on what sort of a science project you want this to become.> Cold turkey option is to spend the extra $ and buy the handsets > upfront and just ditch nortel without a transition period.It'll be easier technically, but for the users this might be a bit more painful.> We currently have 4 pbx lines and 1 dedicated fax/credit card line. > We have 10 handsets.Well, your Asterisk will certainly put you in an excellent position to grow. Cheers, Jim. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.296 / Virus Database: 265.6.6 - Release Date: 28/12/2004 _______________________________________________ Asterisk-Users mailing list Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users