asterisk users - Aug 2006 - multiple offices / hard phones / service provider

I have asterisk set up for testing right now.  I want to roll it out in
production to utilize it in several offices.  I have a few questions so this
email might seem all over the place.

 

The topology is pretty simple.  There are a total of three offices.  The
main office has the asterisk server and phone extensions.  Branch One and
Two just have hard phones with phone extensions.

 

The first question is about multiple office locations.  I can treat these
office locations as extensions as if they were in the same physical office.
But I'll also have local numbers for those offices and when those local
numbers are called I want them to go to that particular office.  What is the
best way to handle the local phone number for the local offices, with one
asterisk server?

 

My next question is about phones and the call waiting configuration in
asterisk.  If I'm on the phone and someone else tries to call me they go
straight to voicemail.  I want the ability to be on the phone and be
notified that another call is waiting for me instead of going straight to
voicemail, as it does right now.  There's two parts to the call waiting.
One part is another extension trying to call me and the other part is an
outside call trying to reach me, both go to voicemail when I'm on the phone.
What configuration would I need to change and what hard phone can handle
such a request?  I need to buy about 10 hard phones and want to get an idea
of what's a good buy.

 

My last question is about a service provider.  I'm currently using voipjet
for outgoing calls but they are not for end users and I think I should
change to an end user provider.  I have no problems with voipjet other than
reading a recent post that they do not allow end users.  I do not have a
service provider for incoming calls yet.  I'm currently using a POTS line
for incoming but that will change as I want a pure VOIP system.  Who would
you recommend for incoming and outgoing for asterisk?

 

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----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Joseph Ellis 
  To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com 
  Sent: Friday, August 11, 2006 5:14 PM
  Subject: [asterisk-users] multiple offices / hard phones / service provider


  I have asterisk set up for testing right now.  I want to roll it out in
production to utilize it in several offices.  I have a few questions so this
email might seem all over the place.

  Ask away this is the place !! 





  The topology is pretty simple.  There are a total of three offices.  The main
office has the asterisk server and phone extensions.  Branch One and Two just
have hard phones with phone extensions.

   

  The first question is about multiple office locations.  I can treat these
office locations as extensions as if they were in the same physical office.  But
I'll also have local numbers for those offices and when those local numbers
are called I want them to go to that particular office.  What is the best way to
handle the local phone number for the local offices, with one asterisk server?

   If you want to stick to one server you can have the calls come to the main
server and then have them only ring on the phones at the remote office. So for
example you can have Line 1 ring to all the phones in office 3. You may run in
to issues with NAT and SIP. It's worth investing in a good router.





  My next question is about phones and the call waiting configuration in
asterisk.  If I'm on the phone and someone else tries to call me they go
straight to voicemail.  I want the ability to be on the phone and be notified
that another call is waiting for me instead of going straight to voicemail, as
it does right now.  There's two parts to the call waiting.  One part is
another extension trying to call me and the other part is an outside call trying
to reach me, both go to voicemail when I'm on the phone.  What configuration
would I need to change and what hard phone can handle such a request?  I need to
buy about 10 hard phones and want to get an idea of what's a good buy.

  Are you using a GUI or did you write it yourself. I have used Polycoms,
Sipuras, Snom's, Grandstreams etc. and they have no problem sending more
than one call at a time to the phone.

   

  My last question is about a service provider.  I'm currently using voipjet
for outgoing calls but they are not for end users and I think I should change to
an end user provider.  I have no problems with voipjet other than reading a
recent post that they do not allow end users.  I do not have a service provider
for incoming calls yet.  I'm currently using a POTS line for incoming but
that will change as I want a pure VOIP system.  Who would you recommend for
incoming and outgoing for asterisk?

  There was talk on the list about Voipjet and what he did and why he did it.
Some suggested that it has to do with the fcc and e911 regulations. I personally
would not go with VOIP only for multiple reasons. For one I would still rather
use a POTS line for 911 than voip. 2) If your cable and or DSL goes down there
goes your phones. You want at least to have one line in case the internet goes
down. There are a lot of providers out there. Post a message on the asterisk biz
list and there will be many people there that will offer you thier services. I
personally use myphonecompany for inbound and I am reall happy with them. Also
make sure that you have enough bandwith for all the remote offices to connect
in. I had one client that I suggested that he go with a dedicated server and he
insisted on using his cable connection at home. He didnt have good QOS and he
lost a $35,000.00 sale. So if you are using a cable/dsl connection make sure you
have ample bandwith and excelent QOS. Good luck with asterisk.



  Dovid





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