asterisk users - Apr 2007 - Hardware suggestions for 8-10 lines in the UK

Hi

I have previously had good success on smaller installations with TDM400P 
cards.  I now have a UK customer looking for 8-10+ lines and it seems 
like a PRI would be most economical + reliable?

Has anyone here used PRI interfaces in the UK and can confirm that it 
works well (using Trixbox for preference?).  I have had some niggling 
issues with the TDM400P cards which puts me off adding lots of these in 
a single box.  Am I right in thinking that ISDN or PRI will be a better 
and more reliable option?

Any suggestions on 2U servers that should work well?  For example the 
DELL 2850 seem to lack any spare HD type power outlets which is 
irritating...

I also need two internal fax machines.  Can anyone confirm that the best 
solution is just some linksys ATA's at the fax end, then switching them 
directly down the PRI card?  Is there a better option to guarantee best 
quality?  It would be convenient not to have extra analogue lines in the 
building if we go down the PRI route...

Grateful for any thoughts

Ed W

> I have previously had good success on smaller installations with TDM400P
> cards.  I now have a UK customer looking for 8-10+ lines and it seems
> like a PRI would be most economical + reliable?
Best bet would be to talk to <insert telco of preference> and ask them
what they recommend. For anything more than about 8 channels a PRI is likely to
be the most cost-effective route if you need physical lines on-site, especially
if that's likely to grow beyond 8 lines in the future.

However, I should mention that most of our recent (larger) installs have
involved a single BRI on-site (for emergency calls, etc.) but routing nearly all
other calls out via SIP/IAX to an upstream wholesale provider. Likewise, said
wholesaler also provides standard geographic numbers.

You've obviously had better success with the TDM400Ps than I have in the UK.
Certainly the call quality on asterisk installs we've done around
Northampton/Milton Keynes has improved markedly since we switched to delivering
calls via SIP or IAX rather than using physical lines on-site. The clients are
also happy - each less line they have on-site is a saving of at least ?10/month.

(if you want to discuss wholesale providers, that's probably not something
for this non-commercial list - email me directly if you like)

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Chris
-- 
C.M. Bagnall, Director, Minotaur I.T. Limited
For full contact details visit http://www.minotaur.it/chris.html
This email is made from 100% recycled electrons