I have a ton of Nortel MICS/CICS phone systems and am looking for an easy way to integrate them. Two questions arise: 1. Is it feasible to use asterisk as a Man in the Middle for a T1 PRI system? The idea is to intercept outbound calls from the Nortel PBX and redirect them via VoIP to another asterisk box at another branch transparently(thus saving the LD cost). Otherwise I'd pass the call on to the T1 for outbound processing. Our Nortel is already PRI equipped, the PRI would just come from the Asterisk box instead of the Telco directly. 2. Is it feasible to use asterisk as a Man in the Middle for Analog lines? I'd be using anywhere from 4-12 lines depending on location size. I'd like to do the same feature as above(intercept outbound calls and redirect them using VoIP if they are inter-office calls. a. I'd also like the VoIP trunks to be used for outbound calls in the case of PSTN downtime or busy. For example, all 4 outgoing lines are in use, person 5 wants to make an outbound call and it gets redirected to one of my T1 offices. I'd attach their outbound caller ID to make it appear as the call came from that location. My inevitable hope is to reduce my analog presense in smaller communities to 1 primary Line for 911/emergency calling, and to get a published presense in the community. I'd then beef up my T1 locations to handle more VoIP based calls. Currently we're using on the order of 30k minutes a month of LD just intercompany, about 10k external (IntraLATA). I'd also like any insight or suggestions on uptime. We're a healthcare organization so 5-9's is what we'll require. Any suggestions on hardware configs(or better yet, Bids!) would be appreciated as well. I don't need VoIP capable phones yet, but if the system works well enough we'd probably startup our next location(averaging 3-6 per quarter) with a pure VoIP system with Nortel fallback(again, 5-9's is critical). I'm located in Dallas, TX for any bids that might include installation. We have a presense up to about 400 miles west of here. ________________________________ This e-mail, facsimile, or letter and any files or attachments transmitted with it contains information that is confidential and privileged. This information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and entity(ies) to whom it is addressed. If you are the intended recipient, further disclosures are prohibited without proper authorization. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, printing, or use of this information is strictly prohibited and possibly a violation of federal or state law and regulations. If you have received this information in error, please notify Texas Health Management Group immediately at 1-817-310-4999. Texas Health Management Group, its subsidiaries, and affiliates hereby claim all applicable privileges related to this information. -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.digium.com/pipermail/asterisk-users/attachments/20070515/de7b2bed/attachment.htm
On Tuesday 15 May 2007 3:31 pm, Jeremy Mann wrote:> 1. Is it feasible to use asterisk as a Man in the Middle for a T1 > PRI system? The idea is to intercept outbound calls from the Nortel PBX > and redirect them via VoIP to another asterisk box at another branch > transparently(thus saving the LD cost). Otherwise I'd pass the call on to > the T1 for outbound processing. Our Nortel is already PRI equipped, the > PRI would just come from the Asterisk box instead of the Telco directly.I am doing this right now with our MICS. Asterisk is the telco, and routes the calls over our PRI or VOIP provider. I also do a little bit of external extensions. While it works, it's hokey.> 2. Is it feasible to use asterisk as a Man in the Middle for Analog > lines? I'd be using anywhere from 4-12 lines depending on location size. > I'd like to do the same feature as above(intercept outbound calls and > redirect them using VoIP if they are inter-office calls.Yes, I was doing this before the PRI. Make sure you're using the right channel bank for FXO, or you won't get CPD.> a. I'd also like the VoIP trunks to be used for outbound calls in the > case of PSTN downtime or busy. For example, all 4 outgoing lines are in > use, person 5 wants to make an outbound call and it gets redirected to one > of my T1 offices. I'd attach their outbound caller ID to make it appear as > the call came from that location. My inevitable hope is to reduce my analog > presense in smaller communities to 1 primary Line for 911/emergency > calling, and to get a published presense in the community. I'd then beef > up my T1 locations to handle more VoIP based calls. Currently we're using > on the order of 30k minutes a month of LD just intercompany, about 10k > external (IntraLATA).Piece of cake, it's just LCR and failover. With the right dialplan nobody knows whether the call went over VOIP or local PSTN.> I'd also like any insight or suggestions on uptime. We're a healthcare > organization so 5-9's is what we'll require.If you want 5 nines out of Asterisk, you're looking at a failover system with a database backend, and T1 failover to the Asterisk boxes. Now you'll also need redundant power and really look at the entire system to make sure there aren't any single points of failure that aren't five nines themselves (i.e. you won't need two PRIs, as they're already considered five nines). Honestly though... take a look at the Citel gateways. Plug all of your Norstar phones into that and connect it to Asterisk. There's your PBX.> Any suggestions on hardware configs(or better yet, Bids!) would be > appreciated as well. I don't need VoIP capable phones yet, but if the > system works well enough we'd probably startup our next location(averaging > 3-6 per quarter) with a pure VoIP system with Nortel fallback(again, 5-9's > is critical).Send me some more information offlist and I'll see what I can do for bidding. Honestly though you'll want to be hands-on on this, as it'll be your butt on the line when (not if) they fall over. -A.
On 5/15/07, Jeremy Mann <jmann@txhmg.com> wrote:> > I have a ton of Nortel MICS/CICS phone systems and am looking for an easy > way to integrate them. > > > > Two questions arise: > > > > 1. Is it feasible to use asterisk as a Man in the Middle for a T1 > PRI system? The idea is to intercept outbound calls from the Nortel PBX and > redirect them via VoIP to another asterisk box at another branch > transparently(thus saving the LD cost). Otherwise I'd pass the call on to > the T1 for outbound processing. Our Nortel is already PRI equipped, the PRI > would just come from the Asterisk box instead of the Telco directly. >Yes, I've already done it. Just make sure you use a T1 cross-over and get the signalling correct (use pri_net instead of pri_cpe) 2. Is it feasible to use asterisk as a Man in the Middle for Analog> lines? I'd be using anywhere from 4-12 lines depending on location size. > I'd like to do the same feature as above(intercept outbound calls and > redirect them using VoIP if they are inter-office calls. >I've done that too, using the same PRI as part 1. a. I'd also like the VoIP trunks to be used for outbound calls in the> case of PSTN downtime or busy. For example, all 4 outgoing lines are in > use, person 5 wants to make an outbound call and it gets redirected to one > of my T1 offices. I'd attach their outbound caller ID to make it appear as > the call came from that location. >This isn't really a big deal. Just have a fall-through when PSTN lines are full/down. My inevitable hope is to reduce my analog presense in smaller communities to> 1 primary Line for 911/emergency calling, and to get a published presense in > the community. I'd then beef up my T1 locations to handle more VoIP based > calls. Currently we're using on the order of 30k minutes a month of LD just > intercompany, about 10k external (IntraLATA). >You can get local presence by having a provider who can sell you a DID from your local areas and trunk them to a PRI/T1 in another area, or deliver them over SIP. The challenge with having only one analog line in a city means you can't receive 2 calls at the same time... definitely sub-optimal! I'd also like any insight or suggestions on uptime. We're a healthcare> organization so 5-9's is what we'll require. >We're healthcare too, but in Ophthalmology. So 5-9's aren't really required here, although we've had it. I haven't really had any problems with Asterisk reliability. In the setup you propose, you're probably going to see more challenges in keeping your Internet connections up with good latency than a well-built Asterisk system. Any suggestions on hardware configs(or better yet, Bids!) would be> appreciated as well. I don't need VoIP capable phones yet, but if the > system works well enough we'd probably startup our next location(averaging > 3-6 per quarter) with a pure VoIP system with Nortel fallback(again, 5-9's > is critical). >Buy decent servers, with redundant power supplies, raid-5 arrays with a software mirror across different array controllers, keep a warm-standby at each location, install separate diesel generators in each location, move your offices into underground bunkers in secret, nondescript locations, hire armed trolls to guard the server and pummel anyone who attempts to approach, etc. The point is, you can have as much reliability as you're willing to buy. I'm located in Dallas, TX for any bids that might include installation. We> have a presense up to about 400 miles west of here. >Spent a couple of years in Addison, and I grew up in Houston. But I can't really offer too much on-location help, as I've moved to FL. Ah well, can't win 'em all, right? But if you get the trolls, I may be willing to make the trip ;) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.digium.com/pipermail/asterisk-users/attachments/20070515/c3385a15/attachment.htm
Jeremy, Both 1 and 2 are feasible and have been done by many people including the company I currently work for and the company I previously worked for. For the analog lines, I would recommend a channel bank with analog ports. If you want to redirect inbound calls on an analog line as well as send calls via analog to a PBX to support 12 lines you will need 24 ports. If you are only using 12 ports a channel bank may not prove to be cost effective. If you use a channel bank then the hardware for system 1 and system 2 could be the same exact system. -Jonathan Jeremy Mann wrote:> > I have a ton of Nortel MICS/CICS phone systems and am looking for an > easy way to integrate them. > > Two questions arise: > > 1. Is it feasible to use asterisk as a Man in the Middle for a T1 PRI > system? The idea is to intercept outbound calls from the Nortel PBX > and redirect them via VoIP to another asterisk box at another branch > transparently(thus saving the LD cost). Otherwise I?d pass the call on > to the T1 for outbound processing. Our Nortel is already PRI equipped, > the PRI would just come from the Asterisk box instead of the Telco > directly. > > 2. Is it feasible to use asterisk as a Man in the Middle for Analog > lines? I?d be using anywhere from 4-12 lines depending on location > size. I?d like to do the same feature as above(intercept outbound > calls and redirect them using VoIP if they are inter-office calls. > > a. I?d also like the VoIP trunks to be used for outbound calls in the > case of PSTN downtime or busy. For example, all 4 outgoing lines are > in use, person 5 wants to make an outbound call and it gets redirected > to one of my T1 offices. I?d attach their outbound caller ID to make > it appear as the call came from that location. > > My inevitable hope is to reduce my analog presense in smaller > communities to 1 primary Line for 911/emergency calling, and to get a > published presense in the community. I?d then beef up my T1 locations > to handle more VoIP based calls. Currently we?re using on the order of > 30k minutes a month of LD just intercompany, about 10k external > (IntraLATA). > > I?d also like any insight or suggestions on uptime. We?re a healthcare > organization so 5-9?s is what we?ll require. > > Any suggestions on hardware configs(or better yet, Bids!) would be > appreciated as well. I don?t need VoIP capable phones yet, but if the > system works well enough we?d probably startup our next > location(averaging 3-6 per quarter) with a pure VoIP system with > Nortel fallback(again, 5-9?s is critical). > > I?m located in Dallas, TX for any bids that might include > installation. We have a presense up to about 400 miles west of here. > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > This e-mail, facsimile, or letter and any files or attachments > transmitted with it contains information that is confidential and > privileged. This information is intended only for the use of the > individual(s) and entity(ies) to whom it is addressed. If you are the > intended recipient, further disclosures are prohibited without proper > authorization. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, > copying, printing, or use of this information is strictly prohibited > and possibly a violation of federal or state law and regulations. If > you have received this information in error, please notify Texas > Health Management Group immediately at 1-817-310-4999. Texas Health > Management Group, its subsidiaries, and affiliates hereby claim all > applicable privileges related to this information. > > -- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by *MailScanner* <http://www.mailscanner.info/>, and is > believed to be clean. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- > > asterisk-users mailing list > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users >
Hello Jeremy,
We have implemented HA systems in the past for numerous clients,
call centers, etc, where reliability matters. We can definitely offer
you a bid on this, but I would like to speak with you a bit first to
nail down the requirements. What would be a convenient time and number
to reach you?
Chris
Jeremy Mann wrote:>
> I have a ton of Nortel MICS/CICS phone systems and am looking for an
> easy way to integrate them.
>
>
>
> Two questions arise:
>
>
>
> 1. Is it feasible to use asterisk as a Man in the Middle for a
> T1 PRI system? The idea is to intercept outbound calls from the
> Nortel PBX and redirect them via VoIP to another asterisk box at
> another branch transparently(thus saving the LD cost). Otherwise I'd
> pass the call on to the T1 for outbound processing. Our Nortel is
> already PRI equipped, the PRI would just come from the Asterisk box
> instead of the Telco directly.
>
> 2. Is it feasible to use asterisk as a Man in the Middle for
> Analog lines? I'd be using anywhere from 4-12 lines depending on
> location size. I'd like to do the same feature as above(intercept
> outbound calls and redirect them using VoIP if they are inter-office
> calls.
>
> a. I'd also like the VoIP trunks to be used for outbound calls
> in the case of PSTN downtime or busy. For example, all 4 outgoing
> lines are in use, person 5 wants to make an outbound call and it gets
> redirected to one of my T1 offices. I'd attach their outbound caller
> ID to make it appear as the call came from that location.
>
> My inevitable hope is to reduce my analog presense in smaller
> communities to 1 primary Line for 911/emergency calling, and to get a
> published presense in the community. I'd then beef up my T1 locations
> to handle more VoIP based calls. Currently we're using on the order
> of 30k minutes a month of LD just intercompany, about 10k external
> (IntraLATA).
>
>
>
> I'd also like any insight or suggestions on uptime. We're a
> healthcare organization so 5-9's is what we'll require.
>
>
>
> Any suggestions on hardware configs(or better yet, Bids!) would be
> appreciated as well. I don't need VoIP capable phones yet, but if the
> system works well enough we'd probably startup our next
> location(averaging 3-6 per quarter) with a pure VoIP system with
> Nortel fallback(again, 5-9's is critical).
>
>
>
> I'm located in Dallas, TX for any bids that might include
> installation. We have a presense up to about 400 miles west of here.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> This e-mail, facsimile, or letter and any files or attachments
> transmitted with it contains information that is confidential and
> privileged. This information is intended only for the use of the
> individual(s) and entity(ies) to whom it is addressed. If you are the
> intended recipient, further disclosures are prohibited without proper
> authorization. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure,
> copying, printing, or use of this information is strictly prohibited
> and possibly a violation of federal or state law and regulations. If
> you have received this information in error, please notify Texas
> Health Management Group immediately at 1-817-310-4999. Texas Health
> Management Group, its subsidiaries, and affiliates hereby claim all
> applicable privileges related to this information.
>
> --
> This message has been scanned for viruses and
> dangerous content by *MailScanner* <http://www.mailscanner.info/>,
and is
> believed to be clean.
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com --
>
> asterisk-users mailing list
> To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit:
> http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL:
http://lists.digium.com/pipermail/asterisk-users/attachments/20070516/df679953/attachment.htm