asterisk users - Oct 2007 - Replace full PRI with SIP/IAX trunks...YES/NO?

I've been considering replacing a PRI with SIP or IAX trunks.  The 
monthly cost difference is marginal, but it would save a bit on the 
hardware side and soft trunks would be easier to manage. I can't help 
but wonder what I would be giving up?  I'd like to hear some "lessons 
learned" from those who are doing it or decided, for whatever reason, 
it's a bad idea.





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Without knowing more, Why fix what isn't broken?

-----Original Message-----
From: asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces
at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Jim Canfield
Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 1:50 PM
To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion
Subject: [asterisk-users] Replace full PRI with SIP/IAX trunks...YES/NO?

I've been considering replacing a PRI with SIP or IAX trunks.  The monthly
cost difference is marginal, but it would save a bit on the hardware side and
soft trunks would be easier to manage. I can't help but wonder what I would
be giving up?  I'd like to hear some "lessons learned" from those
who are doing it or decided, for whatever reason, it's a bad idea.






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Jim Canfield wrote:
> I've been considering replacing a PRI with SIP or IAX trunks.  The 
> monthly cost difference is marginal, but it would save a bit on the 
> hardware side and soft trunks would be easier to manage. I can't help 
> but wonder what I would be giving up?  I'd like to hear some
"lessons
> learned" from those who are doing it or decided, for whatever reason, 
> it's a bad idea.
Here's what you'd be giving up: reliability.

If consistent call quality and reliability is what you want, SIP or IAX 
on unmanaged, public networks is not for you. If you can arrange private 
bandwidth to a carrier's POP where you can pull telco SIP channels that 
get you right onto the PSTN, then great. Not many locations have this 
available yet.

If cheap is what you want and you're not too concerned about service 
quality, SIP and IAX can be a good option. As it appears you're running 
a clinic, I would recommend against dumping your PRI.

Cheers,

-Stephen-

Jeremy Mann wrote:
> Without knowing more, Why fix what isn't broken?
>   
I should have stated, the PRI is on an existing PBX not asterisk. My 
goal was to reuse the existing PBX PRI card to interface with
asterisk.
> I've been considering replacing a PRI with SIP or IAX trunks.  The
monthly cost difference is marginal, but it would save a bit on the hardware
side and soft trunks would be easier to manage. I can't help but wonder what
I would be giving up?  I'd like to hear some "lessons learned"
from those who are doing it or decided, for whatever reason, it's a bad
idea.
>
>
>
>
>

Jim Canfield wrote:
> I've been considering replacing a PRI with SIP or IAX trunks.  The 
> monthly cost difference is marginal, but it would save a bit on the 
> hardware side and soft trunks would be easier to manage. I can't help 
> but wonder what I would be giving up?  I'd like to hear some
"lessons
> learned" from those who are doing it or decided, for whatever reason, 
> it's a bad idea.

If your provider will be providing the SIP trunks then it might be OK. 
Otherwise I would stick with PRI.

My lessons learned are that you cannot control the public internet and 
traffic shaping and QoS are not useful most of the time.  I would only 
consider a point to point if this your phone system is mission critical.

Explain a little more on who would replace your service and over what 
facilities.  Surely, you are not going to get IAX service from your 
internet provider.

Thanks,
Steve Totaro

"Danger Wil Robinson!"
 
Don't do it.  If the cost is negligible, you are going to give up a huge
control / reliability factor.   Unless you dedicated a T1 to just voice,
you'll not be able to guarantee quality.
 
I've had a few small companies use VOIP trunks with POTS backup, but I
wouldn't even consider switching a PRI to SIP.
 

 
________________________________

From: asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com on behalf of Jim Canfield
Sent: Fri 10/5/2007 2:49 PM
To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion
Subject: [asterisk-users] Replace full PRI with SIP/IAX trunks...YES/NO?



I've been considering replacing a PRI with SIP or IAX trunks.  The
monthly cost difference is marginal, but it would save a bit on the
hardware side and soft trunks would be easier to manage. I can't help
but wonder what I would be giving up?  I'd like to hear some "lessons
learned" from those who are doing it or decided, for whatever reason,
it's a bad idea.








This message was sent from D2 Technology, INC.

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Steve Totaro wrote:
>
>
> If your provider will be providing the SIP trunks then it might be OK. 
> Otherwise I would stick with PRI.
>
> My lessons learned are that you cannot control the public internet and 
> traffic shaping and QoS are not useful most of the time.  I would only 
> consider a point to point if this your phone system is mission critical.
>
> Explain a little more on who would replace your service and over what 
> facilities.  Surely, you are not going to get IAX service from your 
> internet provider.
>
Thanks Steve,

QOS has been a concern, I was told by my data provider (Cox 
Communications) I "might" see some SIP trunking options directly
through
them by the end of the year which would be fantastic given I have their 
fiber to my MDF.  I currently have a test IAX trunk setup with an ITSP 
but I just realized they would be leasing a T-1 from BELL to provide any 
QOS....so kindof pointless, unless it's a LOT cheaper.  Guess I knew the 
answer, just needed you guys prop me up.

-jc