[Discuss] Telecom Solution - Potentially Involving Asterisk

[Corey Burger]

On Nov 18, 2007 8:43 AM, Frank Smith <fsmith at jadestone.com> wrote:
> I'm looking for input on a telecommunications solution/system that would
> meet the following requirements:
>
> _Location *A* - "Main Office"
> _1. Existing Internet router/gateway - gets dynamic IP address from ISP
> (so solution needs Dynamic DNS?).
> 2. PBX as follows:
>  a. One standard phone line from telco.
>  b. Two standard phone extensions to co-located phones.
>  c. One VOIP phone extension via the Internet to Location *B*.
>  d. Voice mail for each extension.  For VOIP extension, voice mail kicks
> in only after Location *B* does not pick up call.
>
> _Location *B* - "Remote Office"
> _1. Existing Internet router/gateway - gets dynamic IP address from ISP
> (so solution needs Dynamic DNS?).
> 2. One IP phone connected via the Internet to PBX's VOIP extension in
> Location *A*.
>
> May need PBX to be able to block outgoing calls from any of its
> extensions (standard and VOIP), but maybe not.
>
> I reviewed a VLUG discussion earlier this year regarding VOIP services
> and after doing some looking into them (and others), I couldn't find
> anything that would do exactly the above.  Did I miss something?
>
> Fonality's PBXtra (Asterisk appliance) seems like it would do the
> trick.  It's going for just under $1000 (perhaps more when all factors
> are considered) and I'm wondering if: a) it will do the trick, and b)
> there are less expensive options.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Frank

Although I have never used Fonalities PBXtra, I have used both it and
Asterisk vanilla. Basically, anytime you involve copper you are in a
world of pain. Not to mention Asterisk-Asterisk can be very touchy and
all this is very dependent on hardware. Basically, buying the
appliance is probably the way to go, as you get a "certified"
platform.

Corey