[Asterisk-Users] Newbie Basic Questions

[George Burt]

I have installed the PCI kit from Digium and have the examples working.
Whew!

So, here are some things I am having problems understanding:

1)  Digium offers Small office basic support installation that includes "15
PBX extensions with voicemail (analog phones)"  I do not come from a phone
background.  I figured that you basically have two options 1) IP Phones or
2) Regular Wal-mart type phones with ATA's.  Does this "analog phones"
reference mean there is a way that you can come in to a KSU type system and
allow the customer to keep their phones (like Nortel T7316).

2)  We want to try a T1 installation using a T100P.  This is a little scary,
because it seems to requires a commitment before we know if it works or not.
We have two T1, but they are neither provisioned with a smartjack.  We use
these lines for both data and voice.  We want to try the Asterisk PBX out
using our office as the test case.  But if they provision the line, and then
we have some configuration issue with Digium/Asterisk system, we could be
with out phones for who knows how long.  We have clients who have T1 with
smartjacks and are willing to let us experiment.  Given this situation, what
practical advice can you give.  Pointers, advice, ideas?

That is all for now, but I will no doubt post here often, so your patience
is appreciated.

Bill