[Asterisk-Users] New To Asterisk/POTS - Hardware Setup Questi on

[John Millican]

see bottom post
On Wednesday December 21 2005 1:32 pm, Colin Anderson wrote:
> Um, not trying to be a smartass, but a simple 2 way splitter like the one
> you get in the dollar store would do the trick nicely. Then you could just
> plug in a POTS phone and turn the ringer off. Don't think it would suck too
> much voltage so your FXO card shouldn't notice.
>
> hth
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: john at cusick.ws [mailto:john at cusick.ws]
> Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 11:26 AM
> To: asterisk-users at lists.digium.com
> Subject: [Asterisk-Users] New To Asterisk/POTS - Hardware Setup Question
>
> Regards to All,
>
> I recently setup an Asterisk system (A at H) and it works like a charm so
> far. It is in a SOHO behind another Linux iptable NAT firewall with no
> problems.
>
> Hopefully this isn't too dumb a question, and its the right place to ask
> it.
>
> The situation is that at this time I have only one incoming PSTN line
> which I have not yet hooked up (I have a single port FXO wildcard arriving
> soon for test purposes) which I would like to have available whether the
> server is available or not.
>
> I'm thinking that a Sipura or Grandstream analog adapter with PSTN
> passthrough is the solution, but I'm not sure, as I'm new to the whole
> PBX/POTS system. Everything I've seen with passthrough is also a
> router/gateway. Is that necesary and will it work or is there a better
> solution?
>
> For example, we have regular power outages here at my location lasting
> anywhere from 1 minute to two hours and if the system is down I would like
> to still have access to local 911 as well as other local numbers.
>
> The obvious thing to do is just unplug one of the phones and plug it
> directly into the POTS line, but I'm hoping there is a product available
> that will work with both Asterisk and allow passthrough that will not only
> transparent, but be less expensive than setting up a UPS system that will
> hold the server up for an hour or so. A UPS to hold up the adapting device
> and phone for an extended period would be far cheaper, I think.
>
> TIA for any replies.
>
> Regards,
>
> John C.

In my opinion the solution of a sipura 3000 would be the better of the 2 
options you mention.  this will allow you to have a receptionist phone 
plugged into it that will work at all times so there will not be any 
confusion about when power is on use this phone, when power is out use that 
phone. somewhat compensates for panic factor.  Now this will depend on number 
of extensions in the SOHO.  If this is the only extension all is good.  
Remember that without a ups on the * box when the power goes out all calls 
end rather abruptly and that dirty shut downs can be a very bad thing.
John M