[asterisk-users] Looking at Asterisk for 8000sq/ft residential use

[Rick Huebner]

My brother-in-law is finishing up his McMansion and I've done all of the
low voltage wiring and am starting the trimout.  We are batting around
what to do for a phone system and I'm torn between a Panasonic
TAW824/TVA50 and using an Asterisk implementation.  I'm very strong on
the networking/linux/basic hacking(old school, not criminal) side.  I've
downloaded the Asterisk VM and have some implentation questions before
we make a decision.  Of course we are running out of time because I need
to order either RJ-11 or RJ-45 keystones for the plates to finish the
trim out.  We have Cat5e run everywhere so that won't be a limiting factor.

Basic info:
8000sq/ft under air, 11,000sq/ft under the roof
17 phone handset outlets
15 phone jacks for potential use behind TVs
2 fax lines
1 alarm line
3 voice POTS lines
1 fax POTS line
Pentium 4 old Dell with 1gig RAM to use with Asterisk if selected

Requirements
1. Page over all handsets in intercom mode.  They have kids and want to
be able to "yell" over the phone if needed to find someone.
2. Easily call from room to room.  Speed dial buttons would be ideal.
3. Multiple voice line support for the office phones.
4. Unique ring tones on the phones for internal calls versus external so
you can tell by listening if it is inside or outside.
5. If possible, unique ring tones for the various external lines in the
offices.

Looking for any suggestions as I need to get the keystones ordered ASAP.

Thanks
Rick