[Asterisk-Users] USB...PCI...InfiniBand...

[Jim Fleming]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Spencer" <markster at digium.com>
> The other part is just that the performance seems to be random between
> different boxes.  Some boxes work great, others have clicks.
> 

There is no doubt that USB is out there and low-cost. There are some low-cost USB
handsets and phone-like devices. There is also a USB to Analog POTS phone converter.
When one is deploying hundreds of phones or desks, every $10 device adds up.

**Cost of ownership** in all of the various configurations also needs to be considered.
The 2-slot PCI desk-top node, with LAN upstream and full AC power seems to
be a minimal unit to support a knowledge worker. One debate is whether to make that
node disk-free (cutting cost) and reducing the cost of ownership, by centralizing the
system administration in the PBX arena. This goes back to the thin-client/fat-client
trade-offs and X-Windows terminals vs. a fully functional workstation.

InfiniBand will also be replacing USB and PCI (in many years), therefore, people find it
easier to wait, and to use their 10/100/1000 LAN technology, and of course the
T1/E1 and wireless transports. Going back to the 2-slot PCI desk-top or home, one
can now construct a node with an 802.11a/b/g base station, an FXO interface and a
LAN connection to the DSL modem, and avoid rewiring their house or office.

...one question remains, who will manage, upgrade, etc. that node ?
...what is the cost of that administrative effort ?


Jim Fleming
http://IPv8.isfun.net