[Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations?

[Damon Estep]

You will always want access to firmware, SIP phones evolve quickly and
new features and bug fixes are usually implanted via firmware updates. 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com 
> [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of 
> brian at txshirts.com
> Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 9:29 AM
> To: asterisk-users at lists.digium.com
> Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations?
> 
> Okay,
>   I'm feeling a little stupid here.... But I'm gonna ask anyway.
> 
> You mention support and firmware on the Ci$co phones.
> 
> I understand the support item.
> I guess it makes sense that the phones have firmware.  Does 
> it have to be updated or changed or messed with that often?
> 
> If there is an article somewhere that covers this I'd love to 
> read it.  
> 
> It seems like most of the VOIP marketing-speak is aimed at 
> companies with mega$$$ who want to spend $500/head on it.  
> We're a tad smaller and we have $ to spend not $$ or $$$ or 
> $$$$.  :)  Worse yet, we need $ to go find and bring back 
> it's friends.  :)  Anyhow, I haven't seen anything that 
> really tackles moving from a CISC Nortel Meridian KSU to a IP 
> based system.  I'm guessing that this is Nortel's absolute 
> worst nightmare.  It seems like they trickle down the 
> technology from the
> large switches to the micro PBX systems.   
> 
> 
> Brian Greul
> Texas Shirt Company
> www.txshirts.com
> 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax)
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Damon Estep [mailto:damon at suburbanbroadband.net]
> Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 10:10 AM
> To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion
> Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations?
> 
> Many use cisco IP phones, almost any model. Support and 
> firmware access has a fee.
> SNOM 190 works well, free firmware, good community support.
> Lots of reports of good luck with Polycom phones (IP500), but 
> they wont provide any support when used with * and you have 
> to get your firmware from the net, not from polycom, even if 
> are willing to pay.
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com 
> [mailto:asterisk-users- 
> > bounces at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of brian at txshirts.com
> > Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 8:51 AM
> > To: asterisk-users at lists.digium.com
> > Subject: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations?
> > 
> > Hey gang,
> >   I'm looking at escaping from a Nortel Meridian CISC system to 
> > Asterisk/Digium/SIP phones.  I'm currently in the testing 
> and proof of
> 
> > concept phase.  I'm going to need a SIP phone and don't want to 
> > re-purchase and have "orphans" around.
> > 
> > We currently run Nortel 7310 phones and they work great.
> > I'm sort of overwhelmed by all of the different IP phones.  I was
> hoping
> > some folks would share what they have found.
> > My primary goal is to replicate the 7310's features and to 
> allow room 
> > for growth in the future with telephony applications.
> > 
> > Our primary driver is configurability and features that we 
> can get in 
> > Asterisk, that we can get without a lot of money from Nortel.
> > 
> > Namely-
> > Voicemail, telecommuting workers on the pbx, better call handling, 
> > better automation.
> > I'd like to be able to integrate smart features like directory and
> call
> > handling to the handset, but I'll freely admit I'm just 
> starting out.
> > My initial goal is to just to get onto Asterisk and get it working.
> > I'll worry about cool stuff later.
> > 
> > Our integration and migration plan is as follows:  If 
> anyone has some 
> > suggestions or pointers I'd love to hear them.
> > 
> > 1. Test and evaluate Asterisk with TDM400 with 1 FXO/FSO port each.
> > 2. Configure Asterisk to be the primary PBX and slave the Nortel 
> > Meridian system to it using a second TDM400.  This avoids immediate 
> > replacement of all handsets.  Will allow immediate access 
> to features 
> > such as Voicemail.
> > 3. Overtime, upgrade desk phones to IP phones.  When all phones are 
> > replaced, decommission Nortel and sell on Ebay.  :)
> > 
> > Cold turkey option is to spend the extra $ and buy the handsets
> upfront
> > and just ditch nortel without a transition period.
> > 
> > We currently have 4 pbx lines and 1 dedicated fax/credit card line.
> > We have 10 handsets.
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > 
> > Brian Greul
> > Texas Shirt Company
> > www.txshirts.com
> > 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax)
> > 
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