[Asterisk-Users] Is asterisk that unstable ????

[Steven Critchfield]

On Thu, 2004-12-30 at 08:29 -0700, Damon Estep wrote:
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com 
> > [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of 
> > Steven Critchfield
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > 
> > > Any analog FXO or FXS interfaces in that box?
> > 
> > Of course not. FXO and FXS interfaces are for small 
> > deployments. We only have T1 interfaces and IAX2 interfaces. 
> > PRI in, a channelized T1 using
> > 16 channels out, and a few calls a day out to our remote 
> > system via IAX2.

> Only for small deployments? How do you interface with your fax machines?
> analog alarm systems? pc modems?

You probably shouldn't run an analog alarm system through a T1 or PRI.
Consider them fragile and an alarm system should be on the most robust
connection necessary. 

Fax machines are SO old. In my business, we use a fax machine about 2
times a month. It is connected to our "life line" analog phone line in
our remote office. It is so much easier to send the information via
email or a secure pickup on our servers than to fax. Granted we are
looking at needing fax service for outbound soon, but that can be done
without analog lines.

Does any business outside of a ISP still use analog modems? I would
think internet connections and good encryption would be the norm for
those needs than an analog modem.

> All of my "large" deployments require one or more of these elements, and
> one that I am currently working on is a MAX TNT - SER - * implemetation
> with 12 PRIs over a DS3 to the MAX TNT. Sure is a shame that I have to
> run 6 analog lines to the building because * can not provide analog TDM
> interfaces.
> 
> I realize I could use a channel bank, but keep in mind, we have a DS3
> coming in, so a channle bank would require demux of a DS1, and then
> demux to DS0 on a channel bank, and ebay pricing not withstanding, that
> costs a boatload of money. Problem with ebay gear is you have to buy two
> of everything to be safe (not to say we do not do it, TNTs are still
> cheaper on ebay even if you have to buy 3 to be safe).

Maybe you just need a T100P in your asterisk machine and a channel bank.
On an ideal network, you might be able to get faxes working reliably via
SIP to an asterisk machine and then out a channel bank. Your talking
between $700 and $1000 if you ebay wisely and depending on redundancy of
hardware. Granted it takes quite a long time before that price will
equal out for the cost of just 6 analog lines.

> My point is that your assumption that only linux boxes will run for more
> than 30 days is opinionated and wrong. Any PC platform is only as stable
> as the sum of what you run on it, 

I never said anything about 30 days. I said it had to do with admin
personalities. While yes it is opinionated, it doesn't reduce the truth
that most MS admins as a course of maintenance just reboot machines. I
have also seen this same mentality in admins on SAP deployments as
well. 

> Your boxes have better uptime because of competent and educated
> decisions you have made (yes that is a compliment, you appear to be
> brilliant) when implementing them, like not installing known buggy
> interfaces. My MS boxes have similar uptime for the same reason. I see
> the value and need for both platforms on a daily basis.

I think you mistook my complaint _this time_ as to a personality trait
of many of those who admin the machines as opposed to the OS on the
machine. I don't like MS machines and I don't like how unstable they are
in my production environment especially when compared to the linux boxes
sitting right next to them.

> I realize several of my replies to you have been opinionated, but you
> frequently show your bias as well. In the end I respect your experience
> with * and have learned a few things from your posts after I filter the
> opinions out.

Experience breeds opinions as much as any other influence. From my
experience, I can deploy a linux solution with fewer troubles and less
pain than a MS solution. So when I approach new problems, I am biased
towards linux over anything else. I respect the licenses of FOSS but I
am not a ESR or RMS puppet or disciple.  

> With all due respect,

I was due respect???? I must be faltering a bit.... this should be
lightened up a bit more.
-- 
Steven Critchfield <critch at basesys.com>