[Asterisk-Users] What setup

[Ross C]

John,

I just switched from an old Merlin system myself!  (haven't looked back).
I was in the same situation as you (Windows server sysadmin with minimal
*nix experience).

Here's the setup I have currently in production:

-Custom built server: Gigabyte motherboard with AMD Sempron 2800+ (I think),
1GB ram, 80GB IDE hard drive.  Built for around $400.

-Digium TDM04B in the server--supports 4 analog POTS lines (regular analog
phone lines).  If you have more lines, I think the 'preferred method' is to
get a T1 or channel bank, then put a Digium T1 card in the server (instead
of having a bunch of TDM04B's to connect on the analog lines).

-19 Grandstream GXP-2000's (cheap and work well)
-2 Polycom 601's (for the executives who think they need fancier _looking_
phones)
-2 UTStarCom F1000's (uses WiFi; for myself and the custodian)

When we changed phone systems, I made the decision to scrap all the analog
phones and just replace them with the GXP-2000's.  For ease of
administration, I wanted to 'do it right' and not have a mish-mosh of analog
and SIP phones.  In our situation, it wasn't that much more money (the
GXP-2000's are pretty inexpensive) and ensures everyone has the features
they need.

I have to confess....I have all my stuff running on Asterisk at home.  I know
I'll get flamed for saying this, because I know I should probably use
Asterisk a-la-carte, but Asterisk at home is so easy I just couldn't resist!!
I setup a system at my house first using this tutorial:
http://mundy.org/blog/index.php?p=81
Then Googled and customized from there.  Are you looking to get rid of both
Merlin systems?  I think after you get Asterisk setup at the one location,
everyone else on the other Merlin system will get jealous :P   The
telecommuters love the remote capabilities of VOIP (using a softphone or the
like) to work from home just like they're at work.

Music on hold and auto-attendants are super easy to setup using
Asterisk at home and/or AMP.  Asterisk at home comes with music on hold by
default.  Browse through that tutorial above; it has all the commonly used
features spelled out in 1,2,3 steps.

I haven't been at this for too terribly long and I'm by no means an expert
or anything, but I'd be happy to answer any questions I can.

-ross


-----Original Message-----
From: asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com
[mailto:asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of John Crew
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 10:46 AM
To: asterisk-users at lists.digium.com
Subject: [Asterisk-Users] What setup

I am an Asterisk newbie and don't have any
telecom experience.  I do know some about Linux
and Windows as a sysadmin of Windows servers.

I need to know what hardware to buy to replace a
broken PBX.

I have currently:
-CBeyond as my carrier
-16 port Cisco router with analog "termination"
(not sure on terminology) into the building
-Broken PBX:  analog AT&T Merlin system (not sure
on model #, but could get it)
-Second PBX:  analog AT&T Merlin system
-8 extensions (~14 if you include the second AT&T
Merlin system serving our other business)
-2 DIDs (~4 if you include our second business)
-14 analog phones

So, what are my options?  I am looking for the
cheapest/best solution.  I could switch to a
digital PRI or CAS line from my telco as another
option, but I assume I would need to switch both
PBXs and all phones to digital as well in that case. 

I need auto-attendant and music on hold,
especially.  Are these easy to set up?  I
installed Asterisk @ Home and it is running, but
I need to RTFM to configure it.  I could lose 1
DID for the faxing if we did fax-to-email.

Please let me know.

Thanks in advance!


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