[asterisk-users] multiple offices / hard phones / service provider

[Dovid Bender]

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Joseph Ellis 
  To: asterisk-users at lists.digium.com 
  Sent: Friday, August 11, 2006 5:14 PM
  Subject: [asterisk-users] multiple offices / hard phones / service provider


  I have asterisk set up for testing right now.  I want to roll it out in production to utilize it in several offices.  I have a few questions so this email might seem all over the place.

  Ask away this is the place !! 





  The topology is pretty simple.  There are a total of three offices.  The main office has the asterisk server and phone extensions.  Branch One and Two just have hard phones with phone extensions.

   

  The first question is about multiple office locations.  I can treat these office locations as extensions as if they were in the same physical office.  But I'll also have local numbers for those offices and when those local numbers are called I want them to go to that particular office.  What is the best way to handle the local phone number for the local offices, with one asterisk server?

   If you want to stick to one server you can have the calls come to the main server and then have them only ring on the phones at the remote office. So for example you can have Line 1 ring to all the phones in office 3. You may run in to issues with NAT and SIP. It's worth investing in a good router.





  My next question is about phones and the call waiting configuration in asterisk.  If I'm on the phone and someone else tries to call me they go straight to voicemail.  I want the ability to be on the phone and be notified that another call is waiting for me instead of going straight to voicemail, as it does right now.  There's two parts to the call waiting.  One part is another extension trying to call me and the other part is an outside call trying to reach me, both go to voicemail when I'm on the phone.  What configuration would I need to change and what hard phone can handle such a request?  I need to buy about 10 hard phones and want to get an idea of what's a good buy.

  Are you using a GUI or did you write it yourself. I have used Polycoms, Sipuras, Snom's, Grandstreams etc. and they have no problem sending more than one call at a time to the phone.

   

  My last question is about a service provider.  I'm currently using voipjet for outgoing calls but they are not for end users and I think I should change to an end user provider.  I have no problems with voipjet other than reading a recent post that they do not allow end users.  I do not have a service provider for incoming calls yet.  I'm currently using a POTS line for incoming but that will change as I want a pure VOIP system.  Who would you recommend for incoming and outgoing for asterisk?

  There was talk on the list about Voipjet and what he did and why he did it. Some suggested that it has to do with the fcc and e911 regulations. I personally would not go with VOIP only for multiple reasons. For one I would still rather use a POTS line for 911 than voip. 2) If your cable and or DSL goes down there goes your phones. You want at least to have one line in case the internet goes down. There are a lot of providers out there. Post a message on the asterisk biz list and there will be many people there that will offer you thier services. I personally use myphonecompany for inbound and I am reall happy with them. Also make sure that you have enough bandwith for all the remote offices to connect in. I had one client that I suggested that he go with a dedicated server and he insisted on using his cable connection at home. He didnt have good QOS and he lost a $35,000.00 sale. So if you are using a cable/dsl connection make sure you have ample bandwith and excelent QOS. Good luck with asterisk.



  Dovid





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