[NMLUG] Fun with Asterisk

[niosop at msn.com (MATTHEW BOWIE)]

Thanks for the reply.

>  I'm looking at automatic call distribution, where you would get connected 
>to the next available person in a group.

Yeah, it seems pretty simple to set up.

>  You might want to discuss asterisk with that VoIP provider, they may be 
>willing to provide phone lines to your asterisk server.  That would allow 
>you to save some money on phone lines and phone line interface equipment.

We already have a T1 dedicated to voice, so a digium T1 interface card would 
probably be the easiest (especially since it's only $500).  The only reason 
I want a few FXO/FSX boxes is to test it w/ existing lines before swapping 
the T1 over.  And to see how well fax machines work on our network.  Getting 
a VoIP provider to provide a DID and route IP traffic to asterisk via our 
data line would be cool, but it would have to be a short term contract and 
getting a PO for services is enough of a pain to make it not worth the 
effort.

>  Also, I've currently got an incoming fax server under Linux and I'm going 
>to be looking at ways of integrating them.

What are you currently using as a fax server?  Hylafax?  I think there are 
also some projects to make Asterisks act as a fax server itself, and Hylafax 
might work ok w/ Asterisk on it's own.  
http://www.voip-info.org/wiki-Asterisk+fax should have some more info.

Let me know how your project goes, and I'll keep everyone appraised of how 
various different phones work w/ asterisk (if I get approval).

Matthew