[NMLUG] Fun with Asterisk

[Ed at Heron-ent.com (Ed Heron)]

...
>>  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.

  I've got a voice T1 at each of my 2 ABQ offices.  I'm sure I can get rid 
of one of them, I'm not sure how much we'd save if we got rid of both of 
them, but I'm going to look into it.

>>  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.

  I'm just using the standard mgetty.  (incoming only)

> 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).

  I'd be pretty interested to see the SIP phones that you look at.  I picked 
up a little USB handset and I've played with Express Talk.  Though the 
number pad on the USB phone isn't supported.

> Matthew