[kwlug disc.] Re: John's January 2007 VOIP presentation (outline)

[Unsolicited]

Received this via RSS feed: <http://kwlug.org/node/457>

Dear John:


B. Switzer wrote, On 1/23/2007 8:34 PM:

I was very (very!) disappointed to be unable to attend the
January meeting, due to the sudden onset of a head cold.

[BTW, whenever you intend to present this again, perhaps at a
neighbouring LUG, please let the list know - I'd probably even be
willing to travel to catch it after having missed this one.]

By any chance, could you expand on some of the points Charles has
very kindly posted? [Other readers, if interested, please also
encourage John here.]

Charles has written:

The following is a brief of John's presentation, January, 2007:

Monday 22nd of January, http://www.cambridgelug.org/

-:: VOIP
-:: Linux & Asterisk
-:: Completely VOIP (In and Out) at Net Direct

-: Introduction to VOIP and SOHO

-: VOIP Definition
- Voice over Internet Protocol
- suite of protocols (use Intenet protocols: SIP, RTP, IAX,
H.323, MGCP, and more)
- Call setup and session signaling protocols
- Audio/Video protocols
- Market supports SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)

-: Why use VOIP
- Cheap
- $2.50/phone number, 1.1cent to 2 cent/minute calls
- Flat rate - $40/month unlimited NA calling
- More services
- Caller ID, call waiting, multiple calls, etc.
- Flexible
- Ring your cell and home simultaneous


B. Switzer wrote, On 1/23/2007 8:34 PM:
- Take your phone with you

-: Why NOT to use VOIP
- Quality is dependent on your Internet connection
> Are there not/recommended providers/criteria and/or speeds?
- Modems, faxes, security systems will not work reliably
> They'll work at all?
- Some services can be quirky
> Such as?
- Requires household power
- Requires additional effort
- More complex than analog

-: VOIP Components
- VOIP PBX e.g. Asterisk
- VSP – VOIP Service Provider
- Telephony cards – Digium, Sangoma
- ATA – Analog Telephone Adapter
- IP Phone – hard phone
- soft phone

-: Asterisk (phone call router)
- Open Source PBX (private Branch eXchange)
- Runs Linux, Mac, Windows?
- Supports VOIP and PSTN
- analog cards FXO, FXS
- Digital cards T1, ISDN
- voice mail – multiple ways of collecting your message (i.e.
Send voicemail as an email attachment)
- advanced features like queuing, agents

-: VOIP Service Providers
- Everywhere
- Full service VSPs (Vonage)
- full set of features
- $40/month, free extra services and flat rate calling
- A la carte (Unlimitel, Les.net, etc.)
- Limited features
- $2.50/month charged by the minute for all calls.

-: Analog Telephone Adapters
- small network devices that connect a telephone or PSTN to a
VOIP service
- Priced from $60
> Favourites? e.g. Links to product / info?
- All-in-one solution when combined with a VSP
- Some have integrated Internet gateways (some have firewalls)
> Examples?

-: Telephony cards
- requires a PC and asterisk
- $160/port or less
- FXO and FXS ports
- T1/PRI for high density
- Get the card I put on Dave's desk
> Which was?
- voipdepot.ca

-: IP Hard Phones
> Favourite(s)? Particularly wi-fi IP, i.e. not USB, and cordless?
- best solution for multi-extension
> Huh? i.e. Multi-extension but single IP Hard Phone? (Perhaps 
multiple 'virtual' extensions to same phone, and user makes an
answering decision based upon virtual extension receiving the call?)
- feature buttons: hold, conference, transfer
- From $69
- Built in 2 port ethernet switch

-: Soft Phones
- free
- flexible
- IDEFISK v1.29
> Which is?
- Only works when your computer is on

-: SOHO Conversion HOWTO
- decide on topology (simple, outsourced, PBX)
- Obtain hardware and service
- configure hardware and test incoming and outgoing calls
- call-forwarding analog line to VOIP number
- Long term trial
- transfer analog service to voip

-: Choosing a topology
- Features
- basic services or multiple extensions, digital voice mail,
follow me.
- Cost
- low up front costs or low month cost
- Effort
- telco like service or self support

-: Simple Topology
- Upfront cost $60 (ATA) + $50 (UPS)
- Monthly cost: $2.50 + calls (~$15)
- Effort: ATA setup and support
- Features: Basic service

-: Outsourced Topology
- Upfront cost: $50 (UPS)
- Monthly cost: $19 + long distance
> Example provider? (Link?)
- Effort: plug and play
- Features: Typical phone service

-: PBX Topology
- Upfront cost: $60 (ATA) +$50 (UPS) + PC
- Monthly Cost: $2.50 + calls (~$15)
- Effort: Asterisk and ATA setup and maintenance
- Features: Full featured

-: ATA Configuration
- Usually by web or phone keypad
- configure tcp/ip
- configure sip registration
- set dial plan
- other misc items
- ATA Uses
- provided by full service VSPs
- VSP provides all the services typical to a phone company
- Connect to an a la carte
- Call-forward analog line to VOIP number
- Long term trial
- transfer analog service to VOIP

-----

Other questions:

> Open Source PBX (private Branch eXchange)

Do you have a favourite first, K.I.S.S., site for a new person to
go to to get up and running quickly and simply to start to get an
initial handle on what the heck this stuff is all about? There
appear to be many, many, sites out these days, and it can be
daunting to first encounter the more deeply technical ones. Do
you have a favourite?

I see a number of hardware products out there which appear to be
provider specific. e.g. Skype, Vonage. Does it actually matter?
(When intending an Unlimitel account, say.)

In an earlier list thread, I posted:

Unsolicited at gto.net wrote, On 12/14/2006 7:21 AM:
> Speaking of that ...
>
> John ... any chance you can post a couple of things to the
list before
> you actually present in January?
>
> 1. I saw a reference in an earlier message to a 'LinkSys
SPA3000' but
> can't find it. (I did get a sense that LinkSys had just bought
somebody
> who had it but ...). Can you post a link? At the time, I was
just trying
> to figure out what sort of beasties were involved in this 'topic'.
>
> 2. From what I read, there are advocates of putting the
beastie in front
> of your router, behind it, and some to the side - depending on
who
> you're reading at the time. Can you post to the list your
favourite
> location, a la your January presentation for a $2.50/month
phone line?
>
>     - given the rate of technological change, e.g. 300Mbps
Wi-Fi coming,
> etc., I have the impression that one may be smart, today, to keep
> certain functionality in different boxes for ease of future
change. e.g.
> Your router box, wi-fi box, and FXS/FXO box (keeping in mind QoS
> capabilities throughout). Does that impression resonate?

I don't remember seeing a response. Perhaps I missed it?