Submission + - Which Asterisk or other VoIP System to Deploy?
I am probably going to get flamed a bit here. 9 NOV 2006 I have a meeting to discuss an Asterisk based phone system for a new elementary school. I am the network admin for the district.
Currently, we are one migrating from a T-1 based Nortel (option 61, 2 x option 11 and 7 x Norstar 8x32's, for those who care) to 1GB Data fiber and a 2nd pair per site-to allow simple(r) copper to fiber for the split T-1/Norstar's. We also just got a 10MB (scalable to 100MB) connect to the Internet. I can keep the VoIP basically on a seperate network if need be as well.
So, here are the questions I have come up with:
What do I install? Are there there Asterisk vendors that are available and have enough experience?
Keep in mind that E911 is priority one for any brand or type. No exceptions. Otherwise, the field is fairly open.
I see it two ways. 1) A Cisco system or Shortel system — Education budgets vary wildly from year to year and reoccurring cost have to be kept down.
2) Hybrid of Cisco, Snom or Polycom handsets with a custom Asterisk box with good third party support. I see a few options such as Fonality or Digium. There are a few online companies I would consider — kerryg, various Aussies and UncleWard if he were for hire.
Hardware support we can handle fine.
So, what and who? I won't go there without third party support.
Trixbox may or may not be what I use. I have had systems going 24/7 for over a year and am very happy but the products future is unclear just now.
I'd love to get some advice.