looking for an IP PBX box

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jms042016

31 posts

Geek

#198034 23-Jun-2016 08:56

Hi guys

A while ago, I got some help here setting up FreePBX with 2talk. My server is running fine about a month now and I am happy with it. However, I came across this:

http://www.atcom.cn/products_all_pbx56.html

I am quite happy to use this with all the software built in, for me, I don't need to buy a separate PC for my server, and I properly don't need to maintenance the server (FreePBX). I just want something I can plug it in, set it up, and forget about it. And these embedded IP PBX looks like something I want.

(Note: my background is not IT at all)

Also, I think using a clould PBX is not suitable for us, as all our extensions are behind NAT, the main function of this system is calls between extensions behind NAT. Not likely to call and outside number (external number), but we want to have the ability to do that if want to.

Any how, most of the time, we will only have 2-3 co-current calls (internally) at the most. And most of the time is only 1 call at a time.

I would like to hear your opinions on these embedded IP PBX box.

Thanks guys.

James

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Radicall

#1578834 23-Jun-2016 09:04

Most of these IP PBX systems have Asterisk at their core, stick to locally supported equipment.

You'd be better off with something like this.

Grandstream UCM6102 IP-PBX

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sbiddle

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#1578840 23-Jun-2016 09:24

Unless you want the FXO/FXS ports you're far better off just getting a sub $100 Atom mini PC and running FreePBX.

There is nothing wrong with any solution, but I'm not a fan of Grandstream despite having tested a lot of their hardware.

jms042016

31 posts

Geek

#1579337 24-Jun-2016 07:52

sbiddle:

Unless you want the FXO/FXS ports you're far better off just getting a sub $100 Atom mini PC and running FreePBX.

There is nothing wrong with any solution, but I'm not a fan of Grandstream despite having tested a lot of their hardware.

It's the long term maintenance cost that I am worry about. Mainly I don't have the required IT and Security knowledge to handle the maintenance. I want it to be reliable.

What you don't like about Grandstream?
What else can you recommend?
And do you know what would be cost to hire someone else to handle my server?

Cheers

James

jms042016

31 posts

Geek

#1579338 24-Jun-2016 07:53

radicall:

stick to locally supported equipment.

That's a good idea, thanks!

jms042016

31 posts

Geek

#1579343 24-Jun-2016 08:03

sbiddle:

Unless you want the FXO/FXS ports you're far better off just getting a sub $100 Atom mini PC and running FreePBX.

It may be a silly question, but if I have a FXO/FXS port, can I make external calls through the FXO/FXS port over a POTS? If it does, that's one less thing for me to worry about, I don't even need to connect my IP PBX box to a trunk provider.

And it actually more suitable for my needs, as we don't really call external number a lot. We just want to be able to do it from time to time.

Cheers

James

radicall

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Radicall

#1579393 24-Jun-2016 09:37

jms042016:

sbiddle:

Unless you want the FXO/FXS ports you're far better off just getting a sub $100 Atom mini PC and running FreePBX.

It may be a silly question, but if I have a FXO/FXS port, can I make external calls through the FXO/FXS port over a POTS? If it does, that's one less thing for me to worry about, I don't even need to connect my IP PBX box to a trunk provider.

And it actually more suitable for my needs, as we don't really call external number a lot. We just want to be able to do it from time to time.

Cheers

James

Hi James,

Yes that is correct, you can connect your POTS line to he FXO port, we use this in some situations to provide redundancy to the SIP Trunk, very cost effective and neat little solution for those still looking to have a copper backup if required.

You don't have to be a fan of the solution, just know that it works and is reliable, Grandstream do have some pain points but generally are an innovative company to deal with, in the last four years I have not had one issue with these systems.

We can provide you with local support for the Grandstream if that interests you.

Regards, Josko

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deadlyllama

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#1579431 24-Jun-2016 10:29

Do you need a local PBX? Could you just use 2talk's cloud PBX? That should work fine behind NAT. What's your call volume like? What will power & maintenance for your local PBX cost?

jms042016

31 posts

Geek

#1579509 24-Jun-2016 13:00

deadlyllama:

Do you need a local PBX? Could you just use 2talk's cloud PBX? That should work fine behind NAT. What's your call volume like? What will power & maintenance for your local PBX cost?

If by local PBX, you mean PBX server? Yes, we would like to use a local PBX, we don't want to rely on the internet at all, if possible. Actually we want all equipment local if possible. And isolated from the internet if possible. (I think I won't use a trunk provider at all, I will just use FXO/FXS to make external call instead.)

The call volume is very low. Maybe a few calls a day internally, 10-20 at the most. And maybe 1-2 call externally. We will have full time staff to maintain our system (VoIP is only part of our system), so the maintenance is already covered.

But we don't have much VoIP PBX?IT skills, and we are not doing any fancy stuff, we just want simply voice com. So using an out of a box solution is something I would prefer.

sbiddle

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#1579526 24-Jun-2016 13:21

jms042016:

deadlyllama:

Do you need a local PBX? Could you just use 2talk's cloud PBX? That should work fine behind NAT. What's your call volume like? What will power & maintenance for your local PBX cost?

If by local PBX, you mean PBX server? Yes, we would like to use a local PBX, we don't want to rely on the internet at all, if possible. Actually we want all equipment local if possible. And isolated from the internet if possible. (I think I won't use a trunk provider at all, I will just use FXO/FXS to make external call instead.)

The call volume is very low. Maybe a few calls a day internally, 10-20 at the most. And maybe 1-2 call externally. We will have full time staff to maintain our system (VoIP is only part of our system), so the maintenance is already covered.

But we don't have much VoIP PBX?IT skills, and we are not doing any fancy stuff, we just want simply voice com. So using an out of a box solution is something I would prefer.

With such an incredibly low call volume it'd be hard to recommend anything other than a cloud based solution.

jms042016

31 posts

Geek

#1579536 24-Jun-2016 13:40

sbiddle:

With such an incredibly low call volume it'd be hard to recommend anything other than a cloud based solution.

If I want to setup a VoIP phone for my house, I am happy with a cloud based solution.

For our system, we general avoid using any cloud based solution. If 5 years down the track, a cloud based company that we use decide to close its door, or due to lack of demand, stop support the service we are using, our customers won't be very happy.

For an out of box solution, we can always but a few extra before the product discontinue.

Our systems are generally expected to last for 10+ years, our older systems are generally 20+ years old.

chevrolux

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#1579597 24-Jun-2016 15:07

I personally think just a simple FreePBX box is the way to go if your main requirement is internal calls. If you want a pre-built solution then why not get an official FreePBX appliance direct from Sangoma?

You can order hardware directly from them online at freepbx.org

They have a little Atom based appliance which would be totally sufficient for your needs.

As for security, yes you have to be a bit careful but nowadays the official FreePBX distro does a very good job of securing the server. And really most security vulnerabilities come from someone doing something dumb like port forwarding 5060, allowing anonymous sip calls, basic extension passwords etc.

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jms042016

31 posts

Geek

#1579652 24-Jun-2016 16:11

chevrolux:

I personally think just a simple FreePBX box is the way to go if your main requirement is internal calls. If you want a pre-built solution then why not get an official FreePBX appliance direct from Sangoma?

You can order hardware directly from them online at freepbx.org

They have a little Atom based appliance which would be totally sufficient for your needs.

As for security, yes you have to be a bit careful but nowadays the official FreePBX distro does a very good job of securing the server. And really most security vulnerabilities come from someone doing something dumb like port forwarding 5060, allowing anonymous sip calls, basic extension passwords etc.

I just went to their website, didn't find any hardware in their store. Are they selling these somewhere else?

chevrolux

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#1579704 24-Jun-2016 17:31

Just go to freepbx.org and look for hardware and then 'freepbx appliances'.

mdf

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#1579805 24-Jun-2016 20:10

I thought something similar was a good idea for a small business setting a couple of years ago... I was wrong. When it's phones, and phones = business (or at least un/happy customers) you really don't want to be trouble shooting under intense pressure. I would highly recommend going with a specialist provider unless you really know what you are doing (or know what you're getting yourself in for). There are a couple of PABX/VOIP guys on Geekzone that are good to deal with. Where are you physically?

If you really want to go it alone, Nicegear is my go-to place for this sort of stuff.

kornflake

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#1579821 24-Jun-2016 20:45

Compass Cloudpbx, please don't get fooled the business side of compass is actually good.

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