Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

When you think that nothing can surprise you in the VoiP IP Telephony world, I got surprised today. I went over to Nerd Vittles to check out how he is doing with his tricked out TrixBox. But instead I found that NV has dumped the TrixBox!
The TrixBox, for NV has become; "little too proprietary, too closed, and too commercial for our open source, puritanical tastes" and they have started a new project based on, of course, Asterisk.
So the NV team has embarked upon project that they will drive to make the best-of-breed Asterisk-based development platform. It will be a modular, scalable, IP-based business telephony solution with all the bells and whistles you could dream of.
Talking about your wishes on your favorite Asterisk based project, there is also a forum setup that you could discuss the project and let your wishes be known.
Knowing the way Nerd Vittles handle projects, I am sure this will be a winner, and I am looking forward to play around with the PBX in a Flash!

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

If you did not know, Elastix is an appliance software that integrates the best OSS tools available for Asterisk-based PBXs into a single package. It also has its own set of utilities. If you are a developer, you can easily add your own modules.
I have not tested it yet but I soon will. The system seems to be a very well thought out product and one might have a OSS product that is truly a tool for Unified Communications.
Some of the features provided natively by Elastix are:

• VIDEO support. You can use videophones with Elastix!
• Virtualization support. You can run multiple Elastix virtual machines on the same box.
• Really friendly Web user interface
• "Fax to email" for incoming faxes. Also, you can send any digital document to a fax number through a virtual printer.
• Billing interface
• Module for automatic outgoing campaigns
• Graphical configuration of network parameters
• Resource usage reporting
• Remote restart/shutdown options
• Incoming/outgoing calls and channel usage reports
• Integrated voicemail module
• Voicemail Web interface
• Integrated operator panel module
• Extra SugarCRM and Calling Card modules included
• Download section with commonly used accesories
• Embedded help interface
• Instant messaging server (Openfire) integrated
• Multi-lingual support.
• Mail server integrated including multi-domain support
• Web based email interface

You will find all the information and the new beta downloads at Elastix site.

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

Have you been looking to use TAPI and TAPI-compatible applications to connect to the Asterisk IP-PBX? Applications like … Microsoft Outlook, ACT!, TapiCall, MS Dialer,…? Now you can with a Open Source Project, Activa for Asterisk, Hosted at Sourceforge.
According to the information provided by the site, Generally speaking a TAPI Service Provider (TSP) is a ‘driver’ that enables Microsoft TAPI to communicate to a telephony device such as a switch or modem.

Good Luck with your TAPI while I have some coffee.

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

Waiting for Microsoft VoIP solutions, two my favorite news publishers said that people better get ready for it and the SPs, service providers are getting ready for supporting OCS systems. Tech Republic said in it’s summary of a long article;
"Microsoft OCS 2007 provides enterprise-level VoIP and integrates with Exchange 2007 for full-fledged unified communications. However, as with other enterprise services, deployment can be a complex process. Many businesses will probably find it best to engage the services of a specialist to get it up and running."
CRN said that "Channel partners are gearing up for the flood of new business opportunities expected to flow their way as Microsoft jumps into the VoIP market with its long-awaited unified communications portfolio."
TMCnet did even better, it went out and interviewed one such service provider, Nuvio;
"With the release of Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 right around the corner, TMCnet got curious how the new software will affect other IP communications vendors. One such company is Nuvio, provider of the nPBX phone system for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Jason Talley, co-founder and CEO at Nuvio, shared his perspective on the OCS launch and the broader unified communications market.", a must read to even a get an idea how these people view OCS.I hope these people become Windows Experts too. I have seen how windows servers got bloated since I beta tested Windows Server 4. I have seen people trying very hard to get exchange server and portal server working together. (Just ask Cisco why they moved Call Manager to Linux platform.)By experts I mean not those carry the badge MCSE and the like. (Just last month I saw a person who just barely knew windows becoming a MCSE, just after a week at a boot camp. Even the person who passed it felt let down.) People who knows how to handle those Window servers will be really needed. Because incompetent engineer trying to bring such complex system together only will drive most of the customers in the Asterisk or Digium way!

Tech Republic Is Microsoft VoIP ready for prime time?

CRN Partners Bulking Up Ahead Of Microsoft VoIP Launch

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

I am sure in no time. The developer team at FreePBX has been at it since I got to know them a long while ago. The Version 2.3Beta2 has been released but I am still on Beta1 on two my locations. I will be upgrading to Beta2 this coming week. As it always has been, I do not expect to be faced with major challenges.
I was reading about the 2.3Beta 2 release and noticed the answer to above question answered in this post; FreePBX® 2.3.0beta2 - When will it be final?
So after going through the weekly review, Philippe says that RC1 or release candidate 1 might reach us soon! Thank FreePBX team!

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

I almost missed this news! Sokol & Associates has been acquired by Digium. I am sure you know who Digium is and if not here is a link!.and if you did not know what Astricon or Sokol is, here is blurb from Astricon site itself;
" AstriCon is the official conference for the wildly popular Asterisk PBX and telephony platform. AstriCon includes a wealth of information for those who are getting started with Asterisk, as well as those who have already discovered the power of open source telephony. AstriCon is also the meeting place for the Asterisk community, a diverse group of users, developers, entrepreneurs, and other fans."
So it is no surprise that Digium, the maker of Asterisk the Open Source Telephony platform, wants to acquire Sokol & Associates. And Asterisk CTO, Mark Spencer said: "Sokol & Associates has run Asterisk training classes around the world and has long been a central part of this community."
"By bringing Steve and his group on, Digium gains another conduit to new and advanced Asterisk users around the world."
I think this will be good union to both the companies.
By the way Astricon 2007 registrations are open! register now.

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

Robin Gareiss, via Network World, writes to explain about how VoIP monitoring tools are a key part in modern day convergence.
She goes on to say Of the dozen or so triggers that cause companies to implement VoIP, branch communications is high on the list. IT leaders recognize the number of remote workers and the number of branch locations continues to rise. And having dozens of un-interoperable PBXs at these sites doesn’t do anything to unite the company.

Recognizing this many IT decision-makers decide VoIP is the right way to streamline their communications among branch-office employees talking to one another or to those at headquarters.

But what they often overlook is how they plan to monitor and manage the communications capabilities at the branch. On average, only 18% of branch locations have IT personnel working there, leaving 82% of branch offices without on-site IT expertise.

Enter the monitoring and remote management…

Read the rest of the great article at Network World

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

I know that there are many video solutions tied to VoIP. But as you well know I am pretty close to Asterisk and anything to do with Asterisk.
So I was pleasantly surprised when I found a site devoted to;
Asterisk
Video
Open Source!
And they have following projects underway.
he following projects are currently been developed:

• H324m lib
• app_h324m
• app_mp4
• app_rtsp
• app_transcoder
• Media mixer
• app_mixer

So pay a visit to Asterisk Video Resources.

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

Last January I wrote about The Asterisk Appliance Developer Kit and now it is time to write about the Asterisk Appliance itself from Digium. I was actually wondering when Digium will be coming out with the appliance itself. I have gone through, Asterisk software for a long time in computer terms. I have used Digium Hardware little less longer. I was one of the happiest guys when they started to provide G.729 codec. Before that I have jumped through hoops to get a licensed stack for testing and development.
Well I think it is replacement time for some of my clients. They have working PBX’s, IPPBX’s that are PCs with Asterisk running on them. With different kinds of hardware based on the needs. But as you know, a regular PCs need a lot of maintenance. Sometimes one spends a lot of time dealing with PC problems, rather than VoIP IP Telephony. So I think I will deal a lot with this Asterisk Appliance!
So what it it?
First of all it is not much different from the Asterisk Appliance Developer Kit! It even looks the same. With this system one will get;

• Complete Asterisk Server with AsteriskGUI
• Built-in Router Ideal for Small Offices
• Up to Eight Analog Ports
• Support for a Combination of FXO and FXS Modules
• 1GB Compact Flash® Card
• Hardware-based Echo Cancellation
• 8 MB Onboard Flash
• 64 MB Onboard RAM
• 5 Ethernet Ports (4 LAN, 1 WAN)

Pricing is as follows;
VoIP only - $995
(4) FXS / (4) FXO - $1,540
(8) FXO - $1,595

The Asterisk Appliance features the commercially licensed Asterisk Business Edition™ software, as well as the first Digium developed AsteriskGUI. The Asterisk Gui will make real time changes to the Asterisk Enterprise Software installed on the system.
Usage wise Digium suggests that The Asterisk Appliance is a standalone embedded Asterisk-based PBX targeted for small to medium businesses (2-50 users). It is also suitable for remote branch offices of larger organizations (2-50 users per site). The Asterisk Appliance could also be used as a hybrid solution alternative (a combination of VoIP applications using legacy telecom equipment) or stepping stone for enterprise customers who want to test VoIP solution with minimum resource allocation. Just plug and test, I mean talk!
You can learn more and place an order here, it is slated to ship in July this year!

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

VoIP IP Telephony @ http://snapvoip.blogspot.com
With VoIP ringing in almost every ear, (By the way today is ears day! June 6th, 6-6)!! Many business and their IT staff is presented with the questions of convergence.
Shall we run voice and data on the same network? or shall we not.
Shall we outsource the VoIP all together or shall we handle our own IPPBX, connected to our traditional PBX during the transition?
Well all those are valid thoughts and questions. But today I am going to lead you to an article that attempt to answer some of the questions. It was published by ZDNet UK. Here is the summery but follow the link for the complete article.

"To converge or not to converge — that is the question. But the answer isn’t as clear-cut as we’d like. There are many advantages to convergence, and it appears to be the way of the future, especially in budget-conscious environments.

However, separating voice and data transmissions can provide better security for both. In addition, it may be a more cost-effective alternative — at least in the short run — if the existing network would require a complete redesign to support VoIP.

A single network can make management and troubleshooting easier if IT personnel have the proper training to deal with VoIP technology. But it also makes the network more complex, and there may be a learning curve before the company can realize the full benefits.

As with so many issues in IT, then, the answer to the question is: "It depends." It depends on the network infrastructure you’re starting with, your security requirements, budgetary considerations, personnel considerations, and many other factors. It’s essential to perform an assessment — not just of the network but of your company’s particular needs in regard to both data and voice, and a projection of future needs — before you make the decision."

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

VoIP IP Telephony @ http://snapvoip.blogspot.com
What can I say about this statementby Sean Michael Kerner, "The Future of Open Source VoIP is Asterisk 1.6"
I do not think that the whole future of VoIP lies on Asterisk. But a part of it will be. Asterisk has already made a big stir in the world of VoIP and IPPBX’s. Specially the SMB’s and even individual house holds use Asterisk for their telephony uses. I have total of four Asterisk servers running at any time. One is in my office which is actually my secretary! One at my Campus office, one at my home and the fourth for my development and experiments. This in addition to evangelical work I have done and promoted small business to use it.
I usually try to educate users to manage their own Asterisk servers rather than relying on me. I introduce them to all the online support tools and people who really need hand holding I direct them to Digium’s commercial support. But most of them realize that Asterisk is not rocket science. People who were afraid of Linux, smile once they see how easy it is to manage the Asterisk server running on Linux. That is mostly AsteriskNOW.org and AsteriskNow. But all I can say is, with proper care and attension, Aterisk will grow in you while, at the same time being there when ever you need it.

Now back to the article,
The following staments; "

As part of the development process, Asterisk developers have overhauled how they deal with security issues. Fleming boasted that security issues are handled by a core team that address issues 24 to 48 hours from the initial report.

There is also now a formal Asterisk Project Security Advisory reporting system that will provide full disclosure into reported issues and what Asterisk is doing to fix issues.

Fleming admitted that Asterisk hasn’t done a great job of making users aware of security advisories, but the new effort is an attempt to do better.

"One of the benefits of open source is that there are more people using our code and a lot more people looking at our code and telling us when things are wrong," Fleming said.

"No one gets to look at the code for Nortel’s systems and there are probably just as many vulnerabilities there but you only hear about it when it gets exploited.""

There it summarizes all I wants, Security! Right Now first thing I advise to install together with Asterisk is a firewall. But still we have had issues with security.

Thank Sean, for making me think! I think Asterisk has a great future. We need to scale it higher.

Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com

VoIP IP Telephony @ http://snapvoip.blogspot.com

The VON 2007 was a blast. Among many other things that I spent my two days at VON, I noticed very well how AsteriskNOW is coming out in full force. There were controversies related to Trixbox etc, but AsteriskNOW has opened the IPPBX application to thousands more users who would have stayed away due to the complexities of running Asterisk.
Now that the GUI management tool is providing a way to manage most of the Asterisk tasks, more and more people will be searching the value of Asterisk, through AsteriskNOW. According to official reports, there were more than 2,000 Downloads a Day of AsteriskNOW Beta since it’s release.
The new beta version of AsteriskNOW, AsteriskNOW beta 5 is slated to be the the final beta leading up to Q2 availability of AsteriskNOW 1.0. Customers can deploy AsteriskNOW in minutes to start using Asterisk.
I deployed an AsteriskNOW server with Digium hardware, two TDM400P cards, in less than 20 minutes. The deployment was in a real world scenario, PBX, IPPBX for a 6 person startup. Although there are Linux experts in the group, the groups receptionist, handles and manages AsteriskNOW.
What hardware did they use? well $299 Fry’s PC with an additional hard drive (Used for mirroring).

Links;
Digium’s press release on AsteriskNOW
AsteriskNOW, go get it