Whats my best option for VoIP in small business enviroment?

Hi,

I run the IT for a very small business in the USA. We have 5 computers networked, 4 client computers (Windows XP Home) and 1 server (Windows XP Pro) acting as the file server/gateway computer for a shared Internet connection.

We are moving location and were thinking about getting VoIP so we can keep our phone numbers, lower our phone bills and not have to deal with all the BS involved in re-locating phone numbers. We have a total of four voice lines and one fax line.

I am wondering what kind of set-up is best for a small business environment.

I noticed that a lot of VOIP hardware have to be directly connected to a cable model or a router... Can they also be used with a switche/hub and go through the Internet Gateway machine?

Are there any software based VOIP services where I can use my server as (for the lack of a better word) switch board?

Any recommendations on reading material?

Thanks in advance

Yep, you will need to read quite a lot! VOIP and IP based PBX's and phones is a HUGE subject.

I run a small business over here in UK and our setup is this:-

We've kept incoming calls on existing PSTN lines, though we've dropped one line as 2 incoming is enough for us, and there is a saving on line rental. Most importantly our number is the same, so from our suppliers and clients point of view nothing changes.

We have our own Trixbox, and make all outgoing calls via VOIP. I use 2 suppliers for this (competition!), but both pass our PSTN number as CLI. Again from our contact's perspective nothing has changed.

We've bought all new IP phones, no point messing about with soft phones, and 2 months down the line we're starting to use some of the more advanced facilities of Trixbox. It's great!

You will need a dedicated machine for an IP PBX, it won't happily share with other server duties, particularly if you want to use an FXO card for PSTN.

www.voip-info.org is a good place to start the trawl for info, after that get an IP phone and set up an account here.

Good luck!

Quote:

I noticed that a lot of VOIP hardware have to be directly connected to a cable model or a router... Can they also be used with a switche/hub and go through the Internet Gateway machine?

It is a whole lot easier to set the sytem up with a direct internet connection.
To start with you are not fighting a whole extra layer of NAT
and because SIP tends to use a whole raft of network ports, it is much easier to direct everything to it, then be specific about forwarding the few others you use.

Depending on your general Internet usage and any QOS availability, you may find VoIP to be less than ideal on a single shared connection.

For a windows PBX you could try 3CX http://www.3cx.com/ it is claimed not to need a dedicated server. Or if you really do not want to play network specialist, have a look for a centrex remote managed system?

Thanks for all the input!

I gather that it would be much better for us to get a second internet connection and use dedicated VoIP hardware and phones?

Quote:

I gather that it would be much better for us to get a second internet connection and use dedicated VoIP hardware and phones?

Definitely. Obviously you have to make the decision and factor in the additional cost, but there's no question that it would be preferable.

I don't believe that's the point that Ray was specifically making, just that setting up behind your existing NAT device makes the configuration slightly more complicated. If you have sufficient bandwidth, and a QoS router, the second dedicated internet connection is not absolutely necessary, but certainly highly recommended.

Thanks

Have you looked into Hosted VoIP?

Dear All,

We are moving into an office with no direct PSTN access, only a serviced phone system which we don't want to use. We will have direct internet access via LAN to a telecom grade supplier (approx. 10MB).

I have tried the VOIP incoming and outgoing from VOIPuser successfully and am amazed how seamlessly it all operates with free client software (Ekiga/X-Lite).

If we get two SIP numbers geographically located to our town, that will be sufficient for our incoming call needs. We could have a mixture of smartphones with VOIP wifi clients, hard VOIP phones and soft VOIP phones as required in the office for receiving and making calls.

We could have a dedicated machine for running Trixbox to give us PABX facilities including redirect to other external phones, voicemail and forwarding (to internal or external numbers).

How does that sound for a set-up for 5 people rising to 20 over time? Any ideas from you experts what I could be missing or any recommendations from anyone who already runs a similar system?

Looking forward to your educated input!

TTFN

Hi m3tr0g33k

That all sounds fine. If you intend to use wifi make sure you have decent coverage as it degrades very quickly.

Ian

Hi

I just wanted to ask if the advice posted above would be applicable to my requirements.

I am moving abroad for 6 months and want to recieve my UK calls on a UK number and answer them from abroad. I am assuming that I need a gateway in the UK to switch calls to packets and then I can answer them on my SIP phone abroad. Or do I need a gateway to receive calls too?

UK callers will pay normal UK rates and the process will be invisible to them - right?

Thanks.
Atif

All you need to do is get a uk number from an VISP, connect your phone up, and when you move simpy plug the phone in to a broadband connection at your new location, it's that simple.

If you want to keep your existing number, you can also port that to an IP number as well with no equipment required.

regards

Hi Mr m3tr0g33k,
Your related problem was mainly solved by the above friends,consensus was important,but i think you'd better do some research by yourself.