Office phone network & PABX

[Sgt Bilko]

Just wondering if there are any tips or guides out there on this subject?

I am going to be installing an office telephone network soon. Ideally i would like to have put an IP PABX server in the comms cabinet, but i think the budget will bounce that idea. Instead, i will probably be getting a simple analogue PABX exchange.

There are two analogue lines into the building, and a requirement for 8 internal extensions. As they are scattered around the building, i am hoping to use the cat5 network and the patch panel in the comms cabinet to link it all up. Obviously i will need RJ45-RJ11 connections in the rack, and MOD-Taps for the phones to network wall boxes.

Anything i need to watch out for?

[Sgt Bilko]

Thanks for the replies.

So far:

No voicemail requirement
One of the numbers is the main "inbound" number for the office, and that will be picked up by one extension, or ring on all if no answer.

Oddly, this all may change as i may have an Avaya IP406 PABX coming cheap.

[Sgt Bilko]

Kaelic said:

If it's a ip system the wiring for the phones will be cat 5 anyways!

You can either build the IP system into the existing lan or just put a dedicated switch in the comms room to hive off the telephony from the data lan, makes it safer if you loose one or the other but means it's in effect a seperate lan. But if it's 8 extensions it wont really matter I think.

As for the Avaya IP office, its a great product but over complex, there are simpler systems out there but if you are getting it cheap its a no brainer. Be careful though with Avaya the licencing is a nightmare and I have heard of our dealers having to do pseudo phone interviews with Avaya support before being offer licences for products.

Good luck and if you get stuck let me know

What licenses would you need?

[Sgt Bilko]

dtmpower said:

Have you considered using Asterisk ?

Not really. Any advantages?

[Sgt Bilko]

Didn't realise they needed licenses!!!

[Sgt Bilko]

smack said:

Sgt Bilko said:

Oddly, this all may change as i may have an Avaya IP406 PABX coming cheap.

I worked for a company that was an Avaya Platinum partner, and I was not impressed by the IP Offices. The amount of problem they had (mostly software, some hardware) was excessive, and was amazed that customers still put up with them. On the other hand, the other vender's SME kit, that one from California, was set up and forget.

I think i may bin the Avaya. Seems to be too much trouble for this installation. Stick with a cheap analogue PABX.