University dumps Cisco VoIP for open source Asterisk
<<<... The Asterisk functions are spread across six redundant Dell servers: two act as redundant PSTN gateways (and are outfitted with four-port T-1 cards from Digium, which commercially distributes Asterisk); two more servers handle call processing; another set provides voicemail.
Updating handsets
The Cisco 7940 and 7960 IP phones the school had deployed were updated with a standard SIP software image replacing the proprietary Cisco Skinny Call Control Protocol (SCCP, or "Skinny"), which was used to connect the phones to the CallManagers. When the IP phones were upgraded with the SIP image about a month ago "all we had to do was reboot the phones," in order to register them with the Asterisk server, he says.
More control over the IP PBX software and servers was another reason SHSU made the Asterisk jump, Daniel says.
"We felt we were more susceptible to hacks," since only Cisco-approved servers updates and patches could be installed on the Windows Server 2000-based CallManagers, he says. "We have a lot more peace of mind with the open-source system. If a bad exploit is found in SIP, we can fix it ourselves." Besides the phones, Cisco gear still comprises a large chunk of the IP telephony infrastructure at SHSU. The entire WAN and LAN is based on Cisco routers and switches. The Catalyst switches already installed support power over Ethernet (for powering IP phones) as well as QoS for voice traffic. All voice traffic on the campus network runs separate from data traffic in its own VLAN segment. Additionally, Cisco VGC 24 gateway devices, which can connect up to 24 copper/analogue phones to an VoIP network, are used in dormitories and other areas where just a basic phone is needed instead of a more costly IP handset, Daniel says. more>>>
Links