[plug] Linux telephony - open source software *and* hardware

[Campbell, David (Ex AS17)]

Jeremy,

Quick answer: Yes. (with conditions)

After a quick look at the concept, both projects concentrate around the PABX
core functions and bulk data transmission side (eg: the signal switching and
connection to other PABX's using large data pipes). The part I think that is
still missing is the connection between the common handset and the PABX. The
existing technology (or at least on the links from the Asterix page) is a
single phone socket per PC expansion card.

This might be fine for a SOHO organisation (probably a bit pricy unless you
did a fair number of international calls) but I would still call it a
gimmick (you need to start your PC to make a phone call...). What is needed
is a breakout box that could handle 16, 32 or even 64 analog lines (as per
what the Stallion boards did for serial ports).

Once that minor detail is taken care of then we might see some "interesting"
developments in the PABX arena.
eg: dynmaic bidding by telecom companies for your business, your PABX
decides the best carrier by monitoring several telecom's web pages for the
best deals.

David Campbell

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Jeremy Malcolm [SMTP:Jeremy at Malcolm.wattle.id.au]
> Sent:	Saturday, February 24, 2001 9:43 AM
> To:	PLUG
> Subject:	[plug] Linux telephony - open source software *and* hardware
> 
> I've been on this
> 
>   http://www.asteriskpbx.com/
> 
> mailing list for a while and they've started talking about this
> 
>   http://www.bsdtelephony.com.mx/
> 
> which looks really, really interesting.  Does anyone know enough about
> the concepts involved to guess whether it could work in Australia?
> 
> --
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