VOIP

[Bill Lamers]

We are currently planning updates to our servers, switches, hubs, could I say . . . and the likes. Also in the mix is a new High School building to be constructed, starting this summer.

Much discussion takes place about whether or not to add POE and VOIP at this time. Money of course enters into the discussion. The present phone system is pretty inexpensive, thanks to the likes of eBay and a knowledgeable plant manager.

Advantages/disadvantages seem to balance each other out, even though at times they are not apples to apples, etc. No one has come up with a reason how this could improve classroom instruction. At times I feel this would tip the scale.

So . . . Anyone planning on moving in this direction? Anyone recently changed over the entire phone system. How about deciding to stay analog? What do you see as advantages or disadvantages?

So many questions! Feel free to go off in any direction.

[Jamie Britto]

We are planning to start VOIP and to have it work with our existing PBX system.

Our main motivation is to use VOIP in new construction, particularly on campus that is apart from the main campus. The features VOIP adds are not really features that anyone is asking for right now. Aside from being current and flexible, we'll probably first make use of some of the security features like 911 tracking and the integration with a zone paging and a public address system.

We're intrigued by some of the IP based features like connecting a desk phone to a cell phone, having wireless wifi phones, and sending text messages from phones.

Based on cost, we'll probably roll this out with new construction and renovation projects and take about 10 years to do it.

[Demetri Orlando]

I just sat through a 2 hour meeting with 3com and heard all about their VCX system. It's very full featured. 3com uses a SIP open standard so they also have other companies that create devices for their system (e.g. paging speakers that can be duplex... think Captain Kirk speaking to the wall :)

In my limited knowledge it sounds like there are a few big players in VOIP: 3com, Cisco, Avaya. If others have knowledge to share here, I'd love to hear it.

We'll undoubtedly switch over at some point, but not in the near future.

My previous school [Norwood in Bethesda, MD] just went to VOIP, so they'd have some good perspectives on this.

Reading an in-flight magazine last week I also saw an ad for "hosted VOIP" -- higher monthly cost but much lower implementation cost.

Here are some files from my meeting: (Miercom is apparently the Gartner group of phone industry... doing ratings and consulting)

Miercom Testing on 3com.pdf

3com data sheets.pdf

[Justin Dover]

Well if you have to buy new switches then PoE are the way to go, even if you do not plan to do VOIP yet. It future proofs you for VOIP phones, Access Points, and other PoE devices. If you do not need to buy new switches yet then I might wait until there is a need. PoE standards are changing, for example, the new 802.11n radios from Cisco. If you want to use the full 300mbps power, it requires 18watts. Standard PoE atm is 15.4 watts.