[Mac-telephony-list] newbie

Sat Mar 3 09:04:47 JST 2007

On 17 de fev de 2007, at 14:57, Martin Joseph via List wrote:

> On Feb 17, 2007, at 9:29 AM, Francis Augusto Medeiros via List wrote:
>
>> On 12/25/06, Martin Joseph via List <mac-telephony-
>> list at mactelephony.net> wrote:
>>> On Dec 24, 2006, at 12:39 PM, Francis Augusto Medeiros via List
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hello everyone!
>>>>
>>>> See, I've been trying to follow this pbx-on-computer trend for  
>>>> quite
>>>> sometime, but never really needed to implement one.
>>>>
>>>> However, things are changing now, for one single reason: I got this
>>>> phone (Nokia E61), and it supports SIP and VoIP. I'm loving it - it
>>>> was easy to configure it to use it with FWD and Gizmo Project.
>>> <SNIP>
>>>
>>> I am using the e60 myself, and it's clearly not ready for prime
>>> time.  Although it works and sometimes is great, it's NOT reliable,
>>> and sometimes locks up, or crashes. This seems to be completely
>>> related to the SIP functions.
>>>
>>> I am running the latest firmware, but it still not quite there.
>>>
>>> Yes,  it's cool.  I have basically implemented what you  
>>> suggested.  I
>>> have an FXO at my home which allows me to complete local calls at no
>>> cost (no additional cost).  I started using the Grandstream  
>>> HT-488 as
>>> an FXO which is garbage and unreliable.  I then sprang for the
>>> wellgate 3701a which is more expensive ($200) and worked for 8
>>> months.  I always had some issues with that gateway, but it did work
>>> better then the grandstream.  Last week I bought a new gateway, the
>>> Audiocodes MP 114 FXS_FXO (2 each).  This device is about $400,  
>>> but I
>>> am SO sick of trying to get the gateway to work right, that I  
>>> decided
>>> it's worth it if it works.
>>
>> Dear Martin et al,
>>
>> I am very happy with the E61. I'm using it with Pbxes, and, so far,
>> so good.
>> I really want to evolve to my own server and using an FXO to get my
>> landline connected. I can't just go for a voip phone number because I
>> use DSL and can't buy it separetely from the landline.
>>

Dear Marty,

Thanks a lot for the encouragement!!! I bite the bullet today and got  
myself through eBay a Sipura SPA 3000. Can't wait for it to arrive  
here - too bad it doesn't seem to decode DTMF caller id, which is the  
standard used here in Brazil. However, there are some converters, and  
I'm considering getting one.

> Yes,  I am doing all that.  I do want to mention that I have gotten
> radically better reliability from the Nokia E60 by limiting the
> number of SIP profiles on the phone to 4.  Since doing this, the
> mysterious lock up and crashes have ceased.  So you are warned.
> Aside from that, E60 sound quality is quite good, and the only other
> warning is that you NEED to have EXCELLENT wifi signal/coverage.  The
> radio in the E60 doesn't work nearly as well as an ibook (for
> example) and the need for smooth connection is greater.

That's an excelent piece of advice. Unneeded profiles deleted... ;)

I'm going to dump pbxes.org, though. It seems it just isn't enough  
reliable yet. Sometimes one need to restart the whole thing, almost  
once a day, so maybe I should grow up and get my own server  
running... ;)

> In my home which is about 2500 sq ft (I am in the US ;~) I have three
> Wifi bases in order to have good enough coverage to walk about while
> on the phone.

I'll have to do that at our office. At home my WiFi is great, but at  
the office, even with attaching another antenna didn't make it get to  
my room downstairs... :(

>> Now, what do you guys think about the Sipura 3000? I really would  
>> like
>> a cheap solution, as I'm already spending sometime to get a new
>> motherboard for my Cube so I can use it as my 24/7 server.
>
> I am using an old imac G3/400 with a blurry screen as my primary
> asterisk server (1.2.14) and have an ibook G3/500 (Asterisk 1.4branch)
> with no screen at a different location as a backup.  Both  of these
> are more then adequate for passing two or three calls at a time which
> is currently the most I have done.
>
> I have gone through three FXO devices, and ended up with the
> expensive Audiocodes MP114 2FXS/2FXO (about US $400).  This seems
> very pricey when compared to the other FXOs I used (Handytone HT-488,
> Wellgate 3701a) but in my opinion is WELL worth it due to total
> reliability and much improved call quality when calls pass through
> the PSTN.
>
> The amount of time I spent trying to get the other FXO's to work
> right would have payed for several of these.
>
> I think the Sipura 3000 also works well for some people,  but I have
> a extremely long loop (over 23000 feet) and the SPA3000 is known to
> have echo issues in such cases.  Also,  I have had bad luck with
> Linksys lately and hate there "support" policy.
>
> Anyhow,  just to let you know it's certainly possible, and it's fun  
> too.
>
> I have a local place (Lake forest park WA) that is kind of food court/
> bookstore that is above a library and has excellent wifi.  It's very
> cool to go there with my daughter for lunch,  and have my home phone
> # ring at my cell.  Being able to travel and call through your home
> extension for "free" is nice too.

That's really fun!!!! I can't wait to do that!!! However, I do have  
some concerns:

1 - Can I install Asterisk (or openpbx) on my Mac Mini PPC and get  
G729 working? I heard G729 is the best coded for voip these days...

2 - My DSL provider blocks some incoming connections - I can overcome  
that choosing a higher numbered port for incoming, so dyndns works,  
right? Also, running it behind a NAT is no issue, or is it?

3 - How easy is it to configure on a Mac? Is the sunrise gui for  
openpbx ready?

4 - Are there examples about how to configure dialplans and all that?  
I'd like to make it easy to call, but at the same time to have many  
options available, such as connecting to FWD, gizmo, another sip  
provider, etc, as well as super simple to use my PSTN...

5 - Security - creating only extensions that will be authenticated  
prevents other people of using my pstn, right? Or is there an extra  
measure I should take?

Sorry for so many questions!! This thing is really exciting!

Cheers,

Francis