VoIP knowledge needed

[c0rpt3ch]

I've been tasked with coming up with a VoIP solution for our company and since I know nothing about it I'm hoping someone here can help me out.

We have 2 T1 lines that we split between our current phone system and for our internet. We have 50-60 users on our system and would like the ability to expand to maybe 70-80 users in the future. On any given day I've got someone complaining the internet is slow (which it is) so we would like to have extra bandwidth if possible.

After using my search fu I've still got some questions.

1. Is there a equation to figuring out how much bandwidth I would need per user; phone+internet=?
2. Will all my current network gear need to upgraded (I hope so). We have a Cisco ASA5505 router that runs to 1GB switch and 2 old Mb switches. Most of our gear is antiquated but still functional. Since our department doesn't actually make a profit we don't receive much in the way of a budget.
3. I've seen a demo from Cisco and a similar system from Avaya but are there other options out there I'm missing?
4. Do the phones plug into existing RJ11 wall socket or do they need to be RJ45?

If anyone has anything to add to this let me know, I have almost zero knowledge on this subject.

Thanks

 

[cgram23]

What is your current PSTN connection? I'm assuming you are using one of your T1's as a PRI...or at least a partial PRI. You would almost be better off procuring a business class internet solution from your local telco/cable provider, since a T1 will only give you 1.5Mbps total.

As for your voip solution, I can only speak from a Cisco perspective. Your requirements would be ideal for a UC500 solution (520/540/560), which are ideal for small businesses. This box would terminate your PSTN connection (PRI/SIP/FXO) and route based on the extensions you configure. You can also implement automated attendants (via the built in unity express module) or use TCL scripts for automated call routing to a hunt group or call queuing.

If you are using IP phones...you will need to terminate to a switch, so yes...you will need RJ45 jacks.

 

[c0rpt3ch]

What is your current PSTN connection? I'm assuming you are using one of your T1's as a PRI...or at least a partial PRI. You would almost be better off procuring a business class internet solution from your local telco/cable provider, since a T1 will only give you 1.5Mbps total.

We are using 1 of the T1's as a PRI and we're got the other T1 line for internet split amongst 50 users. Needless to say, it's slow.

If you are using IP phones...you will need to terminate to a switch, so yes...you will need RJ45 jacks.

That makes sense.

I appreciate the input. I've got a rep from Verizon coming out to discuss options for us.

 

[ciggwin]

I would look at something like Comcast Business Class - I'm getting them as a backup ISP for the new office and it's going to cost about $130/month. That is 22Mbps/6Mbps with 5 static IPs.

For phones you can be completely separate - you can talk to someone like PAETEC to get two PRIs (23 channels each) and run those into whatever phone system you go with.

If your budget is tight Cisco may be too much. I would look at ShoreTel. If you need any contact info for a ShoreTel partner, send me a PM.

 

[mngl1500]

I would look at something like Comcast Business Class - I'm getting them as a backup ISP for the new office and it's going to cost about $130/month. That is 22Mbps/6Mbps with 5 static IPs.

A Comcast 50/10 Business with a 5 block is $200 a month.

 

[Miker2k]

Again from a Cisco perspective: I would steer you towards a UC520. It can scale up to just over 100 users and is pretty straight forward to manage with the included GUI. If cost is a factor you could forgo some of the IP Handsets and integrate standard analog handsets in 2, 4, or 24 analog port increments.

 

[dashpuppy]

My Linksys Cisco Ip phone spa942 99$ poe voip phone, running off a trixbox ( free software )that is about 2500km's away voice sounds like i'm in the same city.

Me using it...

Awesome phones, i love it.

 

[Vito_Corleone]

Dude, have your company hire a consulting firm. A real VoIP deployment is a pretty big deal.

 

[calvinj]

No kidding. Find a local vendor and have them help.

We got implemented Shoretel late last year and it was a great investment. It was a fraction of the cost Cisco and doesn't suck as much as avaya.

Depending on where your at a fraction Voice T1 might be in order. I work for a small manufacturing company and 12 channels works great for us. At our remote locating in California we have AT&T IP Flex service which AT&T bonds 2 sdsl connections (3 up / 3 down) and hands off voice to us. It dynamically picks channels in the in the PRI and works well.

Here are some pics of the shoretel stuff we have:

 

[MikeTrike]

I just discovered that fiber was pre-plumed to our building. So 10Mbps Ethernet here we come! It was either this or jumping from from 3Mbps to 4.5Mbps worth of T1's. The Ethernet is actually a bit cheaper and we can naturally jump it up if we need more capacity.

Short version:
See if you can get Ethernet if you need high speed up and down. If not, get business class something else.


EDIT: Just wanted to point out that we're using Hosted VoIP. AT&T VDNA to be exact, we're about to slash that cost by about 40% when we move to FreedomIQ. We have about 125 handsets across four locations. The remotes have a dedicated T1 just for the voice traffic and one for the data. Which we're also going to optimize by bonding them; don't ask it's still cheaper than what our old phone system was. Now it's going to be even more cost effective and optimized!