Cheapest USABLE Single line FXS/FXO card
I am looking to put trixbox on my business line only at home in order to test and start learning the system(s).
I'll eventually buy a new card with 2 lines in and 6-8 extensions and do the house, but I'd like to get the hang of things before I invest more serious dollars - the Rhino card with 2 FXO/6 FXS is going to run $600-$700 if my price checking is correct.
I need the line to be usable (ie echo and hum need to be kept to a minimum through either software or hardware). I have the computer parts already.
While I think this would be an interesting thing to have in the office/house, it's more the geek in me prompting me to try this rather than any overwhelming need.
So given my single line needs and relative 'non production' environment, what are my choices and the pluses/minuses against each?
I'd recommend Openvox. I have been using an A400P with one fxo card and one fxs card at home. They are a good bargain IMHO. With one fxo and one fxs they run about $141.00 with the option to add two other daughter cards later. Got mine from (www.voiplink.com)
Along with the OSLEC code (search the forums) it has been rock solid and doesn't break the bank. You may even find it suitable in a regular office setting.
Good luck,
Will
Andy,
The infamous X100P would do.
pro's, all the basics work, inexpensive (around $20 at ebay)
con's, no support whatsoever, callid does not reliably work (In TB, in A@H 1.5 it worked perfectly), echo problems (solvable with oslec so this is no longer a problem)
Hope this helps
Ramiro
ZapMicro makes a nice Digium compatible card that is priced more aggressively than the OpenVOX while still using the same style modules. They also offer an X100P clone at a very good price point.
They also offer an 8-port card that uses the same modules as the 4-port, so you might look at getting one of those and expanding it to 2FXO/6FXS when the time comes.
For 1xFXS and 1xFXO you'll need one of the modular cards. For the required expandability and low price I still would suggest the ZapMicro. If you are looking for a really GREAT card that is even more expandable then get a Sangoma. (It probably is not in your budget though...)
You could use a Linksys/Sipura SPA3102 or the Grandstream HT488. These both have 1/FXS and 1/FXO with dual Ethernet ports and are selling in the $70-80 range.
My suggestion of the ZapMicro card was that so the $70-80 wouldn't go down the drain when it's time to upgrade.
It would appear that the Zapmicro ZMA400P-11 is the 'right' card from the ZapMicro line.
Given that OSLEC exists, is it worth the extra $10 to purchase this card with 'SoftEcho'?
The card with 1 FXS/1FXO is about $100 in the places I've quickly price shopped. Is there a much better price around to support the $70-$80 price point you stated, reubanks?
Thanks all
It is a good card, but it only has 4 ports! You said you wanted at least 8 (2xFXO and 6xFXS). What you want is the ZMA800P-11 which has 8 ports!
What's "funny" is that the ZapMicro website says they are bundeling "Free" Octastic softecho with the cards, but resellers seem to charge $10 more per port for cards with the bundle as opposed to without!
Randy,
I think I started by saying I wanted to do my office line only as a trial run. For that I only need 1 FXO and 1 FXS. The 8 port card is half again as much as the 4 port with 1 of each port. ($151 v $100). It may make sense to buy more now to have more expandability, but maybe not.
Here is some Good source for Zapmicro 4/8 ports cards with different FXO/FXS configuration and 270 days warranty starting at $65.00
http://www.tspire.com/servlet/the-VOIP-PBX-Hardware/Categories
and cheap ($8 - $18) analog phone with very good quality speakerphone and all features required by asterisk.
Thanks
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Member Since:
2006-08-06