General Information

[chip33az]

Hi,

I was looking at using PIAF and had some questions for home use. Sorry if they have been answered before, but I've tried to research some of these questions already.

Currently, the house has two Qwest lines (one is the main home number, the other is the fax machine - neither has long distance enabled on them), and I have an account with les.net (I have an IP phone for that). I was thinking about hooking up PIAF to better use all lines, but had some questions. I'm not looking for the answers on how to do them, just that PIAF can do them. I'm curious about the limitations.

1. For the fax machine, would an ATA device work on it for outbound faxes, or would I need an FXS card? I read somewhere that PIAF would handle incoming faxes, but didn't know exactly what to do with the physical machine for sending. Kind of tied to number 7, could I just leave the fax machine plugged into line 2 through the wall jack?
2. If someone is on the phone (say the wife) and I wanted to join the call, can I? Since each is a difference extension I gather I would need to dial something to join the call, but I was curious if I was correct on that.
3. For the expandable phone systems (one phone with a line, the others with just power), I'm assuming they all would be under the one extension and I would need an FXS to connect it to the phone server (or an ata adapater). Is this correct?
4. The house currently has an alarm system on the main phone line. Is there anything special that would need to be done with this? Or just leave it alone and the alarm will work as before?
5. Does PIAF offer a phone directory to the IP Phones? I figured the wife and I could create a master list of contacts and just use the handset to dial them.
6. Is there any special sequence to dial out (WAF)? For example, if the wife is in the bedroom on the phone, and I wanted to dial out, do I just pick up a phone and use it? I'm assuming if configured correctly (the dial-plan), when the wife dials out, the first line would be in use (assuming local call), and when I go to dial out, the second line would be used. Long distance I would use les.net.
7. Could a phone be plugged into the wall and use one of the two lines? Or does the PIAF block usage. I'm thinking of this question for blackouts, etc.

Thanks for helping answer these questions. I'm anxious to look at this, but it wouldn't be for a while before I worked on this.

Sorry if these have been answered before.

 

[jroper]

1. For the fax machine, would an ATA device work on it for outbound faxes, or would I need an FXS card? I read somewhere that PIAF would handle incoming faxes, but didn't know exactly what to do with the physical machine for sending. Kind of tied to number 7, could I just leave the fax machine plugged into line 2 through the wall jack?

You could use an ATA, but you could equally buy a line card that had 2 FXO modules on it, and 1 FXS module to plug your fax into. Then route all calls from your faxline to the FXS extension, but you could still use it for outboind calls.

2. If someone is on the phone (say the wife) and I wanted to join the call, can I? Since each is a difference extension I gather I would need to dial something to join the call, but I was curious if I was correct on that.

It can be done, but it's easiest if you transfer the call into a conference.

3. For the expandable phone systems (one phone with a line, the others with just power), I'm assuming they all would be under the one extension and I would need an FXS to connect it to the phone server (or an ata adapater). Is this correct?

To connect analogue phones, yes, you would either need to use an ATA or an FXS port on a line card.

4. The house currently has an alarm system on the main phone line. Is there anything special that would need to be done with this? Or just leave it alone and the alarm will work as before?

Probably - not sure - I think it should be OK, but alarm systems do vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so do your research.

5. Does PIAF offer a phone directory to the IP Phones? I figured the wife and I could create a master list of contacts and just use the handset to dial them.

Numerous and interesting ways to do directories from short codes to click to dial, etc etc.

6. Is there any special sequence to dial out (WAF)? For example, if the wife is in the bedroom on the phone, and I wanted to dial out, do I just pick up a phone and use it? I'm assuming if configured correctly (the dial-plan), when the wife dials out, the first line would be in use (assuming local call), and when I go to dial out, the second line would be used. Long distance I would use les.net.

Just pick up the phone and make a call.

7. Could a phone be plugged into the wall and use one of the two lines? Or does the PIAF block usage. I'm
thinking of this question for blackouts, etc.

A UPS would help, but yes you could have a phone plugged into a Y splitter on the wall, switch off the ringer though, or just swap it when needed.


Joe

 

[chip33az]

Thank you for the very quick response.

I'm chomping at the bits to try this, but can't do it right now. I'm hoping to start closer to the summer time

 

[mp3geek]

On #4, if the alarm company has wired their panel into your phone line correctly you should have no issues. They should have a line seizure relay in their cabinet and the line should go directly from your telco provider's demarc to your alarm panel and then a pair will return from there to service your phones. That way, even if you are on the phone, if the alarm is tripped it disconnects you, seizes the line and calls out. As long as the PBXiaF box is connected where a phone would normally connect, everything should work. That being said, it's a good idea to test that scenario anyway even without a PBX in the mix.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[kenn10]

4. The house currently has an alarm system on the main phone line. Is there anything special that would need to be done with this? Or just leave it alone and the alarm will work as before?

I am totally VOIP at my home. I have no analog service at all from the telco or cable company. I also have an alarm system and I ran an analog extension to it to replace the telco line it was connected to. I have never had any alarm system problems as I use the g.711 codec for all calls and I utilize VoicePulse Connect for my VOIP provider. I saw no reason to keep paying for an analog line.

Just my two cents worth.

 

[chip33az]

Thanks.

I think I would be too nervous to unplug the landline for the house.

Doesn't having VOIP cost you a lot in outgoing calls? I know they are only $.01 or so, but that must add up. I make a lot of 800 conference calls during the month and I would hate to see what everything comes out to.

 

[beach]

Thanks.
I make a lot of 800 conference calls during the month and I would hate to see what everything comes out to.

Some providers provide free 800 outgoing service. And even if yours doesn't, there are plenty of 800 gateways you can use for free.

There is a thread describing how to do it. I couldn't find it with a quick search, but it exists.

Edit:

Here is one example: http://pbxinaflash.com/forum/showpost.php?p=16688&postcount=3

Here is another: http://pbxinaflash.com/forum/showpost.php?p=14387&postcount=41

 

[chip33az]

Thanks! I had no idea.

 

[jroper]

We don't charge for tollfree either:-

http://pbxinaflash.com/community/threads/fonica-voip-service.2252/?t=2252

Joe