Getting started: e911 + TDM400 card

[rockdogz]

Hi, I'm just getting started and have successfully set up a PBXiaf install with gv and sipgate implemented. I can call out using gv and can receive calls with the free sipgate phone number. My first question is regarding e911 - what's the least expensive way to implement this? Is it with the $3.99/mo Vitelity deal - does that support e911?

Next, I want to get a TDM400 card with 3 FXO modules. Do the $90 OpenVOX cards on eBay work, or do I need to step up to the $500 Digium cards with hardware echo cancellation? Quite a price disparity...

Thanks to all the gurus so far with the help in getting this going, your work is extremely appreciated!!

Tom

 

[jmullinix]

I agree with Lorne on the cards, with one qualification. If you are buying dial tone from a cable provider and they have a device in your house that the POTS service comes from, there is no need for hardware echo cancellation. Usually in those cases, the "Last Mile" is only a few feet.

I standardized several years ago on Sangoma's echo canceling cards and have not regretted that decision.

If you have a normal "Last mile" that could be several miles, buy the echo canceling card.

 

[rockdogz]

Thanks for the info - a friend who has a business needs the analog card so it sounds like we should spring for HEC there.

Can anyone shed light on the e911 question?

 

[briankelly63]

Yes Vitelity provides e911.... They charge $1.49

I would disagree with the need for HEC in your situation. I have a newer Digium card AEX800 which I initially bought the HEC for and I felt it was, overpriced, didn't work all that well, you had virtually no control over it through config files AND I felt it was not nearly as well tested with the Dahdi drivers. I found call issues and crashes with the drivers that were solved by removing the HEC card.

If you aren't using a ton of analog lines at the same time and your not using a junkyard pc you should be fine with the software EC of which you have several very configurable choices which you can implement and tune. The issue is the IRQ activity on the PC...

You could always get HEC down the road that could be added to an existing board... If you can buy a card that has HEC, it can be disabled and is a reasonable price then that's another option...

 

[rockdogz]

Thanks for the help - I'm up and running with Vitelity for e911.

I entered the dial pattern 811 to the vitelity outbound route, so that I could test emergency dialing. When I dial it, I get a computer that gives me back my phone number - does that mean it works?

I'm thinking of just using the Vitelity trunk for emergency outgoing calls, since the gv calls are free and we don't use the system much for outbound calls yet. Is checking the emergency dialing box on the outbound route page sufficient to send 911 calls out via Vitelity, or do I need to also add a dial pattern?