Is affordable, telco-grade hardware on the horizon for Asterisk-based, IP PBX software platforms?
Yes!
The proliferation of open source, Asterisk-based, IP PBX software platforms has lead to demand for inexpensive, telco-grade hardware appliances. There are 12 or more manufacturers who offer dedicated server / app hardware, in a variety of forms, for use with popular platforms including Asterisk, Trixbox, Elastix and others. Many Asterisk users and integrators choose to run their PBX on off the shelf Intel or AMD-based servers from the likes of Dell and Supermicro, while neither of these manufacturers target the Asterisk marketplace per se. Here’s a quick overview of some of the hardware choices out there if you are looking to deploy open source telephony in your home or business.
Fonality released its Trixbox Appliance
California’s Fonality released its Trixbox Appliance last year. The Trixbox Appliance comes in a standard and enterprise version. Intel P4 CPU, 512MB RAM and 80GB hard drive, and integrated four-line LCD display round out the package in a 3U form factor.
Pika Technologies
Industry vet Pika Technologies tosses its hat in the ring with the release of Warp Appliance for Asterisk. It Features a compact form factor and the Warp Appliance packs a ton of features into a small footprint. Which you can then configure a variety of TDM hardware FXS/FXO combinations for PSTN and legacy analog hardware integration.
Rhino Equipment always keeps Trixbox users in mind.
Not only do they manufacture TDM hardware interface cards for Asterisk, Rhino offers several appliances. The Ceros Mini is their latest offering, released a few weeks ago. The Ceros Mini is Intel based and occupies a 1U form factor, with a 2GB flash based hard drive, 512MB RAM and has an integrated LCD display and five-button keypad. And of course Rhino offers a variety of upgrade options from the base configuration.
The Rhino Ceros is the big brother to the Mini, the Ceros offers a wider range of HDD and RAID options, as well as more usable PCI and PCI Express slots for higher density apps. Both Rhino appliances ship standard with Trixbox loaded and ready out of the box.
Of course an Aastralink Appliance
Aastra Telecom has also thrown its hat in the ring; having announced its Aastralink Appliance at the recent Spring Von show. Details on Aastra’s Asterisk-based, SMB PBX appliance can be found here aastralink.
Digium fueled Asterisk Appliance
Finally, Georgia’s Digium released its Asterisk Appliance in 2007, and has already announced an OEM partnership agreement with telecom mainstay 3Com. The Digium Asterisk Appliance offers a compact, solid state form factor with hardware-based echo cancellation and up to eight analog FXS/FXO ports onboard. Digium also recently announced the Switchvox AA60, a small footprint PBX appliance designed to host its popular Switchvox SOHO and SMB Software.
Traditional telephony vendors such as Cisco Systems, Nortel and Avaya continue to struggle in making their products accessible, manageable and affordable to the small to midsized business crowd, leaving the door wide open for hardware and software vendors such as those mentioned above.
Rhino Equipment caters specifically to Trixbox users.
Rhino offers several appliances. The Ceros Mini is their latest offering, released a few weeks ago. The Ceros Mini is Intel based and occupies a 1U form factor, with a 2GB flash based hard drive, 512MB RAM and the Ceros Mini also has an integrated LCD display and five-button keypad for all you flashly tech savvies. Of course Rhino offers a variety of upgrade options from the base configuration.
The Rhino Ceros is the big brother to the Mini, occupying a 3U form factor and sharing many of the same features as the Mini. The Ceros offers a wider range of HDD and RAID options, as well as more usable PCI and PCI Express slots for higher density applications. Both Rhino appliances ship standard with Trixbox loaded.
