The newly released Digium R-Series redundancy appliances enable your network to recover from hardware or software failures and maintain communication with the outside world.  

Digium failover appliances work with their open source telephony platform Asterisk to ensure that you have an open line of communication even in demanding enviroments.

There are two models in the R-Series.  They work on Asterisk based open sourced PBX’s but do not work on Switchvox.  Both models are 1U rack mount devices:

• Digium R800:  Supports up to eight analog (POTS) circuits.
• Digium R850:  Handles up to eight digital (T1, E1, PRI or BRI) spans.

What’s The Difference?

So even in the event of a catastrophic failure, your communications system will stay up and running with the Digium R-Series.  That sounds great but, what makes these appliances different from other redundant systems that work with Asterisk?

With the help of Digium engineer Pete Engler, here’s how the R-Series stacks up agains other popular appliances from Xorcom and RedFone.

Digium vs. Xorcom

The combination of Xorcom Astribank (HW Channel Bank) and Xorcom TwinStar (Software for redundancy) is a similar application to the Digium R-Series. Below are the main differences between using the R-Series and Xorcom for redundancy:

Cost

• The Astribank hardware can run a customer up to four times the cost of R-Series appliances depending on the number of T1 interfaces that are populated in the Astribank. All eight T1 ports are included in the R-Series for $995 list price.
• The Xorcom TwinStar software is an additional cost. The open source tools used for the servers connected to the R-Series is downloadable and is free to use.

Hardware Platform

• The Xorcom Astribank channel bank has more parts, such as a power supply, that are prone to fail. Digium utilizes USB power from the servers to power the R-Series which is much less vulnerable.
• R-Series is 1U rack mountable and therefore takes up less space in the rack than the 2U Astribank.

Functionality

• The TwinStar/Astribank solution can only detect a hardware power failure if the Linux kernel has crashed. It cannot detect if Asterisk has stopped working but is with the R-Series solution (along with loss of power detection).
• If the R-Series were to lose power, the PSTN spans will continue to function through the same ports at the time of power failure. The Astribank will cease to operate at this point and communication with the PSTN is down.

Digium vs. RedFone

The RedFone gateways are another application where redundancy can be introduced to a customer location. By nature, gateways operate in a completely different manner than the R-Series for providing redundancy.

• A gateway is converting the PSTN TDM circuits to an IP format. RedFone uses TDMoE. Digium R-Series offers physical layer switching and does not convert the signal at all from one network to another.
• If the RedFone loses power, communications cease in their gateway.
• To deploy a redundant system, multiple gateways would need to be installed and therefore will be more expensive than the R-Series. Providing redundancy for up to eight T1’s will be at least four times the cost, just like the Xorcom solution, including several additional hardware pieces to manage in the datacenter.

This information was originally posted on the VoIP Insider blog.

Need VoIP Phones or a VoIP Phone System? Checkout VoIPSupply.com!

The Workforce Development Unit at Sidney Institute, one of Australia’s largest education and training providers, uses Adobe Connect for their web conferencing series.

Looking for a simpler solution than wired or wireless microphones paired with amplified speakers, Stephan Ridgway of the Workforce Development Unit explains how he discovered and tested the ClearOne Chat 160 to acheive quality back-and-forth audio from both audience members and speakers:

“The unit connects to the computer via USB with plug and play operation so that no drivers are required. Working on both MAC and Windows, once connected the unit becomes the computers microphones and speakers.

By spreading the 2 pods apart on a table the unit can quite easily cover a conference room table ensuring reliable audio enabling participants to move around freely without being tethered with a headset. The unit also has built in mic gain and echo canceling so you avoid the feedback of the speaker audio into to microphones.”

So far Ridgway has had “excellent results.”  For an overview of his set-up and application, check out his video:

For another review, take a look at Michael Graves’  experience at:  ClearOne Chat 160 Earned Its Keep This Past Week.

This information was originally posted on the VoIP Insider blog.

Need VoIP Phones or a VoIP Phone System? Checkout VoIPSupply.com!

Q:  What’s the last piece of the puzzle after you’ve got Unified Communications coursing through your Microsoft Lync Server through optimized Microsoft Lync IP phones?

A:  A qualified Lync headset that provides the most power and the highest return on investment from your Lync usage.

Lync on the Go

Did you know that soldiers in the US Army rely on Lync for critical, instant communications?

“Instant communication is critical to soldiers on the front lines. In fact, soldiers rate instant messaging applications as the most important application they use. Adverse conditions, a wide variety of communications equipment, mobile personnel, and bandwidth constraints make communications difficult. Instant messaging helps the army overcome these challenges.”

When Volkswagen needed a bullet proof communications solution for it’s mobile workers, they also turned to Lync.  You can read and watch their experiences here; Taking Lync for a Test Drive.

What’s Your Style?

Whether you’re looking for Microsoft Lync Headsets with wired, wireless, DECT, or Bluetooth connectivity in headband, earhook, or over the head wearing styles; VoIP Supply has it.

All “Optimized for Microsoft Lync” and “Optimized for Microsoft Communicator” headsets support both Lync Server 2010 and Office Communications Server 2007 R2.

Not sure which VoIP headset goes with your VoIP phone? Download our headset compatibility guide.

Via TechNet Blogs

This information was originally posted on the VoIP Insider blog.

Need VoIP Phones or a VoIP Phone System? Checkout VoIPSupply.com!

Immediately following the UC Voice webcast, get to the Jabra UC voice headset giveaway link and register to win.  Jabra will match the registration list with the webcast participation list.  And that is it:

• No trade-ins.
• No shipping fees.
• No lengthy terms and conditions.

Future of Business Communication

The webcast is a live opportunity to meet CEO Mogens Elsberg and learn about Jabra’s view for successfully adopting a UC solution:

“With the official launch of the Jabra UC VOICE™, Jabra is now taking the lead in all categories of hands-free communication for Unified Communications – learn how Jabra’s hands-free solutions help drive a successful adoption of UC and hear our vision for taking a leadership position in this market.”

For more information, check out our Jabra Headsets product page.

This information was originally posted on the VoIP Insider blog.

Need VoIP Phones or a VoIP Phone System? Checkout VoIPSupply.com!

Small footprint speakerphones for use with both PC’s and Mac’s from Phoenix Audio provide reliable loudspeaker output for virtually any sized room.  Powerful features are not compromised in Phoenix Audio’s lightweight and sleek designs.

Desktop and Conference Room Solutions

Phoenix Audio offers their Duet models for desktop conferencing and the Quattro2 models for conference rooms.  All models come equipped standard with a USB interface for:

• Connectivity
• Power source
• VoIP recording and conferencing 

Phoenix Audio also offers the unique ability for daisy chaining units providing near limitless coverage for any size room you have.

Plug-and-Play

Garrett Smith, Chief Marketing Officer at VoIP Supply, notes how simple it is to operate these devices:

“Phoenix Audio speakerphones don’t just look great they also pack a lot of advanced features into a small, portable package that maintains Phoenix Audio’s hallmark user-friendly, plug-and-play philosophy.”

For additional information, check out the Phoenix Audio Speakerphones product page and these addtional resources:

• The Phoenix Audio Quattro2 Finds a Home at Top Universities
• 3 Desktop Speakerphone Solutions from Phoenix Audio
• VoIP Phones Buyers Guide

This information was originally posted on the VoIP Insider blog.

Need VoIP Phones or a VoIP Phone System? Checkout VoIPSupply.com!

What’s the catch?

Mail in a used Jabra headset, working or not, and they’ll trade it up to a new Plantronics Blackwire 435 corded, over-the-ear headset designed for Unified Communications (UC).

Details

• One day only – September 1st, 2011, while supplies last.
• The application form, posted the day of at www.plantronics.com/customeroffer, must be completed.
• The Jabra headset must be shipped by September 1, 2011, to the address provided by Plantronics, and must be received by Plantronics no later than September 9, 2011. You’re responsible for these shipping fees.
• The traded-in Jabra headset does not have to be in working condition.
• Plantronics will pay the shipping fees when shipping the Blackwire 435 headset to participants. 

Click here for a Blackwire 435 demo.

This information was originally posted on the VoIP Insider blog.

Need VoIP Phones or a VoIP Phone System? Checkout VoIPSupply.com!

We’ve also revamped and reorganized all Grandstream products with newly segmented Grandstream Video Phones and Grandstream IP PBX appliance categories.

Same Grandstream Performance

Just like Grandstream’s VoIP devices, Grandstream IP Surveillance products offer the same broad interoperability, enhanced features, and flexibility at price-performance competitiveness allowing easy entry into IP network-based security systems. 

“VoIP Supply’s Grandstream line just got a lot stronger with Grandstream IP Surveillance products,” said Garrett Smith, Chief Marketing Officer at VoIP Supply.   “VoIP and IP camera technology are intertwined so it’s great to give customers a single stop to research all of Grandstream’s cost effective network-based solutions.”

This information was originally posted on the VoIP Insider blog.

Need VoIP Phones or a VoIP Phone System? Checkout VoIPSupply.com!

Version 1.03.22

Version 1.0.3.22 is a major Grandstream firmware upgrade supporting these enhanced features and more:

• Support for social media platforms: Facebook and Twitter
• Support for Virtual BLF (Busy-Lamp-Field) buttons for business phone system applications
• Support for more Broadsoft call features
• Support for GMI (Grandstream Manager Interface), a device management API/Software Development Kit that allows development of advanced custom phone applications
• Support for advanced XML customization of the phone’s GUI (Graphic User Interface)
• Enhanced language support for German, Italian and Russian

Downloads

• GXV3175 Firmware Upgrade
• Firmware Version 1.0.3.22 Release Notes for GXV3175
• Firmware for all Grandstream products

This information was originally posted on the VoIP Insider blog.

Need VoIP Phones or a VoIP Phone System? Checkout VoIPSupply.com!

• Powerful features, yet portable design.
• Handsfree operation with built-in microphone and speaker.
• Superior audio from advanced echo cancellation and noise suppression technology.

Phoenix Audio’s Duet desktop speakerphones satisfy those needs and eliminate any guesswork with three simple model choices.

Three’s Company

Phoenix Audio Duet speakerphones come standard with USB that’s used for easy plug-and-play connection to a computer, the power source, and for recording and VoIP conferencing.  

Duet PCS Speakerphone

As the primary audio interface for the mobile work force dependent on voip for communication, the Duet PCS is the most basic version in this product line.

Used with PC’s and Mac’s, loudspeaker output is never a problem with the Duet PCS in larger offices or medium sized conference rooms.

Duet VCA Speakerphone

A best-in-class satellite speakerphone for Video Codec set-top systems and for VOIP conferencing applications, the Duet VCA  provides bridging, custom sensitivity, and speaker output with RCA jacks in addition to the USB connection.

The Duet VCA can create 3-way conferencing between VoIP callers and VC callers. An additional benefit of this feature is that it enables the user to record the VC conference on a PC, and/or play a sound file from the PC into the VC conference call.

Duet Executive Speakerphone

The Duet Executive is your high quality all-in-one speakerphone connecting telephones, IP phones, and cell phones.

The Duet Executive has USB plus Digital Telephone interface (DTI), with bridging between the two. Duet Executives can be connected in an unlimited daisy chain for all around coverage in large conference rooms.

Phoenix Audio Benefits

All Phoenix Audio Duet speakerphones provide high quality audio performance, mobility, easy connectivity, and flexibility.  Your choice then is not limited but rather simplified to the room size and scope of options that are right for you.

This information was originally posted on the VoIP Insider blog.

Need VoIP Phones or a VoIP Phone System? Checkout VoIPSupply.com!

• snom 821 Desktop VoIP Phones
• snom 870 Touch Screen Desktop VoIP Phones
• iPad2

In addition to all snom users they’re also specifically looking for users of the snom ONE IP PBX Yellow , snom ONE IP PBX Blue , or the snom ONE plus IP PBX appliance, in conjunction with snom phones.

Block off 10-15 minutes for the survey. For more information click here.

Via TMCnet

This information was originally posted on the VoIP Insider blog.

Need VoIP Phones or a VoIP Phone System? Checkout VoIPSupply.com!