Forum Home
PC World Chat
Thread ID: 55280	2005-03-07 04:04:00	DIY PABX System Using Old PC Hardware	vinref (6194)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
331423	2005-03-07 04:04:00	I did once look into setting up a PABX for a small company owned by a friend of mine. All up it was no more than 5 phone lines, but Telecom wanted all up something like over $5,000 for it. I didn't ask for the details because I was choking so much fom hearing that figure. That was some 6 years ago, so it might be a lot cheaper now. But I can't imagine it will be cheaper than this (techdatapros.com) (via Slashdot). This uses old PC hardware. I am not familiar with PABX systems, so can someone confirm that this will work on any "normal" telephone network?	vinref (6194)
331424	2005-03-07 04:14:00	It might cost quite a lot to get an approval to connect a homebuilt PABX to the Telecom lines. ;) You'd be much better to buy a second hand PABX. The Panasonic ones are very nice and could be installed without trouble; the Philips ones aren't as easy, but still quite good. I've had Philips ones for $5 and $40 for a Panasonic (6 line/16 station) at auctions. They may appear on Trademe?	Graham L (2)
331425	2005-03-07 04:18:00	It might cost quite a lot to get an approval to connect a homebuilt PABX to the Telecom lines. ;) I thought there might be a catch. Is it not possible at all to install the thing on the sly? You'd be much better to buy a second hand PABX. The Panasonic ones are very nice and could be installed without trouble; the Philips ones aren't as easy, but still quite good. I've had Philips ones for $5 and $40 for a Panasonic (6 line/16 station) at auctions. They may appear on Trademe? Are there ongoing costs payable to Telecom, not including the equipment and "installation/approval" costs?	vinref (6194)
331426	2005-03-07 04:32:00	As far as I know, you pay for the lines and (probably in a business) mainenance of the internal wiring and any rental phones . You can install any approved stuff . Of course, you can install anything, but if it's not approved you are actually committing an offence . The type approval is to both prevent loss of service to other users of the network, and for safety to those working on the system . If Telecom discover (perhaps they've been called in because "something's wrong") non-approved gear installed, they can "take action" . Especially for business use, I'd trust a PABX designed and built to work as a PABX, rather than a PC . ;) I suspect that even a new "proper" PABX might cost less than the type approval process .	Graham L (2)
331427	2005-03-07 04:37:00	I thought there might be a catch. Is it not possible at all to install the thing on the sly? Are there ongoing costs payable to Telecom, not including the equipment and "installation/approval" costs? Installing "on the sly" simply places all other phone users on the main exchange at risk, should isolation levels on the DIY unit fail, or interference was generated etc. God help the owner of the equipment should that happen, they would need a large bank account and a very good lawyer! Regarding secondhand equipment, no "ongoing costs" to telecom apart from the incoming lines which they need anyway. No liability on the owner as long as the devices are telepermitted. The costs of a secondhand system would be a fraction of the installed cost of a DIY I suspect, as well as working more reliably.	godfather (25)
331428	2005-03-07 04:49:00	If the modem the phone line is plugged into is telepermitted then would it not be perfectly legal?	Sam I Am (1679)
331429	2005-03-07 04:50:00	By the looks of it though, the DIY PABX would be connected to the telephone system only via a modem, which could be telepermitted. I am only persisting with this because of the amazing range of features this thing sports. I doubt that there are any standard PABX systems out there that can match this, and costing less than this in hardware and software.	vinref (6194)
331430	2005-03-07 05:03:00	I'm interested. I just got a new number for my business, 3897 JGI, so now I can do what I like with it, rather than having to be restricted by the fact that it's a family line.	george12 (7)
331431	2005-03-07 05:10:00	By the looks of it though, the DIY PABX would be connected to the telephone system only via a modem, which could be telepermitted. I am only persisting with this because of the amazing range of features this thing sports. I doubt that there are any standard PABX systems out there that can match this, and costing less than this in hardware and software. You would be right about the range of features. It would need a modem per line incoming, and if these were telepermitted then that indeed may be all that is required for compliance. However in my experience with PC hardware and modems, the reliability would be less than ideal, as would the teething problems and down-time. Normally in a business the reliability of communications takes precedence over the functionality. Hence many successful products are still somewhat "dumb"	godfather (25)
331432	2005-03-07 05:10:00	I'm interested. I just got a new number for my business, 3897 JGI, so now I can do what I like with it, rather than having to be restricted by the fact that it's a family line. Want to do us a favour and call Telecom and see what they say? I am interested as well, and I am going to call Telstra and see what they say.	vinref (6194)
1 2 3 4