16 September 2006
University switches to Open Source VOIP solution
Sam Houston State University has recently changed their Cisco CallManagers and Nortel PBXs for Linux-based VOIP and messaging servers based on Asterisk.
This new system still includes call processing, voicemail and functions as a PSTN gateway, but at a lot lower cost.
The university made the decision to reduce costs associated with the Cisco products. Each phone connected to the Cisco CallManager required a separate license, while Asterisk servers require none. Cisco doesn't lose completely though, the university will still use all of the Cisco components they used before, except the servers.
The university is also happier regarding the security of the system. They say that 'if a bad exploit is found in SIP', they are able to fix it themselves instead of waiting for a Cisco-approved update.
For more information regarding the university's switch go here.
I like Cisco products for the most part and find much of their technology quite innovative and useful. Their products are of good quality and I can't say I have any bad word to say about the company. I especially like their power over Ethernet feature. I can understand someone not wanting to pay licensing fees if they can avoid it though. Of course this isn't all without any loss. some of the features provided by the Cisco CallManager are not available in the Asterisk servers.
This new system still includes call processing, voicemail and functions as a PSTN gateway, but at a lot lower cost.
The university made the decision to reduce costs associated with the Cisco products. Each phone connected to the Cisco CallManager required a separate license, while Asterisk servers require none. Cisco doesn't lose completely though, the university will still use all of the Cisco components they used before, except the servers.
The university is also happier regarding the security of the system. They say that 'if a bad exploit is found in SIP', they are able to fix it themselves instead of waiting for a Cisco-approved update.
For more information regarding the university's switch go here.
I like Cisco products for the most part and find much of their technology quite innovative and useful. Their products are of good quality and I can't say I have any bad word to say about the company. I especially like their power over Ethernet feature. I can understand someone not wanting to pay licensing fees if they can avoid it though. Of course this isn't all without any loss. some of the features provided by the Cisco CallManager are not available in the Asterisk servers.
Labels: asterisk, linux, OSS, voip
