The Sikh Geek

When we talk about open source we often think about Linux and the battles with Windows. One area that I would definitely consider and recommend open source is in the area of software based PBXs. In particular there is a great solution called Trixbox (formerly known as Asterisk@Home). It’s based on the well known Asterisk Project but which contains a web based management interface and a CRM system called SugarCRM. So why go for a software based PBX? Well, Intel based hardware has become commoditised and you can build a scalable and redundant architecture using commonly available hardware. Trixbox is not just a VoIP gateway but can switch ISDN and Analog lines as well, with the appropriate PCI interface cards. The power really comes from being an open software based platform. It’s a development environment and has an API for building software solutions that link in with your telecom system. Now that’s not something you get with something like Avaya or other hardware based VoIP systems.

Most people think of Skype when talking of VoIP. Let me say, I’m not an advocate of Skype because it’s totally proprietary and doesn’t use standard protocols and so won’t interoperate with anything else. Why eBay payed some ridiculous price for it, I’ll never know!