[KLUG Members] Re: VoIP router choice

[Randall Perry]

Quoting members-request at kalamazoolinux.org:
> From: Adam Tauno Williams <adam at morrison-ind.com>
> I've not used 3com routers; but I've used bay (are they 3com now?),
> Xyplex, Nortel, and some other I choose to forget.
> 
> There is ONE company that makes servers - IBM
A little biased? <grin>
Look, I love my RS/6000's and all, but have you really
given Gateway servers a chance? <ducks quickly>
;) just kidding.  
> 
> There is ONE company that makes routers - Cisco.
To clarify...are you including the Cisco-labelled Linksys
products on store shelves?  um, yeah. those are _GREAT_ (and they _are_ cisco).

Well, to add some more clarity, the WRT54G is both a Cisco product and a Linux
product.

Personally, I cannot advocate for any single branding with unwaivering
allegiance. (I leave that to Saturn car owners or Redmonian software 'beta
testers' aka users).

My IPCop boxes totally smear some of the Cisco boxes on performance. (and on
features is a given).

I happily ripped out Cisco 1600 series, 1700 and 2500 series.

> We do VOIP between 14 sites on point to point circuits and frame and
> ISDN.  For something like VOIP I wouldn't even THINK FOR ONE SECOND
> about using something other than Cisco.  We started with Nortel and not
> even the phone company could make it work (although that may not really
> be saying much).  Swapped out and installed all Cisco gear.... works!
> 
> Sometimes you just have to spend the money.
If you want to blow money, then you can read the InfoWorld article on VoIP
friendly firewalls from Ingate, SonicWall (page24 of issue 47).

Cisco is _just_ a company. They make products.  If you like them, good.
If you want to argue technical merits, better.  

I wouldn't chalk up that Nortel issue to Nortel.  (incompetent or lazy techs).
--------------------
> I thought of putting in a Linux box for the router at the sites but I 
> need to connect it to a T1 line and the T1 cards that I found were 
> blazing expensive!
I have been known to just use the Cisco box for its WIC and just let ALL traffic
through.  Then do all traffic shaping on the inside of that.
No, it doesn't hurt anything or have any impact than another hop (albeit it
should be quick if it's Cisco ;)  )

I used to manage by hand all the IOS rules and shaping.
It is just so much easier to do that on the Linux box (out of familiarity and
efficiency...I can apply that concept to the T1, wifi, Cable, DSL business 'net
connections I have)

It takes about 15 minutes to build an IPCop box from blank hard drive.
The new 1.4 adds Blue interface for wireless and has updates to web interface
(are the most notable updates to it).

I run dedicated IPSec tunnels, on demand SSH tunnels, web traffic, etc through
them.  Love 'em.  

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      Randall Perry
      Domain Logic Technology Solutions
      http://www.domain-logic.com

Every problem has a solution. If there is no solution, there is no problem..

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