Posts Tagged ‘VoIP’
Monday, February 1st, 2010
Security is always a concern when installing any new devices on a network, and Switchvox certainly is no exception. We frequently get asked about what steps Digium has taken to ensure security on their Switchvox SMB appliances. Chromis Technology addresses four main concerns that our customers ask us about: 1) access to the web interface, 2) access to the manufacturer console and asterisk core, 3) SIP authentication security, and 4) RTP session security.
Following are descriptions of Switchvox security relating to each concern:
1. Switchvox uses the web standard Secure Socket Layer (SSL) to access the web configuration interface. SSL is the same technology that banks use to conduct online banking. Switchvox allows for the creation of multiple administrators, each with different service level access to the administration web interface. Thus administrators may create different administrators so that powerful controls are limited according to the requirements for specific administrators. Users also may be granted or denied access to the user web interface. Users also use SSL to access their individual settings and must use a password to log in.
2. Switchvox runs using the secure operating system Linux. The server is locked down by default so that only PBX and web interface functions are permitted. The administrator may optionally enable or disable remote console access so that the manufacturer can access the server for advanced diagnostics or repair. The protocol used is Secure SHell (SSH), a high-security system for console access to servers. SSH is disabled by default and the manufacturer (Digium) only has access to the backend if an administrator chooses to grant a technician access. This will then allow a Digium support engineer to access the asterisk core.
3. Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is the VoIP protocol that Switchvox uses to connect to telephones. SIP uses a password in a method that is analogous to the way that an email account uses a password to access an email server. Switchvox automatically configures Polycom and snom telephones with secure SIP passwords. This ensures that if a SIP device attempts to connect to Switchvox it will be prevented access unless it has the correct secure SIP password for that individual extension it is trying to register. This password is hidden and cannot be discovered. If a user or administrator forgets their password, they must reset with a new pasword. Switchvox employs complicated, secure passwords for SIP devices and informs the administrator if he or she attempts to create an insecure password.
4. Real Time Transfer (RTP) is the VoIP protocol that Switchvox uses to transport the audio calls between telephones and the server. RTP by itself does not prevent someone from collecting the data from the Switchvox network and listening to pieces of a call. Enhancements to RTP in the future will allow the audio data to be encrypted so that the data captured will not be audible. It is difficult to intercept RTP traffic and requires direct access to the telephone system network. However, until Digium incorporates a secure RTP technology, Chromis recommends that administrators not allow public access to the Local Area Network if they can help it. In other words, standard security procedures such as firewalls, building access control to network equipment, WiFi passwords, etc. should be employed for your network. If VoIP calls are placed over public Internet they may optionally be made through a VPN connection to secure the conversation.
So we want to know, what are your concerns with Switchvox VoIP security? Drop us a line in the comments section or email us at the address in the header above. We love hearing from you and I’m sure you have your own opinions on what I’ve left out…
Tags: Asterisk, digium, Polycom, Security, Snom, Switchvox, Switchvox SMB, VoIP, VoIP Security
Posted in Asterisk, Polycom, Switchvox, chromis, digium | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Switchvox SMB 4.5 (Release number 21669) has been announced today by Digium at IT Expo East in Miami. The new version is available for immediate download. Go to ‘Machine Admin > Upgrades‘ to upgrade your SMB server.
The new version contains the following enhancements:
Phone Feature Packs – In this release, ‘Phone Provisioning Tokens’ are updated to ‘Phone Feature Packs.’ You must reboot each of your Configured phones if you want to take advantage of the new features:
- Phone Setup
Now you can set an Alternate Host and up to 3 extensions on each phone, and set several new administration options across all phones. (See ‘System Setup > Phone Setup‘)
- Distinctive Ringtones: Administration
Admins can upload system-wide ringtones for use by Configured Polycom phones. Also, two new IVR actions let admins set and remove a ‘hint’ so that extension-owners can set a distinctive ring based on a caller’s IVR selections. (See ‘PBX Features > Distinctive Ringtones‘ and ‘PBX Features > IVR Editor‘)
- Distinctive Ringtones for Extensions (Polycom Only)
Extensions can use system-wide ringtones, or upload their own. They can also create ‘Ring Rules’ that cause their phone to ring differently based on the caller or call-type. (See ‘Settings > Phone Features‘)
- Phone Features (Polycom Only)
Extension-owners can show Extension Profiles on their phone, set the number of line keys that the extension uses, and interact with PBX applications right on the handset. (See ‘Settings > Phone Features‘)
- Phone Features (Polycom and snom)
Extension-owners can customize line labels, auto-answer Switchboard-initiated calls, and disable the missed calls notification. (See ‘Settings > Phone Features‘)
Extension Profiles with Pictures – Phone-type extensions now include a picture, title, and location. This can be edited by the extension-owner (with permission). Profiles are shown in a new Switchboard Panel, and on Polycom phones that have a Phone Feature Pack. (See ‘Extensions > Manage Extensions‘ or ‘Settings > Modify Account‘)
Language Support – The ‘admin’ user, sub-admin users, and extension-owners can each select a language for the PBX’s User Interface. Related sound packs are available. (See ‘Machine Admin > Manage Admins‘ or ‘Settings > Modify Account‘)
PBX Monitoring – A set of SNMP OIDs is now published to monitor the PBX server, phone status, current calls, VOIP providers, and more. (See ‘Machine Admin > Network Settings‘)
Updated Polycom firmware – Most models: SIP 3.2.2 and bootrom 4.2.1 – Discontinued phones (301,501,600,601,4000) do not receive new firmware
Updated snom firmware – 3xx phones: 7.3.30, 820 phone: 8.2.11, 870 phone: 8.3.6
Video Calling - As a result of changes that Polycom, Inc. has made to their VVX 1500 phone, video calling is now available on that phone.
Stay tuned to Chromis.com for a detailed review once we’ve tested this new version on our demo server.
Tags: Asterisk, Auto provision, digium, IT Expo, pbx, Polycom, Snom, Switchvox, Switchvox SMB, Voice over IP, VoIP, VVX 1500
Posted in IT Expo, Polycom, Snom, Switchvox, digium | No Comments »
Monday, November 2nd, 2009
Polycom introduced another phone to round out their entry-level line up this past weekend: The SoundPoint IP 335. I’ve been beta testing this phone for the past 6 weeks and have put it through the paces. And now that it’s been formally introduced, I can tell you my thoughts. (Spoiler Alert: This phone is spot on… They took the IP330/331, and made it right.)
The IP 335 contains all the features of the Polycom SoundPoint IP family that we’ve come to know and love: Polycom quality and looks, Integrated Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, interoperability with leading IP PBX (i.e. Switchvox) and Softswitch platforms, etc, all in an easy to configure package. But wait there’s more…
The IP 335 looks identical to the IP 330/331 but there are some very distinct differences. The first very noticeable difference is the high-resolution backlit display. It’s still not very big (102 x 33 pixels) but for the price (est. $199 MSRP) it’s respectable. The back lighting makes for a display that is much easier to read.
The second thing you’ll notice is the headset port. I have always had a huge hangup about the 2.5mm jacks that come on the IP 320/321/330/331. It really annoyed me that I could outfit an organization with IP450’s, 550’s, and 650’s and if we paired them with a headset, we would have to sell a completely different headset for the low end phones. IT managers hated it as well. Problem solved with the IP 335, it comes with a dedicated RJ-9 headset port with Electronic Hook Switch (EHS) support. To accommodate the smaller form factor the headset and EHS connections are made towards the top of the chassis as seen in the image below.
And lastly, Polycom has made the barrier of entry into the HD Voice arena very low. At the $199 estimated MSRP, there is very little reason not to future proof your telephones on the low end with the IP 335’s support of the G.722 wideband codec commonly known as High Definition Voice.
To really beta test a new piece of hardware like this, I knew I needed to go all the way, so I temporarily retired my IP 650 and replaced it with the IP 335. At first I was a little nervous to lose all my “buttons”. But that quickly subsided once I really started making and receiving calls on the smaller phone. I have a Jabra GN9350e with EHS which I also used to connect to the IP 335. It worked like a gem. EHS connectivity was Polycom/Jabra flawless. HD Voice calls were crisp and clear on our Switchvox server. The only thing I missed was my real time buddy status that I get with my IP 650. But bottom line here is this: I could use this phone everyday. And with a low price tag, a lot of people will do just that.
Here are the highlights of the Polycom SoundPoint IP 335:
- High-resolution backlit, graphical display
- Two-line entry-level phone
- Easy to configure and use
- Integrated Power over Ethernet (PoE) support
- Interoperability with leading IP PBX and Softswitch platforms
- HD Voice support
- XML microbrowser
- Backlit 102 x 33-pixel, grayscale graphical LCD
- Two port 10/100 Ethernet Switch
- Dedicated RJ-9 headset port
Tags: Polycom, Soundpoint, Switchvox, telephone, VoIP
Posted in HD Voice, Polycom, Product Review, Soundpoint IP | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
Grand Canyon Resort Corp (GCR) is the company that oversees Grand Canyon West. Grand Canyon West comprises the Western part of the Grand Canyon in Arizona and is contained within the Hualapai Nation. GCR chose Chromis Technology to install Digium’s Turnkey Asterisk PBX, Switchvox SMB, to create a VoIP solution to connect to remote locations that do not have traditional telephone facilities.
Grand Canyon West is an amazing canyon land that is very close to Laughlin, NV; Kingman, AZ; and Flagstaff, AZ. It is also a reasonably short drive from Las Vegas, NV; Sedona, AZ; and Phoenix, AZ. GCR has multiple attractions in Grand Canyon West including the increasingly famous Skywalk that takes you 70 feet from the rim of the Canyon and suspends you 4,000 feet above the Canyon floor! (Click on any of the images below for the high resolution version in a new window.)
GCR has one Digium AA350 server at their headquarters in Peach Springs, AZ and three AA60 servers at three remote locations. The AA350 has a TE122 card that connects to a local PRI circuit. A satellite connection to each of the remote locations connects each site back to headquarters via IAX trunks and provides a connection to the public telephone network. The G.729 compression codec is used for calls between the servers and G.722 (HD Voice) and G.711 is used for calls internal to each server. In addition to the Digium Switchvox servers, GCR chose Polycom SoundPoint IP telephones.
A big challenge for GCR was connecting those remote facilities. A recently installed a satellite data network from HughesNet is serving up data and voice services to the remote locations. As is common with Satellite data links, excessive latency can wreak havoc on VoIP and make it difficult to have a normal, duplex conversation. GCR appreciates this fact and primarily focuses on providing telephone service to the edge of the Grand Canyon where there is no terrestrial connection to the rest of the world.
Indeed, latency proved to be high, but was often as low as 600ms. Unfortunately the latency results still cause over-talking (when one caller talks before the other caller is finished). The greater problem with the satellite link is jitter, or variation in the delay. During one test the latency varied from 600ms to 1100ms. GCR installed accelerators from Expand Networks to improve the performance over the satellite links.
The latency and jitter fall just outside the range of acceptable, and the delivery of calls is certainly not what we’re used to back in civilization, but by using Digium’s VoIP technology, calls are now being made in and out of Grand Canyon West like they never have before. For more information on how Chromis Technology can help your business leap canyons, give us a call at 602.357.8070 or email us at info@chromis.com.
Tags: AA350, AA60, Asterisk, digium, HD Voice, IAX, pbx, Polycom, PRI, Satellite, SMB 4.0, Soundpoint, Switchvox, Switchvox 4.0, Switchvox SMB, telephone, Voice over IP, VoIP
Posted in Asterisk, HD Voice, Polycom, Switchvox, chromis, digium | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009
While the boys are back in Phoenix working hard, I’ve (chromiszach) been on an Eastern Caribbean cruise sucking back Mai Tai’s and UV rays. I’ve had a great trip so far and have done some really cool stuff including an underwater scooter experience that was out of this world fun. Portions of it were even filmed for an upcoming Travel Channel special with Samantha Brown. Hello world…
My communications have been spotty with the satellite Internet service that the ship has available to its passengers. It only costs $100 for 250 minutes… Such a bargain at $0.40 a minute! I guess I shouldn’t complain… Being able to download my email from the Bermuda Triangle is pretty cool… So now that I’m in a U.S. Port (St. Thomas, U.S.V.I) and I can use my AT&T cellular wifi without much penalty, here are couple of things that have hit my mailbox that are worth talking about since I’ve been gone:
Switchvox 4.0 was scheduled to be released today… We’re told that it will be the end of March before it’s available for current customers to download. I personally can’t wait to make some HD Voice phone calls on my Polycom phone.
Speaking of Switchvox, Digium has announced their “Telecom Stimulus Package”. Anyone who purchases a Switchvox appliance with SMB software and at least 20 subscriptions between March 1st and April 30th 2009 can receive up to a $1000 rebate! Here’s how it breaks down, buy Switchvox SMB with 20 Silver Subscriptions: get a $500 rebate. Switchvox SMB with 20 Gold Subscriptions will earn you $750 back, buy 20 Platinum Subscriptions: $1,000 rebate. Now that’s a stimulus package we can get behind. Click here for full details.
Well I won’t be back stateside until March 10th, which is a week away. I hope to have a killer tan and much more to update you on by then. In the meantime, you may hear from the some more of the Chromis team on some other interesting things happening in the VoIP world… Until then I’ll try not to spontaniously combust in the sun while maintaining my Mai Tai buzz.
Tags: Asterisk, digium, HD Voice, Polycom, Switchvox, Switchvox 4.0, Voice over IP, VoIP
Posted in Switchvox, digium | No Comments »
Friday, February 6th, 2009
So I don’t have time to get into great editorial detail, but I want to break down the new features of Switchvox 4.0… Keep in mind that I’m only talking about the new features that they have added, you still get the same amazing features it had before…
In short, the new version includes integrated faxing, video calling support, and XMPP open source IM/chat/presence, introductory API support, IMAP integration for voicemail, a new Windows desktop client, IP phone autoconfig for snom and Polycom phones, and BRI support. Here are the nitty-gritty details from the press release:
- Fax integration-Users can send and receive faxes quickly and easily via Switchvox.
- Video calling-Switchvox supports video phones that use the codec standards H.263 and H.264.
- Instant messaging-Switchvox includes a private chat server that uses the widely adopted, open XMPP protocol. The Switchvox Switchboard offers a Chat Panel, or users can select their favorite XMPP-based client.
- Centralized presence-Presence and status details for call and chat activity are visible across multiple peered Switchvox PBXs.
- Web-aware interactive voice response (IVR) tools-Switchvox includes many new IVR functions for building custom applications. These sophisticated tools include exchanging sound files with web applications, setting system-wide variables and more.
- Unified messaging enhancements-IMAP integration provides a standards-based solution for voicemail and faxes. Also, users can customize multiple greetings and e-mail notifications optimized for display on a wide range of devices.
- Organized phonebooks-Employees can organize their contacts into groups and keep multiple phone numbers for each contact. Also, a company directory panel uses type-to-find to help users find extensions quickly for any of their coworkers.
- Call queue improvements-Small businesses and call centers alike will benefit from the ability to log into, log out of and pause a member’s status on each queue with a single click, and even add comments that are displayed to supervisors or other queue members.
- Switchvox Notifier-A Windows desktop client provides interaction with MS Office applications. Pop-up notifications show incoming caller details and call history, and one-click options let users quickly add Outlook contacts and dial phone numbers.
- Switchvox Extend-An XML-based API lets administrators create new extensions and access call logs, reports and extension lists.
- Auto-provisioning snom IP phones-Switchvox offers automatic configuration of VoIP phones manufactured by snom technology and Polycom.
- G.722 support-Switchvox now supports the G.722 protocol which is commonly reffered to as “HD Voice”. This is high-quality wideband audio delivered with the same bandwidth required as a G.711 call.
Switchvox SMB 4.0 is available free of charge to customers with a current Switchvox SMB software subscription. For new customers, pricing for Switchvox SMB remains unchanged. That’s all the time I have for now but stay tuned for what we at Chromis Technology think are the highlights of the new release.
Tags: Asterisk, auto configure, digium, pbx, Polycom, Snom, Switchvox, Switchvox SMB, Voice over IP, VoIP
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, February 4th, 2009
After a lack of time and an annoyance with my iPhone and the Wordpress application, I decided to just give a general wrap up of yesterday’s events…
I was able to catch the tail end of the Service Provider Roundtable moderated by Andy Abramson. Companies participating in the discussion were Packet8, Broadvox, Telefonica, TW Telecom, and MagicJack.
So my first real session of the day was the keynote session with John Frederiksen General Manager of Microsoft’s Response Point, and Digium CEO, Danny Windham. The hourlong keynote was split into two half hour speeches about each company’s take on the current VoIP market. While John was interesting to listen to and made some fascinating points, I was more interested in hearing what Danny had to say about the current state of Asterisk.
Then the show floor opened and I waded through the over 150 exhibitors. One of the standouts was Snom (who Switchvox has now added to their Auto provisioning feature in their 4.0 release.) The Snom Snow edition phones are definitely different and caught my eye. I was able to get my hands on a Snom 820 so expect a review in the near future.
I had a firsthand demo from Cashton Coleman from IonLogix. He showed me the inner workings of their Phone Manager 2008 platform. His blog is a great read and I think he has a fascinating take on the Asterisk world.
I also took a look at the AdTran TA900 gateway’s. They can be used to provide SIP trunks to legacy PBX systems. The system will convert SIP to PRI that the legacy system can speak hence “VoIPifying” the legacy system…
I bumped into Mitchel Constantin (who you may remember as the developer of “Snap A Number” which Digium bought from him last year) while at the Switchvox 4.0 overview given by Switchvox’s Tristan Deganhardt. Mitchel’s new company, Weavver, is doing some interesting things in the Asterisk space. Stay tuned for news and products that Weavver is now currently developing and testing. I can’t talk about it publicly, but he is on to something…
Shortly before the show closed I attended a “Bullseye routing” demo given by Interactive Intelligence. Now what caught my eye here is the award in the picture. “Best SMB Solution” was what it read… SMB Solution? There is nothing SMB about Interactive Intelligence and their solution. They don’t pretend to be SMB and will always claim to be an enterprise solution. I asked one of the InIn folks and she wasn’t sure what that was all about but would look into it. I even approached TMC’s Greg Galitzine about it and he told me he’d look into it. Greg I’m going to hold you to that and expect a response… 
So that was Day 2. I’m heading over for Day 3 and hitting the airport this afternoon. Hopefully I win that Jeep they’re giving away.
-chromiszach
Tags: Adtran, Asterisk, auto configure, Auto provision, Cash Coleman, Cashton Coleman, conference, counterpath, CX200, Danny Windham, digium, EHS, Electronic Hook Switch, eyebeam, GN Netcom, Headset, Interactive Intelligence, IonLogix, Jabra, Jabra EHS, Microsoft Response Point, Mitchel Constantin, pbx, Phone Manager 2008, Polycom, Polycom EHS, Snap A number, Snom, Sound Station, SoundStation, Switchvox, Switchvox Provisioning Tokens, telephone, Voice over IP, VoIP, Weavver
Posted in Asterisk, Awards, General, IT Expo, digium | 2 Comments »
