Toshiba Phone System

What all does it take (software and hardware) to link phone systems?

I want to link the phone systems of my two remote offices to the head office. They are all in different cities. So far through research I have discovered VOIP over a VPN how exactly does this get done? What software/hardware is needed? I am sure I could just call up a company to come do this for me, but it is not of great importance and I would like to keep the cost low. Do it my self.

Public Comments

1. contact Vonage they will be able to do this for you at a relatively low cost.
2. Normally a PBX system is installed in a large office like; Avaya or Nortel Meridian...etc These systems are facilitated by leased trunks from your Telco, depending on how many lines are needed, anywhere from a few T1's to an Optical Carrier transport system. With the right type of system you could implement PBX to IP migration to interconnect these local PBX systems into a interconnected PBX utilizing WAN connections. There are also fully integrated VoIP services via IPBX -Most of these systems have the same or similar features to their PBX counterparts. Many have enhanced features, such as integrating voice mail with e-mail, or the other enhanced features that computer telephony integration can provide. However let me warn you upfront, while consumer VoIP services like Vonage utilize existing broadband services like Cable and ADSL, these types of user access lines will not work with a IPBX. This technology is dependent on SONET and ATM optical carrier transport infrastructure, meaning you would need at least a OC3 connection (3 DS3's on optical carrier) to interface the WAN access gateway at each location requiring a IPBX system. Your talking about multiple phone calls, free lines, Email, System data, etc ...over basically one access system, thats alot of bandwidth! You may want to investigate A hosted PBX system delivers PBX functionality as a service, available over the Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN) and/or the internet. Hosted PBXs are typically provided by the telephone company, using equipment located in the premises of the telephone company's exchange. This means the customer organisation doesn't need to buy or install PBX equipment (generally the service is provided by a lease agreement) and the telephone company can (in some configurations) use the same switching equipment to service multiple PBX hosting accounts.