RE: Asterisk line in/out cards

["James Hoye" <yahoo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I'm (slowly) getting all the bits together for my HA setup (just need
> a house to put it all in now).  I have recently been looking at
> setting up an Asterisk (linux based) PBX.

Snap!!!
At the risk of starting a stampede, I've just had delievered
http://www.ebuyer.com/qf.html?id=50562
 You will need the PSU as they're not
supplied.

> I can find cards for the incoming line on ebay for about £17.00, but
> the card for the extensions (the wildcard TDM400P) is not something I
> can find.  I have looked on the Asterisk website and a single card is
> $305!!!  At that rate it would be cheaper to buy one from BT!
>
> So, are there any alternatives to this card or anywhere that sells
> them at a reasonable price?

Digium (http://www.digium.com) offer
several kits to developers (limited to
one per developer).

You will need a FXO card to bring the incoming analogue line into Asterisk,
and a FXS card if you wish to support analogue extensions.

They do a kit that is based on the TDM400P which comprises one FXO and one
FXS module.  http://www.digium.com/index.php?menu=devkit-fxofxs
This has the advantage of only occupying one PCI slot (rather than the two
that would be required for separate FXO and FXS cards).

TelAppliant are UK suppliers (others may be available - I've not used any
of
them yet) and should be offering the combined FXO/FXS package in "the
next
few weeks".  If you just want the FXO card (X100P) then they have that
for
£60 here
http://www.voiptalk.org/products/product_info.php?cPath=21_24&products_id=33

I'm just about to buy a M10000 mini ITX board, Venus case and 512 DDR from
LinITX (who I can recommend) as a hardware platform.

James H