Small Business PBX made easy
Just finished a small office PBX installation using MyPBX, 4 analogue lines and some SIP handsets.
Install of the unit was fairly straight forward, you configure the networking, set up the extensions, and you are done. Some additional time was spent on setting up the incoming routes, voice mail, etc.
The only tricky part was setting up the SIP extensions. I used a combination of SNOM, Budgetone and Planet handsets. The Planet VIP cordless phones appeared great on paper, but are rather disappointing in real life. They are tiny, the screens are hard to read and the background wallpapers cannot be switched off.
To make matters worse, the Planet cordless extensions appears rather sluggish, taking up to 5 seconds to initiate an inter extension call, and these handsets keeps ringing for at least 3 seconds once another extension in the ring group picks up the call. To add further insult to injury, they do not seem able to display the caller id.
Overall the MyPBX is a great PBX, packed with all the features a small business would need, including call logging, intelligent least cost routing, supports analogue and sip extensions, sip trunks, etc. The web based admin interface is easy to use, and the interface is very similar to proper asterisk implementations like FreePBX.
From a infrastructure perspective the unit is compact, low power and has a low heat signature. It can easily be run of a small UPS and be locked away in a rack. Great advantage over larger PC based installations using asterisk on Linux.
Performance and general usability is great, with no loss in call quality. The MyPBX can be upgraded to 8 FXO and 8 FXS ports, and can support up to 50 SIP extensions. Out of the box it comes with 4 FXO ports, making it ideal for small businesses. At only R 3,200 from Scoop it is also a bargain!
I will definitely be using this product again, but will make sure not to use the Planet VIP handsets next time.
Update: I have since the initial installation managed to configure a SIP trunk between the MyPBX unit and a remote Asterisk server, allowing for pure IP based inter-branch calls. Again the setup was fairly painless, with the MyPBX unit allowing the incoming and outgoing routing via any of its trunks to be as flexible as you need it to be.
Hi and welcome to my corner of the world.
Imel, thanks for sharing the review with the MyPBX, I agree best of breed ie Snom and possibly the Atcom and then the Grandstream VoIP phones.
Did you have an issue with Busy, Offhook and on hook conditions and releasing the line after a call and making it available.Is the web interface pretty much like FreePBX ?
Hi Justin, interface is similar to FreePBX. Only issue is getting to debug logging, haven’t yet figured out how to.
As to busy, off-hook and on-hook, all works like a charm. Only real issue is the dodgy Planet VIP handsets. Can you recommend a decent VOIP cordless handset?
Imel, I am setting up a small office in the Garden Route and are very interested using MyPBX.
Please confirm that MyPBX handles both old Telephone lines as well as VoIP with the same let’s say Snom instrument.
Hi Johan, that is exactly how I did this installation. I used 4 existing “old” analogue lines (one is also an ADSL line) and combined it with new VOIP based SIP handsets, including an SNOM 300 handset.
You can also add a SIP trunk to route some outbound calls via VOIP, usefull for overseas numbers, inter branch calls, etc.
If you buy additional FXS modules you will be able to plug your “old” analogue handsets into the system as extensions as well.
Shout if you need help setting it up.
Hi Imel, Thanks for the info.
Currently We have 5 Branches, PE and Durban soon to be opened:
Cape Town – Admin HQ – 6 (max 8 ) old analogue hunting lines with Hymax 32I system 16 extensions 4096Kb adsl circuit Connection.
Cape Town – Developers – 1 old analogue Line – 512Kb adsl circuit Connection
Centurion – One old analogue Line – 512Kb adsl circuit Connection.
Mossel Bay – New Support Call Center – 2 old analogue Lines – 4096Kb adsl circuit Connection.
Hartenbos – Management – One old analogue Line – 4096Kb adsl circuit Connection.
Is it correct if i want VoIP between the Branches i would need.
5 – MyPBX units one for each branch to enable VoIP between branches
5 – SNOM 300 Handset
FXS modules – for all say 20 staff to enable Voip on old handsets
Hi Johan, your logic seems fine, but you will need to expand the unit in CT to accommodate more than the default 4 FXO modules.
I have successfully linked a MyPBX unit to a standard asterisk server installation, allowing inter branch calls, and from my experimenting the same would be possible with multiple MyPBX units.
Hi Imel, does it support IAX2 protocol or just SIP ?
So SIP trunking works well for a Inter-branch MyPBX
Thanks for sharing and I really enjoy the time you take to write this reviews
I have learned alot of new stuff from you already
Keep it up.
Hi Justin, sadly it does not support AIX trunks, but the only downside of using SIP trunks for inter-branch connections is the extra NAT requirements.
One minor issue with incoming trunks is that you cannot use the DID number to define trunk rules. You can however use the CID number and trunk source itself in the rules.
Hi Imel, i was wondering if you would offer me some advice.
I have setup a trixbox system (basically free pbx), i have added all the extensions and setup the phones to work and call each other within my network.
Thinking i was going to use a SIP trunk for all my call requirements as its a home based business, i purchases a Sip account from vox and tried configuring it as a trunk for trixbox(incoming and outgoing) however i cannot seem to get it working. Another person told me to try changing the current g722 codec to the g729 codec and thats the problem, however could that cause the trunk to be non functional?
Thanks! – let me know if you would be able to shed some light on my situation.
Hi Chriestoff, sip trunks on trixbox (and any other asterisk implementation) should work out of the box. Vox based sip trunks should work without issue.
Do you have anything in your asterisk log file that can shed light on why it does not work?
Does the trunk connect? Can you establish calls but do not hear anything? Does the calls not route properly?
Without knowing more I would suggest that the issue is most likely network related, as this is where I have seen most SIP issues. SIP uses NAT and dynamic ports, requiring you open up a host of ports on your ADSL router at home to allow the incoming connections. If your router is not configured correctly you will have endless connectivity issues.
If you supply a bit more details I might be able to pinpoint the issue.
Hi Imel.
The latest firmware 1.0.1.9 from scoopdistribution website (http://www.scoopdistribution.co.za/product_info.php?products_id=838) has IAX2 option. I have tried to set it up but can only get one way calls. mypbx can call asterisk but not visa versa. Any suggestions on how to get it working both ways would be great. I can send my freepbx and mypbx configs.
One can SSH into mypbx using putty or similar. root password is ys123456
for debugging
lastly I would really recommend any nokia phone with sip stack. Nokia E51 works really well as a mobile voip option. Just need to set the realm to MyPBX for it to register.
Hi Imel,
We are looking to purchase and use the unit to replace our old PBX system. At the moment it will be a straight replacement,with no SIP extensions.
We will need to upgrade to 8 x FX0 and 8 x FXS. How is this done with this unit? Is it a hardware installation,or software?
No information regarding this is provided on the scoop
Hi Imran, the additional fxo and fxs modules are hardware that needs to be plugged into the inside of the unit.
The girls at scoop should be able to give you the details.
Regards
Imel
Just upgraded this particular unit to V1.0.2 of the firmware.
It fixed a bug with voicemails not being reliably emailed and now also includes IAX for external trunks.
Got an IAX trunk configured to my asterisk PBX and overall the unit seems to perform well.
New firmware is available from this link: http://www.yeastar.com/download/MyPBX/
Hi Imel. Would you mind sharing your config settings for the IAX trunk particularly on the asterisk side. I have had one running for a while but it only works one way for me ie call from mypbx to asterisk works but unable to call from asterisk to mypbx . Probably some incorrect setting on asterisk. ?
thanks again
Hi Rory, do you have an incoming route on the MyPBX that forwards the calls form the IAX trunk to your ring groups?
I set it up on the Asterisk side as an AIX extension, not trunk. If I dial the extension on the asterisk side it auto rings on the MyPBX side, using the ring group and incoming route mentioned above.
One the MyPBX side I have an outbound route to route specific extension ranges to the IAX trunk. since the extension ranges do not overlap between asterisk and mypbx it means I can directly dial any asterisk extension from the mypbx, but it is more limited the other way. In my case I am happy to ring the “main” extension or ring group on mypbx from asterisk only.
Hope this helps.
Hi Imel. I work for a Non-Profit Organisation in Duiwelskloof in the Limpopo and we would like to install a Virtual PBX System. I have the following software: Teksip (http://www.teksip.com) and a SIP Gateway (D-Link VG5402SP) as well as Sedna DECT wireless PSTN / VoIP 2 in 1 phones (www.sednacomputer.com). We have one incoming/outgoing PTSN line (with loads of free minutes per month). We have a strong wireless network on the property with 5 computers (extensions). The wireless phones are not strong enough to reach from one end of the network to the other, so I figured to run them as IP Phones through Teksip so that you can route the intercom calls through the network. I don’t need to make calls on the net. All calls must go through the network and then through the gateway onto the PTSN line. Incoming calls must be able to be routed via the network to the required extension. Will you be able to help me to get this working please? I would appreciate any help I can get. Thank you. Theo (015) 309-9744
Hi Theo, your setup sounds simple enough. I will gladly assist where required.
What PBX hardware did you have in mind?
You can now also consider the just released Yeastar MyPBX SOHO (http://www.scoopdistribution.co.za/product_info.php?products_id=967)
Hi Imel, thank you the assistance. I was under the impression that the D-Link hardware that I bought would be sufficient – (http://www.d-link.co.za/dvg-5402SP.php).
yes, looks like the dlink router will do the job.
hi guys, can someone assist in suitable PBX for my start up virtual office business. i want to start small, where I have a professional receptionist answering calls for clients in their company names and forward the calls to then or take a massage.
thanks in advance
Hi, this is fairly easy to do but I suggest using full blown asterisk as you need to plug in a “pop up” tool that pops up on the receptionist’s pc to show her in what name to answer the call.
thanks, can you direct me where to go so as to get a quote. thanks
Hi Bops, I can assist with this task, as I have a setup like you describe running at my virtual office business.
Send me a message with your location and project details using the Contact tab at the top of this site.
Hi,
This is great, informative article. I’ve heard that VOIP quality differs significantly depending on the service provider. Can anyone recommend one with a good reputation?
Much thanks,
Simon
Sorry, one other thing. Can the MyPBX with it’s IVR and call waiting etc functions do this for VOIP phones connected to the same ethernet network? Would you just configure the phone to use the MyPBX as the VOIP server?
Sorry if it’s a simple question, new to the know VOIP thing so trying to learn fast!
Thanks…
Hi Simon, give Connection Telecom in Cape Town a try, speak to Steve or Rob.
Their voip gateway is great and reliable.
Yes, SIP handsets on the same LAN logs into the MyPBX to gain the functionality of the PBX.
Hi Imel
I recently purchased a MyPBX SOHO from Scoop. After setup and with both VoIP lines registered with my provider (Telfree) I can phone extensions OK and get incoming calls OK. I’m having trouble making outbound calls though – It keeps on telling me “all circuits are busy now”.
I am using the G.729 CODEC as required by Telfree. That specific CODEC is not included (licensed) with the SOHO edition but I have bought one some time ago and installed it on the SOHO
I’m fairly new to VoIP and any help will be appreciated
Hi Imel,
Hope you can help? I am having a similar problem to Otto and searching the internet pretty much brings up your site all the time.
I can however dial out. Just not to a VOIP Trunk I have setup for to use skype. I keep on getting the same error about “all circuits are busy now”
Using skype I have linked an account and an online number. When “dialling” the account name via skype. myPBX redirects the calls perfectly. However when dialling the new online number i have bought. It just gets a busy tone. From the skype log it seems as if the number is reaching myPBX and then dropping?
Do you have any advice, or perhaps know who I can phone in Gauteng?
Hi Imel,
As per a previous post, I am going to add to this WRT outgoing calls on SIP trunks. I have now done 2 installations with one Standard and one SOHO MyPBX. On both sites, I cannot get SIP working outbound. Inbound fine, PBX reports trunk registered but I also get the “all circuits are busy” error. On both Sites I have implemented Atcom 620P handsets that have a second SIP account, when I use this and enter the SIP details directly , thereby bypassing the PBX, the trunk works fine so this rules out firewall issues. No sure if the Atcom is using UPNP to dynamically open F/W ports, however when putting the mypbx on a DMZ it still does not work
Any help appreciated
Hi Imel
I was very interested in your article on the MyPBX installation. We’re interested in supplying one of these to a client. Do you know anyone in Cape Town that can set up the MyBPX for us?
It’s a hybrid environment, mostly analog migrating to IP later. It will sit infront of a gateway connected into a a VOIP service.
Thanks
Allan
Hi Allan, not sure who in Cape town could assist you. I would suggest asking Abby at Scoop whom they would suggest.
Also note that there is now a newer model of the MyPBX out that supports ISDN and GSM connections as well.
See here
Regards
Imel
HI Imel,
I have MyPbx V3 and need to configure skype out to call skype users from my sip base extension. Any idea please.
Regadrs
iNAM
Hi
Is it possible to connect an overhead PA to the MyPBX and how?
can same one let me know ,i have connected Mypbx system with Injector Hub and switch and UPS ,but problem is when we have Power Failure all system went down ,so what to do even there is no power atleast all the telephone will work….please help to find the Solution.