Re-using analog extension wiring

[gbrown100]

I am looking into replacing an old Samsung phone system with 3CX in a country house. We're talking about 10-15 handsets all connected using standard telco wire and sockets going back to a DP.

Can anyone recommend a gateway that'll let me patch into the DP directly (if possible) or otherwise one I can make up a patch cord for that plays nicely with 3CX and will allow me to create them all as addressable extensions?

Thanks

Graham

 

[Evolute IT]

A FXS gateway could work, but why not run new Cat6 cables and stick to VoIP instead of changing a system for no good reason? (analog is still analog and sucks.)

 

[gbrown100]

A FXS gateway could work, but why not run new Cat6 cables and stick to VoIP instead of changing a system for no good reason? (analog is still analog and sucks.)

Massive country house, big thick walls, listed building, cables plastered into the walls, owners that would rather not have new cables or any need to redecorate.

 

[Evolute IT]

Massive country house, big thick walls, listed building, cables plastered into the walls, owners that would rather not have new cables or any need to redecorate.

Use the existing cables to run new ones like a fish. It's much easier than opening walls. Unless the cables are literally IN the plaster?

 

[gbrown100]

Use the existing cables to run new ones like a fish. It's much easier than opening walls. Unless the cables are literally IN the plaster?

IN the plaster

 

[Evolute IT]

IN the plaster

Oh boy.

Wi-Fi? Not the best but better than analog.

Otherwise, an FXS gateway like Patton or Grandstream will be the way to do.

 

[Saqqara]

List of supported FXS devices - https://www.3cx.com/sip-phones/ - down towards the bottom of the page

 

[gbrown100]

Oh boy.

Wi-Fi? Not the best but better than analog.

Otherwise, an FXS gateway like Patton or Grandstream will be the way to do.

Big thick walls, mansion, no desire to run cables means WiFi is tricky. It works there but it's not complete coverage in all areas and there's a lot of meshing going on (UniFi). The only saving grace is they're not expecting to roam around the rooms but it will introduce the requirement to have a power socket next to each phone and doubles the amount of cables... Believe me if I could find a way around it I would but genuinely this time I think a gateway is probably best, at least until the property is passed on to the new generation and we can slip in a refit!

 

[gbrown100]

List of supported FXS devices - https://www.3cx.com/sip-phones/ - down towards the bottom of the page

Yeah, I saw them, really hoping for recommendations. I mean the Grandstream ones look good price wise and are easy to get hold of but how reliable are they? Are we talking once a month reboot, variable quality, niggles or on the whole are the pretty good?

 

[Evolute IT]

Yeah, I saw them, really hoping for recommendations. I mean the Grandstream ones look good price wise and are easy to get hold of but how reliable are they? Are we talking once a month reboot, variable quality, niggles or on the whole are the pretty good?

Patton and Grandstream's gateways are very solid. Make sure to stick to a supported model, this way they take 5min to setup.

 

[Saqqara]

If the FXS does not have enough analogue ports, you can have more than one unit connected to 3CX.

 

[gbrown100]

So it looks like the Grandstream GXW4216 will do exactly what I need then. Has the RJ21 port that allows me to connect back to the DP with a suitable cable, up to 16 analogue connections and the like. Perfect!

 

[perfect-touch]

How many cores in the existing telephone cabling? Twisted pair? You may be able to get 100mbps network connection depending on cable length (100mbps only requires two pairs).

 

[gbrown100]

How many cores in the existing telephone cabling? Twisted pair? You may be able to get 100mbps network connection depending on cable length (100mbps only requires two pairs).

Hmmn, can't remember, 4 pair telco maybe but who knows if there are joints, damage to sheath or the gauge is sooo low that PoE could cause it to melt... Using anything other than cat5e or above scares the living wotsits out of me

 

[perfect-touch]

You didn't mention PoE I don't think... but I agree. don't do this with PoE enabled