INSTALLATION
Our NBX 100 test system arrived along with three IP phones. The unit has
five universal card slots and one call-processor card slot. The universal
card slots can be used to add various configurations of extensions and
trunks. The NBX 100 supports up to 200 devices with a maximum of 100 CO
lines (analog or digital), 200 voice mailboxes, 150 phantom mailboxes, 12
voice mail/automated attendant ports, and 80 hours of storage. Our test unit
was equipped with an analog line card, 10-Base-T hub card, and the call
processor, all of which were installed in the chassis upon its arrival.
It was obvious 3Com had done a small bit of pre-configuration prior to
shipping the NBX to us, as the system was practically ready for use out of
the box. After powering up the NBX, connecting the uplink on the call
processor to an office hub, and putting together and powering up the phones,
the system was almost ready for use. Since we were having a small problem
using HyperTerminal to access the box, we opted to utilize 3Com’s NetSet
Administration utility. After changing the IP address of a local PC to a
number within range of the NBX, we were able to log on to the Web-based
administration utility and configure the phone system to run on our network
settings. This was all done without referencing the documentation, and was
completed in less than 10 minutes.
Noticing that three extensions were configured in the administration GUI,
we assumed all that would be necessary concerning setup was plugging the
phones into a hub or directly into the systems 10Base-T hub card. We guessed
that the system would recognize the phone’s MAC address and append the
device information stored with its ID. We plugged in the phones and waited
to see what would happen. As we thought, each phone was assigned an
extension along with default configuration information. Time, date, and
extension were displayed on the phone’s LCD; lifting the receiver
initiated dial tone.
We then also deleted all of the pre-configured device information and
tested the system from the standpoint of installing a completely new piece
of hardware from scratch. 3Com’s NBX has a feature called Auto Discovery
that detects all applicable devices upon installation and assigns each a
voice mailbox. Though we were shipped three IP phones with the demo unit and
all of them were pre-configured, as a test we deleted the device
configuration and user properties of a several station sets thereby removing
them from the system. After disconnecting both the power and LAN connection
and re-introducing the two, Auto Discovery did exactly what it was supposed
to do. The Device Configuration window listed the new devices as extension
#103 and #104 respectively; new extensions were denoted with an asterisk,
but also showed that a user had not yet been assigned. We found this to make
installation especially simple.
FEATURES
PBX
The NBX 100 runs on a Wind River VxWorks platform and offers both auto
attendant and voice mail in addition to full PBX functionality. Embedded
Virtual Tie Line services allow networking between sites or other 3Com phone
systems, while the system also has add-on H.323 gateway support. The NBX 100
also supports FXS/FXO lines; T1/PRI, E1/PRI, ISDN BRI-ST; had embedded TAPI
service including TAPIWAVE for audio transport, and a TAPIDIALER. The system
supports NBX IP phones, 2500 series compatible analog devices including
cordless phones, fax machines, night bells, door ringers, and the pcXset
soft phone. The NBX 100 has Web-based management, CDRs, and a software-based
auto attendant. Both the Admin and User guides are embedded within the
system. The NBX 100 also offers an optional Ethernet Power Source (EPS)
providing phone power via its Ethernet connection. Open architecture
supports QoS, CTI integration, and IMAP 4 support.
1102 IP Phone
The 1102 includes a 10Base-T hub port and a two-line, 16-character LCD
display with three soft keys. The phone has 18 programmable buttons, ten
feature buttons, LEDs, and an external AC power brick. It’s capable of
call transfer, redial, speaker, conference, hold, voice mail access, voice
mail forwarding, DHCP support, dial-by-name, and other functions. The NBX
business phones feature embedded DSP intelligence, and are capable of
operating as standalone VoIP phones. The phones are also equipped with
browser-based administration.
Auto Attendant and Voice Mail
The Embedded Multi-Auto Attendant and voice mail support multiple languages.
Additionally voice mail supports IMAP services and find-me messaging
capabilities.
OPERATIONAL TESTING
Administration
The NBX administrative interface got very high marks, not only because of
its Web-based administration capability, but also for its intuitive design.
In addition to its command-line, serial interface as an alternate avenue for
configuration, the NBX offers a very comprehensive administrative GUI, which
provides IT personnel with the all the tools necessary to maintain and
quickly make system changes. In fact, after getting past the logon and
reaching the main menu, the GUI segments different areas of the system very
clearly, and also offers embedded user and administration guides. The “Tab
To It” GUI provides a comprehensive view of the administration floor plan,
allowing phone managers to quickly find the correct area to apply changes or
configuration. Consider the “Tab To It” GUI as a sort of Windows
Explorer for the NBX.
The user configuration is fast and allows for easy additions and
subtractions from the system. Additionally, the phones can be moved from one
area or office to another without having to reconfigure them or adapt any
user information. After connecting a telephone, the unit is assigned an
extension based on its MAC address. The administrator will need to know the
MAC address to configure the device according to its user. From the End User
interface, admin can add new users to hunt groups, call-pickup groups, and
add them to class of service (COS) groups as well. All extensions are
assigned to the default Class of Service group until changed by the
administrator. Though it was simple enough to add users to a certain COS,
when initially populating the system this can get a bit tedious if it’s
necessary to add large groups of people to several different service
classes. We were hoping for some drag-and-drop functionality or some other
way to migrate users in masses to specific service classes as opposed to
individually.
End User
End users have access to the NetSet Web GUI for phone programming as well.
After users assign a password to their voice mailbox, they can access the
Web GUI to make changes or personalize their settings. Their extension is
the default username, and the voice mail password is also the NetSet
password. The NetSet GUI lets users view their call permissions, program the
speed dial at their extension, log into a hunt group with the correct
password, and access call forwarding features. End users also have the
advantages of viewing the company phone directory, downloading the phone’s
user guide (.PDF) and TAPI client, or accessing the online Quick Reference
Phone guide. An end user can also set notification preferences. Called “Off-Site
Notification” the NBX provides an interface for end users to receive
notification that someone is attempting to reach them when out of the office
during business hours (or anytime, if they choose). The feature allows
notification via numeric pager as well as e-mail notification (if
integrated).
The Soft Phone
The soft phone, called pcXset, is actually a function-packed replica of the
NBX Business Phone. The phone residing on a user’s desktop, “Is ideally
suited for a business traveler with a laptop,” according to one 3Com
representative. Obviously aimed at eliminating the learning curve of
operating another device linked to the NBX phone system, 3Com decided to
mirror the Business Phone’s appearance and functionality, including the
remote phone capability in the soft phone as well. The soft phone has a
simple configuration wizard attached to it, guiding end users through its
NetMeeting-like set-up procedure. A point-and-click type of device, the
pcXset also has the same programmable feature buttons and speed dial buttons
as the Business Phones. Click on any of the white tabs and a name can be
typed on the label next to a given button. Using the soft phone with a good
headset provided high-quality voice transmission and reception on our LAN.
The 1102 Business Phone As A Standalone VoIP Phone
3Com’s IP business telephones: The 1102, the second generation 2102, the
2102-IR, and the 2101 all have the capability to turn a home office or an
offsite location into a virtual NBX extension via an Ethernet connection.
The phones provide the same functionality whether connected on a LAN or via
the Internet; either way they still rely on the NBX for call switching.
However, since our test facility suffers from NAT issues when it comes to
connecting internal audio devices to other devices via the Internet, the
only way we could certify this functionality was to bring a Business Phone
over to the location of our Internet gateway and circumvent the firewall
completely. That is, since we weren’t able to open TCP port 1040 and UDP
ports 2093-2096 on our firewall, the firewall had to be bypassed in order to
achieve successful remote extension status.
Without the DHCP service to assign our phone an address, we had to choose
one from our ISP provider’s address pool. The phone is capable of
accepting both a static and dynamically assigned IP address. In addition to
the IP address, subnet, and gateway, the IP address of the host NBX phone
system is also necessary. After entering all of the information via the
phone’s keypad and LCD screen, the NBX system (in Southern California)
recognized our 1102 IP phone in Norwalk, CT. The LCD (after about 30
seconds) displayed the phone’s extension: 325, along with the date and
Pacific Time.
The receiver offered a dial tone, so we dialed the extension of a 3Com
engineer using that NBX system. Voice quality was very good, though we did
detect hints of audio artifacting at times. All the same features available
to the phone on a LAN are available to it via the Internet: Hold, Transfer,
Conference, Call Park, Directory Dialing, etc… A quick “tracert”
command revealed the packets traveling between our office and 3Com’s SoCal.
office were making 17 hops before reaching the NBX system on the 18th jump.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
Overall we thought the 3Com NBX was an excellent value for the price, and
additionally offered a hefty feature set. However, a few small things were
noted we thought may be improved upon. Though it’s a small issue, the
phone’s buttons weren’t as sensitive to the touch as some other phones
we’ve tested. At times, we had to press the same keypad several times
before it appeared on the LCD. Automatic call distribution is not a part of
the NBX 100 system, though it can be added through the 3COM Call Center
solution. Similarly, voice mail screening doesn’t come with the system,
though it too can be obtained via the NBX Unified Communications package.
And lastly, 3Com has an Ethernet in-line power add-on, however their
solution doesn’t support the 802.3af standard at present.
CONCLUSION
The NBX 100 performed well in all of our tests. We liked the system’s ease
of setup (especially the Auto Detection feature) and ease of use, while
still managing to deliver a powerful feature set. Web-based management is
always a positive, allowing administrators to access the phone system from
just about anywhere; adopting the same Web-based phone management for
end-users only adds to the system’s usability. The pcXset and Business
Phone’s standard feature as remote IP extensions additionally adds value
to the already-reasonable price point because a separate device is not
needed for a standalone IP phone with the NBX system — all devices can be
configured as remote extensions. Though the unit uses 3Com’s proprietary
voice protocol, it has the ability to add standard H.323 gateway
functionality if need be. The system provides a range of services that seem
to suit a SMB very well. Aside from a few minor “would haves,” the NBX
100 is right on.
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