The NEC NEAX IPXDM (DM=Distributed Model) is pretty unique
in it�s approach to designing an IP-PBX. Unlike many of the IP-PBXs in
this article, utilizing NEC�s IPXDM system does not require you to deploy
a 100 percent pure VoIP environment right away. You can insert Time Division
Multiplexing (TDM) cards into one of the 12 available slots and use
traditional (non-VoIP) digital NEC telephones if you aren�t yet ready to
deploy VoIP. Then, when your organization is prepared for VoIP, you can
simply insert an Ethernet card that provides 32 Ethernet phone ports. We
should mention that the NEAX 2400 IPX has the same features and functions as
the NEAX IPXDM, but more card slots.
TMC Labs certainly liked the fact that the NEAX IPXDM can
support a �hybrid� network with traditional digital/analog switching,
IP/TDM switching and pure peer-to-peer IP switching, which means the users
can continue to utilize their existing equipment while they phase in IP
telephony. In addition, NEC claims they are the first to support �peer-to-peer
calling� on their IP-PBX platform.
The NEAX IPXDM is very modular, supporting three different
kinds of interface cards that can be mixed and matched according to your
needs. These cards include: TDM (digital and analog stations), IP (Ethernet
phones), and peer-to-peer station and trunk interfaces. Peer-to-peer
switching means the stations participating in a call are connected directly
to each other through the IP network. The voice signals travel through the
IP network but do not �go through� the switch as they do in traditional
telephony. TDM cards range from four ports to 30 ports, depending on the
function; the Ethernet Phone card provides 32 ports, and the Peer-to-Peer
Protocol Handler card supports 256 ports. The NEAX IPXDM provides over 750
service features and its modular hardware and software design allows the
NEAX IPXDM to grow incrementally supporting from 384 ports to over 16,000
ports.
The system also delivers advanced applications such as
Fusion, CCIS and IP Networking, IP Stations (both IP enabled and
peer-to-peer), Remote Switching, Electronic Tandem Networking, Centralized
Attendant Service, Direct Digital Interface, Integrated ACD, Voice Messaging
Integration, along with many other feature-rich capabilities via the Open
Applications Interface (OAI). Finally, a key advantage of the NEAX IPXDM is
NEC�s ability to leverage their existing telephony applications and
features from their traditional PBX product line and extend it to the VoIP
realm.
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