Nortel moves small-business IP-PBXs to Linux, delivers PoIP

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May 17, 2005

Nortel Networks is shipping its first Linux-based IP-PBX (IP private branch exchange), according to an article in Computer Business Review Online. The BCM 50 targets small business or satellite offices with three to fifty employees. Nortel will also switch larger IP-PBXs in its Business Communications Manager (BCM) line to the open source OS, the article says.

The BCM-50 ships with a wide range of Internet telephony features, which can be unlocked by users after purchasing license codes. Features include:

Voice messaging
Automated attendant
Unified voice, fax and email messaging
Convergence of services over IP (i.e., toll-free interstation video calls)
Universal Internet access (VPN and firewall features)
Call center that distributes calls to up to 10 lines
CTI (computer telephone integration) supports third-party software's "click to dial" and other features
Digital mobility services for telecommuters and mobile workers

What's under the hood?

The BCM 50 is based on a Freescale PowerQUICC II MPC8270, an SoC that integrates a PowerPC G2 core with a RISC-based CPM (communications processor module). It boots Linux from a 40GB SATA hard drive, and is equipped with 256MB of DRAM memory.

The device measures 2.625 x 8.625 x 12.75 inches, and weighs 4 pounds, 1.9 ounces.

PoIP (Pizza-over-IP)

According to Nortel, the BCM 50 is currently being evaluated by a host of companies, including Domino's Pizza, and Apex Rentals. The device would give individual franchises access to corporate computing resources, as well as the option of customized answering, call waiting, and advanced call routing features, the company says.

Domino's Pizza's director of network services, Bill Kidder, said, "Using Nortel’s Business Communications Manager-based solutions, our stores will be equipped with a fully-featured converged communications solution that is tailor-made for our business."

Apex Rentals's president, Steve Read, said, "Unified messaging with one handy inbox for all types of communications allows our employees to prioritize voice messages and e-mail and respond to those that are most time-sensitive first."

Additional details about Nortel's move toward Linux for its small-business IP-PBX are available in this brief article in Computer Business Review Online.

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