We started this test series last month with a look at what may be the best example of traditional telephony on a PC platform -Artisoft's TeleVantage 3.0. For our second test, we decided to jump to what may be the farthest end of the spectrum from TeleVantage and look at 3Com's fully-converged, IP network-based NBX 100.

We first tested the NBX 100 in February 1999, back when NBX was a separate company and the product was in Version 1. Since then, NBX has been snapped up by networking giant 3Com. They've just released Version 2 of the NBX 100, and we decided it was a good time to take another look.Features and Functions

The NBX 100 is an excellent example of what can be done with converged data and voice. With a single compact server plugged into a LAN, IP-based feature phones can be plugged in anywhere else on the network. Basically, that's all it takes for installation. The existing network can be used, in most situations, to add very sophisticated telephony services without separate or additional cabling. (Existing phone wiring can be abandoned or put to other uses.)

The feature phones are automatically detected by the server, and can be moved from office to office (i.e., network jack to network jack) without reprogramming extensions or user-specific features. Each feature phone has a piggyback 10Base-T jack that can be extended to the local workstation, or even to a small hub -whatever was connected to that network wall jack before. Many installations will require no changes to existing network components. The voice traffic will happily share bandwidth with a moderate existing data load. If the number of users is relatively large (e.g., 10 to 25) and the network is underpowered or overloaded, some upgrading may be necessary - for example, heavily-loaded hubs may need to be replaced with network switches. In larger installations, more switches and hubs may be needed, as well as QoS-sensitive switches at selected high-traffic points.

Multi-Server Systems

The above assumes the simplest installation, with one NBX 100 server at a single site. The network-based nature of the beast, though, means that's only the beginning.

In a site with many users (50-100), NBX 100 servers can be cascaded. Cascading can be as simple as putting two chassis in the phone closet, with a single call processor in one chassis and a short Ethernet connection to the adjacent slave chassis. This permits more interface cards to be installed, and distributes both the server and user loads.

In a spread-out site, NBX 100 servers can be located at various physical points, connected via the network. This can improve performance for each local group of users, as well as simplify the overall cabling map. For companies with multiple sites, NBX 100 servers can be linked via WAN or VPN to provide widely distributed operation. Depending on the total number of trunk lines configured, an NBX 100 system can provide service for more than 150 separate feature phone and analog stations, distributed across a small office or around the world.

Other System Features

Beyond its impressive ability to integrate voice communications with an existing data network, the NBX 100 system offers a wide set of slick, understated features. (For a complete overview, see the accompanying Features Table.)

A full-power autoattendant and voice messaging system provides four to 12 ports and 30 minutes to 80 hours of message recording time. New with Version 2 is the T-1 trunk card, providing 24 digital CO line ports. Only one T-1 card can be installed in each NBX 100 chassis, but multiple chassis can be daisy-chained together to provide platform support for up to 72 T-1 ports (as well as a much-expanded capacity for station ports, both analog and IP).

The T-1 card joins the existing four-port analog trunk card; systems can be simultaneously equipped with both trunk card types. Another feature new to Version 2 is the ability to organize CO trunks into hunt groups, both linear and circular. This rounds out the NBX 100's excellent set of features for managing groups of resources and users.As with Version 1, configuration GUIs are completely browser-based. Both administrators and users can access these, with appropriate passwords, at appropriate clearance levels, from anywhere on the NBX 100 server's LAN or WAN. User screens, particularly, are pictorial and interactive, making configuration simple and nearly foolproof. User help is similarly browser-based.

The real jewel in the NBX 100 lineup is its most visible component, the snazzy IP feature phone. For once, swoopy styling does not make the phone an art object unsuited for everyday use. The display and controls are large and well-placed, and the handset is comfortable to hold and use. Most of the buttons on the unit are "soft" and can be reprogrammed - some by the user, most by the system administrator. Even though the NBX 100 does not use a desktop GUI for call and message management, the excellent design of the feature phone, especially its high degree of customizability, makes it easy for users to manage calls, messages, and system features. A 50-button DSS/BLF console for receptionists and operators is available.

The feature phone can be dispensed with for users with a yen for PC-based telephony, and whose workstations are properly equipped. A PC with a network connection, sound card, and headset are all that's needed to run the PCXset utility software. PCXset turns the desktop PC into a virtual phone with all of the capabilities of the feature phone. At about $150 per user, the PCXset saves $210 off the cost of the feature phone ($360). (The drawback, of course, is that you can't make or receive calls if the PC is turned off.)

Initial Evaluations

Before the automated testing, CT Labs performed a number of hands-on evaluations of various aspects of the NBX 100 system, including installation, administration, user documentation and quality of manufacturer tech support. Although these evaluations are subjective, CT Labs approaches them from the viewpoint of a moderately-skilled and experienced VAR/installer.

Installation and Initial Configuration

Installation was performed by CT Labs. Although a 3Com product representative was on hand, no manufacturer assistance was required in getting the NBX 100 up and running. The system is normally shipped with all software installed, but with the hard drive internally disconnected and without interface cards. Normal installation requires the system unit to be opened, the hard drive connected, and the selected interface cards installed in the chassis. This process was partially complete on the system provided for test, and the CT Labs technician had only to install the T-1 trunk card.

Basic system setup, T-1 card installation, and installation and configuration of the eight IP phones and their associated user accounts took a total of about three and one-half hours. It would appear that installation in a small site (4-25 users), with an existing network, can easily be performed in a single day. Larger sites would only require more time to install and configure the larger number of IP phones and user accounts. The near-turnkey, plug-n-play nature of the NBX 100 will be a big plus to companies who want to switch over to a new phone system with a minimum of fuss and downtime.

We started this test series last month with a look at what may be the best example of traditional telephony on a PC platform -Artisoft's TeleVantage 3.0. For our second test, we decided to jump to what may be the farthest end of the spectrum from TeleVantage and look at 3Com's fully-converged, IP network-based NBX 100.

We first tested the NBX 100 in February 1999, back when NBX was a separate company and the product was in Version 1. Since then, NBX has been snapped up by networking giant 3Com. They've just released Version 2 of the NBX 100, and we decided it was a good time to take another look.Features and Functions

The NBX 100 is an excellent example of what can be done with converged data and voice. With a single compact server plugged into a LAN, IP-based feature phones can be plugged in anywhere else on the network. Basically, that's all it takes for installation. The existing network can be used, in most situations, to add very sophisticated telephony services without separate or additional cabling. (Existing phone wiring can be abandoned or put to other uses.)

The feature phones are automatically detected by the server, and can be moved from office to office (i.e., network jack to network jack) without reprogramming extensions or user-specific features. Each feature phone has a piggyback 10Base-T jack that can be extended to the local workstation, or even to a small hub -whatever was connected to that network wall jack before. Many installations will require no changes to existing network components. The voice traffic will happily share bandwidth with a moderate existing data load. If the number of users is relatively large (e.g., 10 to 25) and the network is underpowered or overloaded, some upgrading may be necessary - for example, heavily-loaded hubs may need to be replaced with network switches. In larger installations, more switches and hubs may be needed, as well as QoS-sensitive switches at selected high-traffic points.

Multi-Server Systems

The above assumes the simplest installation, with one NBX 100 server at a single site. The network-based nature of the beast, though, means that's only the beginning.

In a site with many users (50-100), NBX 100 servers can be cascaded. Cascading can be as simple as putting two chassis in the phone closet, with a single call processor in one chassis and a short Ethernet connection to the adjacent slave chassis. This permits more interface cards to be installed, and distributes both the server and user loads.

In a spread-out site, NBX 100 servers can be located at various physical points, connected via the network. This can improve performance for each local group of users, as well as simplify the overall cabling map. For companies with multiple sites, NBX 100 servers can be linked via WAN or VPN to provide widely distributed operation. Depending on the total number of trunk lines configured, an NBX 100 system can provide service for more than 150 separate feature phone and analog stations, distributed across a small office or around the world.

Other System Features

Beyond its impressive ability to integrate voice communications with an existing data network, the NBX 100 system offers a wide set of slick, understated features. (For a complete overview, see the accompanying Features Table.)

A full-power autoattendant and voice messaging system provides four to 12 ports and 30 minutes to 80 hours of message recording time. New with Version 2 is the T-1 trunk card, providing 24 digital CO line ports. Only one T-1 card can be installed in each NBX 100 chassis, but multiple chassis can be daisy-chained together to provide platform support for up to 72 T-1 ports (as well as a much-expanded capacity for station ports, both analog and IP).

The T-1 card joins the existing four-port analog trunk card; systems can be simultaneously equipped with both trunk card types. Another feature new to Version 2 is the ability to organize CO trunks into hunt groups, both linear and circular. This rounds out the NBX 100's excellent set of features for managing groups of resources and users.As with Version 1, configuration GUIs are completely browser-based. Both administrators and users can access these, with appropriate passwords, at appropriate clearance levels, from anywhere on the NBX 100 server's LAN or WAN. User screens, particularly, are pictorial and interactive, making configuration simple and nearly foolproof. User help is similarly browser-based.

The real jewel in the NBX 100 lineup is its most visible component, the snazzy IP feature phone. For once, swoopy styling does not make the phone an art object unsuited for everyday use. The display and controls are large and well-placed, and the handset is comfortable to hold and use. Most of the buttons on the unit are "soft" and can be reprogrammed - some by the user, most by the system administrator. Even though the NBX 100 does not use a desktop GUI for call and message management, the excellent design of the feature phone, especially its high degree of customizability, makes it easy for users to manage calls, messages, and system features. A 50-button DSS/BLF console for receptionists and operators is available.

The feature phone can be dispensed with for users with a yen for PC-based telephony, and whose workstations are properly equipped. A PC with a network connection, sound card, and headset are all that's needed to run the PCXset utility software. PCXset turns the desktop PC into a virtual phone with all of the capabilities of the feature phone. At about $150 per user, the PCXset saves $210 off the cost of the feature phone ($360). (The drawback, of course, is that you can't make or receive calls if the PC is turned off.)

Initial Evaluations

Before the automated testing, CT Labs performed a number of hands-on evaluations of various aspects of the NBX 100 system, including installation, administration, user documentation and quality of manufacturer tech support. Although these evaluations are subjective, CT Labs approaches them from the viewpoint of a moderately-skilled and experienced VAR/installer.

Installation and Initial Configuration

Installation was performed by CT Labs. Although a 3Com product representative was on hand, no manufacturer assistance was required in getting the NBX 100 up and running. The system is normally shipped with all software installed, but with the hard drive internally disconnected and without interface cards. Normal installation requires the system unit to be opened, the hard drive connected, and the selected interface cards installed in the chassis. This process was partially complete on the system provided for test, and the CT Labs technician had only to install the T-1 trunk card.

Basic system setup, T-1 card installation, and installation and configuration of the eight IP phones and their associated user accounts took a total of about three and one-half hours. It would appear that installation in a small site (4-25 users), with an existing network, can easily be performed in a single day. Larger sites would only require more time to install and configure the larger number of IP phones and user accounts. The near-turnkey, plug-n-play nature of the NBX 100 will be a big plus to companies who want to switch over to a new phone system with a minimum of fuss and downtime.