We have received the first of the new Zycoo CooVox range of PBX systems which are now undergoing extensive testing. There are quite a few new features in the Coovox which compliment those already available in the ZX Series (the CooVox isn't replacing the ZX Series). I plan to post some of these features over the coming weeks.

The first major feature change that I really like is the introduction of a user portal so that each user of the system can manage their personal settings.

The ability to define whether a user has this feature is set on the user extension. A user logs into the portal using their extension number and password and once logged in they are directed to the Record list screen below which details any call recordings made against their extension.

Voice-mail screen below allows a user to manage their voice-mails.

Call forward screen allows a user to set conditional rules on how calls are forwarded.

Follow me screen allows a user to enable the follow me feature and defines a list of end points where calls should be routed.

Settings tabs allows call waiting and Do not disturb features to be set.

Finally, the send fax screen enables a user to utilise another new CooVox feature, the built in Fax Server.

Zycoo unveiled their new CooVox IPPBX range at the Cebit exhibition in Hannover Germany. The range has been designed to co-exist with the current ZX Series range of IPPBX’s and not as a direct replacement. 

The CooVox range comprises three models, which are the the U20,  U50 and U100.

The picture below shows the U100 model which can be rack-mounted. The U100 supports two quick release modules which each comprise either 4 x analogue, 4 x BRI, 4 x GSM or 1 x PRI.

The new U20 can be seen to the right of the image below and will come in a fixed format in various combinations of analogue and GSM. The U50 to the left is modular in the same manner as the U100 and also supports two cards and is rack mountable.

Some of the main additions to the range include:

• Asterisk Version 1.8
• Increased power of CPU
• Support for SD cards
• IPV6 Support
• VPN Client and Server
• Built in firewall and enhanced security features
• SMS to email
• Fax to email

We are expecting the first test models around April and our first production models around May 2013.

12th September 2012

Firmware version 3.2 for the ZX50 Asterisk PBX system is released.

View change notes

IMPORTANT

• The please perform the following when upgrading
• Back up configuration
• Upgrade and then reset to factory default settings
• Restore configuration

ZX50 A4  - A8 - AE41 firmware can be downloaded here

ZX50 B4 firmware can be downloaded here

ZX50 GSM firmware can be downloaded here

12th September 2012

Firmware version 1.2 for the ZX20 Asterisk PBX system is released.

View change notes

IMPORTANT

• The please perform the following when upgrading
• Back up configuration
• Upgrade and then reset to factory default settings
• Restore configuration

Firmware can be downloaded here

With the soon to be released Version 3.2 Firmware for the Zycoo ZX50 Series IP-PBX, here's a preview of some of the additional features that have been added to the product.

New Features in Version 3.2

New features within the Web GUI

Home Page

• “Display status” for channel interfaces has been added to the home page. The working status of each channel will be displayed in real-time. Colour coding for this feature is as follows: In use=Green; Not used=Orange; Fault=Gray.

Basic - Extensions Page

• A random password will now be generated automatically when an extension is created. This feature will increase the security of the device and encourage the creation of strong passwords.
• The facility to import and export user extensions to a file of csv format

Basic - Outbound Routes Page

• The ZX Series IP PBX system will generate a name for any new DialPlan that is created. This name can be modified as required.

Inbound Control - IVR Page

• The ability to forward calls to the voice mail of an extension has been added as a "key Action".

Advanced - Options – Global Analog Settings

• Added - enable the configuration of different variations of CID signaling e.g. BELL-US /DTMF /V23/V23-JP
• Added - additional analogue interface configuration options including opermode (FXO mode)

Advanced – Options - Global SIP Settings Page

• Inbound SIP Registrations – Added “SIP register failed times” field to allow control the number of failed register attempts   Inbound SIP Registrations – Added Block time field to allow control of unauthorised registration attempts – Use in association with “SIP register failed times”  Advanced - PhoneBook Page
• Added the feature to import and export (upload and download) a phone book in csv format

Advanced - Feature Codes Page

• Added feature codes to allow a user to control the forwarding of calls on their phone extension.

Status - Recording List Page

• Find an extension call recording by specifying a time period. Find a conference call recording by specifying a time period

System - Network & Country Page

• Added HTTP Port settings to allow the user to change the port setting used to access the WEB GUI.
• Added the ability to enable or disable remote administration via the Web GUI over the WAN port"

System – Network Advanced

• Added VPN-L2TP static route configuration.

System - Management Page

• Added "SIP Registers Allowed" tab. This feature allows the creation of trusted ip address’s System - Update Page
• Now supports http and tftp as methods for updating the ZX Series firmware

New security features for the Zx Series IPPBX
The following features have been added to increase security of the Zx Series IPPBX.

1 - Background management restricted to SSH registrations only.

2 - Failed registration attempts are dealt with in the following manner by default

• If the registered IP address of the client device is in the same network segment as the WAN port eth0 address or LAN port eth1 address then the system will assume the IP is within a trusted IP range. Therefore, on failed registration, it will not be forbidden from registering for a 20 minute period as would be the case if the registration originated from an untrusted IP Range.
• If the client IP address is not from a trusted IP source and failed registration attempts total over 8 times in 20 minutes, then the system will forbid this IP for 20 minutes. Once the forbidden time has expired, then the failed attempts count is reset and the client can attempt registration again (failed registration attempts total over 8 times in 20 minutes rule still applies

3 - How malicious registration attempts are managed

• When client malicious registration times≧ 10 times per second, the IP will be forbidden for 10 minutes (default)

4 - Extension random cipher.

• When the PBX is released from manufacture or a customer resets the PBX to factory default, the extension's cipher is set to a random cipher of 10 characters.(The characters include letter, digit or specific symbol)

Basic security considerations when installing and configuring the ZX Series IPPBX.

1 -Users should change the default SSH management password to a random complex password. This will increase the security of the system and reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

2 -Users should change default admin account and password to increase the security of the GUI interface and reduce the risk of unauthorised system access.

3 -Please do not set simple passwords for extensions. It is recommended that you use the default random password for increased security.

We are pleased to introduce the ZX series of IP-PBX from Zycoo. The ZX series is a powerful and cost effective communications solution for the small medium business environment.

The ZX Series support a host of standard and enterprise class features including:

• Call recording
• End point auto-provisioning
• IVR menu’s, conference rooms, voicemails, call transfers, followme
• Video calls
• Supports SIP and IAX endpoints

• Reduce the total cost of ownership of your telephony system:
• No licensing charges or annual software maintenance
• Energy efficient
• Free site to site calls using VoIP
• Reduced outbound call costs using VoIP service provider

The ZX series IP-PBX is available in four product ranges:

The ZX-20 is the baby of the ZX Series and is designed for small business environments. The system supports 30 users and 20 concurrent calls.

The following models are available within the ZX20 series to support your legacy connectivity requirements

The ZX-50 series is the mid-range model and supports 100 connections. Support for external storage through USB connectivity and model variable support for GSM, PSTN, ISDN2 and ISDN30 are key features of the ZX50 series.

The following models are available within the ZX50 series

The ZX60 is designed for customers who want to move to VoIP but retain their investment in existing legacy analogue phones and lines. Hardware echo cancellation is provided as a standard feature.

The following models are available within the ZX60 series

ZX100 series IPPBX is designed for larger installations and supports up to 80 concurrent connections and a maximum of 1000 user. Built on an x86 architecture, the ZX100 series can host either Zycoo’s customised asterisk deployment or optionally host Elastix.

The following models are available within the ZX100 series

Zycoo Range is available here

The following guide demonstrates how to configure a Yeastar Neogate TG200 gateway on a Positron G - Series Asterisk based PBX system. The purpose of the Gateway is to allow the Positron unit to route mobile to mobile calls over the GSM network.

Configuring the Yeastar Neogate Gateway

Log in to the Yeastar Gateway and select SIP Settings

Select Service Provider as a connection method. Input the address of the Positron Appliance.

Select outbound rule and create a new outbound rule. Configure a dial pattern as appropriate. In this example I've used 07. as the pattern. This ensures that all calls starting with 07 are passed over the GSM trunks as appropriate. Select the SIMs to be used for outbound calls as appropriate.

Select inbound rule and create a new inbound rule. Enter a direct Number which will be used as the inbound DID on the Positron PBX. Select the Sims for inbound calls as appropriate.

Configuring the Positron G Series PBX

Create a SIP trunk on the Positron PBX (PBX - Trunk/Lines - Trunk/Lines ). No username or passwords are required. The hostname should be the address of the Neogate Gateway.

Create an outgoing line group (PBX - Trunk/Lines - Outgoing Line Groups ) and select the newly created GSM1 sip trunk.

Either use one of the default outbound call rules or create a new outbound rule (PBX - Call Handling - Outbound Call Rules)

Create a new rule to route calls through the Neogate Gateway. The example pattern below routes all calls starting with 07 to the GSM outgoing line group.

Create an inbound call rule (PBX - Call Handling - Incoming Call Rules) Select the GSM1 trunk.

Finally create a pattern rule for the GSM inbound rule. The pattern (DID) must match that defined in the Yeastar Neogate inbound rule. In this case it is 101. The 'to' address is the extention, IVR or group you wish to recieve the inbound call.

Apply the configuration on the Positron and the installation is complete.

Positron Telecom has released new manuals for their Analogue series of Telephony Appliances. The manuals reflect changes from the latest firmware, including the quick installation and configuration wizard.

Models covered are:

• G122 - 2 port FXO and 2 port FXS IP-PBX
• G124 - 4 port FXO and 2 port FXS IP-PBX
• G1212 - 12 port FXO and 2 port FXS IP-PBX

Download User Guide

Download Installation Guide

Atcom has announced that the majority of products within their portfolio of IP Phones, Telephony cards and ATA's have been accredited within the Elastix Hardware Certified Program (EHCP)

The table below details the certification status of their products as of December 2011.

Yeastar has replaced the plastic casing on the Neogate TG200 range of GSM/UMTS Gateways with a metal casing. The new range of single and dual channel models will be in stock from the 28th November 2011.

The Tg200 range is available here