Phones for Asterisk and single-pair old phone wiring?

[Michael Pelletier]

This seems to be worth a peek:

http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/wea/wea154.html
System provides Ethernet over old copper cables 
====
Westermo Data Communications has released an Ethernet line extender that is
capable of establishing a reliable, high-speed remote connection between
Ethernet networks using any existing twisted-pair copper cables. The DDW-220
combines the functions of two Ethernet line extenders and a four-port
managed switch, enabling the user to build complete Ethernet networks.
====

Here's the product page:

http://www.westermo.com/Resource.phx/content/uk/products/ethernet/ethernet-e
xtender/ddw-220.htx

They also have the DDW-100, which only has one port.  The default data rate
is 192kbps, but given that this is optimized for multi-kilometer spans of
old copper, you could undoubtedly dial it up to 2.3 megabit within a single
building.

I have no idea how much these cost, and they operate in pairs, of course,
but it may very be cheaper than rewiring with modern cable.

	-Michael Pelletier.



-----Original Message-----
From: gnhlug-discuss-bounces at mail.gnhlug.org
[mailto:gnhlug-discuss-bounces at mail.gnhlug.org] On Behalf Of Ben Scott
Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 10:35 AM
To: Greater NH Linux User Group
Subject: Phones for Asterisk and single-pair old phone wiring?

Hi all,

  Anyone know of any kind of enhanced telephone set that can be connected to
an Asterisk-based system using plain old telephone phone wiring?

Enhanced telephone set = Something more than a plain old telephone set.
Programmable buttons for hold, line selection, special features, etc.
Option for an LCD.  Like the proprietary digital telephone sets used with
Avaya, Nortel, NEC, and other "key" and "PBX" premises telephone systems.

Plain old telephone wiring = A single pair of copper wires, guaranteed to
conduct electricity and nothing more.  Not Category 3 compliant, let alone
Category 5.  Forget Ethernet for VoIP.
...