[Asterisk-Users] Future installation questions - what do I need?

[Michael Little]

I currently have a Toshiba Strata DK424 with a Stratagy voicemail system (4 ports).  I am looking to go from having a receptionist answering the phone to an automated attendant.  It appears that Asterisk can be the solution, but I have some questions.  Do I just replace the Stratagy with the Asterisk or do I need to reconfigure the routing of the phone lines?  Currently, the POTS lines come in to the Strata phone system.  Would I need to have the POTS lines come in to the Asterisk then connect the Strata to the Asterisk?  The Strata is equipped with an automated attendant, but only having 4 ports causes dropped calls.  At the current time, we just want to use the automated attendant and voicemail features, but we intend to start using VoIP and SIP.  Finally, which cards do I need to purchase?  I am not familiar with all the terminology, so I am a little confused with FXS and FXO.  Once I figure out where things need to go, I think it would make things a little easier.  All our phone lines come in on POTS lines, but we may change to PRI at some point.  I understand that this will change which cards I need.  I have mainly been looking at the Digium cards do to pricing.  The Intel (Dialogic) cards seem to be a lot more expensive.  Are the Intel’s any better than the Digium?  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.   Thanks in advance.   Michael