March 2012 - skunkworks - Skunkworks Site

Access Kenya & Googletalk
by Odhiambo Washington 15 Mar '12

15 Mar '12

Is anyone else seeing what I am seeing: That with Access Kenya connectivity, my googletalk isn't able to login? The moment I connect using Safaricom and it connects, pap! I think it's time to start negotiations with Safaricom for serious connectivity. -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler. Please consider the environment before printing this email.

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PABX media gateway expander powersupply unit
by Isaac Kimotho 14 Mar '12

14 Mar '12

WHERE CAN I GET A THIS PART ITEM?

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Safaricom next big thing
by Simon Wainaina 14 Mar '12

14 Mar '12

With all the internet issues lately, affecting mostly the likes of AK, I envision a scenario where Safaricom shall be the next biggest ISP and will topple these other characters. they have all monies and infrastructure needed. For example with LTE being the new technology, they have enough chumz to replace wimax within a beat of a heart. while others like iway are still relying on VSAT and AK currently maximizing on Wimax/radio. I stand to be corrected that we should move business connections to Safaricom and especially MPLS. Regards, Simon

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Re: [Skunkworks] S/w for saccos
by Kinpro Computers-All IT soutions 14 Mar '12

14 Mar '12

Hi try Octopus(open source),finance solutions, microfin or Bankers Realm for bigger saccos. Nicholas Mmasi.* * *Kinpro Computers.* *Box:*16954,Arusha. *Tel :*+255 732 972287. *Mobile**:* +255 754 914652 *Email: *kinprocomputers(a)gmail.com

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Re: [Skunkworks] Telephone line alternatives
by William Muriithi 14 Mar '12

14 Mar '12

Evening > > Hello Kerich, > > Your requirement doesn't sound quite clear to me. Could you please start > over again and present a clear picture of what you need to achieve? > I did not understand this "I require phone lines in various offices outside > within and outside Nairobi". "Outside within and outside" doesn't make > sense to start with. Then saying you "require phone lines" and going ahead > to rule out Telkom/Orange Wireless, then also ruling out GSM further > doesn't make sense - at least I think so, because that leaves you with > almost nothing. Look, you have ruled out CDMA and GSM. What remains?? > Landlines??? Then again, you go ahead (below) to say you require pilot > numbers where external calls can be routed. Wait a moment - Zuku has some > phone system within their Triple-play, and so is KDN (spit!) with something > that used to be called Izzytalk (http://www.izzytalk.co.ke/) I must admit > that I don't know how both technologies work because I haven't bothered as > yet. > > If you have several offices spread out geographically, you can do either of > two things: > 1. (a) Have your own IP PBX in the HQ. Also have a VPN concentrator (Cisco > 28xx or the ASA-series can do this) Something like Asterisk would do it, if he need a pilot line, with E1, it will have to be a box in his office as there are physical cards that will be needed to accomodate E1. That rule out VPS. Wonder if there is hosted PBX providers with presence in Kenya? I am not certain how the E1 would be handled without local office. He can set a ssh tunnel and run a SIP truck between PBX across the offices. If only one PBX is to ne used, a VPN for the SIP clients would be necessary > (b) Have VPN phone(s) ( IP Phones with built-in VPN) at the other > offices, configured to authenticate via the VPN Interesting, did not know such a phone exist > concentrator at HQ and having the Call Server as the HQ PBX. > 2. (a) Have an IP PBX at HQ, with any good grade Cisco router or any other > router that supports VPN tunneling > (b) Install similar routers at the branches and configure VPN tunnels > of your choice to HQ router Wonder what would be cheaper, a single trunk between office and get the SIP client to connect to the local office PBX. That way, he do not need to invest on VPN if he do not not have one already Good project though, good luck William > (c) Install IP Phones at the branches, configured with Call Server as > the HQ PBX > > If you'd like to have "Pilot" lines, you can have them at the HQ and route > calls as you need. You can easily do the same using an E1 circuit from > Safaricom/Airtel/Orange and have DIDs for each of the offices. With enough > channels on the E1, you can even partition the channels in blocks for each > of the offices. Those are logical partitions, achieved by call routing! > > YMMV, but that is what I'd do. > > Again, I am not at all pretending that I understood your > questions/requirements, so my advise could as well be quite vague! > > > > On Tue, Mar 13, 2012 at 10:57, Andrew Kerich <andykerich(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> Thanks, I will also require pilot numbers where external calls can be >> routed. I will then need to integrate this to the HQ IP Telephony. >> Safcom said they dont provide PBX solutions just the value added services >> >> Kerich. >> >> >> On Tue, Mar 13, 2012 at 10:35 AM, Collins Areba <arebacollins(a)gmail.com>wrote: >> >>> get a vps somewhere and host asterix, then get good internet from more >>> <reliable> service providers to each of the sites and voila! >>> >>> by the way, how about Safaricom? >>> >>> On Tue, Mar 13, 2012 at 10:34 AM, Andrew Kerich <andykerich(a)gmail.com>wrote: >>> >>>> Hi, >>>> I require phone lines in various offices outside within and outside >>>> Nairobi. Telkom wireless is not an option due to poor service. Also >>>> not GSM for now. >>>> What options are there? >>>> I am currently looking at hosted PABX solution at MTN. Ideas? >>>> >>>> Rgds >>>> Kerich >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Skunkworks mailing list >>>> Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke >>>> ------------ >>>> List info, subscribe/unsubscribe >>>> http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks >>>> ------------ >>>> >>>> Skunkworks Rules >>>> http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 >>>> ------------ >>>> Other services @ http://my.co.ke >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> *?The twentieth century has been characterized by three developments of >>> great political importance: the growth of democracy, the growth of >>> corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of >>> protecting corporate power against democracy?* >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Skunkworks mailing list >>> Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke >>> ------------ >>> List info, subscribe/unsubscribe >>> http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks >>> ------------ >>> >>> Skunkworks Rules >>> http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 >>> ------------ >>> Other services @ http://my.co.ke >>> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Skunkworks mailing list >> Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke >> ------------ >> List info, subscribe/unsubscribe >> http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks >> ------------ >> >> Skunkworks Rules >> http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 >> ------------ >> Other services @ http://my.co.ke >> > > > > -- > Best regards, > Odhiambo WASHINGTON, > Nairobi,KE > +254733744121/+254722743223 > _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ > I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler. > Please consider the environment before printing this email. >

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Fiber Cuts (K) Ltd
by Odhiambo Washington 14 Mar '12

14 Mar '12

Okay, because of the (un)Limited fiber cuts in .KE (I mean the KDN and KPLC Fibers between NBI and MSA) are all ISPs down except those that use Telkom links? And now that we are at it, what happened to the NBI-GRA-MSA redundant fiber? Some of us are lucky we have Safaricom dongles.... -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler. Please consider the environment before printing this email.

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Invitation to connect on LinkedIn
by Jo Ciku via LinkedIn 14 Mar '12

14 Mar '12

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Re: [Skunkworks] [kictanet] ISP Mayhem
by Moses Muya 14 Mar '12

14 Mar '12

That must have been a very nasty experience!In their defense,judging by the ratio of such complaints to their number of clients,I would call this an isolated case which cannot be compared to the many I've heard(and keep hearing) about other smaller ISPs! Nonetheless,the issue is not the number of complaints but rather the resilience of these ISP's networks.We are increasingly becoming a nation that is dependent on the internet,think KRA and KNEC.The question remains whether we can trust these companies to maintain access at all times to these services that we need. On 14 March 2012 15:10, peter wakaba <peterwakaba(a)gmail.com> wrote: > granted u r right on many counts, but one of my worst experiences was last > year when my then employer switch from access kenya to safcom allegedly for > more bandwidth. we had such down time for months we actually called up the > CEO himself one day to ask him for some dedication from his staff towards > sorting out the issue, well they were sorted out but after all that teeth > gnashing.... > -- Kind Regards, Moses Muya.

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Re: [Skunkworks] [kictanet] ISP Mayhem
by Moses Muya 14 Mar '12

14 Mar '12

First of all,let me give credit where it is due.As I have said before on this list,Safaricom has people who know what they are doing!If you ask me,they are the true Pride of Kenya!Do you see all the complaints you've had with your ISPs since yesterday?Well,let us just say they are rumours to me - I have only heard about them but I've not seen any of them - the only time I was down is when I switched off my devices to take a nap! :) Isn't it funny that we could describe ISPs by the negative things we've come to experience about them?Quickly,fill in the answers to the questions below to see what I'm talking about. 1.0 Which ISP has a customer care that never picks up calls and rarely resolves issues? ___________________ 2.0 Which ISP is known to over-promise and under-deliver? _____________________ 3.0 ISP x launches products into the market and pulls them off even before you know it.The name of this ISP is? _______________ Do not even think about the Government,if there is only one ISP/MNO who is familiar with such a term as 'redundancy' then the problem is bigger than we thought initially!Every time you bring this up they will give you long theories based on Cost/Benefit analyses and ROI.Then how come someone else is doing it?Is it that these companies do not understand the effects they have on people's businesses and organisations or are they just being careless? If you and I know of these problems then it is safe to assume the ISPs are aware as well.I keep dreaming of those days when ISPs will not just be interested in making profits but also in giving good services! On 14 March 2012 13:18, Francis Hook <francis.hook(a)gmail.com> wrote: > I think having a bill to impose penalties on contractors would only > offer redress to the infrastructure owners and only treat the symptoms > rather than the causes. If anything the buck should stop with > authorities in charge of urban planning and not the contractor who, > IMHO might be working in very unclear conditions or lacking guidance > or a framework. > > Lets think back to the demolition (and wastage) of Nakumatt on Thika > Road, the demolition of newly built units for the police near Moi > Avenue, Syokimau, etc - none of those structures should have been put > up in the first place. > > As long as these underlying planning issues are not sorted out, ICT > development will continue to suffer. Conversely this is why Konza is a > good idea - start a city from scratch - sewers, power lines, water, > fibre, etc - with everything in its place and taking into account > modern urban planning. Otherwise all we are doing is putting new wine > in old wine skins. > > > > > On 14 March 2012 12:53, James Mbugua <jgmbugua(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > KDN, TELKOM KENYA, KPLC CABLE CUTS DOWN INTERNET IN KENYA > > > > > http://nairobitech.blogspot.com/2012/03/kdn-telkom-kenya-kplc-cable-cuts-do… > > > > > > On Wed, Mar 14, 2012 at 12:30 PM, Francis Hook <francis.hook(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > >> And I think we need more diversity and more redundancy on the > >> terrestrial back bone - if two backhaul links between NBO and MSA go > >> down, its probably worse than one submarine cable cut. > >> > >> > >> On 14 March 2012 12:28, Francis Hook <francis.hook(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >>> Zuku, TKL and Airtel too were down and seem partially restored - word > >>> from Zuku is that a link between NBO and MSA was affected. > >>> > >>> > >>> On 14 March 2012 10:52, Harry Delano <harry(a)comtelsys.co.ke> wrote: > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> Who has any idea what’s happening. The List is too silent, or are we > >>>> affected > >>>> > >>>> by the connectivity break-down…? > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> Seems Safaricom and Orange, are the only ones still standing on their > feet > >>>> as > >>>> > >>>> per the last check.. > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> Anyone..? > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> Harry > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> _______________________________________________ > >>>> kictanet mailing list > >>>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >>>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >>>> > >>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >>>> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/francis.hook%40gmail.c… > >>>> > >>>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder > platform for > >>>> people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > >>>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the > ICT > >>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and > development. > >>>> > >>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > >>>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and > bandwidth, > >>>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect > privacy, do > >>>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Francis Hook > >>> +254 733 504561 > >> > >> > >> > >> -- > >> Francis Hook > >> +254 733 504561 > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> kictanet mailing list > >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > >> Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jgmbugua%40gmail.com > >> > >> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > >> > >> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > > > > -- > Francis Hook > +254 733 504561 > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mouzmuyer%40gmail.com > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > -- Kind Regards, Moses Muya.

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Telephone line alternatives
by Andrew Kerich 13 Mar '12

13 Mar '12

Hi, I require phone lines in various offices outside within and outside Nairobi. Telkom wireless is not an option due to poor service. Also not GSM for now. What options are there? I am currently looking at hosted PABX solution at MTN. Ideas? Rgds Kerich

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