Device to redirect phone call to another line?

[Kelemvor]

I'm not sure if something like this exists or not but hopefully someone here might know.

The scenario is I have PC Anywhere on my home PC and I want to connect to it from work. However due to the work firewalls I can't do it over the internet. This leaves using the phone. However I only have one phone line at home so I can't have my computer answering the phone or I won't get the messages on my answering machine.

So, I'm thinking that if there is such a device that I can hook up in between the wall jack and my answering machine, and if I call home it will go to the answering machine. THen if I punch in certain buttons the device would take the call and route it to the modem so I can use PC Anywhere.

I know this is how fax machines work when connected between the jack and an answering machine by basically "Listening" to the call and if it hears the handshaking noise after the answering machine picks up, it just takes over the call. This is basically what I want but my computer and answering machine are nto near each other at all.

Just looking for any suggestions on how I can make this setup work.

Thanks.

 

[Kelemvor]

Anyone kow of anything?

 

Your phone company probably offeres a call forwarding service, but I'm not sure if it's as featured as you want.

 

[Viper GTS]

http://www.superproducts.com/index.php?itemdet=CS5500&desc=COMMND+COMMUNICATION+FAX+SWTCH

How about that?

There appear to be lots of devices out there, look for things like fax switch, voice fax switch, etc.

Viper GTS

 

[Scarpozzi]

There are ComSwitches that do this. They can tell the difference between a voice call, fax call, and computer call. They then route the call to the appropriate jack. I used to use them all the time at work. They can be programmed for distinctive ring, or not. I prefer not using distinctive ring because it tends to cause more problems with one of these than it helps.

There are many "off-brands", but I recommend one of these:

Link

I worked for a company that had a phone network with about 1300 of these across the country. They called the ComSwitch every night to connect to the computers. Just make sure you have good password security on your PCAnywhere end.

 

[JoeMomma]

I have a Command ComSwitch 7500. Works great for getting fax. voice, and data calls on one line.

You can usually find brand new, still shrinkwrapped units on ebay for much less than retail. I got mine for $50 including shipping off of ebay.