[Asterisk-Users] Newbie Question-Looking for Feedback

[Steven Critchfield]

On Wed, 2004-01-07 at 19:37, M. Matt Colgin wrote:

> Configuration #1
> ----------------
> - Can our telecom company provide two ISDN BRI lines. Each ISDN line
> providing 2 channels of 64kbit/s?
> - What manufacturer/model of ISDN adaptor is best supported by Asterisk?
> 
> Disadvantage: Seems to be a rare configuration based on what seems to be
> antiquated technology.
> 
> Advantage: Cost. I estimate the two ISDN BRI cards to run $100/each with
> minimal investment in the telecom provisioning.

ISDN isn't necessarily antiquated. You should notice there is a lot of
deployment in Europe. Another downside can be monthly cost. Like some
places in Europe, you may pay a per minute fee for your calls even if
they are local.

ISDN may seem antiquated in the US as it wasn't aggressively rolled out
anywhere. I know here in TN the PSC had to force the telco to offer it. 

> Configuration #2
> ----------------
> - Are there cheaper, less extensive channel banks which might be more cost
> effective for our limited scalability needs?
> 
> Disadvantage: Cost. The channel bank runs about $1700-$2000 retail with the
> 8-port FXO service card.
> 
> Advantage:    Future Scalability. However, I don't perceive servicing
> additional phone lines and if we did, it would most likely be done by
> pulling some data channels off one of the existing T1s and sending it
> directly to the Digium T100P.

If you have data T1s, why aren't you looking into snagging 4 ports off
of those. You just lose 64k per per line. This would allow you to use a
T100P card to receive the couple of split off channels. With only 4 out
of 24 channels used in the T1 line, you could push this through a
channel bank and do a drop and insert on the channel bank that has 2 T1
ports like the Zhone or ADIT. This benefits also from keeping it all
digital until last moment to go to your analog phones.  

-- 
Steven Critchfield <critch at basesys.com>