[Asterisk-Users] T1 Hardware Recommendations

[Matt Florell]

On 10/23/05, Waldo Rubinstein <waldo at trianet.net> wrote:
> don't know if there is much difference in "maintaining" a Sangoma
> install vs a Digium install. I do know the setup may be somewhat
> different, but that's a "one time" deal (sometimes).

There really isn't much difference once you've gotten it installed.
With the Sangoma cards it's just another script to run before you
start Asterisk

> As far as the Digium card, I don't know if all the TE2XXP have the
> newer firmware. I do wish I could trade my TE4XXP for ones with the
> new firmware. I will need to call Digium on that one.

TE2XXP cards do have the v2 firmware just like the new TE4XXP cards.
You can get your TE4XXP cards upgraded by Digium for just the cost of
mailing it in to them. I've had 6 cards upgraded already so far, and
as I can bring other servers down I will send their cards in to be
upgraded too. Just call Digium and get an RMA number for a firmware
upgrade. You should have your card back within a week of sending it.

> Before the firmware upgrade, I would think there was a more
> significant reason to go with Sangoma (from a technical PoV). But
> now.... I guess it's a different story and for the amount of traffic
> I'm expecting, I don't know if I'll realize the potential performance
> difference between Sangoma and Digium, as explained in your blog entry.

True, and now the technical performance difference between the two
brands is minimal.

> I am definitely pro supporting the Asterisk cause and if that means
> that a % of my Digium purchase would go to it, I'd gladly do it.
> Anyway, the price difference between the two is less than $80.

There is a significant profit on these cards for both companies. The
actual manufacturing and support costs for these cards is just a
fraction of what they charge. It's best illustrated by the fact that
govarion.com makes the old tor2 design cards and sells them new for
less than half the cost of either the Digium or Sangoma cards.

> The only thing I wished was that the Digium cards worked in 3.3V and
> 5V motherboards without having to specify which one you are going to
> deploy it on. I got somewhat screwed on the TE410P because of that
> reason :(

That's an issue with the chipset that Digium chose to use for the
cards. I do believe that if you explain your issue with it that Digium
may exchange your card for an TE405P when you send it in for an
upgrade. If you get the right support person that is.

> The warranty issue is a big difference. Why couldn't Digium compete
> on that one? It's only a business/marketing decision, not a technical
> one anyway.

I agree, I had a T400P card die earlier this year. I had purchased it
about 2 and a half years before and I called Digium about warranty
support. The support person I talked to (don't remember his name) said
that they didn't have any replacements for the T400P but I could get a
discount on a new card if I traded it in. The card is currently
serving as a $1500 paperweight on my desk. I do need to mention that
none of the other Digium(12) or Sangoma(4) cards that I've bought have
failed in any way in over the last 3 years.

Sangoma recently raised their warranty on new cards from 3 to 5 years
a couple months ago. I called them and asked for a clarification as to
why and they said it was because they almost never got cards back and
if it helps sell their cards they will stand by them for 5 years
instead of just 3.

As for Digium, when I was at Astricon last week I did hear rumours of
retail-packaged Digium cards that would come with a 5-year warranty at
a higher cost. They are currently selling a retail analog card like
this and I was told to expect the same option for the T1/E1 cards. So
I guess stay tuned and see if they follow through on that.

> Anyway, thanks for your input.

You're welcome, let me know how you decide.

MATT---