Branch Office setup/Flexgrow T1

[d-roush]

Looking at adding branch office who currently has a Verizon Flex-grow T1 circuit w/ 8 voice channels. Has anyone run across this setup? If so, can you provide an example and what type of card will be needed for the voice-gateway?

Thanks.

[Tommer Catlin]

Just taking a stab it, it's probably a full t1 circuit that has been fractioned down to 8 channels from 23/24. If you want to add channels, you have adjust this in the router at the same time Verizon adds to this circuit.

Most likely, you do not need a new circuit. I'm sure the "flex" term means that is just a fractional T1, but still a T1 with, but you are only using 8 channels of the possible 23/24.

cheers

[Rob Huffman]

Hi David,

I just wanted to add a note to Tcats good info. I am pretty sure that this is just a fancy name for a Fractional/Channelized T1. Here are some Cisco docs that refer to the setup and required modules;

Single-Port E1/T1 ISDN PRI Network Module (NM-1CE1T1-PRI)

This supports Full or fractional E1/T1-can be fully channelized.

From this doc;

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/modules/ps2797/products_data_sheet09186a0080189f95.html

Configuring Channelized E1 & T1

From this doc;

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/iosswrel/ps1828/products_configuration_guide_chapter09186a0080087328.html

Hope this helps!

Rob

[d-roush]

Thanks for the info. I have setup a branch with a channelized T1 using vwic2 2mft t1/e1, but wasn't sure what the deal was with verizon and their flex-grow. Also, I found out they have a device there called a Shark Unit that supposedly turns the line from a digital to analog for the Avaya PBX we have there. Have either of you heard of such a device and if so, can I just remove it and plug directly into the voice card? Once again. Thanks for info.

[Tommer Catlin]

I had no idea verizon could be so creative with their device naming!

The Shark Unit is probably just a device like an AdTrans unit. AdTrans units will convert Digital to analog or channel a T1 into data and Voice channels... (split to your PBX and IP router)

So if you have an Avaya PBX, this Flex-Gro T1 is only used for voice, then I would say, bypass the shark thing, plug it directly into the Avaya T1 card or port and configure it this way. Most likely, your Avaya PBX has an analog card, so let the PBX convert the signal from Digital to Analog.

If your Avaya only has analog cards for PSTN input, this would explain the Shark unit then.

[Rob Huffman]

Hi David/Tommer;

I'm guessing it's probably this device from Verilink. You probably need to talk to someone from Verizon about this, my feeling is that the SHARK (GRRRRRRRR...) will remain in the picture with the new setup;

The SHARK IAD provides an integrated, easy-to-use 1/0 cross connect that controls the flow of DS0s from the network T1 to customer-side voice or data interfaces. The SHARK IAD will terminate up to 24 analog voice circuits and can also provide digital fractional T1 interfaces for direct connection to a PBX and delivery of data to an external router.

From this doc;

http://www.data-connect.com/verilink_Shark_IAD.htm

http://www.verilink.com/docs/Datasheets/xsp_100_Shark_DS.pdf

Hope this helps!

Rob

[paolo bevilacqua]

Hi Rob ... you may know this already .. the cisco router does what the IAD does and few more :)