MPLS and PBX channels

[mikedurbin]

Hello everyone. I wanted to see if its possible to do PBX voice channels over MPLS? My current situation is that we and a T1 and do data over one channel-group and PBX voice over another. We want to move to an MPLS, but I dont know if we can do that with what we have. Our voice system doesnt support voip of any kind. Any help would be appreciated.

[paolo bevilacqua]

Yes, you can get routers as small as the 2801 and connect you PBXs over IP, doesn't matter if it is MPLS or what else. The router perfectly supports T1 in the configuaration that you have, sometime called "integrated T1 access".

The details of the solutions should be worked together with a certified Cisco partner or resellers.

Hope this helps, please rate post if it does!

[mikedurbin]

Would an 1841s do for a VoIP solution?

[paolo bevilacqua]

No, because it doesn't support the voice interface necessary to connect the PBX. The 1861 is almost there, however you might not need the 8 Poe ports, so the best solution for flexibility is likely the 2801.

As a recognition to those providing answers, please rate posts using the scrollbox below!

[mikedurbin]

Sorry, planned on rating, my apologies. So, what kind of interface is needed to the interface to a PBX that will do voip across the MPLS?

[paolo bevilacqua · Accepted solution]

If I understand your case correctly, what you can do, is to use a dual T1 VWIC in the router. One port goes to telco with said integrated T1 service, the other goes to PBX with a voice-only T1. When certain numbers are called, the call goes VoIP to other PBXs. All other numbers are sent unchanged to telco. This way router is transparent to PBX and everything works easily.

However if you want nice features for the PBX links you should use T1 with ISDN PRI instead of CAS. Since many PBX vendors do charge to activate ISDN, at some point it becomes convenient to decommission the PBX altogether adn place IP phones to be controlled by the router (CCME), that does all what the PBX does and more.

[mikedurbin]

Thanks, that is very helpful, and I appreciate it.

[paolo bevilacqua]

Thanks for the nice rating and good luck!