PRI from Telco to SIP trunk to Free PBX

General Help
1

I’m new to the site and not sure where to post. Any advice is appreciated. I’m a well versed “phone guy”, not so well versed IT guy, and diving into SIP, so please excuse my ignorance.

I have a rather unique situation. Campus environment with some more remote sites, already over-subscribing PRI’s (to multiple PBX and channel bank) via Adtran Atlas 830. Currently utilize “leased P2P T-1” to feed remote sites. I need (advise/what gear) to feed SIP trunk to FreePBX across LAN that will have a PRI fed by Adtran Atlas. The FreePBX resides on a server in separate building from the PRI’s and Adtran gear, so I can’t just plug them together. I also want to find/test a possible solution to replace the P2P T-1 down the road.

I have and use an Adtran Total Access 908e. It works OK, but seems to “not like” certain equipment (linksys SPA), and seemed limited to certain types/protocols etc. when setting up the SIP trunk. I never got a SIP trunk to function properly from 908e to the Linksys SPA (with Adtran support), but the Linksys worked fine to several SIP providers.

Bottom-line, what’s a good place to look for a PRI to SIP conversion? While I’m wishing, I want something that’s compatible with FreePBX/Asterisk, reliable, easy to install, and most of all inexpensive? I know, **** in one hand and wish in the other.

Thanks!!

2

I believe RAD communications has a product that will convert PRI to TCP/IP and back again. I’ve used RAD products and have found the company very helpful. Give them a call and explain your situation. Their website is WWW.RAD.COM.

3

In my opinion there is only one way to do this properly, a Cisco multi-service router with a PRI card. It is completely bulletproof and will do exactly what you want.

If you are already a Cisco shop you may find that the IT folks have a router that will do the job and you just need to pickup a PRI card. I just bought a 2811 on eBay for $200, the price on this stuff is obscenely inexpensive considering what you are getting.

4

Thanks for the Info! I’ll check out RAD, and I’ve already sent this message to my Cisco guru.

5

If the boxes are in the same network you could use dahdi TDMoE (dynamic ethernet ) with no other hardware needed. But it is a layer 2 protocol.

6

Also have a look at the Sangoma Vegastream boxes. They can connect multiple ISDN’s to a SIP trunk.