Converting to IP Trunks 1

[hydroprogrammer]

I was considering installing an IP trunk between two option 11C systems. Does anybody know what is required to get this up and running? Both 11s are 25.40b and are connected using tie trunks right now. I am told that our network is QoS enabled.

I think they both require a Media Gateway card and signaling server. Is this correct? Is there anything else?

 

[srmega41]

There are several options that I am aware of, and many more I am not. We are currently looking at this same thing, but with a larger number of locations. So far, we have spoken to Mitel, Cisco, Avaya, and obviously Nortel. Here is what I can offer.

Cisco offers a QSIG interface that will do VoIP trunking. You connect the 11's into the CIsco router, then use the router software, or Call Manager, to define IP trunks between the two sites. You can also do a passthough T1 across the WAN, but it is a little more bandwidth intensive.

Mitel also offers a gateway solution, but their box sits between the Nortel and the router. You would still configure QSIG trunks, and then the Mitel PBX is where the IP trunks are configured.

Nortel has two options that will do this for you, one is the Media card and signalling server, or use a BCM as a gateway, like the other two vendors. I think the benefit the BCM has over the other two is the use of MCDN as compared to a QSIG T1.

Another option is to find a couple of ITG2 trunk cards. If you have the IP Trunks in your ISM's, and have OTM to configure them, this would also work. One benefit of the older ITG2 cards is you can build them without the need of a signalling server. You would need an external MSDL card, but that may be a small price to pay in excahne for not needing signalling servers. One note I will make here is that if you plan to do this between more than just the two sites, be careful. ITG2 cards, as well as the media card option, still have some issues with Trunk Route Optimization and call modification.

Hope this helps. I am sure there are several other ways to do this.

Scott M.