Question about analog extension modules

[Chris S]

Hey all, super quick question, looking at options for installing an AVAYA IP Office V2A in a nursing home, replacing the current Grandstream. The issue is that there is 1 MDF in the building and about 3 IDF's about 150 feet away (going down the wings)

Currently, I would need in each of those IDF's 2x Analog phone 30's

I know they come with about a 5ft cord to connect to the rear of the IPOffice, but I also have 2x Cat6A cables tying the rooms together, would the modules connect with Cat6A cable at that length?

Has anyone ever run into this issue before? if so have any pointers on what you did?

And before you ask, no we cannot home run all the analog lines in the Main server room with a 100 pair and Bix field. (They will sooner keep the system they got than run cabling)

 

[Shaun E]

Even though they look like ethernet cables, they're not. The system uses a proprietary protocol to connect from the main unit to the modules and any distance longer than the included cable will throw out the timing and cause you a world of grief.

If you can't run twisted pairs for the analog lines then some possible options include deploying IP Office Server Edition with 500v2 units and appropriate modules as remote expansions or third party SIP licenses and a high density ATA like the Grandstream GXW4224.

 

[John Tel]

You are limited to the cables and length that comes with the units. They should be shielded and the proper length for timing purpose. You can test over the Cat6 but I would expect major issues since they are 150ft.

You could throw a CU in each IDF for the analog expansions and SCN them across the Cat6 if cabling is out of the question.

 

[IPOriface]

Another option could be to run SIP Analogue gateways in the IDF's. The 3rd party endpoint lics would add to the cost, but the Phone30's aren't exactly cheap, so the pricing might end up in the same ballpark, and then if they ever do recable the joint and want to run SIP handsets in the rooms, you're already licensed for it.

 

[MikeeOK]

We specialise in providing services to these types of customers and prefer to use the IPO with POTs card/modules. It allows us to provide a much simpler solution to manage as well as the benefit of basic phones and specialty phones such as big button phones. We also allow residents to bring their own phone.

I assume you don't have pairs between the MDF and IDFs? How many connections do you have off each IDF?

If it was me I would be installing a IP500 at each IDF and depending on functions required either essential VM and SIP trunks or SNC connection back to a primary.

Absolutely don't use the wrong cable to link, 3ft, max and screened.

 

[Swiney52]

While these are all good suggestions, if it were me I would get a 50 pair feed ran to each IDF. I think this would be more cost effective and is the right way to do it. It saves the customer in the long run because every future system they put in will benefit having the feed cables and not having to do some sort of IP option that adds complexity.
I think sometimes we forget the best way to do old school phone stuff is with old school phone stuff.
Now if running feed cables is a no go because of how the building is built then one of these other options would be fine.

 

[ipohead]

What's the existing cable and how many phones? Cable could be cheap compared to the other options but there is of course the work installing which really depends on your set up.