Router with 8 T1/E1_G.703 ports

[rcasta]

Hello,

Hope someone can help me out. I need to find out which router (for a small-to-medium sized company) that may support T1/E1_G.703 ports (non-ATM).

I will appreciate any pointers.

Best regards,

 

[IllegalOperation]

Correct me if Im wrong, but a 3745 is the lowest end router that can support up to eight E1/T1 modules. Thats off the top of my head so I could be wrong....

 

[rcasta]

Well, I'll go check it at once. By the way, my company is trying to load balance its traffic thru these 8 E1 links as if they were one logical link. I reckon it's possible, but I heard somewhere that Cisco routers support up to 6 links for load balancing using CEF.

best regards,

 

[BuckWeet]

Why not get a fractional DS3?


BuckWeet

 

[rcasta]

I know it'll be the way to go, though at the present moment we have roughly 200 users and plan to use at least 2 E1's now. Then, if required, enable more E1's on the road.

Options are still being considered though. What about price? Is it less expensive having an 8 E1 port module than an E3 module?

best regards,

 

[IllegalOperation]

Im not sure how it is in Europe, but you usually start saving money using a DS3 after about seven or eight T1s. As Buckweet mentioned, I would suggest starting out with a fractional DS3 - especially if you expect to use more than a couple T1s.

That way, you will save yourself a lot of stress and time from the conversion of eight DS1s to a DS3. Furthermore, your provider will probably let you know that it can take them 60 days or even longer to put in the new DS3 circuit (regardless of how many T1s you have), which can add to the conversion problems.

As far as the WIC pricing goes, I think they are about the same.

 

[rcasta]

Thank you for taking time in sharing your thoughts. I will certainly keep them in mind before making a final decision.

best regards,