ISDN and analog connectivity options
Introduction
This document describes the options to extend the Escaux UCS solution with ISDN or analog interfaces or connections, the different combinations of interface cards that are possible, which appliance supports which card combination and if there are limitations or special considerations.
Minimum requirements:
Analog devices
Analog devices can be divided into 3 categories:
- Voice connection: This type of connection will carry an actual voice call.
- Ordinary analog telephones (fix or DECT), remote controlled barriers, intercom systems, ...
- Fax connection
- A classic fax device to transmit documents over an analog line.
- Modem connection
- A modem to exchange data with a remote computer system, an automated stamp machine, certain alarm systems, ...
Not all analog interfaces or connections support all categories. This table illustrates which category of device can be connected to which analog interfaces or connections:
| |
FXS port using Sangoma Card Support 2 with a direct T.38 compliant SIP trunk to the PSTN network |
FXS port using Sangoma Card Support 2 with a direct BA/PRA connection to the PSTN network |
FXS port not using NetBorder |
ATA in T.38 mode with a direct T.38 compliant SIP trunk to the PSTN network or a direct BA/PRA connection to the PSTN network |
ATA in T.38 mode |
| Voice connection |
 (8) |
(8) |
(8) |
|
|
| Fax connection (3) |
 |
(8) |
 (2) |
|
|
| Modem connection (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
Legend:
- : Supported
- : Not supported
-
: Work in progress, will be updated soon
- (2): Although a lot of faxes will work, not every fax device is supported or will be able to achieve a high success rate.
- (3): The maximum attainable transmission speed will be slower than when connecting the fax or modem on a PSTN line directly. When fax or modem communications are business critical, we recommend using dedicated analogue lines rather than FXS / ATA solutions.
- (8): For voice and fax communication, ATAs are preferred over FXS cards.
Using the Communication Server module and Sangoma Card Support module version 3.x.x
Appliances and interface card compatibility
Legend:
- : Supported
- : Not supported
- : Work in progress, will be updated soon
ISDN and analog interface card compatibility
Legend:
- : Supported
- : Not supported
- : Work in progress, will be updated soon
-
: Combination already described in this table, check the diagonal mirror value.
- (6) : Please contact Escaux : This is a non-standard card combination or requires careful dimensioning.
- (7) : These cards can be combined to carry voice, but will in such a setup not carry fax/modem communication reliably. More information can be found here.
Remarks and limitations
- The analog connections is only possible by adding ATAs to the environment. Please refer to this chapter for more information on which type of devices can be connected to an ATA.
- The Configuration of card is done through Dahdi module
- Since FCS Card are not supported, it won't be possible to connect a modem on the SOP. If modems are required, it is recommended to use a separated Analog line from a local operator.
E1 & T1
Every interface of a PRI card can be configured in either E1 or T1 mode. These modes may never be mixed on one single card. Example for a PRI card with 2 interfaces:
- Interface 1 in E1, interface 2 in E1: OK
- Interface 1 in T1, interface 2 in T1: OK
- Interface 1 in E1, interface 2 in T1: Not OK
Combining PRI cards in 1 server where one card is set in E1 mode and the other in T1 mode is possible for
voice connections only (not faxes/modems) due to a lack of synchronisation of the clocking source provided by the operator. Example for 2 PRI cards with 2 interfaces each:
- Card 1/Interface 1 in E1, Card 1/Interface 2 in E1, Card 2/Interface 1 in E1, Card 2/Interface 2 in E1: OK
- Card 1/Interface 1 in E1, Card 1/Interface 2 in E1, Card 2/Interface 1 in T1, Card 2/Interface 2 in T1: OK
- Card 1/Interface 1 in E1, Card 1/Interface 2 in T1, Card 2/Interface 1 in T1, Card 2/Interface 2 in T1: Not OK
- Card 1/Interface 1 in E1, Card 1/Interface 2 in E1, Card 2/Interface 1 in E1, Card 2/Interface 2 in T1: Not OK
Using the Communication Server module and Sangoma Card Support module version 2.x.x
Appliances and interface card compatibility
Legend:
- : Supported
- : Not supported
- : Work in progress, will be updated soon
ISDN and analog interface card compatibility
Legend:
- : Supported
- : Not supported
- : Work in progress, will be updated soon
- : Combination already described in this table, check the diagonal mirror value.
- (6) : Please contact Escaux : This is a non-standard card combination or requires careful dimensioning.
- (7) : These cards can be combined to carry voice, but will in such a setup not carry fax/modem communication reliably. More information can be found here.
Remarks and limitations
- The number of analog connections can be increased by adding ATAs to the environment. Please refer to this chapter for more information on which type of devices can be connected to an ATA.
- When combining a Sangoma A200 with one of the following cards, a sync cable needs to be connected between the 2 cards to make sure there are no clocking issues: Sangoma B700, Sangoma A101, Sangoma A102
- The Sangoma NetBorder driver does not support more than 120 channels, hence the inability to combine a Sangoma A104 with any other card.
- The Sangom Netborder is not supported on Baseline 2.4 and later. Therefore the Sangoma Card Support 2.x cannot be DL20, DL120 and ML110. For ISDN connectivity, the Sangoma Card Support 3.x can be used instead.
E1 & T1
Every interface of a PRI card can be configured in either E1 or T1 mode. These modes may never be mixed on one single card. Example for a PRI card with 2 interfaces:
- Interface 1 in E1, interface 2 in E1: OK
- Interface 1 in T1, interface 2 in T1: OK
- Interface 1 in E1, interface 2 in T1: Not OK
Combining PRI cards in 1 server where one card is set in E1 mode and the other in T1 mode is possible for
voice connections only (not faxes/modems) due to a lack of synchronisation of the clocking source provided by the operator. Example for 2 PRI cards with 2 interfaces each:
- Card 1/Interface 1 in E1, Card 1/Interface 2 in E1, Card 2/Interface 1 in E1, Card 2/Interface 2 in E1: OK
- Card 1/Interface 1 in E1, Card 1/Interface 2 in E1, Card 2/Interface 1 in T1, Card 2/Interface 2 in T1: OK
- Card 1/Interface 1 in E1, Card 1/Interface 2 in T1, Card 2/Interface 1 in T1, Card 2/Interface 2 in T1: Not OK
- Card 1/Interface 1 in E1, Card 1/Interface 2 in E1, Card 2/Interface 1 in E1, Card 2/Interface 2 in T1: Not OK
Using the Asterisk-1.2x module
Appliances and interface card compatibility
ISDN and analog interface card compatibility
Legend:
- : Supported
- : Not supported
- : Work in progress, will be updated soon
- : Combination already described in this table, check the diagonal mirror value.
- (1) : Please contact Escaux : This is a non-standard card combination or requires careful dimensioning.
- (4) : A combination of these 2 cards does not fit in every appliance. Please refer to the section about appliance and interface card compatibility for more information.
- (5) : These cards can be combined to carry voice, but will in such a setup not carry fax/modem communication reliably. More information can be found here.
Remarks and limitations
- It is recommended not to mix Digium and Sangoma interface cards. By combining two interface card vendors, locating and resolving technical issue could become more time consuming.
- The number of analog connections can be increased by adding ATAs to the environment. Please refer to this chapter for more information on which type of devices can be connected to an ATA.
- When combining a Sangoma A200 with one of the following cards, a sync cable needs to be connected between the 2 cards to make sure there are no clocking issues: B700, A101, A102, A104
- There is not more Analog and ISDN card support with asterisk-1.2 from the Baseline 2.4. Therefore the last server to support Analog and ISDN card with asterisk-1.2 is the HP DL320 G8, which is end of sales. Therefore, if you need Analog or ISDN card support, an upgrade to Communication Server is required.
.
E1 & T1
Every interface of a PRI card can be configured in either E1 or T1 mode. These modes may never be mixed on one single card. Example for a PRI card with 2 interfaces:
- Interface 1 in E1, interface 2 in E1: OK
- Interface 1 in T1, interface 2 in T1: OK
- Interface 1 in E1, interface 2 in T1: Not OK
Combining PRI cards in 1 server where one card is set in E1 mode and the other in T1 mode is possible for
voice connections only (not faxes/modems) due to a lack of synchronisation of the clocking source provided by the operator. Example for 2 PRI cards with 2 interfaces each:
- Card 1/Interface 1 in E1, Card 1/Interface 2 in E1, Card 2/Interface 1 in E1, Card 2/Interface 2 in E1: OK
- Card 1/Interface 1 in E1, Card 1/Interface 2 in E1, Card 2/Interface 1 in T1, Card 2/Interface 2 in T1: OK
- Card 1/Interface 1 in E1, Card 1/Interface 2 in T1, Card 2/Interface 1 in T1, Card 2/Interface 2 in T1: Not OK
- Card 1/Interface 1 in E1, Card 1/Interface 2 in E1, Card 2/Interface 1 in E1, Card 2/Interface 2 in T1: Not OK
Deprecated cards (End of Sales - available for extensions or maintenance only)
- Digium 1A4xxxx : 4FXS
- Digium 1A8xxxx : 8FXS
- Digium 1TE1xxxx : 1PRI
- Digium 1TE4xxxx : 4PRI
- Digium 1TE2xxxx : 2PRI
- Sangoma B700 : 4BRI
- Sangoma B700 : 4BRI-2FXS
- Sangoma A200: A200
combined with 