sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Nortel Telephones & Systems Now What Do I DO ?

Here is the story....

Bank is building a branch office. Has a Norstar system (KSU unknown) with T7316E sets. They want to use the existing system and VM, just add sets at the new branch one mile away.

Embarq wants to sell them a T-1 with a MCK Extender. Information or comments on this set up? Other options? Suggestions?

Thanks,

i have done several installs with mck extenders
works awsome but beware that if you connect t1 to mck the quality isn't the best have you considered using pots lines with mck"s

i think there is a page issue"bandwidth" on mck's...get rid of n* and replace with a bcm50..Jump on VOIP bandwagon...Be careful not to fall under the rolling wheels

Thank you both for your input.....I am NOT a Nortel type. I'm working with what the telco and customer have / been proposed.

Ken,
I don't think that Embarq's solution is the best. Are they selling this T-1 just for the MCK or will it also be for data?

If it were me...I would suggest adding another MICS (assuming the main branch has a MICS) at the new branch. You could then network the two systems in a couple of different ways.

You could use a dedicated PRI and use the Norstar MCDN protocol. This would be the most advanced route, but you would still be using a dedicated PRI just for voice.

Or, you could use a channel bank to break out the T-1 to voice and data. Send the voice channels to the Norstar DTI card, and program some routes between the two sites. This would give you the ability to transfer calls between the two sites, but you would need a voice-mail system at the new location (if they want VM).

Thirdly, you could let the CG's configure the T-1 for data and give you a couple of IP addresses. Then you could set up a MultiTech "MultiVoIP" unit that would interface with your Norstar's with either a DTI card or with E&M trunks. This would give you the same routing as above, but you would only use a small amount of bandwidth and it would be much easier to add a third location in the future.

You could certainly install a BCM as Pat suggested, but it is not for the faint of heart. And, in my opinion, the Norstar is much more stable.

If it were me, I would try to upgrade everything to a Vodavi XTS, but you know I'm biased.

The Embarq solution wouldn't give them any "disaster proofing" (for lack of better words). If the power goes out at the main office, then there are no phones at the branch. If the T-1 goes down, there are no phones at the branch. If a Kansas tornado levels the main office, there are no phones at the branch. If there is a fire at the main office, there are no phones at the branch. You get the picture.

Also, don't forget about 911 routing. You don't want the branch to pick up a phone and dial 911 because of a hold-up and the police show up at the main office.

Just some thoughts.

-Larry

Larry,
The T-1 is data /and/or/ voice.

You spoke a lot of Nortel there ... I'll have it deciphered by noon . What do you think the maximum distance that the sets will work on a dry cable pair?

I will forward the information I have gained in this thread to the customer and see what they think. I could do the same as I did for the other bank just down the street. They just bought this Norstar three years ago and want to maintain it. We'll see.

Thanks for the input and all the help.

With The Station Auxiliary Power Supply you can Extends the loop length from 1,000 to 2,600 feet between a set or terminal and the Norstar system using a dedicated cable to connect the two locations "i don not believe it doable thru telco due to repeaters". One SAP powers up to three sets at 2,600 feet or two CAP modules (which do not have to be connected to the same M7324 set) at 1,000 feet. Output is 24VDC at .25A.
When used on long loop applications the SAP is located at the station set. The station line cord must be 4 conductors.

With that said you can with a opx trunk from telco and som ATA's use a small CICS or bcm50"which evers cheaper and have the ATA's supply Dailtone to Branch and some ATA's back feed to MICS at main site

Hmmmm...a mile away. I wonder if you could get away from some nice wireless equipment?

No line of site........

I am going to do a wheel out on the cable length. The main office is across the alley from the Telco Office. Depending on the cable run it should be less than a mile......

Thanks, Guys.

MCK extender is a bandaid solution good for a few sets at best.

The best solution is a second MICS (assuming the 1st is a MICS) networked with a PtoP Pri. This will give you local lines at the head office and the branch. I think it's absolutely imperative the branch have local lines for the 911 emergency locator.

While BCM is the more current Nortel solution it is not without it's own issues. As Larry said it's not always stable. Norstar, while not being the most up to date, is a rock solid and proven platform.

Networked systems give you dialing plan with intercom dialing and shared lines if needed. With 6.1 software or higher you can use a centralized voice mail.

This is a bank, they heve money, don't skimp.