sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Vodavi Telephones & Systems Adding another XTSc system and networking w/ Voip

I am considering adding an XTSc system with 4x8x2 capability for a small branch office of ours and networking it to our Corporate office in another state through a quality low latency Internet connection. It looks like the 3001-00 package would be a good fit for this location. Then I would just need to add a VoIP card (4 port would be fine) to it. This location currently uses basic GE 4 line phones (no KSU or PBX) with rollover POTS lines. I would also need to get a 12 port (though would consider 24 also for future expansion) for the existing XTSc at the Corporate office (it has 1 slot open, the one labeled slot 6).

I noticed that it states no PLLU or DTMF for the 3001-00 package. What does that mean functionality wise?

Am I looking for the right stuff? How much should I expect to pay for just the equipment? I have extra phones, so wouldn't need to buy any of them.

Thank you for any advice or input you may provide!

Can't help you on pricing questions in this forum, that's rule #1 here. That's up to you and your local dealer or distributor. You are on the right track though, with regard to equipment needs. Yes, a PLLU is required for networking if using a PRI for a point-to-point connection. Not so with VoIP, however both systems must have networking software installed.

There's a whole lot of additional information that will be needed about your existing system (I am assuming that corporate has an XTS/XTSc system in place now with networking software). If not, then you can't just install an XTSc as a stand-alone system and link it back to headquarters.

We really can't go any further with assistance until your member profile is complete, so please take a moment to do so.

Ed -
Thanks for the reply. I updated my profile per your request. I apologize for the price question. I am just trying to get a feeling for what the company will have to spend and didn't notice it was taboo. Won't happen again. Again, sorry about that.

My existing system at the Corporate location is an XTSc running on a T1 (non PRI) split into 14 voice and 10 Internet channels. The T1 runs through an Adtran 616 to our network router and to the KSU. The following cards are installed from right to left in the KSU:

-CKIB (or is it CK1B)
-DTIB24
-LCOBC
-LCOBC
-Empty slot
-VM card

Since there is currently no Voip card installed I am assuming that networking software is not installed either. Not sure. On a side note, I am considering "upgrading" our T1 to a PRI for our phone service. Would this require anything more than a PRIB card (3031-40) equipment wise? I'm assuming I would be able to pull out the two LCOBC cards out at that point, correct?

Going back to the branch location without a KSU presently... So if I want to use 4 POTS lines like they do now, do you believe the 3001-00 package is most appropriate? Then just add the VOIP card and networking software? What if I decided to go with a split T1 (voice/data) down the road? Any recommendations there?

Again, thanks so much! It's a BIG help!!!

Not to worry about the earlier issues; it's a common mistake. Now, back to the original matter at hand:

I agree that it's not likely that you have networking software in the main system. I also doubt that you have a PLLU since the existing T1 doesn't terminate directly on the system. So that being said, you could definitely upgrade to a PRI card for your phone lines, but the PLLU will be required. Also, yes, the LCOB's will have to be removed in order to accommodate this.

The XTSc has a maximum capacity of 28 CO lines, with four of them built into the basic system. A PRI or T1 card will occupy the remaining 24 available line ports. The LCOB's will actually have to be removed before the system will allow the addition of the PRI card.

Now, here's another issue. If you have an XTSc at the main office, you are not going to be able to use it as the "hub" system if you have a PRI. Remember that there is a 28 CO (trunk) limit, four that can't be removed. With a PRI card installed, you can't use a VOIP card because tie lines, even with VOIP, count against the trunk count. Yes, channels (trunks) can be stripped away from the PRI card in groups of four, but that becomes a bit of a waste of money.

My recommendation would be to use the existing XTSc at the remote site and replace the hub system with a regular XTS. This way, you will have the trunk capacity needed and you can reuse existing hardware while minimizing equipment investment.

Usually in these environments, VOIP with a point-to-point data T1 is the most efficient that we have seen. We have also used point-to-point T1's and split channels out at each end for voice/data, but it seems like a waste of money on hardware.

I don't think the 3001-00 package is really what you need because your main system won't be able to accommodate what you are trying to do. Like I said, take the 3001 package that you already have and use it at the distant office and spend a little more to buy an XTS as the hub.

Sounds like I will need to move the existing XTSc box to the branch office then and get an XTS box for the corporate office.

Now it's a matter of deciding whether to switch the corporate office to PRI at this time or keep it on the split T1.

Thanks again for all of your input and advice. It's helped to clear up a great deal.

Actually, one last question.

The 3192-00 XTS package states "no DTMF included". What does that do to the functionality? Is that for receiving the touch tones for attendant menus and such?

Thanks!

This really means nothing unless you will be using a directly-connected T1, since that's analog signaling and it requires DTMF receivers to translate inbound digits, like DID numbers (A.K.A. DNIS digits).

The absence of this receiver unit has no effect on other inbound calls, or outbound calls for that matter over regular POTS lines. The only time that this would be an issue would be if you added an analog (SLT) station card to the system.

The XTXc has DTMF receivers to support the two "built-in" analog ports that come with the basic system. Remember that the XTS does not come equipped with any SLT ports; cards must be added.

If using VOIP or PRI circuits, then receivers are not required at all since that's all digital signaling.

Honestly, I think the reason that Vodavi adds this statement in the package description is because the XTS's predecessor, the infinite DVX+4 or Triad 3 did include two receivers. Since the XTS package was designed as a near-identical replacement, they wanted to make sure that this minor difference was understood.