Cisco Network Cards Allow Gradual Shift To Voice Over IP
Cisco Systems yesterday unveiled a number of network cardsdesigned to allow voice communication over existing Cisco
equipment. The Digital T1/E1 Voice Trunk Network Modules
lets Cisco 2600 routers support up to 48 simultaneous voice
calls and the 3600 Series support up to 288 simultaneous
voice calls. The Digital T1/E1 High-Capacity Voice Port
Adapter lets the 7200 Series and 7500 Series support up to
720 simultaneous voice calls.
In addition to voice over IP, the cards let 2600 Series and
3600 Series routers support voice over frame relay and
standard nonpacketized voice transmissions, letting IT shops
gradually migrate from one technology to the other. Prices
for both products range from $7,400 to $23,000. The units
are expected to ship next month.
Products that let companies start carrying voice traffic on
their data networks often require investments in new
networking equipment, according to industry analysts. "VoIP
deployment often involves an 'out with the old, in with the
new' approach to equipment upgrades," says Peter Daily,
managing partner at Frost & Sullivan.
However, Cisco customers with 2600, 3600, 7200, and 7500
Series routers in their networks can start converging the
voice and data network without completely replacing their
network infrastructure. "This lets companies get their toes
wet before they jump into a VoIP deployment," Daily says.
"As they become comfortable with voice running on their data
network in a small scale, they can scale up."
We welcome your comments on this topic on our social media channels, or
[contact us directly] with questions about the site.
More Insights