A locally designed and supported, cost-effective solution that bridges the legacy gap between conventional telecommunications channels and Internet Protocol (IP) networks has been released by South African electronic research and development house, Netshield SA.
Netshield MD, Inus Dreckmeyr, says that despite recognition of the efficiency, flexibility and growing ubiquity of IP, the reality remains that many enterprise users are concerned about the capital expenditures for 'forklift' upgrades and the operating expenses associated with maintaining a complex VoIP network. "In addition, they are reluctant to give up their legacy PBXs with their excellent voice quality, ease of use and broad range of features," he adds.
Similar issues are holding back service provider adoption of the technology. Apart from inherent conservatism, telco service providers recognise that VoIP deployment requires an investment in new network infrastructure and customer premises equipment (CPE).
The solution, Dreckmeyr believes, is a transport technology known as Time Division Multiplexing over Internet Protocol (TDMoIP). "TDMoIP offers a simple, evolutionary alternative to VoIP by addressing many enterprise concerns. It supports legacy PBX signalling protocols transparently over IP, Ethernet and MPLS and presents a migration path that allows modern packet switched networks to be used for transport, while end-user equipment need not be immediately replaced. Effectively, therefore, TDMoIP retains the investment in existing equipment and provides full legacy functionality over IP," he explains.
The new Netshield TDMoIP-2E1 and TDMoIP-4E1 devices, providing 2 and 4 E1 channels respectively, are easily-configured hardware mode switches that utilise innovative, second-generation TDMoIP technology to transport legacy E1 data through an existing IP network, thereby providing a cost-effective solution for traditional telecom services migration to IP packet networking technology. The devices support framed and unframed E1 channels, and most traditional E1 and IP services, such as voice, data, fax, as well as other communication services.
"Because the devices are suitable for connecting to cost-effective wireless equipment, and thereby achieve fast deployment of E1 services, telecom and enterprise users can save access and equipment costs, and establish alternative revenue streams by offering additional services over existing Ethernet networks. One application, for example, could be to build E1 links with low-cost Wireless LAN bridges, replacing much more costly microwave-type radios. Telecom operators can provide legacy TDM services over wired or wireless packet networks," Dreckmeyr says.
Designed in South Africa to meet local conditions, the TDMoIP-XE1 incorporates IP circuit emulation that supports transportation of one/two/four E1s as well as two Ethernet ports over IP networks like wireless 802.11a/b/g radios. The 10/100BaseT auto-sensed Ethernet uplink and user ports are IEEE 802.3-compliant.
For more information contact Inus Dreckmeyr, Netshield, +27 (0)12 424 9345, [email protected]
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