T1 Router Help

[pstylesss]

I am looking for a router or switch that will allow for 3 T1 connections to come in. We would prefer to use cisco, but any good brand router will work. The connections can either be active, or modules - but in the end we need to have 3.

Does anyone have any suggestions? My co-worker is looking at the cisco 2801 as I'm typing this, but I would like to have some options available.

Thanks for any help!

 

[marulee]

What are you trying to acheive? Your NIC must be able to handle the bandwidth or it is a waste.

 

[Cooky]

If you're looking at 3 T1's, I recommend at least one model up (2811) for room to grow.
If it'll also do inter-vlan routing for you, I recommend 2821 for the Gig E ports.

 

[pstylesss]

@ marulee: We have 3 point to points coming in from different locations. A different company is handling the server, it isn't ours. But I assume it can handle it.

@ Cooky: I was looking that one over, but it I couldn't see any place on there for exapansion, and it looked at the specs and didnt see anything about more than one T1 port. I'm not much of a wan person, so any I may be way off.

Thanks for the responses!

 

[marulee]

Consider getting a firewall with double WAN. Vlan and WAN failover would be a good option.

 

[pstylesss]

Would I still not need a DSU/CSU? We already have a firewall, but the current one doesn't have the expansion that we need.

We could just go with 3 modems, but thats not something we're too interested in.

 

[jlazzaro]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
Would I still not need a DSU/CSU? We already have a firewall, but the current one doesn't have the expansion that we need.

We could just go with 3 modems, but thats not something we're too interested in.

depends on the type of WICs (WAN Interface Card) you purchase. most all of the newer ones have CSU's internally...

i second the 2811. currently have 3 t1's in a multilink...never skips a beat.

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
@ Cooky: I was looking that one over, but it I couldn't see any place on there for exapansion, and it looked at the specs and didnt see anything about more than one T1 port. I'm not much of a wan person, so any I may be way off.

WICs are purchased seperately from the router. 2811 supports 4 HWICs, theoretically it could do 8 T1's.

 

[Cooky]

In the data sheet:
4 slots, each slot can support HWIC, WIC, VIC, or VWIC type modules

So you can get three T1 WIC's in right now, and can throw in another one if needed.

Consider getting a firewall with double WAN

Most of the firewalls w/ dual WAN option I've seen only support ethernet.
Please send URL if you see something that does.

 

[jlazzaro]

they definately exist...check out the higher end Nokia IP or Juniper NetScreen's

 

[funkbass81]

i currently have a single T1 that goes to our 1841. we are adding an additional T1 to be bundled via MFR. will the 1841 handle that with a 2-port WIC or am i going to have to upgrade the router?

 

[jlazzaro]

Originally posted by: funkbass81
i currently have a single T1 that goes to our 1841. we are adding an additional T1 to be bundled via MFR. will the 1841 handle that with a 2-port WIC or am i going to have to upgrade the router?

MFR? the 1841 has 2 WIC slots, so either buy another 1 port WIC and run a max of 2 T1's, or buy a 2 port WIC and have a spare port for expandibility.

 

[funkbass81]

verizon is having the t1's bundled by multilink frame relay

 

[pstylesss]

Thanks for all the replys guys. I'll see what I can do about getting us to go with the 2811. I need to expand my knowledge of wan, and routers/switches in general. I'm going to be Googleing for some reading material, but if any of you have any good links -or ebooks, I'd love to get them.

Thanks again!

 

[pstylesss]

one last question:

Does Cisco offer firmware and software updates for free, or is this something you need to pay for?

 

[cmetz]

ZeroIQ, you basically have to get a SmartNet service contract. It's the only 100% legit way to get software updates. The ISR routers (including the 2811) have poor quality software in my experience, and so you WILL need access to software updates. So basically, always buy SmartNet with Cisco routers. It is not cheap - it's a hidden but very real cost of using Cisco gear.

If you're bringing in 3 T1s from different places (as opposed to, say, doing a 3xT1 multi-link), consider buying two smaller routers instead. That way you're not putting all your eggs in one basket.