Telco Systems takes slow transition to IP

Telco Systems has launched an integrated access device aimed at giving carriers a unit that can be deployed in existing networks but also serve in IP voice networks of the future.

The Access60 HDI can be deployed either as a TDM-based IAD, enable carriers to provide voice over IP, IP Centrex and other IP data services over existing circuit-switched networks, or an IP-enabled unit for Ethernet network infrastructures. In the case of the former, the transition to an IP-based unit is through a software upgrade. In its most basic form, the IAD, which is targeted at the medium business market, is equipped only with service delivery and uplink modules. As bandwidth demands increase or new services are required, new modules are added and can be blended within the same chassis.

"A lot of the IADs that you will see on the market are enterprise grade," said Irit Gillath, vice president of VoIP and IP product management for Telco Systems. "This is NEBS certified and has carrier management built in. It speaks to their network and their environment."

From the speeds and feeds perspective, the Access60 HDI provides voice of up to 48 FXS in a compact chassis, only 3 RU of which can be wall or rack-mounted. The chassis can accept up to 6 hot-swappable service modules and includes T1/E1 and 10/100 BaseT Ethernet uplink options. On the customer facing side, the IAD has 10/100BaseT to the LAN, BRI, and FXS/FXO/E&M analog interfaces, and PRI/T1 PBX.

Also on the upstream side, the company offers a variety of encapsulations including Frame Relay over T1, PPP and multilink PPP (MLP) over 4 T1s thus combining them into one logical data link.

"The deployment case of VoIP is still a little slow," Gillath said. "This lets carriers put in place a way for them to get ready."