T1 over IP - Can it be done and how big a router is needed?

[Chris Libby]

Is it possible using a Cisco 1921 model router with a T1 WIC to encapsulate the T1 traffic and pass it across IP?  My company and our new parent want to connect our PBX's together, but upgrading to SIP trunking for one switch is prohibitively expensive.  Both PBX's have free T1 slots, but we want to run this traffic across our 10 mb/s IP WAN with our other data.  If this is not possible with a 1921 series, what is the smallest unit that would accomplish this?

The following link is a basic overview of my idea:

[paolo bevilacqua]

You can do that with an e.g: 1861, 2801, 2901. It's called VoIP and you will need a reputable consultant to get it working.

[Chris Libby]

That's doesn't exactly answer my question.  I'm aware and understand VoIP, but in this situation it's not a direct option.  We have an Avaya PBX which runs H.323 and our parent has a Mitel solution running SIP - making the two talking with either SIP trunking or H.323 trunking is prohibitively expensive.  However we have found devices which encapsulate a T1 circuit over IP, and there was some discussion of this being possible using a T1/E1 VWIC and the appropriate router.

This information looks like what I would like to try: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/ios/12_4/interface/configuration/guide/hbbfeamo.html

However I'm looking for practical experience from someone who has done this.  Thanks - Chris

[paolo bevilacqua]

T1 VWIC == VoIP. Or you can have T1 one side and VoIP the other. Or you can configure a router to "convert" H.323 to SIP and skip T1 altogether.

Whatever the design, I recommed you pay the "someone that has done this" rather trying yourself to secure long hours of frustraion and loss of service..