| With all the options available now ... e.g. ethernet, | | | | their firewall for access and they're up and running |
| wireless, etc. ... is T1 bandwidth (and all it's flavors) even | | | | provided their phone system is in place. |
| a viable choice as a network solution (or part of one) | | | | In some "new construction" areas, no Fiber has been |
| for today's businesses? | | | | laid, the Telco isn't tariffed for splitting a T with a PRI, |
| Though the T1 is a hold over from a technological | | | | so you're stuck with DSL (unless you want to pay for |
| universe from a galaxy far away. It is still widely used | | | | multiple analog lines and a separate T1, running your bill |
| and ordered by customers big and small. There is an | | | | over $1000/month). DSL is fine for bandwidth and |
| extremely large base of private IP networks that ride | | | | offers many speeds, but a T1 is far more reliable than |
| on T1 circuits. But if we want to be accurate, we | | | | DSL in the vast majority of installs. The DSL will also |
| should refer to it as DS-1 since what we are really | | | | require more effort to run an internal mail server by |
| talking about is the telephony network signaling format | | | | getting a static IP, DNS records, constant blacklisting of |
| still of use and viable. | | | | DSL users, ad nauseum. |
| In my opinion, the telephony network is grossly | | | | A T-1 carries a significantly higher cost per megabit |
| under-estimated and understood by most network | | | | then other cheaper mediums. With the extra cost |
| engineers. We do and will for a long time continue to | | | | comes some specific benefits though. A T-1 carries an |
| build logical networks on the back of the physical | | | | uptime guarantee. What this means is your circuit is |
| telephony network. Large carriers have gradually built | | | | monitored 24/7 for problems, and most carriers |
| large packet data networks in parallel to the PSTN, but | | | | guarantee your internet or point to point will be up and |
| those networks still depend on the telephony network | | | | functional %99.99 of the time. This is important if for |
| infrastructure for access. | | | | example your company hosts it's own email server, |
| The key issue is what other high speed services are | | | | and email delivery is mission critical. |
| available, and at what cost. Significantly higher speed | | | | In addition, a T-1 comes with "Quality of Service"(QOS). |
| services may actually cost less than a T-1. With the | | | | In a nutshell, QOS makes sure everything you send out |
| advent of Pseudowire technology, you can use a | | | | gets processed in the same order it is sent out. This is |
| packet based service and still derive TDM interfaces | | | | attractive for companies who use Voice over Internet |
| such as T-1, T-3, etc., with all of the timing, functionality | | | | Protocol(VOIP) or companies who have a VOIP/PRI |
| and QoS of traditional carrier services. The fact that | | | | phone system. It makes sure your voice data comes |
| many of these new services are packet based (IP, | | | | across smooth and minimizes the delay between |
| Ethernet, MPLS) means that you can keep your | | | | when you speak and when the other party hears you. |
| existing PBX or other equipment that needs a T-1 | | | | DSL is usually a cheaper solution, and usually provides |
| circuit, and transition to VoIP or other packet based | | | | higher bandwidth-per-circuit for smaller enterprises. |
| applications later. Having done that, you still have | | | | However, beyond the lack of reliable SLAs, DSL |
| significant bandwidth left over for internet access, | | | | circuits also lack the troubleshooting and more definitive |
| video, VoIP, etc. | | | | fault identification systems that are integrated into T1 |
| From the Network Service Provider (NSP) | | | | circuits and their associated hardware. |
| perspective, they would love to transport their TDM | | | | In short, for applications that require resiliency, T1s |
| customer's traffic over their higher speed IP-MPLS | | | | remain a safe bet on their own, or combined into |
| backbone networks. Many of these NSPs continue to | | | | multilink circuits. |
| run the older TDM (ATM-SONET, Frame Relay, etc.) | | | | If your company just needs access the internet, and |
| networks since their customers do not want to | | | | none of the above scenarios apply to you, chances |
| change. That said, they could provision the same | | | | are business DSL is going to be a cheaper, faster |
| services by using modern gateway products, and get | | | | option for your company. |
| the advantage of supporting the customers with a | | | | ALWAYS keep this in mind too ..... your WAN or |
| simpler Layer 2 network. | | | | Internet connection should be determined by your |
| Remember that a T1/DS1 is just a pipe. If its configured | | | | needs, and not by an arbitrary opinion that T1 is old |
| for B8ZS it runs at 1.54 Mb before overhead, with AMI | | | | technology or a personal preference for an alternative. |
| its 1.34 - you lose bandwidth due to framing and | | | | Until you or your company answers several questions |
| protocol overhead. Its 24 DS0's running at either 64 or | | | | about your intended usage, it doesn't make much |
| 56 kb. | | | | sense to say what's viable among the various options |
| You can run any type of traffic over it, ATM. MPLS. | | | | available. Networking is not a "one size fits all" world. |
| HDLC. Frame Relay, Voice (you usually add echo | | | | All in all though, T1s are here to stay for awhile at least |
| can's to B8ZS with voice), VoIP ... | | | | for small business use. T1 users aren't shrinking in |
| Whether its viable depends on what you need, what | | | | numbers, but the T1s installed are simply capturing a |
| type of local loop or entrance facilities are available at | | | | smaller market percentage because of the number of |
| the site you are supporting, how many ends you are | | | | businesses overall who need connectivity and the |
| buying, whether you use local or national providers, | | | | availability of Fiber/Cable/Whatnot. |
| reliability, business applications (e.g. load from | | | | The bottom line is that T1s are definitely a viable option |
| multi-media, conferencing, etc.), and a few other | | | | for some. With the equipment already in place in most |
| considerations .... | | | | networks the deployment costs are pretty much |
| A T1 is still a viable option for the small business. The | | | | non-existent. If the equipment is not in place it would |
| Telco can put a PRI in place and control/split the | | | | probably be cost-effective to roll out newer |
| channels, leaving enough room for a meg of data and | | | | technology such as Ethernet or FTTP (fibre to the |
| enough phone lines for the business to operate. | | | | premise). |
| Most Telco providers will waive the install charge and | | | | Again, T1 bandwidth is definitely here to stay. Why? |
| give you a deal on any equipment they need to install | | | | Because the T1 will always fit someone's business |
| in order to get your data working. At this point, the | | | | model. |
| Small Business has to find a local tech to configure | | | | |