korym
Go Wisp's
ExMod 1999-03
join:1999-12-23
Richmond, VA
clubs:
|  T1 card for Linux-based routers?
Howdy all. Does anyone know where I might find a T1 card for a Linux-based router like Mikrotik or IPCOP? I thought Mikrotik sold them but I might be missing them in their pricing sheet:
»www.mikrotik.com/pricelist.php
Basically, currently, the CSU/DSU is attached to a "smartjack" that runs the Ethernet cable into the T1 card within a crappy 3COM 5009 router. Then, another NIC card connects the router to my LAN.
Ultimately, what I want to do is run a Linux-based router to the LAN via a Sonicwall firewall. So the router itself doesn't need anything "sexy" like DHCP nor A/V control. The Sonicwall will take care of that.
If anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears.
Thx much, in advance! 
Regards,
Kory
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operad
Premium
join:2004-11-16
Baker City, OR
| Is your linux router just a linux box that you turned into a router or are you looking for something like miniPCI or PCI card to use with the mikrotik router?
I found this, but not exactly sure what your looking for. Explain a little more and I can see if I can help you out
Check out here
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korym
Go Wisp's
ExMod 1999-03
join:1999-12-23
Richmond, VA
clubs:
| Howdy, operad. Thx for replying. I greatly appreciate it.
That might do the job.
Long story, actually. I "inherited" the school network which I'm slowly upgrading. The original Linux box served as a proxy server that ran various apps including Dans Guardian as well as serving as a DHCP server. In addition, there are two 3COM routers; one serving as the router for the T1 and the other serving as an internal router for a different subnet (I don't know why they did this).
Basically, I'd like to turn the Linux box into a router that connects to the T1 Ethernet line that comes from the CSU/DSU. This is to replace the 3COM router that has the T1 card.
Then, I'd like to connect the router to the Sonicwall unit which will take care of A/V control, content filtering as well as serving as the local DHCP server.
Hope that helps.
Thx again!
Regards,
Kory
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jebz
join:2002-05-19
 ·OptusNet
| reply to korym
said by korym  :Does anyone know where I might find a T1 card for a Linux-based router like Mikrotik or IPCOP? Have you looked at the Sangoma Wanpipe?
»www.sangoma.com/wanpipe.htm |
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nwn
Premium
join:2004-03-05
Centerville, IN
| reply to korym
Try:
»www.mikrotik.com/interfaces.php
go down, down, to (IN/C1T) Cyclades PC300 Synchronous PCI Card, T1/E1 Interface.
Is that what you were looking for?
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Scott |
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aeronet
join:2002-04-05
San Juan, PR | reply to korym
I got 1 Cyclades P300 for sale
hit me offlist
Gino
gav@aeronetpr.com |
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korym
Go Wisp's
ExMod 1999-03
join:1999-12-23
Richmond, VA
clubs:
| reply to nwn
Yeah, I thought that might have been it, Scott, but I don't need the CSU/DSU that's built into that card.
The wanpipe might do the trick (thx, jebz!).
I'm probably making it more difficult than it has to be. All in all, I just need a box to pass the T1 traffic as I can't plug the T1 ethernet cable directly into the Sonicwall (traffic doesn't pass; the Ethernet jack lights don't even light up). I'm going to try to the Linux box tomorrow and see if one of the NIC's lights up. If so, I'll use that and see if I can somehow bridge the two NICs together.
Sonicwall told me that since their unit is effectively "replacing" the router, i.e. has separate WAN and LAN ports, the router itself only needs to "pass traffic" from the T1 to the Sonicwall via the T1's Ethernet connection.
I'll see how it goes.
K.
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jlramirez
Premium
join:2004-10-01
Montgomery, IL
clubs:
| CSU/DSUs terminate to a serial interface on a router, they're not ethernet... Maybe I'm missing something after reading through this...
Are you looking for a serial interface card for terminating the output of the CSU/DSU??
??
-JR
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aeronet
join:2002-04-05
San Juan, PR | reply to korym
t-1's dont use ethernet.. they use a rj48 plug similar to rj45 ethernet but not compatible in any way...
Gino |
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robbin
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX
| said by aeronet :... they use a rj48 plug similar to rj45 ethernet but not compatible in any way... Now you tell me -- I can't believe I've had a T1 operational for close to three years now with an incompatable plug! 
Actually isn't the difference in an RJ45 and RJ48 cable the wiring standard and not the plug? According to this, they both use the same 8-pin, 8-conductor (8P8C) modular plug. |
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korym
Go Wisp's
ExMod 1999-03
join:1999-12-23
Richmond, VA
clubs:
| reply to korym
Ladies and Gentlemen, please forgive my ignorance. It's been a loooong time since I've worked with T circuits (and even back then, my experience with them was vague). When I ran my WISP in Richmond several years ago, I piggy backed on a T3 that my upstream provider took care of. All I had to do was plug my Alvarion gear into their switch. So, I'm extremely new when it comes to the "T side."
Since the jack is an RJ48 jack that I've discovered will actually fit inside of an RJ45 port (perhaps it's a matter of wiring as robbin suggested), I'm certain it won't work on the Linux router.
That being said, if I already have a CSU/DSU in the basement of the building with an RJ48 cable running up to where the network router is (the 3COM unit), is it possible to replace that 3COM router with something a bit more configurable, i.e. perhaps a Netopia unit which will allow me to focus on running the LAN side while the router hums away?
Sure wish I could plug that RJ48 cable directly in to the Sonicwall but that's not going to happen, unfortunately.
Thx again for everyone's continued help. I greatly appreciate it.
Regards,
Kory
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jlramirez
Premium
join:2004-10-01
Montgomery, IL
clubs:
1 edit | Do you know what brand & model of CSU/DSU you're dealing with (ie. Adtran)?? Don't confuse the line card for the T-1 for a CSU/DSU.
If you're starting to consider Netopia equipment for a router, go all the way and get a used Cisco (I'm a bit biased toward the Cisco gear)... Serial cards are cheap, the integrated WICs with the CSU/DSU aren't bad either...
Let me/us know what you're working with and we can go from there CSU/DSU wise...
-JR
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robbin
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX
| reply to korym
said by korym :...Since the jack is an RJ48 jack that I've discovered will actually fit inside of an RJ45 port (perhaps it's a matter of wiring as robbin suggested), I'm certain it won't work on the Linux router. That being said, if I already have a CSU/DSU in the basement of the building with an RJ48 cable running up to where the network router is (the 3COM unit), is it possible to replace that 3COM router with something a bit more configurable, i.e. perhaps a Netopia unit which will allow me to focus on running the LAN side while the router hums away?... Kory -- I don't understand why it wouldn't work. The difference is in the wiring order from what I understand. If you have a T1 card in the router, then the RJ48 would plug into it. From looking at this site, RJ48 seems to refer to a Telco wiring scheme and basically wires with pairs 1/8, 2/7, 3/6, 4/5 as opposed to something like 586A or 568B. I'm starting to wonder why we even refer to anything as an RJ45?
After saying that, I was going to suggest earlier to rethink your plan as it would be easier, in my opinion, to troubleshoot with something like a Netopia router separate from the Linux box. You can always just plug a laptop into the Netopia to troubleshoot your T1 and you eliminate anything else affecting it. |
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korym
Go Wisp's
ExMod 1999-03
join:1999-12-23
Richmond, VA
clubs:
| reply to korym
Well, perhaps I'm thinking the line card for the T1 is also the CSU/DSU (I'm coming into this thing blind and trying to sort everything out). The card that has the "smartjack" (provider's name for the port where the RJ48 cable is) is an Adtran unit. I didn't get a model number and I can't get into the box because the provider has the master key.
This is the router that we're currently using:
»www.3com.com/products/en_US/deta···=3C13700
This is the T1 card within the router:
»www.3com.com/products/en_US/deta···=3C13720 (yep, robbin, this is where the RJ48 plugs into)
I don't see where the card has a built-in CSU/DSU so I'm thinking the Adtran unit is the CSU/DSU and the card simply converts the RJ48 cable into Ethernet?
The router has a separate RJ45 jack that will connect to the Sonicwall (theoretically).
I was told by the Sonicwall rep that I'd have to "bridge" the T1 card and Ethernet jack together so that the router will simply be passing traffic.
Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of money to spend and I just want to get a router that I can plug in and forget about. I'll admit that my Cisco knowledge is fairly weak. Last time I worked with a 2600 was four+ years ago.
I'm thinking something like this might do the trick:
»cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi···RTQ:US:1
Might be an idea (as robbin mentioned, I could troubleshoot it)?
I may even get out of the current T1 contract altogether and shoot for a provider that includes a managed router. I found out that someone signed on with the current provider at $660 per month for FIVE YEARS!!! My jaw hit the floor when I heard that.
Regards,
Kory
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Believer
join:2002-07-04
Baltimore, MD
| reply to korym
The smartjack from the telco is not a CSU/DSU. While the specs on your 3Com card don't mention that it has an integrated CSU/DSU, from the looks of the card it does. You can't just connect an ethernet port to the smartjack even if the connectors are the same. Although, you can use just regular Cat5 to connect the smartjack and your T-1 router.
Most new T-1 cards come with an integrated CSU/DSU. In the past, they were separate pieces of hardware. As suggested, go with a used Cisco or a Mikrotik server and drop a PCI T-1 card in. Although, you may want to stick with something your predecessor will understand! |
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jdmarti1
Jack
join:2004-06-15
Oilton, OK
| What is it you don't like about the 3-Com? I would just look at a switch to link all of this together in a DMZ format. If the 3-Com has some issues, that is a different story. I would build the Linux router over any of the others, unless you buy Cisco (there are some great deals on 3600 on Ebay). Get the bigger Cisco, that way it can grow with you and not have to be replaced if you ever want to expand. The 2600 series is great for one T1, but do yourself a favor and get the 3600. The Netopia and others all have the same problems. Not enough horsepower. If you use only basic routing functions, and nothing else, you are great. When you start using all of the features they build in to them, they slow way down. Just my .02 |
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superdog
I Need A Drink
Premium,MVM
join:2001-07-13
Lebanon, PA
| said by jdmarti1 :What is it you don't like about the 3-Com? I would just look at a switch to link all of this together in a DMZ format. That 3Com is an older unit, and per our phone conversation, it is operating at 38% processor capicity just by logging in and changing settings. It only has a 200Mhz chip in it. In the past, users would complain that the speed was slow, and it was blamed on the T1. The real problem lies with the 3COM unit. It just doesn't have enough horsepower to run a LAN with 140 users, and probably even more MAC's(servers etc.) in it's ARP table. Take a hammer to it, and get something from Cisco or Netopia with a "bigger set" to handle it.:D
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jlramirez
Premium
join:2004-10-01
Montgomery, IL
clubs:
| reply to korym
You can go for the managed router deal as most are using Cisco... Customer's we've had that used the Netopia boxen for T1 connections had nothing but trouble and failures...
The 3Com card you were referring to is a CSU/DSU interface card for the router. As someone mentioned, and as did I, you can get some deals on routers on ebay (there's plenty of us around here and in the Cisco forum to help config)... But, if on a tight budget, may look at the managed routers from a provider......
-JR
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superdog
I Need A Drink
Premium,MVM
join:2001-07-13
Lebanon, PA
| said by jlramirez :You can go for the managed router deal as most are using Cisco... Customer's we've had that used the Netopia boxen for T1 connections had nothing but trouble and failures... -JR We run both Cisco and Netopia routers, and so far, we have not had an issue with either one(knock on wood!). What I really like about Netopia, is that they don't care if You bought the router used from ebay, they just answer questions and give You tech support. Cisco is a PITA when it comes to this, and they pretty much tell You to pound sand or buy a new one from a VAR so You get their tech support. I have actually had a Cisco support tech tell me, "Sorry Mr. Wolfe, but since You didn't buy it from us, it's not our problem?, have a good day!", and then promptly hang up the phone!. They wouldn't even send me a copy of their old OS. That just really PO'ed me bigtime.
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jlramirez
Premium
join:2004-10-01
Montgomery, IL
clubs:
| I agree with you on contacting Cisco direct as a consumer buying from ebay, etc. They won't deal with you unless you have a smartnet contract....
Everyone has different experiences with Netopia... That's been my experience... Heck, my most recent is a transition from T1 to DSL (when moved to new home)... Cheap, easy DSL right?? LOL, I received a Netopia 3346N router for DSL from SBC... After problem with sync, etc (and numerous hours checking the actual line) the 3346N was replaced... Still issues... Went with a $15 Speedstream 5660 from ebay to test it and problem went away by getting rid of the Netopia... ($199 value -- Netopia 3346N)...
Either way with any vendor, there's good and bad... Oh well... back to our topic..
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