A channel bank is a multiplexer. A device that puts many slow speed voice or data conversations onto one high speed link; and, controls the flow of those conversations. Typically the device that sits between a digital T1 circuit; and, a couple of dozen voice grade lines coming out of a PBX. One side of the channel bank will be connections for terminating two pairs of wires or coaxial cable that brings in the T1 carrier. On the other side of the channel bank are connections for terminating multiple tip and ring single line analog phone lines or several digital data streams.
Sometimes you need channel banks and sometimes you don’t. For example if you are shipping a bundle of voice conversations from one local digital PBX to another digital PBX across town you don’t need a channel bank but CSU (Commercial Service Unit) on each side to connect and recognize the T1 formatted signal. If one or both of the PBX is analog, you will need a channel bank to recognize the T1 formatted signal.
A channel bank converts a group of FXS or FXO interfaces to higher speed interfaces. When you need to connect multiple analog/ legacy devices like phones and faxes like those found in a MTU/MDU (Multi Tenant Unit/ Multi Dwelling Unit) facility, to a VoIP network. A generic Multiport FXS/FXO gateway is just not good enough. You need a high port density channel bank solution which not only aggregates your legacy analog lines but also allows you configurable IP Routing and Quality of Service based on your specific requirements.
At Data Connect, we offer a wide range of products to suite your network needs. We can assist you in finding a solution that maximizes your investment while providing the solutions that will benefit your customers both now and for years to come. With the ability to use a channel bank at your customer’s locations to extend a bundle of simultaneous phone calls becomes a wise choice and made easy.