asterisk users - Dec 2005 - Can Asterisk replace Cisco 5350?

Hi,
  We are using Cisco5350 as a gateway with 2 E1 cards (part# AS535-DFC-2CE1) 
to terminate calls. We need 2 more gateways, my question is can we save some 
money and use Asterisk + PCI E1 cards?

If so, do you recommend any cards/configuration?

Thank you
Ahmed

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Linuxnizer The Mesmorizer a ?crit :
> Hi,
>  We are using Cisco5350 as a gateway with 2 E1 cards (part# 
> AS535-DFC-2CE1) to terminate calls. We need 2 more gateways, my 
> question is can we save some money and use Asterisk + PCI E1 cards?
I've had the same issue lately. I need to set up a 4E1 / g.729 solution.


Asterisk way
=======
- 4 asterisk boxes with 1 E1 card (approx $2k each)
- 120 g.729 licences ($1.2k)
- 1 SER box to dispatch the calls on the 4 asterisk boxes ($1k)

Total: 4 * 2 + 1.2 + 1 = 10.2


In the end, I went on voipsupply.com and saw that they offer Audiocodes 
mediant 2000 (4 E1 version) for about $10k. Since this box also does SS7 
(which is nice if you want to properly interconnect some day), can scale 
up to 16 E1 and is conveniently packed in a 1U rackable unit, I have 
decided to go with Audiocodes.

Since I am not set up yet, I can't tell wether it is a good decision or 
not. I will let you know :)


Cheers,
Jean-Michel.