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Asterisk Gateway - Astribank

Astribank supports all the common telephony interfaces for lines (trunks) and extensions: FXS, FXO, BRI, E1/T1 PRI, T1 CAS and E1 R2. The Astribank driver is a part of the standard Asterisk distribution.

Astribank is a versatile USB Asterisk Gateway specifically designed for the Asterisk IP-PBX. Astribank supports all the common telephony interfaces for lines (trunks) and extensions: FXS, FXO, BRI, E1/T1 PRI, T1 CAS and E1 R2. The Astribank driver is a part of the standard Asterisk distribution.

Astribank is LAN-independent Asterisk Gateway and supports TwinStar high availability.  Using Xorcom’s unique XPP technology, a single Astribank unit may provide as much as 32 analog ports, 16 PRI ports, and mixed analog and digital ports in the same unit, saving rack space and providing highly efficient and reliable way to create a hybrid VoIP PBX that supports traditional lines and/or extensions.

Using Astribank to connect analog phones and PSTN lines

Comparison – VoIP Gateways, Astribanks, and other interfaces

Astribank brings significant advantages in density, management, high-availability and other important features.

Feature Astribank VoIP Gateway PCI Card Channel Bank Comments
Specifically Designed for Asterisk
Centrally Managed via the Asterisk PBX
Reliable Fax Support
Direct Connection to Asterisk Server
Not dependent on LAN, Channel bank may require an additional PCI card and available slot.
Hot Pluggable
High Availability
Astribank may connect directly to two Xorcom IP PBX systems and perform hands-free failover for all ports.
Supports All Telephony Standards
Supports Mixed Analog/Digital in a Single Device
High Density E1/T1

Astribank supports up to 16 E1/T1 ports in one device. More than one Astribank may be used in the same system.
Non-Intrusive Installation
Astribank does not require PBX shutdown and opening of panels.
Automatic Configuration

 

Astribank is automatically detected and configured in the Asterisk PBX.
Input Ports

Used to connect auxiliary systems, such as alarm systems to the Asterisk PBX.
Output Ports

Used to activate auxiliary devices such as electric locks and gates by dialing in the PBX
Rack Space for 1,000 analog ports

 

“32 U (4.72 feet)”
“42 U* (6.19 feet)”
N/A
“84 U* (12.4 feet)”
*Typical figures for gateways and channel banks
Redundant Power Supply

 

Astribank telephony interface for Asterisk PBX systems has optional redundant power supply to ensure full reliability
Clear Front Panel Status Indication
Astribank provides real time port status information via front-panned LEDs
RJ11 and Telco Connections

Astribank supports both connection types (optional) simultaneously

Benefits of the USB interface

Astribank USB Gateway Specifically designed for Asterisk Open Source PBX systems

Astribank was designed for Asterisk systems from the get-go.  For this reason, Astribank USB gateway is natively supported in Asterisk IP PBX systems. Xorcom’s Astribank drivers are an integral part of Asterisk since 2006. Unlike VoIP gateways, Astribank units are centrally managed via Asterisk allowing both the flexibility and scalability of a gateway while being a fully integrated part on the PBX like a telephony card. In Xorcom CompletePBX systems Astribank is managed via the system GUI in a native way (version 5.0 and up).

Scalable and Flexible

A single Astribank gateway supports various combinations of analog and/or digital telephony lines and trunks. See the Configurations tab in the table for suggested configurations. Furthermore, the Astribank design allows users to let the system grow along with their telephony needs. Astribank supports all the available Xorcom Telephony Interface Modules. The digital modules (PRI and BRI) support individual software activation of each port (up to four ports per PRI module, and up to eight ports per BRI module). Each Astribank unit may be populated with 1-4 Telephony Interface Modules, including a mix of different interface types in the same Astribank unit.

Using Astribank Asterisk Gateway to connect legacy PBX

Software

Astribank’s driver has been included as an official part of Zaptel (now DAHDI) since release 1.2.4 (Feb. 2006), making Astribank Asterisk Gateway integral with Asterisk systems. Today Astribank is tested with Debian and CentOS. While not regularly tested, Astribank is compatible with any modern Linux-based distribution.

Hardware

Echo Cancellation module
Voice enhancement & echo cancellation (optional)
Analog Lines Fail-over
In a case of power outage or an Asterisk malfunction, up to six analog PSTN lines are routed directly to predetermined analog extensions.
Rapid PA™
Public Address capability for FXS port(s) (optional and model-specific)

Analog Modules Chart

Telephony Ports Optional Extras Part Number
FXS
FXO
TCO 
Analog Fail-over 
24
XR0021
32
XR0022
16
XR0020
8
24
+
XR0011
8
XR0019
16
+
XR0003
8
+
XR0001
16
16
+
XR0010
32
+
XR0008
16
8
+
+
XR0006
24
+
XR0005
8
16
+
+
XR0007
24
8
+
XR0009
8
8
+
+
XR0004

BRI ISDN Modules Chart

Telephony Ports Optional Extras Part Number

BRI

FXO

FXS

TCO

Analog Fail-over

2
16
8
+
XR0091
8
16
8
+
XR0103
4
XR0014
4
24
+
XR0032
8
16
XR0100
8
8
XR099
2
24
XR089
2
XR0013
2
24
+
XR0066
8
8
8
+
+
XR0102
2
8
+
XR0033
4
16
8
+
XR0097
4
8
16
+
XR0098
4
8
8
+
+
XR0096
2
8
8
+
+
XR0090
2
8
XR0087
8
24
XR0101
4
24
XR0095
2
8
16
+
XR0092
8
8
16
+
XR0104
4
8
XR0093
2
16
+
XR0065
4
16
XR0094
8
16
+
XR0043
4
8
+
XR0029
4
16
+
XR0031
8
24
+
XR0044
8
8
+
XR0042
2
16
XR0088
8
XR0015

PRI / R2 / CAS Modules Chart

Telephony Ports Optional Extras Part Number

PRI / R2 / CAS

FXO

FXS

TCO

Analog Fail-over

1
16
+
XR0070
1
XR0047
2
16
8
+
XR0079