Blog posts tagged with 'port'

Interchangeable 12 Port, 8 Port and 4 Port Analog Interface Cards – Openvox A1200P0012, A800P80, A800E44, A400P04, A400E01

VOIP projects mostly require some form of interconnectivity with analog trunks and analog extensions. Analog Interface cards are used to provide that interconnectivity by converting IP into analog signals and vice versa.

Analog trunks are the telephone lines coming from public telephone exchanges and terminating on the user premises which enables users to dial out one outgoing call or receive one incoming call (per line), through the PSTN network. One needs FXO cards/FXO ports to interface the analog trunk lines with IP Telephony server/soft-switch.

Analog extensions refer to analog telephones/fax machines and other analog devices used at the user end. In many projects, it may not be feasible to replace all the analog phones with IP phones and hence users may want to retain some analog phones in their VOIP environment. One needs FXS cards/ FXS ports to connect the analog phones/fax machines with IP Telephony server/soft-switch.

The analog interface cards can be inserted into an empty PCI or PCI Express slot in a computer/server containing the IP Telephony software (IP PBX). Though the below mentioned cards are populated with certain popular configurations, they have a modular design. It is possible to remove individual FXO/FXS modules and replace them with FXS/FXO modules, if required. 

The A1200P0012 is an 12-port base card that is populated with 12 FXO modules. So, one can connect up to 12 CO lines/ PSTN lines with this card. 

The A800P80 is an 8-port base card that is populated with 8 FXS modules. So, one can connect up to 8 FXS analog stations (like analog phones) with this card. 


The A800E44 is an 8-port base card that is populated with 4 FXS modules and 4 FXO modules. So, one can connect up to 4 analog phones (FXS) and 4 trunk lines (FXO) with this card.


The A400P04 is an 4-port base card that is populated with 4 FXO modules. So, one can connect up to 4 trunk lines (CO/PSTN lines) with this card. 


The A400E01 is an 4-port base card that is populated with 1 FXO module (expandable up to 4 FXO modules in future). So, one can connect up to 1 trunk line with this card.


By using these cards along with an open-source PBX software like Asterisk, Trixbox, Elastix, FreeSWITCH, Yate, PBX in a Flash and even some proprietary softwares, it is possible to build your own IP PBX and connect it to analog trunk lines/analog extensions using the analog interface cards. By using a single PCI/PCI-Express slot and an analog trunk card(A1200P), it is possible to make up to 12 simultaneous calls over the PSTN network. Some of these cards support the latest PCI-Express standard, but others are compliant with PCI 2.2 (3.3V and 5V PCI slots). 


These cards can be used for IP PBX applications or Voice Mail/IVR applications. They can be used in small companies/ larger companies, service industries, manufacturing plants and practically anywhere else where open-source PBX projects are deployed. 

{OpenVox A1200P0012} {OpenVox A800P80} {OpenVox A800E44} {OpenVox A400P04} {OpenVox A400E01}

T1 lines are digital lines and are quite popular in the United States with each line supporting up to 23/24 voice (and data) channels. Installation and usage is very simple as one can make/receive 23/24 simultaneous calls using a single T1 line. J1 lines are similar to T1 lines, and are used in Japan. E1 lines are similar to T1 lines and are used in Europe/Asia. E1 lines support up to 30 channels of voice/data in a single line, and hence every port of these digital cards supports up to 30 channels. 


A company that needs to make a large number of calls using the PSTN network might as well look at procuring T1 lines for their requirements as they can support up to 30 simultaneous incoming/outgoing voice calls using a single E1/PRI line. Since T1 lines are digital lines, troubleshooting is easier and most of the T1 lines can carry voice along with data. 


T1 lines need IP to Digital conversion in order to work in VOIP environments and T1/E1/J1 Digital Cards provide that translation. An IP PBX/Soft-switch can connect to a T1 line using one of the below mentioned digital cards. 


Openvox D110P allows to connect a single T1 line to the IP PBX using the PCI interface. It supports single port T1 connectivity.


Openvox D110E allows to connect a single T1 line to the IP PBX using the PCI Express interface. It supports singe port T1 connectivity.


Openvox D410P allows up to four T1 lines to be connected to the IP PBX using the PCI interface. It supports up to 4 port T1 connectivity.


Openvox ACC1002 PCIe raiser card allows full sized PCIe cards to be fixed parallel to the motherboard, allowing the larger PCIe cards to be installed in compact 1U/2U systems/servers.


While D110E supports the latest PCI Express interface, other digital cards support PCI 2.2 standard. These digital cards have a low power consumption and hence do not need separate power supplies. Some of them are half length PRI cards and hence they can fit into compact computer systems. They are very light and hence do not contribute to the weight of the system. Since these Digital cards support E1, T1 and J1 environments, it allows T1 channel banks to connect with E1 circuits.


The T1/E1/J1 Digital cards can be used in corporate companies, industries, hotels, hospitals, shipping companies, transport companies, educational institutions, government companies, and anywhere else where a high volume of voice calls are expected over the PSTN network. These digital cards can enable IP PBX applications, IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems, Dial-in 'meet-me' conference services, VOIP gateways and calling card applications. 


Most of these digital cards are officially certified to be used with Trixbox and can also be used with other IP PBX projects like Asterisk, FreeSWITCH, Yate, PBX in a Flash, Elastix and various other open-source IP PBX/IVR/VOIP gateway applications. 

{OpenVox D110P} {OpenVox D110E} {OpenVox D410P} {OpenVox ACC1002}

Interchangeable, Expandable Analog Interface Cards – Openvox A2410p, A1610p, A810p & Expansion modules – FXO400, FXS400

There are two types of analog lines that need to be interfaced with IP Telephony Servers in most of the VOIP installations - 

Analog lines from CO/POTS (Telephone office), also called as Trunk lines - FXO
Analog lines from Analog telephones, also called as Extension lines - FXS

The trunk lines are the lines that come from an external telephone exchange and each of them allow a caller to make either one incoming call/receive one outgoing call, using each of them. To interface these FXO Lines with IP Telephony server, Analog Trunk interface cards (FXO Cards) are required. 

There are many analog devices that need to be connected to the VOIP world. For example - analog phones, fax machines, etc. To connect these devices to the IP Telephony server (through LAN), one requires Analog Extension Interface cards (FXS Cards).

The Openvox A2410p, A1610p and A810p base cards offer an expandable platform over which one can connect any combination of FXO400/FXS400 modules in order to accommodate the number of FXO/FXS ports required. 

The FXO400 module has four FXO ports and FXS400 module has four FXS ports.

The A2410p Card can accommodate a maximum of 24 ports. That means, a maximum of six FXO400 or FXS400 modules can be connected to it, in any combination. 

The A1610p Card can accommodate a maximum of 16 ports. That means, a maximum of four FXO400 or FXS400 modules can be connected to it, in any combination. 

Similarly, the A810p Card can accommodate a maximum of 8 ports. That means, a maximum of two FXO400 or FXS400 modules can be connected to it, in any combination. 

All these cards can be connected with a fewer number of modules initially and more modules can always be added later on, when required. Based on which model is selected, the cards can be fixed into an empty PCI slot/ PCI express slot present in a computer/server. The cards work very well with most of the open-source and proprietary IP PBX/ Soft-switch models like Asterisk, FreeSwitch, Trixbox, Elastix, Yate, PBX in a Flash, etc. They also work with IVR (Interactive Voice Response) and VOIP gateway applications.   

It is possible to buy fixed configuration cards (that cannot be expanded). But, when there is a need for expansion, not only additional cards are required, but additional (free) PCI/PCI-Express slots are also required to connect them. With expandable cards, more FXO/FXS ports can be achieved by just connecting additional modules to the base cards. Of course, expansion is limited to the capacity of each card. The FXO400/FXS400 connected to them are inter-changeable. For example, one can initially populate a base card with two FXO400 modules and then later on remove them and fix two FXS400 modules.  

These analog interface cards can be used in small businesses, large corporates, telco companies, schools, hospitals and anywhere else where analog trunk lines/analog phones need to be connected to the VOIP installations. These analog interface cards act as an interface between the IP and analog world and hence convert analog signals to IP and vice versa.

{OpenVox A2410P} {OpenVox A1610P} {OpenVox A810P}

HDMI Switches – Multiple HDMI Sources to Multiple HDMI Output units

HDMI Interfaces have become very popular to connect High Definition Audio-Video Systems like DVD Players, Blue-ray disk players, Cable Set top boxes, Satellite receivers, HD Gaming units, etc. 


There are special HDMI Cables that connect these sources to HD display units like LCD Displays, Plasma Displays, LED TV's, LCD/ DLP Projectors, etc. 


HDMI Switches are used to connect both the HDMI Sources and HDMI display units together in a single box so that one can select which source they want to connect to which display unit, at any  point of time. 


There are two types of HDMI Switches – N x 1 & N x N. 

The N x 1 HDMI Switches allow a user to connect multiple HDMI Sources to one HD Display unit. User can select which source they want to connect to the display unit at a given point of time, either using the remote control that is supplied along with the HDMI Switch (mostly) or using the On-device switch knob. 


This is quite comfortable for the user because they don't have to disconnect a device from the display unit and re-connect the same, by physically plugging and UN-plugging cables every time they want to move between the Blue ray player and the Cable/Satellite receiver, for example. 


All the connections can be permanently made and the user can just use the remote control to select which HDMI Source they want to connect with their HDTV. They can even connect and select from up to five HDMI Sources using common HDMI Switch models that allow up to 5 x1 connectivity. The 3 x 1 HDMI Switch model is another popular model among HDMI N x 1 Switches.


The N x N HDMI Switches allow a user to connect multiple HDMI Sources to multiple HD Display units. This could be useful in situations where a user has multiple HD sources and multiple  HD displays and want to be able to select which source they want to connect to which display unit. 


For example, users might want to watch a movie using a HDMI supported LCD/ DLP projector in the weekend. But they don't always want to connect the Blue ray player to the projector as the bulb life in any projector is limited. By pressing a single button on the IR remote control of their HDMI Switch, they might be able to switch to their Plasma/ LED TV's on weekdays. 


In normal cases, users might have to physically plug the cable to the LCD/DLP Projector and Plasma/LED TV every time. But, with N x N HDMI Switches, they can permanently connect all their input sources and all their output sources to a single HDMI switch and use the remote to decide which source connects to which display. 


There is no need to wade around complex set of cables and in most cases, there is no need to even get up from their seat. One touch on the remote control decides where they see what. Its simple and effective! The common N x N HDMI Switch configurations include 5 (Input) x 4 (Output) & 3 (Input) x 2 (Output).


Some HDMI Switches can even extend the range of the HDMI connections (distance over which HDMI signals can be carried over HDMI cables) as they can equalize and re-lock the HDMI signals passing through them. Some of them even support HDMI and HDCP Pass through capabilities. 


The HDMI Switches generally maintain the resolution of the High Definition displays passing through them – So, they support the highest HD Standard - 1080p & a high computer display resolution of up to 1920 x 1200 pixels. So, there is no downgrading of the HD signals passing through the HDMI Switches.

{hdmi switch}

HDMI Splitter – Connect Multiple Displays using a Single HD Source

The HDMI Interface/ HDMI Cables have become very popular for connecting High Definition Sources with High Definition Displays. Since the HDMI Cables can carry audio along with HD video, its an additional advantage as it reduces the clutter (due to many cables) around a home-theater unit. 


So now, users can connect their HD DVD players to a Plasma/ LED Screen using a single HDMI Cable between them to enjoy high quality HD video. But we know that the DVD player is placed very close to the display unit and both of them are connected directly using a HDMI cable. 


The HD DVD Player/ HD Satellite Receiver are normally kept in the living room, along with Plasma TV/ LED TV or other display units. In any family, there are situations when multiple family members want to watch the same TV show/  Movie from different places. 


For example, the lady of the house might want to have a display in kitchen and watch the video programs while cooking. Working professionals might want to lie down on their bed in their bedroom and watch TV for some time, before sleeping after a tiring day. In many houses, there are multiple rooms and family members might want to view video programs right from their own room. 


One can buy multiple displays and place it where ever users want them. But what about Satellite receivers /Cable Set-top boxes? Users cannot buy multiple such units as each unit incurs additional monthly costs. And the same DVD cannot be played using multiple DVD players!


That's where the HDMI splitter comes in very handy. The function of a HDMI splitter is to replicate the same HD source (from DVD Player, Satellite receiver, etc) and display them simultaneously on more than a single HD display unit (LED Display, Plasma TV, etc). The best thing about a HDMI splitter is, they can replicate audio signals along with the video signals!


There are various models of the HDMI splitters which can split/ replicate a single video source into two, four or even eight independent video streams that can be displayed on two, four or eight independent monitors connected to the splitter. 


So, in every HDMI splitter, there is one HDMI In port where the source is connected using a HDMI Cable and there are multiple HDMI Out ports where the displays can be connected, also using HDMI Cables. There is no need to carry separate audio cables for each display as audio signals are split (replicated) along with the video signals.


Most of the HDMI splitters maintain the source resolution as such. If a 720p HD source is played from a DVD Player, all the screens display the same 720p HD video. Hence, there is no reduction of video resolution while using the HDMI splitter. Many splitters support up to 1080p HD resolutions, which is the highest commercially available HD resolution for now. 


It is also important to remember that the maximum distance over which HDMI signals can be carried by HDMI cables are limited. So, special quality HDMI cables or HDMI extenders can be used to extend their distances. 


In some cases, its even possible to use Remote Control extenders to control the HD DVD player/ Cable Set-top box kept at the living room, right from the kitchen or bedroom.


HDMI splitters are compatible with HDCP protocol which maybe required to combat piracy in HD video. So, a HDMI splitter is a small device but extends your home theater to multiple locations within your house. You can even have up to eight screens displaying the video/audio from the same source across the house! 


{hdmi splitter}

Network Equipment: Extend your HDMI signals up to 200ft!

What is a HDMI to Cat5E Extender?

HDMI to Cat5E Extenders are a pair of devices that connect to each other using a Copper UTP Cat5E Network Cable to extend the HDMI video signals / DVI video signals over a distance of up to 60 meters.   

Why is a HDMI to Cat5E Extender required?

HDMI to Cat5E extenders are basically required to extend the distance over which High Definition (HD) Video signals can be sent from a video source (like DVD players) to a display terminal receiver (like Plasma display, LCD projector, etc.). 

HDMI cables supplied along with the video source (like a DVD player) are actually a few feet in length. So, one can only connect the source to a display terminal that is close by using the supplied HDMI cables. 

But, what if one wants to connect a DVD player to a monitor that is far away? For example, the DVD player could be in the living room and a second monitor might be in the bed room, which is a few meters away from the source. 

Another example would be to connect the HDMI source of a DVD player with an overhead LCD projector that supports HDMI input. The distance between them could be more than just a few feet/ meters.  

HDMI Cables cannot connect directly over that distance and hence one might need a HDMI to Cat5E Extender.

Some of these Extenders can even connect to DVI video signals (which is another video signal format) and extend their range over an inexpensive Cat5E cable (network cable).

Some Salient features supported by HDMI to Cat5E cable extenders:

They come as a pair of units – One needs to be kept close to the HDMI source, and the other needs to be kept near the display terminal. Both of them are connected to the source and display terminals using normal short-length HDMI cables. But, a long Cat5E network cable connects the two of them. 

The Cat5E cable can run for up to 60 meters, which should be enough for most applications that require the HDMI signals to be extended from one place to another. 

Any length Cat5E cable (up to 60 meters) can be connected between the individual extender units without the user having to change any settings. So, the feedback and amplification signals (for example) are auto adjusted by the units themselves. 

The HDMI to Cat5E cable extenders support the latest High Definition standard – 1080p which gives the best HD quality as of today. So, they support the bandwidth required for transporting such high bandwidth video signals (2.25 Gbits). 

Some of the HDMI to Cat5E extenders support HDCP – High bandwidth Digital Content Protection. Its a technology used to prevent the stealing/ duplicating of copyrighted digital content while being transmitted over various video interfaces including HDMI, DVI, etc. 
           

{HDMI To CAT}