5000 - IP Phones over Cat3? 3

[Hovus]

Hey all,

I'm getting mixed results on Google and can't find anything conclusive on MOL. We have a prospect for a new installation of 5320s, 30s, and 40s on a 5000. Problem is, the infrastructure is all Cat3 and the budget doesn't have rewiring in it. Our sales department is swearing up and down that IP phones will work on Cat3, but I'm reluctant to believe anything a sales guy says so I thought I'd ask the tech community. Has anyone deployed 5320s-5340s in a Cat3 enviornment?

I have dreamed a dream, but now that dream has gone from me.

 

[kwbMitel]

@619Tech - No one is questioning the phybridge/streamline solution.

Phybridge is not in the budget

Discussion now around using Cat3 for network connections directly.

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What's most important is that you realise ... There is no spoon.

 

[sarond]

Engineering Guidelines
Appendix A Cat 3 Wiring

There are few pages about it if you're interested.

 

[jrgood0852]

Where's the doc, sarond? Thanks.

Always look out for the next guy because it may be you!

 

[jrgood0852]

Sorry......Mitel Eng. Guidelines.....got it!

Always look out for the next guy because it may be you!

 

[jrgood0852]

The most important points:

Summary of CAT 3-specific network configurations
There are a number of different installation combinations and devices that can run with CAT 3
cables. There are also many exceptions and variations that prevent this from working. The
underlying principles in making the installation work are:
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The devices connected via CAT 3 must be restricted to 10BaseT operation only.
Standard 10/100/1000 auto-negotiation will not guarantee to restrict to 10BaseT with CAT 3
cable and should be avoided. Use manual programming at either, or both, ends of the link.
Power over Ethernet may not be guaranteed. Phantom power feed will allow the CAT 3
data pairs to be used.
If auto-negotiate fails because one end device is programmed manually, the default is to
used 10BaseT half duplex. Manually setting ports to 10BaseT half duplex will result in a
correctly configured connection.
Where multiple devices are connected to a common network port, use of CAT 5 is recom-
mended, with the higher available speeds.
The following devices should only be installed with CAT-5E cabling: UC360, 5320e, 5330e
and the 5340e.
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To simplify installation, the following installation rules can be applied:
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Where CAT 3 wiring is used, the network device ports should be manually configured for
10BaseT half duplex. This will allow devices to be moved and maintain their settings as
well as fixing the speed based on the cable run.
Phones with a single connection can use CAT 3. Exceptions are the TKB5550 and Unified
Communicator Advanced Softphone.
The 5550 IP Console should be connected to the network with CAT 5 only.
The Unified Communicator Advanced Softphone should be connected to the network with
CAT 5 only.
Unified Communicator Advanced (UCA) is essentially a PC.
Phones that connect to the network with an attached PC should use CAT 5, as should the
connection to the PC.
Individual PCs can use CAT 3.
Servers generally require high-speed connections and should use CAT 5 only.
Connections from the ICP WAN port should be via CAT 5 cable.
All other connections between the ICP controller to ASU units, to NSU units (SX-200 ICP
only), between NSU (3300 ICP only) should use CAT 5. Note that there is a distance limit
of 30 m on these connections.
Connections from T1/E1 (PRI) or BRI circuits can use CAT 5 cable (and RJ45 connector),
but these are considered as telecom connections, so different cable pairs may be used.
Connections between network switches and infrastructure should use CAT 5.
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Always look out for the next guy because it may be you!

 

[rkassl]

You can do Ethernet over CAT3, lots of caveats and jrgood0852 points out, it's half duplex like a walkie-talkie if using standard etehrnet.
The phybridge/streamline is full duplex ethernet with PoE on a single pair, 1200 feet in distance and will be available in an 8-port model very soon. it's plug-and-play, un-managed and less expensive, plus you can daisy chain them.
disclaimer - I am a Phybridge employee

 

[danramirez]

rkassl,

Soon you mean this year?

Will it also be available as a Mitel version (Streamline)?

Regards,

Daniel

http://www.hatkana.com

http://www.wtelecom.com

 

[jrgood0852]

rk.......that is intense! It must be some advanced technology to pull that off. And what a cost saver to a client with older wiring! Bravo!

Always look out for the next guy because it may be you!

 

[LoopyLou]

That was always the problem with the Phybridge or streamline product. Good as it is it doesn't scale down to small numbers given its smallest unit previously was a 24 port model. Also the price was high which scared off a lot of potential customers.

The beatings will continue until morale improves.

 

[Hawaii5O]

Installing new Streamline 48 port. Where is the update firmware tab? I don't have it in my Setup Tab.

 

[LoopyLou]

Apparrently new streamline with 8 ports coming out.

The beatings will continue until morale improves.

 

[sarond]

Be aware 8 port is unmanaged, which will be more viable for smaller customers as they rarely have managed switches anyway.

 

[619Tech]

@619Tech - No one is questioning the phybridge/streamline solution.

Phybridge is not in the budget

Discussion now around using Cat3 for network connections directly."

@kwbMitel - I was just providing some input on the subject.

 

[jrgood0852]

Here is some info that will help you.......

http://www.directron.com/cableguide.html

Always look out for the next guy because it may be you!

 

[Hovus]

I'm very aware of the limitations of the different categories of cabling. Thanks for what seems to be a purposely condescending article, jrgood.

I've also conveyed to my team here that we're doing digital phones or we're not doing the install. Thanks very much to all who chimed in.

I have dreamed a dream, but now that dream has gone from me.

 

[jrgood0852]

My pleasure, but wasn't meant to be condescending at all. Remember this........it's the turtle that always gets there first, not the hare. Thank you.

Always look out for the next guy because it may be you!

 

[jrgood0852]

And I'm sorry, but I have to add something, Hovus. How does anyone here know anyone elses expertise or strengths and weaknesses? That would be some assumption, wouldn't it?

Always look out for the next guy because it may be you!