Installation guide

Frame Relay Network Requirements and Preparation
3
ShoreTel 14.2 Planning and Installation Guide 53
Frame Relay
Frame Relay is a viable option as long as you get a committed information rate (CIR) that meets the
bandwidth and network requirements for toll-quality voice communications.
SDSL
SDSL is considered “business-to-business” DSL in which you can negotiate a service-level agreement
with the service provider. Unlike T1, SDSL is priced on a flat bandwidth basis, making the price
“distance insensitive” and cost-effective over long distances.
Although this is an excellent option, especially moving forward, ShoreTel has found the use of SDSL
challenging, since the service providers often commit to a Service-Level Agreement (SLA) they cannot
fulfill. Many service providers have grown very fast, and the IP network is a patchwork of devices.
These service providers are usually geared toward providing bandwidth for typical data applications,
and a voice application highlights weaknesses in their network. Only with joint troubleshooting of the
service provider’s network, using tools such as ping plotters, has ShoreTel been able to achieve the
SLA the service provider promised.
IDSL
IDSL modems, which have an uplink and downlink speed of 144 Kbps, can be considered for
teleworking applications. Actual performance varies based on your service provider and your
applications.
ADSL
ADSL modems, which have an uplink speed of 128 Kbps, can be considered for teleworking
applications. Actual performance varies based on your service provider and your applications.
Cable Modems
Cable modems, which can have an uplink speed of 128 Kbps, can be considered for teleworking
applications. Actual performance varies based on your service provider and your applications.
ISDN BRI
ISDN BRI modems, which have an uplink speed of 128 Kbps, can be considered for teleworking
applications. Actual performance varies based on your service provider and your applications.
Dial-Up Modems
Because of their inherent latency and low bandwidth, dial-up modems are not supported.