Quick Question

[smanning]

------------FROM OUR SUPPORT EMAIL ARCHIVES---------

Hi,

We got the equipment two weeks ago and we’re just waiting for some other stuff for the server. Server's up and I'll be compiling today or tomorrow, so I might shoot you guys a few questions every now and then.

I was under the impression that the Rhino will connect to the 24 analog phone lines through a patch block. Am I correct? Do I ask our phone provider for this? Or do you guys have a recommended model we can buy?

Thanks!

--
JP

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JP,

There are two methods that people use -- an RJ11 patch block, and a standard "66" punch down block.

About 1% of the people use an RJ11 block, the one we use is an Allen Tel AT125-SM, available from Graybar Electric for about 60 bucks.

The 66 block is the most used piece of phone cross and interconnect method used in the USA today. You can also get these from Graybar for around 40 bucks. If you go this route, be sure to get one with the 25-pair Amphenol connector on the side (female) so that you can plug the Rhino cable into it directly.

Both of these will do the trick, the RJ11 block requires that you terminate the ends of the phone wires, the 66 block needs a special tool to "punch down" the block.

Graybar Electric is a great place to get all of this stuff.

Please let us know what we can do to help further.

Regards,

Technical Support

[jplc]

Just letting you guys know what happened since I emailed this in. I did go with the Allen Tel AT125-SM and now it's in the same outdoor cabinet as the telco hardware.

It certainly looks cleaner without the spaghetti of lines that would have accompanied a punchdown block. I know that in a year, I can peek into the cabinet and know exactly where each of the 24 lines go.

It was a bit of work at first, crimping each RJ11 and attaching each wire to the proper binding post but after all the work, it's a cinch to transfer the lines.

Those of you who worked with telcos know that it's not a hard and fast rule that each pair of binding posts gets assigned a number.

[smanning]

Good to hear! We are considering keeping a few Allen Tel AT125-SMs in stock to ship with units when customers are in need of some form of a termination point; they are relatively inexpensive and surprisingly handy. I hope that everything is going well with your Rhino hardware, please let us know if there is any way we can be of service in the future.

Best regards,

Technical Support