Streamyx

When designing your LAN or WAN the logical solution in relation to your expected usage may often indicate multiple T1 lines. In this case bonded T1 could be the best choice. However, before you jump you need to know just what a bonded T1 really is and what it can....and can't....do for you.

A bonded T1 just means that the you have two T1 lines (from the same provider) which have been joined together in a special way so that you can use the combined total of 3.0 Mbps of Internet data or the 46 channels for voice/phone use. You cannot bond T1's together if they are not through the same provider.

If you were to have two T1's, unbonded, then you could not use the full 3.0 Mbps of bandwidth all at once. For example, if you did a speed test, you wouldn't be able to get a result of "3.0 Mbps", the max you could download/upload at any one time would be 1.5 Mbps, even though you had two T1's. I know it doesn't make sense because you think that 1.5+1.5=3.0. It doesn't work like that. Unless your T's are bonded, you can only use the 1.5 Mbps of bandwidth that each line provides....seperately. You can do two download tests, at separate download test sites, and get a full 1.5 Mbps reading at each download site. But with out bonding, there isn't a way of getting a test result of 3.0 Mbps. Think of it in terms of cars: You can either have two slow Datsun pickups or one Ram 4x4 with a 5.7L Hemi. Sometimes, two slow pickups are better for reliability than one big Ram 4x4, but not as big and fast.

There are exceptions to this of course, and there's probally better ways of explaining it, but this will give you a general idea.

You can bond quite a few T1 together by the way, you're not limited to just two. The maximum is usually around 4 T1's although some have gone as far as 8. However, if you go beyond 4 bonded T1's it makes much more sense to start looking at a fractional/burstable DS3. That decision than rests on the combination of capability requirements and cost efficiency in relation to the intended application(s).

It's best that you use the services of a telecommunications consultant to walk you through all of your choices for network design utilizing a bonded T1. If you need more than what a bonded T1 can provide....such as a fractional or full DS3....you should also make use of consultant srevices. Many such services are usually no cost to you....and will enable you to more effectively and efficiently find the best solution for your specific application(s).

Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications....including DS3-Bandwidth.com and Business-VoIP-Solution.com. Michael also authors Broadband Nation where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses.