Here's the scenario....all too frequently seen by the way...with a practical honest answer.
You have (1) T1 line for which you will need a T1 router in order to plug it into your ethernet router/vpn/firewall that will then pass into your Lan. You want the router to be able to deal with a 2nd T1 line (or 2-T1s bonded) for future increase (if needed). You also want the router to be easy to "adminstrate".
Now here's the questions you may have.....
1. What are some basic T1 routers that will fit the bill?
2. Are these T1 routers traditionally provided and maintained by the local loop supplier or the firm owner?
3. Are there advantages/disadvantages to managing this router yourself vs letting the carrier do it? Typically, how much maintenance/administration do you need to perform on it?
And here's the talk you well need......
Unless you're doing something well well complicated or unique, your best bet is to allow the internet supplier to supply the router ... That's called "managed" service. Then you have no acquisition cost, you won't pay extra for a dual T1 router on which you might never deploy the 2nd circuit, don't have to go straight through the lease or buy decision, have no maintenance costs or worries, you have no risk of obsolescence, and don't have to schedule the thing (or pay man else to do it). At&T circuits have the managed router selection for only an additional /month or so for a particular T1. Other providers consist of the router for free.
A original benefit of managed aid is while problem situations. If you own the router, and your aid is disrupted, you're well naked if the carrier claims the problem is with your equipment. You'll have no way to dispute that until you do whatever swapout or fix visit is indispensable to rule that your equipment is fine....you'll have to eat that bill....and your aid would still be down. With managed service, whatever is wrong is the carrier's fault, and they can't point fingers.
If you're "out of your element" with this type of thing, then managing and optioning your own router would well be outside your comfort zone, and you might find yourself spending too much time on that, instead of plainly using the circuit. Certainly, if you start on a managed basis, you can all the time change to a purchased router if you end up wanting to do things that the carrier would not support using their router (Bgp would be an example).
T1 routers are not a buy at Wal-Mart. Paying a nominal monthly fee avoids the first buy price, avoids the studying curve of configuration and upkeep, avoids the issue of T&M fees and availability of an It guy, avoids that sinking feeling when the router goes bad three days after the warranty expires, and avoids the risk of obsolesence (if you buy a T1 router, and then need to upgrade to 3M, you'll be back at your dealer for a new purchase).
Different strokes for distinct folks. Everyone weighs what's important for them.
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