Astribank is the easy and professional way to connect Asterisk severs to the world of traditional telephony. It is a smart channel bank for an Asterisk PBX that provides 32 FXO/FXS ports, 4 input ports and 2 output ports (I/O ports are used for operating external devices via the telephone and vice versa).

Astribank-32 connects to the Asterisk server via a normal USB-2 device and does not require shutting down the machine and opening panels. Astribank-32 has an architecture that was designed for maximum ease in integration. When used with the Xorcom Rapid distribution or Xorcom TS-1 it is practially “Plug & Play”, unlike any other solution on the market.

Xorcom's driver for Astribank is now officially part of Zaptel. Digium announced the release of Zaptel 1.2.4 for Asterisk in mid-February. Among the changes and improvements, they listed the new driver for Astribank-8 (the first member of the Astribank family) and future models of Astribank.

Features:

• Flexible port assignment:
  32 FXS ports, or
  16 FXS and 16 FXO ports, or
  24 FXS and 8 FXO ports, or
  8 FXS and 24 FXO ports
  Partial assemblies, known as Astribank-24 and Astribank-16, are also available in a 19" enclosure.
• Built-in echo suppression (FXS and FXO)
• Native Zaptel device (drivers included in Asterisk distribution)
• 2 output ports (relays) enable external units activation from the dial plan
• 4 input ports enable automatic dialing triggered by external events
• Compatible with international line impedances
• 100% solid state design, no moving parts
• Robust heavy-duty design

Technical Specifications – FXO Module:

• 80 dB dynamic range for transmitting and receiving
• 3 micro-Ampere on-hook current
• Programmable digital hybrid for near-end echo reduction
• Caller ID detection
• Pulse dialing support
• 12 Volts operation (110-240 Volts external power supply included)

Technical Specifications – FXS Module:

• 5 REN ringing generator
• Programmable AC impedance
• Up to 6,000 feet line length (1 REN) – 3 REN for 4,000 feet line
• Constant current
• Caller ID support