Legacy export adapters
for PBX CDR and transport edge cases.
Many legacy PBX platforms still depend on adapter-backed exports or serial transports. The Edge Appliance connects via USB-to-RS232 adapters with authentic FTDI chipsets when needed. When collecting from two PBX systems on the same appliance, isolated adapters are required.
cableUSB to RS232 — FTDI
Standard FTDI-based adapter for single-PBX deployments or environments where the PBX and appliance share the same ground reference.
shieldUSB to RS232 — FTDI + Isolation
Galvanically isolated adapter with full signal and power isolation. Breaks the electrical path between USB host and RS232 device.
Why isolation matters for dual-PBX deployments
When two RS232 PBX systems connect to the same appliance (e.g., Nortel CS1000 + Avaya IP Office on a Protectli VP2430), their ground references are tied together through the shared USB bus. If the two PBX systems are on different power circuits, UPS units, or racks, ground potential differences cause current to flow through the signal ground conductors — silently corrupting CDR records on both channels simultaneously.
The fix:Buy 2x isolated adapters. Each adapter's galvanic barrier completely decouples the ground planes. Both PBX serial ports float independently of each other and the appliance USB bus. Identical hardware on both ports simplifies troubleshooting. The few extra dollars per adapter are negligible relative to CDR data integrity risk.
Platforms requiring RS232 serial for CDR
Most modern PBX platforms support TCP/IP SMDR. The following platforms may require or commonly use RS232 serial connections for CDR collection.