Generating Pin Codes

Budgets are popular. No other way. There is a need to keep people in check, monitor their activity, etc. So if you have ever had to be the unfortunate techy who has to generate a hundred pin codes, you very likely ran out of randomly generated numbers from your head. Try the following:



Using Calc of Open Office, insert the following code: =INT(RAND()*9999)
Use drag and fill, copy this command until it fills as many cells as you need codes. The above command will generate random numbers between 0 and 9999.

Nortel BCM50 Call Forward

In case you are battling to forward a Nortel extension to an external destination, try the following:

Nortel Function -> 4 -> 00812345678 (External destination preceded by the access code) -> Hold button (the "upside down phone" button).

You will have to enable "Allow redirect" on the extensions "Capabilities & Preferences" tab.

AT Commands

I have been setting up an Aastra MX-ONE PABX, and to allow us remote access to the PABX I have had to setup a modem for remote dialling in. Hopefully the following will be helpful:

To setup an AT compatible modem to answer on the first ring enter the command ATS0=1. (Register 0 disables answering and 2 allows answer after 2 rings, etc.)

To keep the setting even if the modem restarts, enter command AT&W0 to save the active configuration into the modems non-volatile memory. To display the global settings of the modem, enter AT&V. To understand the output, you may have to use Google with the search parameters "AT S registers".

ISDX Multi line telephones

Hey, the first post for the new year. Late last year I was involved with the installation of a voice logger on a Realitis DX PABX. The client wanted to be able to monitor the extensions via a standard "Plan 10". Despite the fact that the multiline seems to have a digital display, it is actually a hybrid. All speech is carried in standard analog protocol, only the DTMF and screen updates use a digital signal superimposed on the standard analog signal. Hence, if the voice logger can monitor standard analog telephones, multilines will also be supported. However, use "Voice Activation" as the off-hook signal may be insufficient to activate voice logging.

A Couple of Pointers

I have been rather quiet on the blogging front - an indicator that the PABX front has seen an unprecedented increase of activity for the last lifetime (feels like that anyway!). However, in the process I have discovered a couple of pointers I would like to share with you:

BusinessPhone and DECT
When installing an ICCU2 in the third cabinet of a Aastra/Ericsson BP250, use CSM to initialise the system (CSM is truly a lifesaver for cordless setup). However, even though the PABX is known to be limited to 3 cabinets, you must specify the system as having 4. Therefore, in CSM, set System = 4 for a successful installation.

MX-ONE Free on Second Access
This one kept me busy, as I am used to the BP as opposed to the MX-ONE architecture. If you would like an extension to be able to receive calls even when busy on the first line, program an available DSS/BLI button for ODN2. This allows the user to select whether he wants to be activate incoming calls on his second line or not. Hence, press the programmed button (the ODN2 button) - when the light is burning the feature has been activated and the user will receive calls even when busy on the first line. Press the same button again and the light will be extinguished - the feature has been disabled and the second incoming caller will get busy tone or be diverted on busy (depending on the extensions setup).


Hope these pointers help!

Softphones

Back Stage is an Ericsson softphone. This means all the hardware of a phone is replaced with special software that is now used to communicate with the PABX. All it needs to work is the necessary server applications (Business Link and Back Stage server applications) with their respective clients (Business Link and Back Stage) installed on the client PC. I did try to get BP3 mode to work, but I could not get out of evaluation mode - it never wanted to detect the license on the PABX. BP2 mode, however, works great.

Note:

1. Windows firewall blocks outgoing speech (e.g. One way speech, can't hear Back Stage user, Back Stage user can hear calling/called party).

2. Always ensure you have the latest Business Link and Back Stage SW installed (server and client).

3. MS Outlook contacts can only be imported from the Contacts, no support for the Global Address book.

4. Although a BP3 "VoIP" mode is available, I got the best results with BP2 "VoIP and TAPI" mode.

Unified Messaging

An amazing feature - causes late nights, high blood pressure and depression. When it works though, BEAUTIFUL! However, the built-in fax server is a nightmare (probably 'cos it is my debut installation). So, for other first-timers, note the following:

1. Use an external Fritz modem (has to be a Fritz modem).
2. The fax number must exist in the user's setup.
3. The system must receive CLIP.
4. Fax services must be installed. (Ensure the Ericsson Fax plug-in on the client's side has receive enabled.
5. XP must have SP3 for the plugin to work.
6. SUMS can be setup with only a fax number and no assigned extension. However, the setup can not be edited and should a problem occur, delete and recreate.

Note: You can not do a loop test from the one channel into the other channel on the same modem. For best results, adhere to the above pitfalls and set it up on the clients exchange with DID.


Enjoy the setup!