Ubuntu Netbook and Sony Ericsson

For those who live in Namibia, they may be experiencing the same handicaps as myself. Many default options do not include this country (which happens to be geographically four times larger than the United Kingdom) when setting up broadband connections. However, I decided to experiment and setup my Sony Ericsson W890i as a broadband device. And it worked. It is pretty simple and will probably work for other mobile phones as well.

1. When connecting the W890i via USB it prompts for the kind of connection. Select "Phone mode".

2. Ubuntu Netbook Release will prompt you to setup a broadband connection. Follow the wizard until you need to select the country.

3. Since Namibia is not present, I chose MTN of South Africa.

4. Finish the wizard and test.

Hope it works for you as well.

Fritz WLAN Fon 7270 Reset

I experienced a real sticky situation recently when configuring the Fritz 7270 router. I was battling to get the router to act as a wireless unit only - a link up onto the existing network. In the process I inserted an incorrect IP Route which locked me out of the box. The unit has no reset switch to default the unit.

To default the unit, I had to use the analog phone port and dial the following:

#991*15901590*

 In the end, the following configuration worked:

1. Under Network -> IP Settings -> IP Addresses leave WLAn and Network to be on the same network. (A tick enable/disable option).
2. Ensure the DHCP settings do not clash with your network. For Wireless to work best you need some DHCP addresses to be enabled.
3. Under the Internet access settings, tell the router to use an existing LAN connection with no authorisation. It will tell you to connect the LAN cable from LAN0 on the router to the network switch.
4. Now it should work.

Aastra and Nortel NPI-TON Terms

When doing H.323 linking between an Aastra (BusinessPhone) and Nortel (BCM50), both PABX's need to be setup for the same kind of Network Numbering Plan. The Nortel refers to the NPI/TON plans as the Alias. In the Aastra, it is setup on the Trunk Gateway as it's NPI Alias. Below is the corresponding table, Aastra in black and Nortel in blue:

Unknown/Unknown TEL
Public/Unknown PUB
Private/Unknown PRI
Private/Regional Level 1 UDP
Private/Regional Level 0 (local) CDP

BRA Cell Routers and TEI values

TEI values are used to identify terminating equipment, mostly in a point-to-multipoint setup, since they "bus" may extend to a number of devices. However, in a point-to-point setup, the TEI value is statically set, often to "0".

Recently when testing a BRA cell router we spent ages in trying to get outgoing calls working. Most cell routers are point-to-point, and thus the TEI value for each link is "0". This cell router, though, has a point-to-multipoint architecture. As a result, we had to remove the static TEI value from the link's properties. Immediately the link was assigned a TEI value dynamically by the router (as seen under the Link Supervisor) and calls worked.

So if the protocol is correct (ETSI, etc) and the correct termination is setup (Q,S or T), then any link problems could be TEI value related.

Aastra Fax

And back again with the fax component of Aastra's Unified Messaging. The client has a fully functioning UM setup and the fax plugin works on all computers...except one! After numerous formats, repeated Windows updates and following the troubleshooting error I had previously posted, I have found out the following:

1. Windows fax is the basis for Aastra fax.
2. If Aastra fax installs and communicates with the server, and DotNET is installed, and still NO faxes are sent, the underlying Windows fax server is faulty.
3. Uninstall the Aastra fax plugin and delete Aastra fax from "Printers and Faxes".
4. Install a Windows fax console (make sure a modem is present) and test it.
5. When Windows fax is working, install Aastra again and it should work fine.

New followers

I am pleasantly surprised at the growing number of followers for this blogspot. However, since most are strangers I would like to know why you find this blog interesting. And if you don't mind letting the others know what line of occupation you are in, that too would be informative. In the meantime, WELCOME!

Please note that this while this remains the main site for technical updates, my official site is http://pabxconsultants.co.za. And should you wish, also provides contact information.

Do you have any queries? Please include it as a comment to this or any newer post.

Linux Mint 8 GRUB

Yes, I have been playing with Linux again. The unfortunate receiver of my intentions was my mothers laptop. It has become so bloated and slow from Windows and anti-virus, that I have decided on a last ditch effort - LINUX!

I installed a dual boot with Windows XP and Linux Mint 8. All went smoothly at first. Since I am a habitual Linux user, I did not at first notice that Linux was loaded by default. My folks would not be impressed. Here is how to rectify the problem:

1. Open a terminal and become root.
2. Run "update-grub"
3. Count the position where Windows is listed (with the first listed = 0)
4. Edit /boot/grub.conf
5. Change default from "0" to appropriate choice.
6. Save
7. Run "update-grub" - nothing will appear different.
8. Restart the computer, and the default boot should have changed.

If it has changed, but not to the correct option, your default choice is likely out by 1 digit (where default=x).