I aquired a Merlin Legend R3.0 from an old employeer and installed it in a Volunteer Fire Company i belong to. We are in desperate need of a voicemail system as our phone provider only allows us one mailbox. Is there a decent computer software out there that can tie into the system or do they make a voicemail module for the merlin legend. We would need approx. 10 mailboxes and preferably a few different menu options. Any help would be awesome. Thanks in advanced everyone!

An 007MLM (merlin Legend Mail) will integrate with an R3- I believe you need an A3 power supply or newer to support it. Otherwise, the stand alone Merlin Legend Mail will also work via analog connections to the Merlin Legend (an 016 tr module). Neither can be found new these days, but I'm sure someone is selling them out there.

Know that none of the stanalone MLMs were Y2K compliant. The 007 MLM would be my choice. They're selling for around 800-1000 dollars depending on the number of ports.

Legend processors are inexpensive. Consider upgrading to an R7 V14.2.

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Well i'm fairly new to all of this. What would be the benefit of upgrading to an R7 as opposed to buying a 007MLM? Just to clarify, i would assume i am looking for an auto attendant. Not sure though. I want to have a menu with choices that will lead to another menu with the mailboxes. I would assume that would be the auto attendant.

If you upgrade to R7 you can then use the Merlin Messaging. You could pick up a R1 fairly cheap.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

In addition....the R7 processor will give you the maximum number of features offered by the Legend....and....allow for the programming to be saved to a PCMCIA card which will allow you to transfer the programming to a replacement processor should the existing one fail. [smile]

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Replacement drives for the Avaya Merlin Messaging tend to be easier to come by than drives for the 007MLM.

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Okay like i said im fairly new. Am i understanding that if i upgrade to an r7, all i would need would be an r1 and it would do everything i need? How many mail boxes and menus would i have? I found this processor on ebay. Is it any good?

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=150...

I'd question it because the seller does not know what it is. That is a Magix processor in a Legend clam shell. You can also upgrade to a Magix since it was the next generation Legend. You have to be careful because not all Legend modules worked with a Magix CPU.

How do i find out which modules are compatible? Seems like i have way too many options now and not sure which way to go. Is it worth upgrading to magix? We are a volunteer company so money is usually tight, but we are willing to spend the money for voicemail. Whats the benefit of magix?

It could very well be a Legend R7. I have the exact same processor in my test system that has been flashed to a Legend R7 so I can use the older 408 Merlin modules. The CKE5 can be upgraded to a Magix R4.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

Post a system inventory and you'll get all the help you need picking out the proper modules.

Check out the following topic I started last year:

http://tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1637464

In the opening topic, I posted a link to a document created by a former contributer to Tek-Tips (John L. Shelton). The document was completed in 2003, so it does not cover the final 2 releases of the Merlin Magix.

The document dicusses the Merlin platform in a fairly easy to understand way. There are a couple of mistakes, but nothing of major concern.

Save a copy to your computer

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Thanks Dexman for recommending that link. I have already started reading it. However, my system includes the R3.0 Processor, 2-408 GS/LS MLX, 2-008 MLX, and 1 012 with Ring Gen. I have purchased an 408 GS/LS-ID MLX as i understand it is needed for caller id. Eventually, i would like the option of a paging system and possibly a door phone. I have a pagepal that was included with the rest of the stuff but havent really looked at it yet.

The 408 GS/LS-ID/MLX module requires a R7 processor.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

Lol crap...well it looks like ill be purchasinan R7 as long as the majority of the modules are compatable. I found only 2 R7 processors on ebay. Would someone be willing to help me find the right R7 processor? I posted one of them that was on ebay earlier but someone said they werent too sure it was right. this is the only other one i found. My concern was it only has one port on the front and looks different from the rest.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERLIN-LEGEND-RELEASE-7-PR...

I just found another one that looks like the upgrade card says R7. I really do appreciate everyones help with this. Just think, all the help has been to help a Volunteer Fire Company. We all appreciate it!!!! Thanks

That is not a picture of a Legend R7. It's more like a DS1. I buy from MetrolineDirect. They offer tech support as well. Have a look at the modules ion their web site.

Agree. They may be selling a R7 processor, but the picture is of a DS1 module.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

In an earlier reply, Ryan mentions that he would like to add a door phone to the system. Now....unlike the Partner platform....the Merlin platform does NOT offer a door phone feature per-se. Door phones can be added to the system....in a roundabout way....but each phone will require 2 ports on a T/R card and 1 GS/LS port.

If/when you decide to purchase a replacement processor from Metroline, I would also add one of each of the following:

www.metrolinedirect.com/legpcmciflas.html
www.metrolinedirect.com/mermesrel11.html
www.metrolinedirect.com/legmlx20ltel.html (if one was not supplied with the system).

You will need a clamshell for the Avaya Merlin Messaging. I know Metroline sells them, but I don't see them listed on the website.


It might be worthwhile to inquire about having one of Metroline's national installers do the installation for you....because the Legend & Magix both have large learning curves and require the programmer to have a firm understanding of Calling Groups and how they interact with each other.

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Oops, I see that you already installed the system. Have Metroline install & program the R7 processor & the voicemail.

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Thanks dexman. Yes the system is in and operational. I found an r7 from metroline for $99 and i think i will be purchasing it. However, im not too sure about the whole magix switch. Im getting more and more familiar with legend and rather stick with it unless theres an extreme benefit of switching. I Thanksgiving all mlx phones and not sure if that matters between the two. Also, i have a voicemail pcmcia card for an acs system. I guess theyre not compatable? I would assume after i make all the updates the last thing i need is the voicemail card. What does it mean by ports? If i need 10 mailboxes and aboht 3 menus which card would be recommended?

Actually, the Magix is based on the Legend, so once you are comfortable with the Legend, the Magix wouldn't be too much beyond that.

I'm not sure what "I Thanksgiving all mlx phones and not sure if that matters between the two" means.

The Partner voicemail card won't work with the Legend & Magix. The number of "ports" just indicates how many tasks the voicemail can perform concurrently.

For example....a 4 port license will allow the voicemail/auto attendant to:

1) Answer 4 incoming calls.
2) Answer 2 incoming calls while 2 people check their voicemail messages.
3) Answer 1 incoming call while 3 people check their messages.

and so forth.

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It was supposed to say i have all mlx phones. Im responding from work on my droid so its a litte hard. Okay so a 4port would be plenty. Someone said if i get an R7 i can upgrade it to the magix using an upgrade card i believe. Is that correct? I wanna order the new processor today so i wanna make a decision. I think regardless the r7, as long as everything is compatible, is more capable of what our department needs and more advanced then what we have now. If i can switch to magix for the same price as the new r7, $99 i may consider it. I think i am understanding if i switch to magix 2, our system would be updated to the newest version available? If i do decided to switch to magix, is it still just switching the processor? I know im asking a lot of questions but i just wanna make sure i am doing the right thing before we spend the money. Money is very tight in our department.

A Magix R4 processor and an R4 Avaya Merlin Messaging voicemail would give you the largest & final feature set for the Merlin platform.

http://www.metrolinedirect.com/memare40pr.html

While most Legend processors can be flashed up to a Merlin Magix, my preference would be to just buy a Magix processor (but I think most other people would lean towards flashing the existing processor.

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Having said that, look over the list of boards the system currently has and see which ones can be carried over to the Magix (should you decide to upgrade all the way).

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It seems the the merlin magix voicemail is way out of our budget. It seems the same way for the legend as well. Im trying to keep the whole project right around $300 if possible but im loosing hope.

If the processor says CKE4 or CKE5 it can be flashed up to a Magix, cheaper than buying another processor. If it's a CKE3 you can flash it up to a Legend R7. A Merlin Messaging R1 can be had for $100 or less these days.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

It will be tough to keep the project under $300.00. Finding an R1 Merlin Messaging (along with a 4-port license) on eBay for less than $100.00 is great, but if the seller does not know what the Admin password is, you'd have to contact either Avaya or a local Authorized Avaya Business Partner to have the Admin Password defaulted. "$$$".

If you were to buy from an online dealer, while it would cost you more up front, the dealer would send the voicemail with the Admin password defaulted (or they would have to default it on their own dime).

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There is a way to pull the password yourself. You don't need to pay Avaya.

Some on this forum can do that service as well.

http://home.comcast.net/~merlinman -merlinmansblog.blogspot.com

So Ryan I see nothing wrong with the 007 MLM. EBay is your only option for your budget so you'll be taking your chances. There are several places where you can get replacement hard drives if need be. They average 250.00 or so. It's the simplest solution. Really, what you need is very basic and the 007 will be more than adequate. But 300.00 is probably half what you should budget.

will this work if I upgrade to Merlin Magix 4.0?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item...

Yes, that will work with any release Magix. It will also work with a Legend R7 if you decide to upgrade your current processor.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

I'd love to know what the seller's "reserve" is. Still, That would be a good voicemail for either the Magix R4 or the Legend R7 (and a clamshell is available).

If you do buy it, consider purchasing a replacement hard drive or two and keep them on hand for when the existing drive fails (which they all will at some point).

http://www.nyteldirect.com/Scripts/prodList.asp?id...

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Okay. I didn't meet the reserve. I was the high bidder at a whopping $26. I found a r4 for $220. It does not come with a flash card. I am assuming that i would need the card for it to work. Below is the r4. Also, is a card i found for $50. Are they compatable. Id be looking at right under $300 which would be awesome.

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=330...
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=120...

This Merlin Messaging is a R1. $220 is high for a R1, especially without a license card. It shouldn't be any more than $75-100. As I recall the R1 will work as a 2-port voicemail with no license card installed. Dexman or Merlinman can probably verify this.

This license card is only a 2-port. $49 is not unreasonable since it includes free shipping.

They are compatible.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

I was under the impression that the Merlin Messaging would boot up into Test Mode without a valid port license. Merlinman and TTT would know for sure. A 2-port license can be a bit restrictive. A study could be done to determine if a 4-port would be better for the application.

A while back, I noticed someone was selling bogus Avaya voicemail licenses on eBay. The cards sold for much less than genuine licenses did. They looked similar to legit ones, but close examination showed subtle differences in the lettering and design of the PCMCIA cards. They probably didn't offer backup & restore functionality either.

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I know there were some Partner Messaging license cards floating around that would activate the ports, but wouldn't do a backup/restore. I'm sure it was the same with the Merlin Messaging.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

Okay...im sorry for being so indecisive. I just want to make sure we only have to spend the necessary money. I am definitely going to upgrade to merlin magix 4. I saw somewhere that some Merlin Messaging can be set up using a web browser. Which revision does this refer too? I would love to be able to check our voicemail over the internet. Also, i found this Merlin Messaging r2 which if u say so, i'm ready to buy it.
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=221...

You can use a broswer to listen to messages but not set up the system. It's not a big job to setup a MM. If I can do it anyone can. You just need to decide the CoS, create your mnessage boxes, configure your AAs and record the prompts. BTW, I have a Magix 4.7 card I was planning on putting up on eBay. If you are interested email me.

Here is an example of one of those licenses:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Avaya-Partner-Messaging-6-...

This is what the real one looks like:

http://www.atelephonesystem.com/jpg/Partner_6p_car...

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The lettering is definitely different on the eBay item. In his description he claims it acts as a backup/restore card. For $180 I'll let someone else find out for sure.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

Buyer Beware! (Sorry for the topic detour).

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I just looked at Avaya's website and it actual says a R2.0 can be programmed using a pc over the LAN. Is this correct? I'm sure u know what ur doing. pmcook- i am definitely interested in ur processor, however, i dont know how to get your email.

2.0 and up, you can download the GUI to program the Messaging system via the LAN port. If you are creating a large number of mailboxes, or need a visual on the AA setup, or need to troubleshoot outcalling issues, it is worth the time and trouble. If you are just setting up a few mailboxes, or simple AA modifications, the DTMF interface is just fine.

You can "manage" your messages via a web browser, pointed to the IP address of the Messaging, but it will call you at an extension to play the message through phone, instead of through the browser.

Thanks for clearing that up. Is there any Merlin Messaging that allows you to play or acess the voicemails over the internet?

Yes, Newer releases can do Voice Mail to Email (Voice Only, no Speech to text conversion). This requires a certain release of MICROSOFT EXCHANGE SERVER and some Avaya Software(Free).

Info on this is on Avaya's website.

http://home.comcast.net/~merlinman -merlinmansblog.blogspot.com

Thank you all.

Ryan had mentioned that he had purchased a new voicemail. There was some question about if it was a Merlin Messaging (the one that slides into an available slot in a system carrier) or if it was a Merlin Mail (the stand alone wall-mounted computer voicemail unit). He also was going to purchase a Merlin Magix R4 processor.

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Im gonna try this again. For some reason I couldnt log back in so i had to create a new account. Magix 4.0 R7 is installed. Now i am working on the voicemail. Will be installing that today. if i need the password, how do i access it?

The password should have come from the vendor.

However, if it has been defaulted, there is NO password - you set it the first time that you log in.

Try logging into mailbox 0#, with just # as the password, and if you are prompted "your password is too short, you must choose a new password", go ahead and create a new one on the spot.

If you are still stuck, contact me through my website and I can help you offline.

Just to jog my memory Ryan, what is the release of the replacement voicemail? Is it a 2.0 or a 2.5?

Either way.....consider purchasing a spare drive for the voicemail. Hard drives don't last forever and they can fail at any time. There is a vendor located in New York that offers both traditional and flash drives for AT&T/Lucent/Avaya voicemail systems:

http://www.nyteldirect.com/Scripts/prodList.asp?id...

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It is a 2.0. I havent tried accessing it yet. Hopefully tomorrow. The voice mail didnt come from a vendor but from ebay unfortunately. I am taking the risk. I have a lot of questions about the voicemail. i have to set up multiple mailboxes for different things that wouldnt necessarily have its own extension. is there any way i can assign multiple mailboxes to an extension so the mail light will flash if a few different mailboxes have messages? Or will each mailbox have to have a different extension assigned to it?

The Avaya Merlin Messaging does support phantom mailboxes (leaving a message in a "guest" mailbox [one that does not have an associated phone] causes the message waiting light on a designated phone to turn on).

If you can't log in, try contacting the seller. If no luck, check TTT's suggestion. Replacement drives are shipped defaulted, so if you were able to order one it would be like starting with a "clean sheet of paper".

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alright. i am reading the merlin messaging installation guide before i tackle this project. A couple things i just wanted to clear up. It says i must create a calling group and assign members. I am not really sure what that means. I am assuming i could just assign all the extensions to one calling group. Right now we only have 8 extensions and 1 phone line. Also, i dont plan on using Outcalling, but maybe in the future. I have a fax line i could use, but would have to make sure any calls coming in on that line are routed to the fax. I assume i would put the fax extension in its own calling group?

This may not make a lot of sense, but follow the steps listed - you will be creating calling group 770 for voicemail, assigning the VOICEMAIL SYSTEM'S extensions to the group, making the group cover group 30, and then you will assign the extensions that need voicemail coverage to Coverage Group 30.



Merlin Messaging Initial Programming
Create Calling Group, Assign Group Members, Enable Rotary Signalling
F1 - SysProgram
F5 - Start
F6 - Extensions
PgUp - More
F4 - Grp Calling
F9 - Members
770 - Enter extension number of group
F10 - Enter
Enter group members in Ascending Order (use Ext. No., Log. ID, or Slot/Port)
F10 - Enter - Repeat for all ports
PgDn - Inspect - Verify all ports are listed in order
F5 - Back
F1 - Hunt Type
770 - Enter extension number of group
F10 - Enter
F2 - Linear
F10 - Enter
PgUp - More
F1 - Group Type
770 - Enter extension number of group
F10 - Enter
F3 - Integ VMI
F10 - Enter
F5 - Back
F5 - Back
PgUp - More
F7 - RotaryEnabl
Enter Rotary Extension (Voice Mail Ports, use Ext. No., Log ID, or Slot/Port)
F10 - Enter - Repeat for all ports
PgDn - Inspect - Verify all ports are listed
F5 - Back
PgUp - More
F4 - Grp Calling
F3 - Group Coverage
770 - Enter extension number of group
F10 - Enter
30 - Enter Coverage Group Number
F10 - Enter
PgDn - Inspect - Confirm Coverage Group
F5 - Back
F5 - Back

As usual Tommy's instructions are thorough and easy to follow. I just want to add that the VM has 2,4 or 6 ports. Each port answers on its own extension. Those extensions have to go into a call group which is usually 770. That way when you dial 770 or use a pre-programmed button the Magix will start dialing those extensions in linear fashion until one answers. To determine those extensions I just start at the last physical extension for a phone and dial from there until the first VM port answers. So if I have say 2 408 modules, I know my first VM extension will be after extension 115. So I dial extension 116, 117 etc until I find the first one. So if I have a 4 port VM my extensions would start at the first extension that answers and then you just add 3 more in sequence. That's the amateur way but it works.

If you don't know the extension numbers of the VM ports, as the notes say, you can enter * and the Slot/Port or # and the Logical ID instead. So if you put your new VM card in slot 8, and it's a 4 port, you just dial *0801, *0802, *0803, and *0804. And when you inspect it to confirm that all the ports made it into the group, you will see the extension numbers.

That being said, if it doesn't conflict with anything else in the dial plan, I like to renumber all the ports on the VM card starting with 601, so it's easy to dial up any particular port, or the modem on older cards.

i know this is kind of off topic, but i am trying to find some documents to help me out not only with the voicemail, but with initially programming the phone system. I have realized that there is certain things i am not sure of but sounds like it might be something i could use or that would make a great option for our needs. Where could i start if per say i knew nothing about this stuff. Would it be best to start reading the programming guide or installation manual for the merlin magix? I am trying to understand everything, like calling groups, hot lines, t/r lines, etc. Just looking for something to get me started. I am able to program the system and make it workable, but it seems like theres alot more i could be doing with it that could benifit us.

Start with the feature guide to see what the Magix can do for you then read the programming manual to see how to program the features.

I am still having trouble location info. I am trying to learn more about groups and group calling. Ill explain what im trying to do. In one of our offices, we have 2 phones. When someone internally calls that office, i would like both of them to ring if possible. Then, in our rental hall, we will have 2 phones that will be set up with restrictions, but when we do an all page, it shouldn't page over them. I would assume setting up groups would take care of both of these scenarios, but i am not too familiar with them. I just want to learn and use as much as the system is capable of.

From the Merlin Legend Feature Guide (applies to Merlin Magix):

Group Paging

Group Paging directs Speakerphone Paging either to a selected group of extensions, such as a
department or work area, or to all extensions in the system, except QCC operator positions.
The system automatically reserves extension numbers 793 through 798 for the first six
speakerphone Paging Groups. Up to 10 extensions can be assigned to each speakerphone
Paging Group. The seventh speakerphone Paging Group is called the Page All group and is
factory-set to page all extension numbers. The system automatically reserves extension number
799 for the Page All group. An extension can belong to up to seven speakerphone Paging Groups
(including the Page All group).
In Release 2.2 and later, in addition to 10 extensions, up to two loudspeaker page ports can be
assigned to each Paging Group. The Page All group can also include up to two loudspeaker page ports in addition to extensions. This means that the Paging Group (including the Page All group)
simultaneously alerts all extensions and loudspeaker page ports in the group.

Assign telephones to Paging Groups:

Extensions→ or More→Group Page→Dial Paging
Group no.→Enter→Dial ext. no.→Enter→Back→Back


Based on the above, you could add the office phones to one of the listed groups.

For ringing....the telephone line can be set for Immediate Ring on the office extensions and No Ring on the extension(s) in the rental hall (if you want it to appear on the phone(s) in the hall).

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I understand now to create 2 groups for the page. One with all the firehouse extensions and one for the 2 hall phones. Now as far as the office, when i do an intercom call, where the phone will actual ring instead of going to the speaker, how do i get both phones to ring? I am a little confused with that. Im thinking i should add them to their own page group? Then i would just call that page group and both phones should ring?

Page groups will page the phones.

Put a Primary Coverage button for the other extension on each phone.

On phone A, put on a Primary Coverage button for phone B, on phone B, put on a Primary Coverage button for phone A.

Call either one, and the other will ring as well.