100DCD Card Problems 2

[overcast32]

First, let me ask if anyone is familiar with Avaya Change Notice 1346B. I found this on the web, when looking for information on our Merlin Magix System (2.1, I believe).

http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/qppcn/1346BS3_customer.pdf

I am somewhat new to dealing with telecom issues, so don't flame too bad!

Now for the problems I am having...

We have 2 sites, connected with a point to point T1. Last week, we added an additional T1, as we will need the capacity soon. One T1 will be completely data, and the other completely voice. Right now 2 Adtran 100e CSU's are splitting the channels for the voice and data systems.

With the new T1 installation complete, I attempt to use the built in DSU's in the 100DCD cards - just simply going from the T1 SmartJack to the 100DCD card directly. In theory, this should work fine - and it did, for about 3 days. Today, we started experiencing a variety of problems. Occasional dropped calls, Calls not going through, Voice Mail not picking up. These all started pretty much at the same time. The only location efffected is the one with the "slave" phone system. The system where our main number is, is having no issues at all. So basically, these problems are linked to using the 100DCD in conjunction with the T1.

I switched the system back to the original T1, and back into the external CSU's - "amazingly" the problem just vanished. I am almost certain the problem is with these 100DCD card - especially after seeing the above change notice from Avaya. Bascially, the problem only exhibits itself when using the internal DSU's, when using an external, it seems to work just fine.

In addition to all of this, the former computer consulting company, that used to maintain this business believes the problems only surfaced when the T1 was split into data and telco. Prior to that, he doesn't recall any problems.

Has anyone else had similiar issues with the 100DCD cards, and was is consistant regardless of how many channels were being used, or do they seem to work fine when using all channels?

And finally - where do I need to get in the phone system to tell it to use all of the channels for voice - or at least take a look at the mapping for the channels?

Luckily, the Adtran CSU's have room for 2 port maps, so I could revert to the prior setup without reprogramming each port *whew*.

Any hints, help, or information would be truly appreciated!

 

[Magixman]

You first need to go under system programming, LinesTrunks, Pageup two times, select CSU/DSU, enter the slot number of the 100DCD card you want to program, select ActivateCSU, Select Activated and enter. If this is already activated I will need to know if this is a standard T1 or a PRI T1.

 

[Pepperz]

The 100 DCD card is extremely easy to program, and generally works fine. BUT there have been several straight-from-factory failures. (I don't underdstand this). You can "inspect" on the T-1 page of the setup and verify how many channels are voice and how many are data. Also, once you complete your setup, go in under maintenance for that particular slot, and 1-Busy-out, 2-Reset the slot, and 3-Restore the card. That will "bump" the card and start you off again. Just so it is asked, you are absolutely certain your chanel config on the first T-1 matches the channel config on the Second T-1? Lastly, under maintenance again, chat kind of errors are you seeing on that problematic T-1?

Pepperz at newper dot net

 

[overcast32]

I do believe the T1 is a PRI line, how can I tell?

Also - I am sure the channels ae set properly on each end - well, let's say they had been working fine with the external CSU for some time. I will double check those to be sure. I am cleaning up a lot of stuff here -- way too many cooks in the kitchen before me, lol.

I guess my main question is - and I think I know the answer... Are a few people using these DCD100 cards without issues, using the internal CSUs? I am just curious if it's a design flaw, or if it's just a problem here locally (with config or whatever).

 

[Pepperz]

Sys program > Start > Lines/Trunks / LS/GS/DS1 / Slot number> Type. On this screen, it will tell what kind of T-1 you have, T-1 or PRI. Don't change it, just note it.

Pepperz at newper dot net

 

[overcast32]

Ok - got a very silly, simplictic question about SPM, hehe.

Is the Red or Black text the selected option? I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess black is the selected color..

If so, it's a PRI line, and both the CSU and DSU are activated. I'm guessing the "slot" is the physical slot the card is in, in the chassis, correct?

 

[Pepperz]

Red is the selected color. So then you should have a T-1. If so, go to the "activate channels" section in the CSU/DSU menu, and verify by inspection that all 24 are showing "S", meaning all are designated for the "switch".

Pepperz at newper dot net

 

[overcast32]

Ok, that being the case...

Our incoming T1 to the Service Provider is set up for PRI, the point to point T, is set to "T1". I'm starting to suspect something's not 100% correct then.

Is the T1/PRI setting something that's set up by the phone company, or does it not matter, as long as the setting is the same on each end of the T1?

I checked the suppression and that is set correctly also (B8ZS - Phone company said that's what it was set to). I also noted, there's no selection under signaling either - on the PtoP, the link to our service provider is set to Common Channel.

 

[overcast32]

Sorry for addition to above post, but I don't see "active channels" in the CSU menu.

But... If Red is the selected option... then that means the CSU and DSU are not active. Could the system work at all if they aren't active? That would be odd - as it worked ok for 2 days.

 

[overcast32]

Doh, my mistake... the DSU is active - the CSU is inactive

 

[overcast32]

Ok, now I found you need to hit "inspect" when checking the port layout..

No, the channels are not all set to "S", some are set to "R" - assuming the remote end is set identically (it should be) would it still cause problems is only half the T was being used?

Like I said - the current running config has the Adtran's splitting this one T into Data and Voice - I believe, at first the prior IT guy here attempted to use the Magix CSU/DSU to split the data/voice and it didn't work. Right now, the internal settings on the Magix seem to mimic the Adtran settings.

Hope I articulated that properly.

 

[Pepperz]

R means the CSU/DSU is splitting channels, and sending these channels to a data port, one of the pigtails that came with the 100 DCD. S means that the channel is used for Voice or is being sent to the switch. The DSU only needs to be active if splitting out data channels. CSU needs to be active for voice work.

Pepperz at newper dot net

 

[overcast32]

Yeah, I follow you ok there..

Let me phrase my question a bit different...

Currently, 15 are set to the switch (S), the remaining channels are for data (R).

Assuming I run a T1 between 2 Magix systems - with these exact same settings and no external DSU, would it cause problems?

I know - in theory, it shouldn't, but the former IT consulting company here swears there was never an issue with phone system problems until the internal CSU/DSU was set to split channels like this - instead of being all Voice.

Also, come to think of it - I'm guessing it wouldn't work right, moving data also if the CSU is inactive, or am I wrong there?

Sorry, it's a bit hard to word these questions right, I promise I'm not an idiot.

 

[Pepperz]

The CSU must be active in your case, to use the voice channels. You have to match, exactly, the configuration at each end, if the first 15 are voice and the other 8 data on switch A, then the same must be true for switch B. ALSO, one of the switches must be set for Network, one for PBX, and one set with the synch source local, and one set as remote.

Pepperz at newper dot net

 

[overcast32]

Ok, I do believe the channels are set properly - plus with the CSU being off, I'm kinda amazed it even worked at all.

As for these other settings.. Does it matter which is set to what?

I'm guessing.. We have a "main" switchboard, and the remote one, more or less acts as a slave unit.

Should I set the main swtich to PBX and Sync Local Source? And set the other to Network and Remote?

We have our phone system guy coming in on Saturday to take a look at all these settings. He seems to know what he's doing, but with the phone system acting goofy, I want to make sure he didn't program the system wrong. Chances are, if any settings are goofed up, it was probably the former IT consultant.

I may not be much better, being mainly in IT, but as least I found the right spot to ask questions hehe. I just don't like to make any changes until I understand what's going on. Once I get all these settings verified and the CSU set to use all channels, I will see if the problems persists or if they go away. Also, the 24th channel is used for signaling, correct? I'm guessing you still direct that channel to the switch, in any case, correct?

I think I will look over the Merlix Magix manual - any other good sources of info for programming these switches?

Thanks!