2 systems (MICS & CICS) 1

[obobob]

Hi all,
I have MICS 4.1 with NAM 4.0 phone system (this is the operational one). I have another spare CICS 4.0 (30 mm E12 NAT) with startalk 2.0.04LC-4ch.
My question is how I can configure the spare system to give me as much capabilities as possible to replace the operational one in case of failure. What can I add to the CICS to make as close as possible to the MICS. I just want the 2nd system to be ready for use if I need it. We did have a failure recently and it was bad for the company to loose time until the problem was fixed.
The system is used mainly for outbound calls and we use mainly T1 and some analog lines.
Any input will be appreciated

 

[exsmogger]

A CICS maxes out at 8x24 and one internal ATA port. The CICS is not T1 capable, only analog lines or BRI circuits. I would be surprised if the old Startalk operates correctly with a CICS R4.0, but the NAM would be compatible in case the MICS went down.

I would be sure to configure the CICS for the same digit length and numbering that matches your MICS, so you could switch the NAM to the CICS in an emergency. Put all analog lines in a pool in CICS programming with the same pool access code as the T1 lines on the MICS.

Brian Cox

http://www.jandjcommunications.com

 

[obobob]

Thanks for the reply Brian, any advice on what would be the best plan if the NAM went down? do you think the old startalk will work with the MICS? (It works with the CICS I have tried it). and is there a way to copy the programming(or part of it) from the MICS to CICS?

 

[salo0920]

I would sell the CICS and Startalk on Ebay and buy a spare MICS and T1 and Services card on same.(no software).

Then, I would buy a fastrad and backup the configuration. Now you would be totally protected except for losing the VM services if they were to go down.

Not too bad for next to nothing investment given what you are going to sell.

If you need even more protection, you might want to consider a service contract.

Screwing around mixing Startalk versions with NAM versions and CICS with MICS just aint worth it. T1 on 1 system but not the other? Forget it.

The software and configurations will always be different and so there will be no way to be prepared quickly to slide from 1 to the other in an emergency.

Get things all the same whenever possible.

 

[exsmogger]

I would tend to agree with the previous post. Hardly a seamless switch from the MICS to CICS. I was just answering to the possibility of a temporary fix in case of a system crash.

If the CICS is not already maxed out I wouldn't put any more money into it, and go with Salo0920's suggestion to sell the CICS and Startalk and get at least an empty MICS & FastRAD to start, and program it the same way as your current system.

There is no way to copy programming from a MICS to a CICS. You will have to manually try to recreate the first 8 lines and 16-24 stations of the MICS to the CICS.

A Startalk will come up on the MICS R4.1, but I wouldn't bet that it would work as it would on an older KSU, though it might be OK for a quick fix.

Brian Cox

http://www.jandjcommunications.com

 

[luv2ski]

I would go with a maint contract if its that important to you "live by your phone system die by your phone system" I would choose a company that you know will be able to have the whole system replaced and operational within 4 to 6 hour time period.I have had to replace plenty of systems and boy were they happy to see we were able to replace and get system operational in such a short time. Even with all the BS my company can still get me any part within 4 hours plus what i have in truck usually does it.

Pat Guido
NEXTIRAONE
Pat.guido@nextiraone.com

Formerly Nextira, formerly Williams Communications, formerly Wiltel, formerly Nortel networks, formerly Northern Telecom, formerly, Nynex meridian systems formerly Northern Telecom.

 

[obobob]

Thanks for the replies, I think I will go with replacing the CICS with MICS, I do have a RAD and I have backups for both the MICS and the VM.