ACS R4 Remote Access

[MWM]

The new 4.0 Remote Access software is very helpful & productive -- you can set up the system on a PC prior to the actual install.

But getting connected to the module is a problem so far ...

Setup: a stand-alone (no carrier) new ACS 4.0 module w/ Remote Access card installed, 18D phone and laptop running Remote Access.

Plugged directly into a station port, the laptop modem quickly negotiates at 14400 but fails every time to establish a session. Error Message: Failed to establish a session.

BTW, this direct hookup requires an intercom call to ext 76, which in turn requires the chosen port to be configured with Intercom as Auto Line Selection.

I defaulted the system prior to starting: any other setup I'm missing?

Thanks a lot

Mike

 

[ttech]

Mike,

I have had alot of connection problems too. It seems it is very finicky about the modem you use and error control Ect. Also You have to be sure to do a #730 first because it wont work at all if you dont give the system a password first. Also I just plug my laptop into the AUX port on the bottom of the 18D and press the intercom button then when the modem goes off hook the intercom is already chosen.

Don

 

[MWM]

Thanks, Don.

Yes, I have tried using the Aux port on the phone but the result is the same: it connects but gives the error message, "Session iniitation has failed." The modem is connected and even stays connected after the error message.

And, yes, the Remote Access password (and the System password) are set. It never gives the login screen.

Connection thru the phone Aux port on the phone does not seem to work as well (new Avaya 18D)--it takes more handshaking time and results in a slower negotiated speed, about 4800 bps, than the connection bridged at the station port, which consistently gives 14.4 Kbps.

Since this is a session error, it seems that the problem is not at the modem level but at the higher application level, where the software applications-- the Remote Access software on the laptop and on the system -- need to establish a connection.

Both the system module and the Remote Access card are new and the system has been reset.

... stumped for now.

Yours,
Mike

 

[drewmich]

MWM & TTech,

The ACS R4.0 Remote Access Software is "defective" and the last I heard was in a re-write phase and should be released soon if it isn't already. Unless you have need of the new 1600 DSL module, the really isn't any reason to use the ACS R4.0 upgraded software release. That will allow you to use the old ACS R3.0 tried and tested RAS which is pretty solid in all its functions and connectivity.

Let me know when you get the ACS R4.0 RAS program working and what your tricks were ... or when you get the latest release of the R4.0 RAS software.

Andrew Roach
President
Drew Communications
Lucent Voice Mail and Component Repair Specialists
drew@triton.net
616-498-9213

 

[ttech]

Andy
It HAS worked for me.

Don

 

[MWM]

... I talked with an Avaya tech expert who confirmed both that the version I had was indeed the latest release and also that it worked, as he was able to dial in.

This may be another instance of the weakness of modem technology--the implementations of those specifications vary among modem chip makers, so problems like handshaking and establishing a connection are sometimes a mystery. Nobody ever really defines the solution: they just say, "Try this, try that."

I once asked an expert and a veteran, "Don't we know what the problem is?" He said, "No, we dont know. We can only try various things--reboot, reinstall, ...", etc.

The next step is to try my hookup with other laptop modems, etc.

BTW, when I connected thru the port at the base of the tel set, the modem connection speed dropped from a quick and reliable 14.4 KB to 4800. The Avaya tech said that the set does reduce the connection speed.

The Remote Access manual calls out a minimum connection speed of 14.4 Kbs, though the tech did not seem to think that was a hard rule. Again, there are vagaries in the modem solution.

Why not use telnet or similar IP-based solution? Someday we might.

Thank you for your responses.

Yours,
Mike

 

[drewmich]

Don,

Good to hear that it is working for you. Our dealers and interconnects have reported many problems over the past year since the RAS R4.0 was first released.

Do you have a copy of the version that works for you as the version we have doesn't work properly - in any setup configuration.

Andrew Andrew Roach
President
Drew Communications
Lucent Voice Mail and Component Repair Specialists
drew@triton.net
616-498-9213

 

[MWM]

The version I have is 4.0.0.8, which Avaya says is the latest.

I have had ongoing failure using the second PC even to connect, lately trying another PC and modem. No joy.

Mike

 

[drewmich]

Mike,

Can you send me a copy of the R4.008 as mine is the earlier 4.0 version and has "bugs" .... send me an email.
Andrew Roach
President
Drew Communications
Lucent Voice Mail and Component Repair Specialists
drew@triton.net
616-498-9213

 

[Richardkl]

Mike,

Can you also send me a copy of the R4.008 I am having problems as well.

Richard A. Kunkel
Consultant Services
conservic@aol.com
256-882-5081

 

[MWM]

Richard and Drew;

There are two reasons I haven't emailed to you a copy of Remote Access 4.0:
1--I am not at all sure it will improve our situation, as it has yet to work for me, as above.
2--Also, I paid much more than the typical $50 internet asking price for the R3 version (which, I understand, also did not work very well).

This product is available on the web, but as far as I see, it is pricey due to its recent introduction and to its scarcity.

We hope that soon this silly situation will change and we can all connect to ACS simply and reliably.

If this software I have worked and would seem to help, our situation might be different.

Yours,
Mike

 

[Guest_imported]

If you're an Avaya Business Partner, download it here for free:

https://www.avaya.com/doc/pv/productsandsolutions/ProductInformation-R4Installer4008.zip

 

[Guest_imported]

Drew:

You cannot use the R3 remote software on an R4 switch, nor use an R3 translation file on an R4 switch (or vice versa). If you attempt an upload of the R3 image file, it will upload to 98% then give an error box as incompatible files.

I've tried, as we have several hundred R3 systems out there we have installed and support, and now they are going bad from lightning strikes, age, factory defects, etc. Just standard maintenance stuff.

We can't get new R3 processors from Catalyst, so we have to stick in R4s and have to reprogram by hand the entire switch. Since these are medical treatment facilities, downtime is critical, as is user perception of our abilities. The loss of just one speed dial button makes them think we can't fix it, so the backup on the card would be *very* nice to be able to use. Too bad Avaya didn't consult the field techs before throwing out the R4 software.

BTW- Avaya is giving away the R4 remote software at the site given above because they had to admit their error at not having compatible software to their Business Partners. They balked at paying for Avaya's decision to change the product to add a questionable module and make the dealers pay them to buy more software to support it. I don't know of a single customer or company that's sold a DSL module yet! Ouch.

 

[drewmich]

ACS Tech,

Thanks for the info and comments.

I would be interested in chatting with you about some of the things you mentioned in your post.

Call me or send me an email so we can get in contact.

Andrew Roach
President
Drew Communications
Lucent Voice Mail and Component Repair Specialists
drew@triton.net
616-498-9213

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Hey, you might be able to do this: Avaya has a free R3 e-flash card download available. Take a new R4 processor, and DONT install the R4 card, but instead use the R3 e-flash card when you power it up for the first time. It will program itself as an R3. Now install the backup card from your dead R3 and do a restore. Now install the R4 card and it will upgrade to R4 and convert the exsisting data base. Be sure to back it up on the new card!

Good luck.



PS, I have had excellent sucess with both R3 and R4 remote software on a desktop maching at work, but terrible results with my laptop. I personally suspect modems and drivers.

 

[MWM]

Tommy;

I have also been wondering about the exact init strings used by Avaya tech support--and you, too, I suppose -- who can dial in successfully.

And, so far, dialing in -- not directly connected -- is the only reported success I've heard.

Yours,
Mike

 

[Richardkl]

MWM;

I have Just Downloaded the software from;

https://www.avaya.com/doc/pv/productsandsolutions/ProductInformation-R4Installer4008.zip

It has solved all my problems with R3 and R4 systems.

I use a R4 system at my local office and have customers on R3. On my system I have a computer pluged into the AUX port of extension 10. I launch RAS 4.008 and press "F3" select "direct dial", make sure that my modem apears in the modem window, select next, enter "776" in the number window and the phone ring 3 times and them answers and pops up the password window.


I connect at 14400.
I also connect at 14400 when I dail my customers the number format that I enter is 9,xxxxxxx,,,,,,776. Again from my extension 10 (I don't think that it matters what extension I would call from)

The modem that I use is a US robotics v.90 hardware modem. model 1749. US robotics hardware modems are the only ones that I have found to work everywhere. I build and install custom computer systems and gennerally swear by USR modems. They cost more but I don't have to go back because of line drops, slow speed connections etc.


Richard Kunkel
Consultant Services
conservic@aol.com
256-882-5081

 

[MWM]

Richard;

Thanks for the very helpful post.

Did I understand it correctly, that you use 776 for the modem extension number, not 76 ? My docs show the Partner modem extension number to be, "76."

Yours,
Mike

 

[TouchToneTommy]

The modem extension number IS 76, but to be able to transfer to it from a Partner Mail Auto Attendant, you need to put Ext. 76 as the only extension in hunt group 6 (thus the extension number 776)

#505-6-76-1

If you will be calling in and asking to be transfered by a human, then 76 is OK

 

[MWM]

TouchToneTommy;

Thanks for your mention of your US Robotics success. I found an unused US Robotics and it worked. This was welcome success after trying three other modems, internal and external, on two computers.

Also, I found an IBM laptop with a Lucent modem chipset that can connect, but only, so far, at 4800.

But at least the thing can work. Same (default) init string in each modem -- AT Q0 V1 E0.

Thanks again,
Mike