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BCM 400 update latest version possible 2

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toxadi

toxadi

Technical User
Joined
Aug 28, 2007
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Hello all,

We have a BCM400 version 4.0.2.03. The latest patch installed was System.029-201012.

So far and for the past few years we have been using SIP trunking for our external calls to a voip provider that is using ip authentication, since our software version does not allow SIP username and password authentication. We would like to change that...

I believe that username/password SIP authentication is available but only to newer versions.

So my question is, can we go to version 5, or 6 or whatever, without changing our hardware? What is the latest version that can be installed to our system without investing in new BCM hardware?

Thanks

 
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What you have is the latest for the 400. SU29 and Desktop20 are current. There are a couple of others that have been released to address specific issues. One of them is 359-ROOTFS. Be careful with applying that one though. The instructions call for having SU31 installed first. The patches above 29 were pulled from the website a while back due to some "technical difficulties" so you won't meet the prerequisite, The other one is 140 but it's only for the AA to be able to recognize Military tones. No prereqs required but it won't help your situation.

Not sure how you've been using the SIP trunks if they require authentication (I'll assume they are being delivered via MPLS) but you are correct, you need Release 6.0 to authenticate directly via the BCM but to get that, you need to upgrade to a 450 which is a total hardware swap. The 400 ended at Release 4.0 and you have the latest software update available for it.

It's an easy upgrade and the latest version of the Migration Manager is a big improvement and does a good job of migration all your programming. Count on about 2 hours at straight time for prep and about 4 hours OT to complete. I've done many of them and the tools available now make it much smoother than when they first came out.
 
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System patch 030 and 031 were fine to install as long as you don't have DASS for your ISDN 30 lines.

All the best

Firebird Scrambler
Meridian 1 / Succession and BCM / Norstar Programmer in the UK

If it's working, then leave it alone!.
 
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So what? They've been pulled from the website so don't load them until and if they're ever reintroduced!
 
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Thank you telcodog

We ve been using a direct microwave connection to our sip provider, so no authentication is requested.

Well, the upgrade may be easy but if you have to upgrade almost all your hardware, then the cost is most likely going to be a big problem.

 
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In the grand scheme of things, it's not really that expensive compared to replacing it. What you get in the upgrade kit (hardware wise) is a completely new BFT, chassis interface card (including new signal and power cables) and likely a new fan (depending on the kit, you might even get 2 fans). It all depends on whether you have any redundancy in your current system and if you want to keep it. If you want RAID and redundant power supplies it does start to get up there though. If you have more than 100 sets you get Chassis Expansion Card as well.

The hardware you swap really only takes about a half hour for someone who's done it before. I remember the first one I did. Scared the hell out of me just reading the instructions but when it was all over it turned out to be typical Nortel instructions. Always write six pages worth when one and half will do.
 
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Well, there is no redundancy and about 30-40 sets, so it is not a big setup. But replacing hardware is not that much of a problem as buying it:-)

Should I assume that the same applies to a BCM50a with software release 2.0.2.05e? You need to replace the hardware to get the latest software version?
 
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BCM50 = no hardware change, just software/key code.

Your other option is to just purchase a 450, then get the key codes migrated for free, you need to ship the old unit back to Avaya.
This done for 400 systems that crash and no backup was performed, meaning this route means re-programming from scratch.




=----(((((((((()----=
curlycord
 
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He said money was kind of and issue so buying a new $6,000 dollar 450 might be a issue versus just upgrading the 400 to 450 for alot less.

Jeremy J. Carter
Charm City Communications
Norstar. BCM. CS1000 Programmer
 
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You should be able to get a 450 for somewhere between $3,000 & $3,600. The migration code will be about another $1,300 or so. if you do it this way you will return the MSC of the 400 to Avaya and they will send you another one back that is clean. Then you could actually use the 400 again if you wanted to, of course you would have to add any new codes to it.
 
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That is too much for our budget...

We might be able to use an old bcm50a since there is no hardware change, although I think that it has a limitation on the max active sets.

Any estimates for cost upgrading the release for the bcm50a? I suppose that upgrading the keycodes is free, and you pay for the release?
 
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If you have enough keycodes on your BCM50 hardware that is on hand then the cost of the upgrade license is about $600. (Can shop around for better prices though)

As the name implies right around 50 sets is about the maximum number of sets for the BCM50. And depending on what you have now if it's not all IP sets that also can mean an expansion cabinet or two to hold a DSM32 card and a trunk card. The base unit can do 12 digital sets, then 32 more on the DSM32 card in an expansion cabinet for 44 in total. If all your trunking is through SIP you wouldn't need another expansion for a PRI card and there are still 4 analog trunk lines on the base BCM50 unit for an emergency 911 hard line.

Part numbers for BCM50 R6 upgrades are:
NTAT0162 BCM50 upgrade from version 3 to version 6. Includes Upgrade DVD, and documentation kit
NTKC1240 BCM50 upgrade from version 3 to version 6. Paper authorization code. Software and manuals downloaded online.
NTKC1246 BCM50 upgrade from version 3 to version 6. Electronic authorization code. Codes sent via email direct from Avaya after order is processed by distributor.
If you need to upgrade from BCM50 Release 1 or 2 then you need to first order the BCM R1 to R3 upgrade keycode. (So it will cost more for an older BCM50 to upgrade all the way to 6.0)
NTKC0935 N0146690 BCM50 1.0 to 3.0 Upgrade Authorization Code
NTKC0937 N0146692 BCM50 Upgrade Electronic Authorization License 1.0 to 3.0

The DVD version usually costs more and you can just download everything from the Avaya support site. (Could even do it before you order anything if you want to read the manuals first)
The paper license is the fastest to get if your dealer has it in stock. Electronic takes Avaya about 2 days to process the PO and email things back to you plus any delays the dealer/distributors order desk might also put on the process.

Then you need an Avaya partner to go into the KRS system to actually generate and retrieve your keycode file for you so make sure you specify that service up front if you do not have a login for KRS yourself and were going to do the software upgrade on your own.

Now if the plan was to do a migration of keys from your BCM400 to BCM50 I'm not entirely sure that Avaya supports that. They generally consider a migration to be from a 400 up to a 450 so I don't think they will do a keycode migration to a BCM50. At least, I have never tried, never asked about it and I have never heard of anyone doing it myself. Most doing the migration want to maintain an investment in media bay modules so wouldn't be interested in a BCM50 anyhow.
And then there is this document from Avaya that lists all the migration options and it doesn't include the option of going from BCM400 down to a BCM50 in the list.

 
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We saw it comming... The existing sip version has issues talking to the voip provivider. The dtmf implementation is custom by nortel and who knows what else will come up.

So long BCM400, and thanks for all the fish...

Thanks everybody
 
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Another alternative is to look at a SIP VoIp to PRI Gateway (converter). Then you would go from SIP provider to gateway to BCM 400.
 
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