CDR's via Hyperterminal?

[tomcheshire]

Hi All,

I have a Meridian 1 system that has previously been connected to a Tabmicro 'box' to collect data in order to bill internal clients for their usage. The Tabmicro box and software is out of support and has broken. I'm wondering if their is a cheap way that I could collect CDR's from the PBX for a few months while we implement a new system?

I heard that it might be possible to connect a PC directly to the serial port on the PBX (which is currently connected to the Tabmicro) and this would provide raw CDR's in a hyperterminal window which I could then run through our billing platform? I tried to see what data was output but default hyperterminal settings didn't work - the output was garbage, does anyone know the correct settings? and if this is a potential short term solution?

Many thanks for reading,

Tom

 

[telebub]

It depends on what hardware is supporting the CDR port. If it is a paddle board, the only way to see the settings is to look at the dip switches on the card. You might be quicker in just using trial and error on your Hyperterminal settings until you hit it. I would try 1200 baud through 9600 baud with N, 8, 1 and then try them with E, 7, 1.



War Eagle!!

 

[tomcheshire]

Thanks telebub,

Do you know if the output would be CDR's if I can get the right settings?

Tom

 

[telebub]

Yes, if you are using the port connected to the old call accounting system. That CDR port should be connected directly to the old call accounting PC or to a buffer device of some sort.

War Eagle!!

 

[tomcheshire]

If I connect directly to a PC though telebub, will the data be meaningful something similar to this, a single CDR from Telstra?:

"80000645","B2508","20090105 08271330","27","","791","B2508","08456843253","00:00:17","LocalRate","11","Non-geographic voice call","UK LOCAL RATE","Standard","1913655199","1913655199",,,,,,,

Obviously the pc will have to remain connected to collect the data, but then I envisage being able to save the output as a txt file and run it through my current billing platform that deals with CDR's?

Tom

 

[telebub]

It will look something like this:

N 001 00 DN4999 A000009 7.1.02.1 06/28 10:15 00:00:20 9828124

We have a couple customers that capture the raw data via Hyperterminal or Procomm and import it into a homemade billing system. Our job was just to get the CDR outputting to their PC. As far as this working for you in your billing system, I have no idea. You may just have to get it spitting out to your PC and see what you think then.

War Eagle!!

 

[tomcheshire]

Thanks, that doesn't look like it's going to be enough information, not without the callers number and the number dialled!? Unless I'm missing something?

I wonder if you know a 'cheap and cheerful' way I can retrieve enough information from the PBX in order to re bill internal clients ?

 

[telebub]

That was just an example of one call record. In that example, you can see it was an outbound call and they dialed 9828124. If it was an incoming call, it would show you the CLID of the inbound call if CLID is programmed in LD 17. If you have the docs on CD, look for the Call Detail Recording Fundamentals Guide. It has all types of example call records.

War Eagle!!

 

[GHTROUT]

"80000645","B2508","20090105 08271330","27","","791","B2508","08456843253","00:00:17","LocalRate","11","Non-geographic voice call","UK LOCAL RATE","Standard","1913655199","1913655199",,,,,,,

The above output was processed (at least) once after it was output from the PBX. Nortel's CDR output has a lot of variables and isn't comma delimited. There are also multiple lines per call record. Whatever system processed the above quote knew how to parse into that CSV format.


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[tomcheshire]

Thanks Telebub, I'm with you now! I don't actually have any CD's or documentation apart from a manual explaining how to use one of the handsets are you able to email me the file at all?

Ghtrout, the above output was CDR's direct from our carrier, so yes it will have been processed! I only put it on here for an example of what I'm trying to get from the Meridian 1 system.

 

[GHTROUT]

All the documentation you'll ever need can be obtained here:

http://www.nortel.com/documentation

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[tomcheshire]

I have had clarification off my billing platform providers that the minimum information required to be able to use it is:

number dialled from, number dialled to, date+time and duration of the call.

To rephrase my question, what is the cheapest way of retrieving this information from a Meridian 1?

I'm a bit lost!

Thanks guys,

Tom

 

[GHTROUT]

You posted the answer: Connect a PC directly to the serial port on the PBX (which is currently connected to the Tabmicro) and this would provide raw CDR


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[tomcheshire]

And the hyperterminal settings, are they really trial and error? I can't find any documentation anywhere :S

Thanks

Tom

 

[GHTROUT]

There aren't many settings. You'll probably find these work:

VT emulation
8N1 (or 7E1)
9600 bps

If it were me and I could not spend any money on a buffer box or CDR application, I would obtain a PC with a serial port, then use the program "Procomm Plus" with a script that captures and archives the file once a day. Here's one thread798-1253660


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[telebub]

I agree with all GHTROUT has mentioned. If you are not familiar with looking at input/output port hardware in the PBX then yes, trial and error may be your best option. (unless your old call accounting machine still works to the point that you can see how its COM port is setup and copy it)

War Eagle!!

 

[tomcheshire]

Thanks guys,

I'm going to have another bash with the Hyperterminal settings when I'm next on site, hopefully the output will be understood by my billing platform!

Do you know of a free app to save data from a Hyperterminal window daily?

Procomm would do the job but at a price!

Tom

 

[tomcheshire]

Hello,

I managed to find the right Hyperterminal settings and this is the output I'm getting:


N 095 00 235 A110 010 02/02 09:41:55 00:00:02 .0 A907711597288
& 00000 000000 000 000
&

N 096 00 A110 001 6702 02/02 09:42:25 00:00:02 .0
& 000 000
&

N 097 00 235 A110 010 02/02 09:42:48 00:00:08 .0 A907711597288
& 00000 000000 000 000
&


An outgoing an incoming and an outgoing call again.
It looks pretty messy to me

FYI the Hyperterminal settings were:
1200 7 none 1 none

 

[GHTROUT]

For the first record:

Extn 235 dialed 9,07711597288 using Route 110 , member 10 at 9:41AM on February 2nd - and talked for 2 seconds.

What you're seeing is exactly what the system outputs, and cannot be made any better without some external processing.


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[tomcheshire]

The trouble is Ghtrout the external processing will have to be manual (or via a free app?) and I'm not sure I'm up to sorting through that output manually to get it into a format that my billing software will understand