Connecting a pc to Meridian

[Sympology]

I've been tasked with setting up remote pc's with a connection to our Meridians at various branches around the UK.
The pc's will be on the network and I'm looking at using a combination of PcAnywhere, Hyperterm Private Edition and and serial connection? to the Meridians, which will be 11s, 51s and 81s (mainly 11's). Some have a TTY connected, others don't.
What is the best way of connecting to the switches? I was looking at serial connection (but what type of cable?), but I don't know how to go about configuring the Meridian. Please help, so one day I may see my LONG overdue payrise (just in case my boss is reading).

Thanks..

Stu..

2 decades from retirement, 2 minutes from a breakdown

 

[Firebird Scrambler]

If all of your switch's use MAT /OTM via the ethernet, Then that would be a cheap way to obtain Meridian access.
Modem access may well be the best option & a "Dumb" type external Modem is needed, assuming that you have a spare TTY terminal (Or one that can be shared). I've got a external US Robotic 56k to work. (See my FAQ on it).
I'm sure that there are many other modem types available to use.
Any good terminal program can be used & use Procomm Plus which is adapted to work via Telnet, COMM , etc. Of course it very good for doing scripts along with having a connection directory as does many other comms programs.
It's all down to cost's & type of use required.

All the best

Firebird Scrambler
Meridian Programmer in the UK

 

[Sympology]

Unfortunatly most of our remote sites don't have direct access (TTY / MAT etc). They have a race line straight in for our maintainers, but we wan't to get in ourselves to avoid the costs. When they are on site, they plug in the laptops and that is effectivly what we wish to do on a permant basis, i.e PcAnwhere to this desktop, then Hyperterm into the Meridian.
Hope this helps.

Thanks..

2 decades from retirement, 2 minutes from a breakdown

 

[hawks]

They are probably plugging there Laptops into a TTY port that they have built for MAC's. Do like firebird said and hook a modem to a TTY port then you can dial in and make any changes at any time.

 

[Firebird Scrambler]

Hawks is correct. In that the switchboard maintainers connect a spare TTY onto the Laptops comm port & access the Meridian as required.


All the best

Firebird Scrambler
Meridian Programmer in the UK

 

[wdhb]

If all your sites are on your LAN/WAN, you can use term servers connected a spare tty port. I've got 32 sites connected this way & use it for both admin access + cdr, acd & traffic stats.

 

[Sympology]

Thanks for the replies, never thought of a terminal emulator (have to raid our stores). One last quetion, the cable, straight or null modem (sorry to have to ask this but need to get them in advance).

Stu..

2 decades from retirement, 2 minutes from a breakdown