How to find handoff type

[mcplaty]

Hi all,

We're in the process of switching providers from Windstream (former Paetec) to Verizon, and Verizon had some questions I'm not sure about (I inherited the phone system admin title :/ ):

Hand-off type (Analog or Digital): I'm not sure which we're using. With Windstream, we have a T1, but that's about all I know. Can I find out specifically what type of handoff we're using via IP Office?

Also, in regards to transferring DID's, Verizon said this:

"Please label the specific number/s belonging to an alarm, credit card, modem, elevator or ATM lines. It needs to be removed from the list since special lines won’t be supported in VoIP platform and it will lose the functionality when ported."

I installed two cards into the IP 500 to give us four analog lines for fax machines and a conference phone, as the rest of our phones are digital. Are these cards converting the analog signal into digital? If so, will they still work with Verizon? I gave Verizon the details of our Windstream service, and I know that they're supplying a 1.5 Mbps TDM that's capable of 24 concurrent calls.

Any input would be helpful

 

[amriddle01]

You have an issue here, your current service is Digital. They are moving you to IP, your faxes will not work over their IP connection very well (or even at all if you listen to them) so you will need to have analogue lines installed to support those faxes which may well mean the numbers will change (can they be ported?) and the extra cost of those lines will probably wipe out much of the savings you're making by changing provider in the first place

 

[mcplaty]

That's what I was worried about - the fax lines can likely be ported (there are 4 total lines). Will IP Office work with a VoIP connection?

 

[boristhespider2]

The circuit you mention with 24 concurrent calls is a T1(Primary rate interface) this is a integrated services digital network circuit or ISDN , this will need a t1 daughter board sat on a station or VCM card.

The four analogue line card you talk about will not facilitate fax machines or conference phones again this is a daughter board probably sat on your digital extn card , analogue station cards come in two or 8 port variants (there is also a combo card with 2 analogue ports 6 digital and either 4 analogue lines or ISDN 2 Basic rate interface)with VCM channels.

I am really thinking you need to get in touch with your local Avaya Buisness partner for advice here as the architecture/terminology of the system is something you seem to have a issue with , best to invest in a qualified person to do this rather than opening up a rather expensive can of worms.

 

[mcplaty]

Yeah... I don't know most of the behind the scenes of our phone service, I'm mostly in charge of IP Office administration (adding users, forwarding, etc...), but they threw this on my plate because of Windstream totally dropping the ball during an office move. We were without service for a week because someone on their end delivered the circuit meant for our new location to our old office.

Additionally, the owners of my company are very frugally minded, and don't want to pay to have a vendor support us. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, I am.

 

[boristhespider2]

well that is unfortunately a common theme , pay particular attention too what amriddle mentions regarding fax as this will fail , look at setting up a fax to email service or a traditional separate analogue trunk for this service you do have the cards to achieve this presently.

 

[mcplaty]

Thanks for all your help, I'm sure I'll be back

 

[boristhespider2]

In answer to your other question the IPO will work with the connection they are presenting as T1(24 channels) with your existing T1 card........this is going to sound like a spanner in the works but if this is all about cost saving , you may well want to look at SIP trunks going forward you will need a VCM resource and some sip trunk licences but if you can find a provider that supports T38 your fax issue will be resolved and the extra hardware licensing costs will be recovered quickly from call saving costs, added to that are the numerous flexibility options of SIP trunking(failover , geographic numbers etc etc)