How to keep Conference Bridge from dropping

[mbjst]

We use our conference bridge to do simultaneous video/audio conferences. We use a Polycom iPower 9000 for the video portion, and our IP Office (IP412 v3.1.56, VMPro v3.1.16) conference bridge through a Polycom Vortex EF2211 for the audio portion. Our problem is when the last remote caller leaves the conference, leaving only the host connected, we get a busy tone. What is happening is the conference bridge is sensing only one person (host) in the conference and drops the call causing the Vortex to produce the busy tone. We have confirmed this using hand sets and not including the VC system at all. Without the VC system the call just drops when the remote leaves. Is there any way to tell the conference bridge to keep the conference open until the host leaves? This also precludes having an additional party enter the conference after one has entered and left.

Thanks

 

[Ragnorak]

If you use ConferenceMeetMe instead of manually creating the conference it will maintain the conference with only one party connected.

 

[mbjst]

OK. Thanks, but I think it does already.

Our conference bridge is accessed by an extension (and shortcode) which routes it to a voice mail node. I assume it is so we cna use AA features. The final step, an assisted transfer, is *82*$KEY# I don't have a *82 short code, but I do have a *82*N#, which is the ConferenceMeetMe.

Do I need to create an additional shortcode *82 that is a ConferenceMeetMe also?

Thanks again

 

[Ragnorak]

Hmmm...

The IPO automatically disconnects conferences except for the conference meet me, which can exist with only on person connected to the conference.

I have never had a problem with this feature. I typically use transfer instead of assisted transfer and I usually make the short code a straight number so that the customer thinks of it as the conference bridge extension. I can't think of how any of these should make a difference.

My only suggestion is try it without using the voicemail node and see if it still drops with only one party connected.

 

[mbjst]

Thanks for your help.

I just tried a direct call to the conference bridge with the same results. I tried one of the short codes for one of our Bridge "quick connects", and I added an extension that is a ConferenceMeetMe and same thing. Whenever the conference gets down to just the host left, the conference is disconnected.

Any other ideas?

Thanks again

 

[sizbut]

Your correct that once a conference is down to two parties, if one of them leaves then the whole conference is closed. Its been that way with IP Office for a long time.

 

[jml2665]

only way you can keep the bridge up is to use Conference Centre instead of MeetMe, that way once the bridge is established you can keep it live even if the host is the only person connected

 

[mbjst]

Thanks, I was afraid that was what you were going to tell me. Just so I'm clear, Conference Center is the add on package. Correct?

The only work around I can think of, is to place a second "internal" call to the conference and not let that line drop.

Thanks again

 

[jml2665]

yes, it is the add-on package licensed package

 

[crystalfusion]

You could just hit the redail key on the polycom and get reconnected, and since there are no other parties it wouldn't make a difference.

 

[Ragnorak]

mbjst, sorry if I gave you bad info. Whenever I set up a DID for a conference bridge and show the customer, I dial internally then pick up my cell phone and dial in from the outside. I've never had the bridge drop when I've hung up the cell phone.

 

[crystalfusion]

It might make a difference with the type of phone. I just tried on a 6424D+M and it drops once only 1 user is left.

When I set it up on an analog polycom it got a different result set. When I dialed the internal extension and was the last caller, it automatically hung up (same as 64xx).

But when I dialed the full number (as would an outside caller) I was still disconnected YET the polycom appeared active/connected. By that I mean the screen was still counting the connected time. When I looked on the Call Status the phone was not active, and when I redialed the bridge with my cell, it was not part of the conference.

Basically the polycom thought it was connected, but was not. This can lead to someone seeing the bridge as still active, when it is in fact not.