Partner ACS processor hardware revison information 1

[wdoc156]

I am trying to find some information regarding the ACS 308 hardware versions 103Gxx, primarily what the numbers after the G designate to help make a decision or two. At one time I had a matrix that had info for 103G and 103E revs, when they were released and the updates/changes for these hardware revs but seem to have lost it.
I have the matrix 'partner-acs-matrix-7-0.xls' but it doesn't seem to have what I was looking for.
I recently purchased a 308 R4 processor (comcode 107759375) from an acquaintance for
1- use as a spare proc for my primary (residental) phone system (R6 comcode 700210654 103G16),
2- Use in temp phone system

I remember reading about some older ACS proc versions having reliability issues and saw a few reports of unsuccessful flash upgrades and this group has been the best to useful info of this nature from.
This proc has been restored to factory settings, I set it up for basic use and it seems to work OK.
This proc looks like the PS was replaced by Metroline in 2005, PS looks like newer design, and the guy from whom I bought it said it had died and was repaired to be used as a spare but didn’t get sold with remainder of system. Firmware is 4.0, apparently never upgraded. S/N=SP23 152861 but I don’t know how to decode date code. Bkup/restore card date code appears to be 2002 on back (green card).
This module has a Lucent Partner ACS label (instead of Avaya like my R6 that indicates 103G16) and this one only shows 103G.
If anyone knows of a potential issue with upgrading this processor to R6.85t with a multi use card, what hardware rev this may be and how old the proc is I would appreciate if they can share the info with me.

Kind regards

 

[supertech2000]

The comcode on your R4 processor comes back as "PAR ACS PROC MOD R1 REP" so it was probably upgraded to the R4. The comcode for the R6 is not a valid comcode. Can you recheck your numbers?

 

[Dexman]

The R7 processor had several issues and required multiple software upgrades to iron out all the bugs. The R7 is a 5x9 as opposed to the familiar 3x8.

At this point, rather than flashing the very old unit up to an R6, I would suggest upgrading to the R8 processor (also a 5x9). The R8 is the final release for the Partner ACS and has been very stable.

http://www.metrolinedirect.com/partner-acs-r8.html

http://www.atelephonesystem.com/Partner_Processors_8.htm

If it ain't broke, I haven't fixed it yet.

 

[seryozha]

dexman. can you point me to the information about the r7 bugs?

 

[Dexman]

Here are a few links to check...

http://tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1300207&page=78

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1281337&page=1

http://www.sundance-communications.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/ubb/get_topic/f/5/t/002425.html

http://www.sundance-communications.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/ubb/get_topic/f/5/t/002514.html

http://www.sundance-communications.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/ubb/get_topic/f/5/t/002863.html

If it ain't broke, I haven't fixed it yet.

 

[wdoc156]

Thanks for the replies.

I cracked the case open and this may have been a factory refurb. It has an Avaya refurb label inside with Dec ‘01 date. S/N label on processor board starts with 01SP, ends with REFB and is different than the S/N on the module case label that I got that comcode 107759375 from. The S/N part of the label on the module case has some handling damage so I can’t read first 2 characters of S/N but the remainder is not the same as proc board S/N. Maybe somebody put it together in their garage, I don’t know.
The S/N of the processor board seems to indicate 2001 which I think is proper timeframe for R4. The ID tag on the front of the processor module case is imprinted with ‘ACS Proc R4.0’. Possibly upgraded to current firmware rev when the refurb was performed??
The power supply is Avaya, S/N has 05 for first 2 digits and there are Metroline tamper-proof tags on the case with 11/05 written on them which made me believe M/L replaced the PS.

Whatever the case, it worked OK as when I got it as R4, it flashed up to R6 and continues to work without issue. The power supply runs cool.
Just for grins, I restored a backup from my home R6 system to it and it went with no error. The only thing left to test is operation in my home system when I get a chance.
At the moment, its main purpose is to be a small 2 CO line, 4 extn temporary system.

To replace with R8 is not feasible at this point. I only got this proc because I need a little system that can support Partner and Transtalk phones while I am working virtual to care for a parent with terminal cancer. I was using one of my old 206 cards but need caller ID, got this proc for <$100 and that is about all I can spend on it right now. Since I already have a multi-use upgrade R6 card, I thought it would be better if I upgraded this R4 to R6 and keep it as a spare for my home system in case I need in the future