Partner ACS Setup/Admin query. 1

[vtsnaab]

Editing the OP to reflect what has been learned from the helpful replies;
This thread in no longer about using the PC to program the system and has become a thread about properly setting up this system.

As a new member here I wish to express my gratitude to the amazingly skilled & helpful folks who have pitched in to set me right in this project & I will further greatly appreciate more guidance...Thanks !!
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I am helping a friend who is stuck with POTS lines in his rural area to install an Avaya ACS R6.

It was bought from some city folks who upgraded to VOIP and appears to be working fine.
When feature 59 is used, it says PACS 6.0.4 .

I would like to re-program it for his place, preferably with as much ease as possible.

Looked around for info - got manuals - and have seen in the various manuals that as long as it has the backup/restore card that it is possible to use the remote PC admin s/w to do this on all of these from V3 on.

We got a DB9 breakout and used the pinout as described in thread688-1344059 - but the s/w does not connect.

The basic question that occurs to me is that there is no port labeled 'admin' as was posted before - and I was hoping that the RJ-45 SMDR port was also the admin port - and of course that may be a totally wrong assumption on my part.

My query:
Does the lack of a clearly labeled admin port mean that this system can ONLY be remotely accessed via modem with the PC s/w ??

Thanks for any help.

Addendum:
I have since seen a photo of an R7 system and how clearly labeled the Admin port is on that one - so it is now completely obvious to me how the R6 system is lacking this port.

 

[Telecomboy]

I think the R7 and R8 were the only one's that have an Admin port for direct connect. You will need to connect via a modem or go through x10/x11 with phone programming which I prefer.

 

[vtsnaab]

Thanks for replying Telecomboy.
I guess I just wasted a bunch of time on this mistake...

Next query:
If connecting via modem, I am unclear if this is a dial-in or just jacked in ??
(I see in the s/w menu a drop-down for modem choice as well as a tick box for 'dial in'...)

Because of being limited to centrex for now, there are 5 POTS lines at his little place that has just 3 people in it - and this system was set up for 6 lines as it came to us.

Obviously I could totally reset this to its basic/factory settings, but:
I am reluctant to wipe whatever programming it already has as I am unfamiliar with this system and had hoped to examine what it already has been set up for - before making any changes in my ignorance.

Thanks.

 

[Dexman]

In order to utilize remote programing with the GUI the system would need a remote access/backup restore PCMCIA card to be inserted into one of the two front slots on the processor.

The Partner ACS is a fairly simple system to program. My suggestion is to do everything from x10 or x11.

Wiping existing programming is preferred because you really don't know if any oddball configurations are hidden inside.

I "FEATURE 00"

http://dexman.webs.com/

 

[vtsnaab]

Yes, it has the remote access/backup restore PCMCIA card.

I have been going through the manuals and it seems that there is alot to them - which is why I'd rather be able to see what has been done before.

My experiences date back to several different & older systems and what I have seen is that PBX programming can be very convoluted...

Looking at the programming template in the manual seems to affirm all the above.

Is there a simple way to program one of these for all lines to ring on all phones, no privacy restrictions & call transfer from any ext. to any other ??

Aside of VM, that is all that is needed for this small place.

Thanks for the pointers.

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Is there a simple way to program one of these for all lines to ring on all phones, no privacy restrictions & call transfer from any ext. to any other ??

Yes - these are all the default settings. Default that sucker, set the date and time, and the number of lines, and you will be in business. Put he VM ports into Hung Group 7, and that programming will depend on which version of VM you have, which slot you put it in, and what other cards are there as well.

 

[vtsnaab]

TouchToneTommy - that is the BEST news I've gotten about this system YET !!!

I wish it was so clearly explained in nice, simple terms like that RIGHT IN FRONT of its huge manuals.

So then, dare I presume that in order to default it - all I do is to remove the backup batteries & de-power it for a while...or is there more to it, please ??

Thanks Again for the wonderful help.

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Removing the batteries and power cycling will indeed default the system

Then to get into System Programming, at Ext. 10 or 11, press Feature, dial 00, and press the Left Hand Intercom button Twice

Set the Date by dialing #101, MMDDYY

Set the Time by dialing #103, HHMM (24 hour format to input)

Feature 00 to exit

This doesn't address the VM ports, which need to be programmed or it will screw up incoming calls, or remove the VM card if you're not going to use it.

Post back the cards in the system, and their order in the carrier, and better instructions for the VM can be posted

 

[vtsnaab]

Thanks Again TouchToneTommy !!!

There are 2 of the 308EC modules, in slot 1 and 2, the ACS Processor module in the center slot, and the voicemail module is in the slot to the right of the processor.

I am thinking I need to remove one of the 308EC modules as it will not be needed.

The processor has a backup/restore card & the VM module has a card also.

Is that enough info, or did I leave something out ??

Also=>
There are 5 POTS lines; they need to ring always, at all phones; one general voicemail box is all that is needed; no Automated Attendant; no Day/Night/Holiday settings either - and these folks like to be able to pick up any line from any phone anytime - meaning no privacy settings are needed.

Aside of that I wonder about something which may be totally irrelevant:
We have an Amanda VM unit that works perfectly with the old system - and from their manual it appears to have settings to integrate with the new system, so I wonder:
Is there any advantage between using the Partner's own VM module & card vs. using the Amanda VM (especially given that no automated attendant and only 1 VM box is needed) ??

Thanks for helping me out with this.

 

[Dexman]

Two more questions concerning the voicemail. First...is it a Partner Mail VS or an Avaya Partner Messaging?

Second, can you tell us how many ports the PCMCIA card on the front of the voicemail unlocks? (The number of ports is printed on the PCMCIA card's label).

I "FEATURE 00"

http://dexman.webs.com/

 

[vtsnaab]

The card is a Partner Mail VS 4 ports/20 mailboxes.
It is plugged into a module labeled Partner Mail VS R 4.1

Thanks !!

 

[TouchToneTommy]

The ACS R6 is Ext. 10 through 17
The 308 in slot 1 is 18 through 25
The 308 in slot 2 is 26 through 33
The VS mail slot represents Ext. 34 through 39. VS mail uses the LAST ports on the card, and your PCMCIA card enables 4 of them. Therefore, your voicemail ports are 36-37-38-39

Feature 00
Left Intercom Twice
#101-MMDDYY
#103-HHMM
#104-XX (Number of outside lines)
#306-36-10
#306-37-10
#306-38-10
#306-39-10
#505-7-36-1
#505-7-37-1
#505-7-38-1
#505-7-39-1
#310-XX-1 (do for any extension that will have a mnailbox assigned)
Feature 00

What do you want to happen on incoming calls if no one answers? Automated Attendant (caller can dial extension numbers, reach people, leave messages). Single mailbox to answer (caller can hear a greeting and leave a message). Just ring until the caller gives up?

 

[vtsnaab]

TouchToneTommy - this may just be the best, most helpful info I've gotten, anyplace - ever.
My sincerest thanks.

On incoming calls when no one answers all that is needed is one mailbox so the caller hears the greeting and leaves a VM.

So, where you said this:
#310-XX-1 (do for any extension that will have a mailbox assigned)

I imagine the XX is the ext. #, yes ?
And if they all use the same VM box does that change anything I must do ??

Lastly - if I remove one of the 308 modules, do I do anything differently ?

In the whole house there are maybe 8-10 phones scattered about, with 3-4 used most of the time & the others mostly for courtesy of visitors or convenience - so only the 5 POTS lines & maybe 10 phones tops will be in use.

 

[Dexman]

If you remove one of the 308ECs...ideally the one in slot #2..., you'll need to move the PMVS into the empty slot and change the ports assigned to Group #7.

I "FEATURE 00"

http://dexman.webs.com/

 

[TouchToneTommy]

If you would like one mailbox to answer the incoming calls, add #208-(Line Number)-(Extension Number), and yes, #310 for that extension as well

(Ext. 10 to answer Lines 1-3, #208-01-10, #208-02-10, #208-03-10, #310-10)

Only Ext. 10 gets the message waiting light when messages are left, but you can check the mailbox from any phone.

If you remove the 308 in slot 2 and move the VS mail there, your VM ports change from 36-37-38-39 to 28-29-30-31

 

[vtsnaab]

OK - more great info - thank you !!

Just checking to be sure I am clear here & that all these steps may be needed=>

As all phones must ring for all calls & one VM box will be used for all, I ask:

Where you tell me to do the below=>

"Ext. 10 to answer Lines 1-3, #208-01-10, #208-02-10, #208-03-10, #310-10"

Is it correct to think that for 5 lines I must also do #208-04-10, #208-05-10 ??

Is it needed as well to repeat this for all extensions, or just ext. 10 ??

Rather than create further complications I will leave the spare 308 as-is.

I have also posted a query about the VM module & card as this is unclear to me and I am concerned with that part as it is making noises.

If it is failing somehow I do not wish to set up his system with a failing part as I must travel a long way to go & help him when things go bad there.

Thanks.

 

[Dexman]

If the PMVS is making noises, the hard drive may be getting ready to go. My suggestion would be to replace it with a very basic Partner Voice Messaging. Thar is the PCMCIA version auto attendant/voicemail. It can support either 4 or 12 mailboxes (16 actually...but...the recording time becomes very small).

The card would go into the open slot on the processor, the ports assigned to Group #7 become 78 & 79...and the PMVS is removed.

I "FEATURE 00"

http://dexman.webs.com/

 

[vtsnaab]

Ah-hah !!!
I wondered if it could contain a HDD or if it was merely a fan making the noises.

Several more questions, please:
- If it is a failing HDD - is it possible to open this up, clone it and replace it ??
- Given that we have the VM card currently inserted into that module - do you mean that the existing card is merely inserted into the processor module ??
- We only need a single VM box for all, so will the recording time still be very short ??
- Detailed info on how to set his up with the card in the processor will be hugely appreciated ?!?

Thanks.

 

[Dexman]

The PMVS can be opened and the HDD swapped out with an SSD replacement. Having said that, the extremely basic function that the system is being asked to perform, the Partner Voice Messaging would appear to be a better fit. It is NOT the same PCMCIA that is currently inserted into the front of the existing PMVS. The upside the PVM is that there is no HDD to go bad.

The Partner family of products...with 1 exception...does not use cooling fans. Everything is natural air flow.

With the single voicemail requirement, wouldn't the user be best served by a regular answering machine?

Using a single mailbox, the 4 box version would be fine. Each PCMCIA provides a fixed amount of recording time that is divided up between the mailboxes and the auto attendant greeting. The fewer the number of mailboxes and the shorter the auto attendant message, the more the amount of time is available to the active mailboxes for messages.

The main programming difference between the PMVS and the PVM is that the existing ports assigned to Hunt Group #7 would need to be replaced by 78 & 79.

http://www.metrolinedirect.com/parvoicmailp.html

(PVM 4 mailbox version)

http://www.metrolinedirect.com/paracsvoicme.html

(PVM 16 mailbox version)

There appears to be a mistake in the 16 mailbox listing. The text says that the device can be configured for 2 mailboxes. The PVM in my home's system can't go smaller than 4 mailboxes.

I "FEATURE 00"

http://dexman.webs.com/

 

[vtsnaab]

Got it...I think...thanks !!

To replace the HDD will be easy enough & loads cheaper than the $159 for the smaller card - even an answering machine will be fine, as suggested.

I have posted repeatedly that there is already an Amanda VM unit for the ancient PBX there - and it is set up for a single VM box, but I do not know how to integrate it with the ACS ??

Using that would be the simplest solution of all as that unit is in perfect condition.

Thanks for halping me !!