Partner R1 to R7 Upgrade

[dennislongnecker]

I volunteered to help upgrade a Partner ACS R1 system to R7. The upgrade also includes new phone lines and voice messaging.

I don't see any materials relating to a R1 to R7 upgrade. I am told the R1 system doesn't support the configuration software on my PC, so I am wondering how I can preserve the current settings, without creating everything from scratch.

Any suggestions?

 

[1043]

Sit down next to extension 10 on the old system with a phone plugged into extension 10 of the new system and go thru every feature code and centralized programming for each extension one at a time an duplicate the programming. Make any changes if you want after the cutover.
Make sure you backup the programming to internal memory and backup card (if you have one) before you power down the R7 because chances are you will lose all your programming when the system is un plugged.

You'll probably never have a better chance to learn how to program an ACS then you do now.

 

[dennislongnecker]

Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of running both systems at the same time. Some of the components in the R1 system will be used when builing the R7 system. I have been playing around with the configuration software, and it is pretty neat, I was just hoping for an easy way to prime it with some of the existing information (like incoming lines).

 

[TouchToneTommy]

You don't need anything other than the R7 ACS to be able to program it. You can program it as if all the expansion cards are installed.

So start at the old system, grab a legal pad and the programing overlay. Step through each of the program codes, using the Next Procedure button, look at the programming, and document it. Look at each of the extensions from Centralized Telephone Programming, and write down how the buttons are set up. Shouldn't take more than an hour, as many of the settings are repetitive for each extension.

Oh, back up the old ACS to the flash card, in case you accidently program something while simply looking through the setting. You can always restore and get back to where you were.

Then, start programming your R7 from a phone plugged into Ext. 10, or if you insist, the GUI (it'll be faster from a phone!)

 

[dennislongnecker]

When re-programming the ACS version 7 after adding new cards/etc, and using the GUI, is it best to use the GUI to connect up first, or can I take a completed worksheet and fill in the GUI and then connect?

We are going to do this tomorrow.....I'm getting nervous.

 

[TouchToneTommy]

You can launch the GUI and start with a blank R7 configuration. Set it up the way you think you want it, then at the phone system program in a password so that you can connect. Upload your file and restore the system, and you'll be ready to go.

 

[dennislongnecker]

Thanks much. I am reviewing the R1/R7 manuals and it is eliminating much of my fears. I think this is going to be fun.

 

[skip555]

I think this is going to be fun.

there you go , good way to look at it so much of life is just what we maek of it .

once you do it the partner is in my opion one of the easiset to program .

 

[dennislongnecker]

SO we have the old boards out and the new ones in. I connect my laptop to the Admin Port and use the PC communications program, but no matter what I try, it says it can not connect...make sure the port is defined, etc.

The COM1 port is good. When I try to start hyperterm when the software is running, Hyperterm reports back the port is in use. If I exit the PC configuration software and go into hyperterm, it works.

Anything I am missing?

 

[dennislongnecker]

I did some searching on this forum on the error message I was getting and 99.999% of them related to a bad/improper plug for the DB-9/DB-25 to RJ45 connector. We build a couple of new connectors and like magic it worked.

Thanks for your help list! We are busy programming.