Peak-time -> slow dial tone->how do I keep some phones running?

[phadobas]

The system is a 7-PIM NEAX 2400ICS. In the recent weeks, several times I encountered a peak-time, where almost all outgoing lines were busy, and I think all register senders were also busy. This is due to a re-organization of schedules and work-load within the business. During these times, you can't get dial-tone, just dead air or fast-busy. Sometimes you pick up the phone and get dial tone after 5 seconds... Sometimes your phone would ring, you pick up to answer but it keeps ringing for a few more seconds before speech-path is established, etc, etc, etc. I checked with LPRO, and processor usage is around 60% at these times (normally it's around 20-25%). I already added 2xT1 -s and an 2 x 8RST cards, which delayed the "melt-down" of the system but not fully resolved it. I have no more room for more cards I know, management is already working on the upgrade to IPX... But for the time being, my question is this: how do I separate off a group of phones that somehow I ensure would not have these problems, even when others do? Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[MercuryComm]

There is a feature called "Line Load Control" that might do what you want. If you look in the business features and specs it is item L11, L20, or L21. Briefly L11 is set by the ATTCON, L20 is automatic, and L21 is by MAT. Basically when line load control is activated, extensions programmed in ASFC to follow this restriction will no longer be able to dial out while this feature is active. It does not restrict internal calling, or inbound calling while this feature is active. Hope this helps!!

 

[phadobas]

Thanks Mercurycomm,
I actually looked at that feature, and contemplating implementing it. I just have to figure out at what CPU usage level I have to turn it on, and at what level do I have to turn it off. Any hands-on experience with that?

 

[MercuryComm]

I only have one site (a hospital) set up to use this feature. They very rarely use it, heck the new operators probably don't even know it's there. We set the feature up originally at the request of the IT manager when they were experiancing all outgoing trunks busy which usually happened between 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm. It was determined that allot of the personnel were calling home to see if their kids were home from school. This problem was solved when they finally added more trunks. Anyway, the feature would need to be activated once you started experiancing problems. As far as how long to leave it active would probably be a best guess on your part. I know it's not able to be activated by the percent of CPU activity, but only either manually or automatic via programming at the MAT. Good Luck!!

 

[phadobas]

I set it up yesterday, when we were about to run into peak time again. I set it to automatic, but didn't see any result (meaning, I still didn't get dial tone on the "important" phones). So it looks like the automatic doesn't work, but why are you saying that it shouldn't even work? That's a surprise to me. The manual doesn't say it doesn't work...

 

[MercuryComm]

Maybe the switch needs a bump!! Then it will see the change. Didn't need one in my case.