Programming question - BCM450, single PRI, multiple trunk groups

[argent3993]

I have a BCM450 5.0 and a single PRI that has been configured by the CO for 2 trunk groups. The first trunk group has 13 channels and the majority of our DIDs are assigned to it. The second trunk group has 10 channels and one DID assigned to it (our main office number).

Right now, all 23 PRI channels are assigned to BlocB on the BCM. Our office can get extremely busy and all 23 channels can get taken up by calls to our main office number (which forwards to the CallPilot ACD queue), leaving no lines available for other inbound/outbound calls. I can use Call-By-Call limits on BlocB to limit inbound calls, but it limits it for all inbound calls, not just calls on the second trunk group, which is what I want.

Here's what I'd like to accomplish, but I'm not quite sure how to go about it...

I want calls to the main office DID coming in on the second trunk group to be limited to 10 calls. If that limit is reached, I want to give a busy signal.

I want any other inbound calls to our other DIDs that come in on the first trunk group to be able to get through.

I'd like outbound calls to use any available line - regardless of what trunk group it belongs to on the CO side. However, if I have to limit outbound calls to a single trunk group, that'd be OK.

Any suggestions?

 

[telcodog]

For inbound call restrictions, your best bet is to contact your carrier and ask that virtual trunk groups be set up for you. They can easily limit the nuber of simultaneous calls to any number provisioned on your PRIs. Just tell them what you want.

 

[cook1082]

You can't break up a pri pool on a single PRI.

 

[oldestgeek]

You can't control the number of inbound calls other than to limit the line assignments of a particular target line. Once this limit is reached you can program the BCM to return a busy. If the line is being answered by AA I think you're out of luck. Inbound call control is really the domain of the provider. To do what you're wanting you really need a second fractional PRI or VoIP trunks.

 

[telcodog]

YOU can't control the number of inbound calls but someone else can.

Call your provider and ask for the virtual groups to be set up the way you describe. It's done all the time where customers don't want inbound calls taking up all the B channels so no one can call out.

Trust me......I work for a carrier.

 

[argent3993]

Much thanks for the input - am working with my provider now. They said that it should be giving a busy signal as soon as the 11th call hits my second trunk group - and not rolling over to the first trunk group (which is what appears is happening). They said there's no overflow route defined, so they're not quite sure what's happening. Tier2 is investigating. What fun!

 

[oldestgeek]

Use BCM monitor to see what's happening on your system. If they're a SIP to PRI integrator that introduces a whole new set of parameters into the equation.

 

[argent3993]

Ok - spoke with the provider (twTelecom). Basically, they pointed the finger at the phone system. They said our D channel is not telling their switch that we have reached the limit and that is what is allowing the 11th (and beyond) calls to come in on the trunk group that is only supposed to allow 10 calls in.

Is the ACD queue that these calls are going to somehow interfering with this signaling perhaps? Otherwise, I'm at a loss. The provider says only 10 calls should be coming in. We're obviously getting more (up to the full 23 on the PRI). Something is out of whack.

 

[telcodog]

You need to escallate with your carrier.

What you have asked for are two virtual groups. One of them (with its own telephone number) should be set for 13 PSTN connections and the other (with its own telephone number) should have 10. If either of them reach their limit, (13 for the one and 10 for the other), THEY (not you) are supposed to send the busy.

By your description, they are not limiting each telephone number to the required number of PSTN connections.

As for the PRI trunk group in the BCM, they all will be in the same pool, you can't separate them.

 

[oldestgeek]

It's not the job of your d-channel to control the inbound calls - that's the responsibility of the service provider's switch. You just accept what they send down the pipe and route it according to your needs.

 

[SNSSMIS]

I have a department with only 4 agents and would like to limit the number of calls to a specific DID number. Cant hurt to call my telco and ask about the virtual groups.