Remote Maintenance Device

[mcsgary]

I have a Partner 1.8 stand alone, and it has a Remote Maintenance Device. The installation is almost covered in the Installation and Use Manual, but I cannot find any information about how to use the device to connect to the system remotely. Also, I cannot find any information about using COM1 to direct connect a laptop to the system. Is it possible to do remote programming or pc programming? Does anybody know if there is software available for this?
Thanx

 

[Phonia]

Well, I'm not sure precisely about your system, but I've bookmarked the Avaya documentation and found this PDF that may be helpful. Looks like you do need a specific connection package.

http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/partneracs_r4/456166_2.pdf

Hope this helps!

(If for some reason you can't open this link, go to

http://support.avaya.com/japple/css...selectedFamily=107548&temp.selectedBucket=all

and you'll see all of the Partner-related remote access docs I found)
Phonia
Telecom Goddess

 

[mcsgary]

I really appreciate your response. I like people who try to help others when there is nothing in it for them. I already had found the information you referred to. As a matter of fact, after searching and finding pricing for the remote software to do the remote programming, I fould a place where I got the program for free. What a great country.
The remote programming referred to in the information you provided is great if the partner system is a newer one and has the remote maint. PCMIA card. But, some of the older partners didn't have the PCMIA slot, and they used a Remote Maintenance Device which is a small unit like a modem. It says on the bottom of the unit that it is a Serial Interface Module for DCS(SIM). I really can't find any substantial information about it. I can find some information about a Remote Maintenance Device which plugs in series with station 10 on a partner, mostly connection information, not programming and use information. But that unit is even different from the ones I have. It has an in jack and an out jack. I think the unit I have is like a modem. You hook a line up to it and then a serial cable to the serial port (and I really think the unit I have is not for programming the partner, but for programming the old Partner Mail which has a serial port).
Boy, I just keep getting more complicated, don't I. I think it is a lost cause, but I do have one of the old partner mails in service (stand alone unit, not the plug in type) and I would like to be able to access and program it remotely, or even on site with my laptop, instead of having to use the phone and go through all that mess. Maybe it's not possible.
But, thanx for your help. I really do appreciate your response, and if I can ever help with any question, you can be sure I will. I work on some Partners, but mainly with Starplus Vodavi systems. So, if you ever need help with one of those, let me know.
Thanx,
Gary Blake

 

[franke]

The remote maintenance device you are refering to was meant primarily for AT&T-Lucent-AVAYA tech support to access the system remotely to diagnose such things as the comm boards hard drive, etc. In fact, the instructions advise that the RMD remain 'Off' unless tech support tells you to turn it on. Although you can call the device with any basic Terminal program, you will only be able to display system settings and you run the possibility of causing major problems should you get into the kernel area of the hard drive.

In short, disconnect it and put it on a shelf and do all your programming thru the front door.

 

[mcsgary]

10-4. Message received.
Since you know about this, do you know how Lucent dials into a Partner Voice Mail System and resets the password remotely?
Thanx,

 

[TouchToneTommy]

I have also had several Partner Mails that would not reboot after a power-failure if the modem was connected and turned on. Turning if modem off or disconnecting it and then cycling the power solved the problem. So I would suggest that you disconnect it altogether.

Only once have I had Lucent dial into one remotely, and that was due to an incompatability with the first ACS's that came out.

 

[franke]

Generally, you would temporarily plug a C.O. line (such as a fax line, personnal C.O. line or the last number in a hunt group) in to the modem, Tech support would call in, do their thing and when done, you would replace the line back to where you found it.

 

[mcsgary]

I really appreciate the responses to my question. I understand how you would physically connect the device. What I am looking for is information about how to access the device. I understand that it is not normally left plugged into a line, although it could be. But, I am looking for information about how software or commands that would be used once into the device. Maybe that is not available, but I DO understand how to plug it in and get a line to it. I am a telephone man. Thanx.

 

[franke]

To the best of my knowledge, there is no information out in the 'public' domain on the command functions, however, since the majority of Avaya systems are Unix based...

 

[TouchToneTommy]

I beleive that the Partner Mails are CP/M based. Try this: connect to the serial port using a null modem cable, at 1200-N-8-1
Hit return, and when prompted for a password, enter "p1zza" and return without the quotes, and note that it's a ONE, not an EYE. It that comes back as invalid password, use the 6-digit serial number on the unit.

You will get a menu that allows you to capture a configuration report, shut down the voice mail system, test the cards, test the memory, and restart the system.

A couple of times, I have seen them drop to a C: prompt, and could do a dir command, but had no idea what the files and commands did, and didn't want to screw up a customer's system.

The time that I had Lucent's engineers logged in via modem, and testing for a problem, they were able to see all the traffic on the voice mail, including digits dialed, response of the voice mail, etc. They wouldn't share the commands with me, and I still don't know what the ultimate solution was. I have a customer out there who purchased a 308 card for a new ACS, but still has a 206 card instead, because of some incompatability in the early 308's.

 

[mcsgary]

TouchToneTommy,
You are the man. I was able to connect my laptop and get into the system. Hurrah!!
p1zza didn't work, but the serial number did.
I was able to test the speech cards and the hard drive.
More help if you can.
The speech cards tested OK.
The hard drive had some errors. I assume it repaired them or moved the data. I still can't get the system to answer. I get an error message:
Access Manager error code 113
Error Context CQ_OPN: callq
Any idea what this means and how I might repair it?
I can exit the system and get to a 1D> prompt, but I can't figure out what to do then. I can get into the system bios when starting the system by doing Control C, but I don't think that error is in the bios.
I have another identical Partner Mail which is working. What do you think the chances are of taking that hard drive and getting the Access Manager files from it and putting them on the system I have that doesn't work? The one I have that doesn't work says it is ready for 6 ports, but none of the leds on the speech cards are coming on, and it isn't answering calls. The one I have that works, the green leds come on and it works fine. I would like to get both working.
Any ideas?
THANX, THANX, THANX, for your help. You really have helped me so far. At least I know I can comminicate with the voice mail, and I think this will even answer my initial question about the Remote Maint. Device. I think I can connect it to the COM port and call in remotely and do the same thing I am able to do when directly connected. At least I could do some diagnostics and some stuff. If I can get this one working, I want to sell it to a customer.
Your help has been appreciated.
If I can reciprocate, let me know. I work on mostly Vodavi Starplus systems. I have some experience with the new DHS and remote programming.
What a great country where we can use the internet to find answers to our questions.
Gary Blake

 

[drewmich]

Gary,

The Partner 1.8 Standalone Mail doesn't have a built in utility for "repairing" damaged files or even repairing the hard drive when they develop bad sectors or other drive related problems. I would be very careful playing around with the CP/M operating system ... it sounds like your goal is to repair the 1.8, and that typically is a job for a voice mail repair center. Just when you think you have it up and "running" ... it is on site and you have it programmed and all customer greetings and announcements in ... it crashes or doesn't perform to spec!!! Just not worth the risk. There are many technical issues with these older mails that cause them to not run to spec.

"I can exit the system and get to a 1D> prompt, but I can't figure out what to do then. I can get into the system bios when starting the system by doing Control C, but I don't think that error is in the bios.

I have another identical Partner Mail which is working. What do you think the chances are of taking that hard drive and getting the Access Manager files from it and putting them on the system I have that doesn't work?"

My thought is that you need to have your Partner 1.8 professionally tested and repaired as you have a serious problem with it if the port lights on the Brooktrout voice cards won't go green!

Let me know how I can help. Andrew Roach
President
Drew Communications
Drew Telecom Group, Inc.
Lucent Voice Mail and Component Repair Specialists
Lucent/Avaya Telecom Brokers/Resellers
drew@triton.net
616-498-9213

 

[mcsgary]

I hear exactly what you are saying. I do not feel comfortable fooling around with the hard drive. The problem is that I have nothing in this voice mail system and I have already installed a new Voice Messaging system for the customer. So, I don't really have a "need" to fix the voice mail. I just thought it would be a good opportunity to learn something. I think I realize that there are some proprietary things about the system. I DO know that the speech boards test OK. I also know that there are errors on the hard drive. So, perhaps the answer would be for me to replace the hard drive with a formatted drive. The problem is that I don't need to, or have the money to fix this thing right now. I know this is NOT the forum for selling equipment, but I have a good 6 port system except for the hard drive. Any suggestions on either an estimated cost for a hard drive or a place that might be interested in buying three good two port speech boards.
I appreciate your help.
Gary Blake

 

[drewmich]

Gary,

Call me! Andrew Roach
President
Drew Communications
Drew Telecom Group, Inc.
Lucent Voice Mail and Component Repair Specialists
Lucent/Avaya Telecom Brokers/Resellers
drew@triton.net
616-498-9213