Upgrading computer network, found MERLIN phones are involved

[joraff]

Hey everyone - I recently said I'd help a friend update their family business's IP network as a favor because they're really hurting at the moment. I went by to take a look at things, decide where to install the rack, cable routing, etc. and found that a lot of their MERLIN (I think Legend) telephones were also plugged into their existing network infrastructure, a 10-baseT switch via RJ45/Cat5.

I know nothing about PBX systems and am a little reluctant to help now. I didn't have time to figure out how the MERLIN system connected to the IP network. Do the phones have IP addresses? If so, does the MERLIN control unit have a static address? POE? Etc., many questions.

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Merlins are NOT ip phones - but many of them do use 8-pin plugs/jacks, so that's probably what you're seeing plugged into the patch panels. You'll have two drops per location, one dedicated to the Merlin phone, the other for your IP stuff. Just trace everything out, and leave the phone stuff alone.

 

[joraff]

I WISH there were drops and patch panels. Right now its just home-run cabling from the switch (which is sitting on the floor in one person's office). There's cable hanging from the ceiling, draped across bookshelves, and running along walls and hallways. That will all be changing soon.

I'm still pretty certain some of them were plugged into the IP switch, but I'll go back with a toner and make sure. (Note: they have a 16 port switch that was full, but only have 6 computers and 8 phones).

Should see the 8-pin cable run straight from the phone to the punch blocks at the pbx?

 

[crumthwacket]

Nah - no network involvement by the Merlin tels - listen to triple T - the sets are either digital or electronic analog, and it's simply not possible for them to run through the data network and make their way back to the Legend control unit.

 

[papagigo1]

The Merlin Messaging Voice mail has an IP interface and a Socket Magix for remote SPM also use IP.. Both of these have static IP addresses.

See if there are either of these at the Merlin control carrier..The Socket is a white wall mounted unit 3x5, the Messaging is a circuit pack in the carrier with green leds on the front.

Mike

 

[jim1964]

The old versions of IP Office (403, 406, 412) did have
the ability to have 4412's and 4424's as digital telephones.
If they are plugged into an IP switch you may be dealing
with and IP Office.

 

[TouchToneTommy]

yeah, but the 44XX sets on an IPO are still digital phones, and connect to digital expansion modules. They don't go on the Ethernet Network.