Why Dip switches

[IPhello]

Does anyone know why the BCM uses DIP switches to set extension numbering and line numbering instead of just making them plug and play?

Thanks

 

[senk1s]

bcos the slot itself has no meaning
+ to select a tdm bus for the card

 

[acewarlock]

The dips switchs select the BUS that you want, the BUS determs the default Ext on the BUS that can be changed to anything you want.

 

[CBasicAsslember]

[rant] There is no reason to use dipswitches, anything you can do with dipswitches can be done in software. A bus by definition is a common set of conductors used to connect peripheral devices. The dipswitches do not select a bus, they select an address on the bus. When it comes to desktop operating systems Nortel appears to be clueless. The programming interface is nothing short of atrocious. Something as simple as saving a backup to my laptop is not so simple. The BCM is a server. How about being able to download a copy of the BCM database the same way I would download a file from any server. Is that to much to ask? Look at the Norstar. To program the KSU's you use a serial/modem connection while the voice mail has to be programmed through an Ethernet port. NRU is another pet peeve of mine. Any well written Windows program uses the "My Documents" folder tree as the default path to save the user data. Programs, by default, are installed in the "Program Files" tree. One of the reasons for this is so you don't have to backup the whole machine to save your data, only the "My Documents" tree needs to be backed up. To add insult to injury, they hard coded the NRU default path for saving backups to the "Program Files" tree. Unlike any other Windows program you cannot change the default directory for NRU. There is no rational reason for any of this, why would you expect a rational reason for using dip switches?[/rant]

 

[Onyx1]

Actually CBasicAsslember, the BCM KSU is also pgm via the ethernet port.

 

[CBasicAsslember]

Onyx1,

I didn't say it wasn't.

 

[senk1s]

Cbasicassembler ... i got to give one to you ... NT 'just' figured it out about the dip switches - the BCM50 doesnt require you to set dip switches ...

Anything that can be done with manual transmissions can be done with automatic - why do they still make stick shift cars? <Detriot rant>

Backup - I've backed up so many BCMs (and so many others as well) - Its as easy as sharing a folder in windows and having access credentials to the machine.

Any well written backup utility should be able to select folders that need to be backed up (my freebie that came the NAS does it)

As long as there is no control on design specs - lets not rant about it. Its good practice to understand how the system works, try to solve some clients business problems with it, and make some money out of it

 

[CBasicAsslember]

Cbasicassembler ... i got to give one to you ... NT 'just' figured it out about the dip switches - the BCM50 doesnt require you to set dip switches ...

I have not had the pleasure of working on a 50 yet, just the pre-Linux 200/400's.

Its good practice to understand how the system works, try to solve some clients business problems with it, and make some money out of it

It would make it a lot easier if they would provide an object model that described how it worked. I can wish can't I?

 

[TLDuk]

I always thought the BCM Bus system was based on an adapted SCSI interface the BCM4.0 and BCM50 use Linux that is plug and play compatible BCM3.x has NT that is not....

 

[a12ozbottle]

actually the bcm 4.0 you still have to use dip switch settings, on the bcm 50 you just set the dip switched to all on...and I think the only reason for not using dip switches on the 50 is when you add your expansion module it doesn't have multiple buses you have to choose from.