newbie questions (basics, plus FRL/COR, ad lists, etc) - PBX Info :: Your Free PBX, PABX and Telephone Information Resource

10-07-2004, 05:34 PM

Hi,

I work for a small company of about 35 employees. No one here know *jack* about phones, and as the most tech-oriented person in the firm, I've taken on responsibility for managing the phone system. This task only makes up a very small part of what my overall responsibilities are, but I'm trying to learn as much as I can because :

a) notwithstanding, or perhaps because o,f the insular techno-speak of the telco world, it's a bit exotic; kind of like visiting China. I'm a stranger in a strange land and no one speaks my language.

b) i disagree with the general approach my office administration takes to telco specifically, and technology generally... which basically can be summed up as 'I can be bothered to think about that unless it's broken'. Hmmmm, maybe it's a good idea to understand our systems before they break. That way we can a) fix them faster; b) know when technicians are trying to fleece us .... fill in the blank.

Basically, we have a Definity system with Audix vm. I manage the switch using Avaya Site Administrator and dialing in over modem. I've figured out a lot of basic stuff like adding stations, removing stations, customizing stations, exporting reports, etc. But all of this is just details and I'm still struggling to see the big picture that it all makes up.

I have a million questions, such as

1) what happens from the bldg telco closet to the switch.
2) how is the audix system connected to the switch
3) how can I connect to the switch (i'd love to connect over ethernet and ditch the modem if possible but have no idea where to begin)
4) what do i need to know about my switch,
5) what reports should i be running daily, weekly, monthly

etc. etc.

I'm not asking anyone to answer all of these here. But if anyone knows of a great primer to the world of definity switch administration, I would love to read it. Please recommend any resources you think a new admin should read to get up on his or her feet.

That being said, let me ask one specific question.

How can I restrict a station -- in particular the phone in our break room -- so that it can only make internal calls. But I need to disable the access codes too so that someone can't make a local call and then use an access code [ e.g. client billing code (which we use for long-distance access)] to get out of the box.

thanks for your help.

sjforcum · 10-08-2004, 09:29 AM

Welcome to the brotherhood!

Quote:

b) i disagree with the general approach my office administration takes to telco specifically, and technology generally... which basically can be summed up as 'I can be bothered to think about that unless it's broken'. Hmmmm, maybe it's a good idea to understand our systems before they break. That way we can a) fix them faster; b) know when technicians are trying to fleece us .... fill in the blank

That's my company's general attitude towards investing in technology unless it's for the top execs. So basically what I'm trying to say is you are not alone

Quote:

Basically, we have a Definity system with Audix vm. I manage the switch using Avaya Site Administrator and dialing in over modem. I've figured out a lot of basic stuff like adding stations, removing stations, customizing stations, exporting reports, etc. But all of this is just details and I'm still struggling to see the big picture that it all makes up.

Seems like you've nailed quite a few of the basic, day in and day out things!

Quote:

1) what happens from the bldg telco closet to the switch.

I'm not sure of what you're asking...are you asking how the telco lines are brought into the switch? Or is it something else?

Quote:

2) how is the audix system connected to the switch

Bit of a trick question. It could connect via Ethernet, a proprietary connection, or through mode code integration over the phone.

The method for checking this is currently escaping me, but I'll find it later and post.

Quote:

how can I connect to the switch (i'd love to connect over ethernet and ditch the modem if possible but have no idea where to begin)

Depends on what version of software you have on your Definity. IP administration came in version 9.5 and above (if memory serves correct). But that doesn't mean you can't find a backdoor

If you're not on the latest software release, you can use a LANSAT (www.lansat10.com). It connects to your SAT port and allows you to access the switch administration over the network. It's slow as a dial up connection, but you can then connect to multiple switches with ease.

Quote:

what do i need to know about my switch,

Find out the software version (list conf so)
Run a disp cap to see what you're licensed for and what you're using
Check any pending alarms with a disp ala command.

Quote:

what reports should i be running daily, weekly, monthly

Using ASA I run the trunk analyzer, the processor reports, etc. I try to check my alarm log daily for anything major (although I've setup a different server to handle those automated). Also check the list conf main report to see when the last translations were saved. It should happen every night. If it skips, you've got a potential problem because the switch isn't backing up to flash. Lose power, and any changes you've made after the last backup are lost!

Rhonda · 10-08-2004, 09:32 AM

Hello Moglichkeit,

I am no techno geek myself but I do administer a system by trial and error over the years so I'll see if I can help.

If you have a Definity PBX and Definity Voice Mail you may have maintenance on your system. I would call Avaya in Denver at 1-800-242-2121 and see what they have on you in their records. For a breakdown, Avaya could help troubleshoot and repair until you get your footing.

You may also want to contact the Avaya training center and see what classes for basic administration you can get to get you started. Sounds like you are getting a handle on your ASA software and making some changes.

You will also want to find out what types of lines you have coming into the building and how many you have: tie, CO, T-1, etc. Locate the company phone bills, call the Customer Service number and request a Customer Service Record from each. Also ask for a local Rep. to come to your location to walk you though the D-Mark, wiring cabinets, closets and your contracts.

Within your switch go to your switch side and pull reports like:
li stations
li conf all
disp system-parameters
disp system-parameters features
disp system-parameters customer-options
disp capacity

These are just a few to tell you what your system has. Just go to the gedi screen in ASA and type li or disp and click help and it will bring you up all of the things you can do to li or display reports. You may not know what they mean but you can look around without hurting anything. Stay away from the Change prompt until you know you can change something without effecting something else.

Your voice mail is connected in the switch via a port board in your PBX cabinet. When installed, someone bought so many Audix Ports and so much Audix time. We have 300 extensions here and have 6 Audix Ports and 40 hours of Audix time. We have never exceeded the 40 hours but we could use more ports. This means when 6 people are in Audix checking their messages the 7th person won't get in until someone gets out.

There is too much to tell for this venue. You may call me at my company if you'd like or email me directly.

Rhonda
Wells Manufacturing Corp.
rgurno@wellsmfgcorp.com
920-922-5900

10-23-2004, 06:55 AM

To your last question about the breakroom.

In a nutshell, You'll first want to take a look at your ARS table. Do a List ARS Analysis. Here' you'll want to look for a few entry's that state locl as the call type. Make note of the route pattern number. Now do a display route (#) You'll see on this page that there is a "Grp No" field and a "FRL" field on the list. Make note of the FRL numbers. Now you need to find a COR with (or change a blank one to) that FRL number. You may have COR's predefined from installation. Do a List COR to see if you see any named ones.

Stations that are assigned that COR will then be able to call those routes, and anything with an FRL lower than that, but will block other types of calls which have a higher FRL. i.e. inhouse only routing is generally FRL 0, while International often has an FRL of 6 or 7 (depending on how your high risk numbers are set up.) This is assuming the switch was set up correctly to begin with. If you suspect it's not, you'll need to go through your ARS table with a fine tooth comb.

You'll have to explain a bit more about the blocking the calling codes. Are they using a feature access code? Or are they calling a local external number and entering the code there? Can you walk us through the steps they'd do to make that kind of a call?

Thanks,
TocSin

12-26-2004, 10:00 AM

if you have taken the responsibility to streamline the things and if you are intrested to take charge of the switch and probably want to be a siwtch administrator

i would suggest you to go for definity trg , ask you management to arrange to same

also you can read the release 12 version pdf ....the same can be downloaded from support.avaya.com

Tina · 12-28-2004, 11:58 AM

Hi,
Beside the basic admin class I printed a copy of the little instruction books from the avaya.com web site....these were a real life saver written by users like us in plain english. Go to avaya.com and type little instruction book in the search box. The ones I use are basic, advanced and diagnostics. I opened them in Adobe and printed to a high speed printer (there are a lot of pages.) Also, if you can't get to a week long class see if your admin will approve purchasing the cd's for basic admin. You can probably find the cd's at avaya-learning.com

Good Luck!!!!
Tina