Buckshot

I just did a VoIP integration last month between an Option 11 and Cisco VG200 box. I have (2) T1's that connect directly to the VG200 via standard DB9 to RJ45 connectors. I built an RLI to send calls out the T1 routes via CDP and it works great. We did have a slight hiccup during the initial testing/cutover of the equipment however. All went well except that the VoIP didnt know how to handle calls properly and it would lock up all my ports on the T1 until it crashed the switch. DOH! I could see the switch "trying" to process calls, but it was on its knees begging for relief. I had to INI the switch and disconnect the VG200 temp while the switch reloaded. Keep an eye out for any ERR5132 messages, as they are telling you that you might be looping calls in and out the same route In the case of the looping here, the Cisco equipment would take a call presented to it, and establish that call, but send it back out another channel of the VG200 thinking it was intended for the Nortel side... the Nortel would then resend the digits as a new call via CDP back to the VG200. This would tie up EVERY channel on the T1 thus rendering it void of call completion. Tromboning ON/OFF programming would not affect this problem as the switch still saw each call being refused by the VG200 as another valid call. The people who handled the Cisco side had to tell their equipment that certains digits were to be handled in a different manner than they originally set up. Any Q's, let me know, I'll try to provide any clues I can. GL

daved

Hey GL,

This is great insight ..thank you. Currently we are looking at an integration company to help us with this implementation simply due to the lack of knowledge on both the nortel and cisco sides. We do have a VG200 , 2 Call Manager Servers and 1 IP IVR server ready to go...just waiting to choose what company will assist with this. We are taking our 3 T1s which are currently connected to our Option 61C and connecting those directly into Catalyst 6509s. ( T1 cards required of course ). The biggest risk factor will be cutting over the T1s. We plan to implement ICD for our call center mid year and eventually all the sets will be cisco sets. Appreciate your feedback and hope to keep in touch as we move forward.

foandoc

Got an Option 61.40 with Cll Mgr 3.0, Unity 3.13: users are about 50% each typye. I've got a healthy appetite for analog. Ran PRI's out of the Nortel to the Catalyst; calls are processed thru the Nortel and handed off to the Cll Mgr. I'm hesitant to put dial tone on the network; just takes one mistakes by a user or vendor to introduce virus etc. Once the security issus are put to bed, I might consider swapping the senario. Mind CTI has some nice software that'll pull reports from both switches for cdr reporting. Good luck with your intergration. Mine was a bear....