dexman

Hi There!

Wow! That's a lot of information in one post! I'll start in on the things I can answer (or provide a snappy reply to) and let others fill in the blanks.

1) MLX telephones are 2-pair digital units. You can use CAT-5 if you wish, but CAT-3 will work just as well. You can use either 568A or 568B wiring configurations (I always use "B") but make sure you stick with the same config from beginning to end.

2) MLX modules for the Merlin Legend feature individual jacks for each extension. If you have a group of extensions located in a general area, you could punch down the individual extensions to one side of the 66 block, run a 25-pair to some centralized location, punch the wires down to one side of another 66 block and run the cables to the individual extensions from there.

For POTs lines, modules feature 4-position jacks (think RJ-11X). While I prefer to run individual cables for each line, you could create a "snake" from a piece of 25-pair cable by crimping RJ-11 plugs on the side connecting to the modules and terminating the other side of the cables as required.

3) Voicemail is optional on AT&T/Lucent/Avaya systems. You would need to secure either a Merlin Legend Mail or an Avaya Merlin Messaging. These modules would take up 1 slot in a Legend carrier.

4) If I understand the question correctly, you can delay the auto attendant so calls can be answered by a human.

5) You can swap phones as long as they are within the same "family" (replace one MLX phone with another) You cannot swap phones between "families" without connecting to the appropriate module back in the controller (for example....remove an MLX phone and connect an ETR).

6) Unlike Nortel, Avaya does make various guides for AT&T/Lucent/Avaya systems available for the general public to view and/or download.

Now for a few of my observations......

The Merlin Legend has been off the market since 1999. It was replaced by the Merlin Magix which was produced up until April 2006 when Avaya retired the entire Merlin platform. The reason behind this is thought to be that the Magix would have competed directly with the newly launched IP Office platform.

Programming a Legend system will require patience and an understanding of Calling Groups, Overflow and how they inter-relate. The programming guides, while informative, are not exhaustive in how & how much information is presented. It really isn't something that can be learned overnight.

The R4 Merlin Magix does have a feature that will create a default configuration for voicemails & auto attendants if the voicemail is an Avaya Merlin Messaging R3 or R4 (A 2.5 might work but I'm not 100% sure). This will reduce (but certainly not eliminate) the amount of manual programming required for your configurations. The Legend does not offer that.

Also the Magix supports 4400 series digital telephones that require only 1 pair of wires per extension as opposed to the 2 pairs needed by the MLX.

The downside to the Magix is that hardware, even in used/refurbished condition, is still pricey.

Depending on the needs of your customer, would an Avaya Partner ACS be a better fit? The programming is much simpler; hardware is much less expensive and is still in production.

mrdom

Hi Dexman:

First off, a HUGE thanks for your reply - you handled all of my immediate questions. I have been reading many of your posts in the Merline and Avaya forums, and they are always helpful and well-worded. Hats off to you for the time you take to help us newbies out!

Thanks for describing the differences between the Legend, Magix and Partner systems. Price is a concern, which initially made me more interested in the Legend system because it seemed to be the most price-conscious. But, after looking at some of the Avaya Partner systems available, I think their prices are just as competitive, and if the programming is easier, then I'm sold!

One of my main concerns is wiring. I can do basic wiring (I've done tons of computer wiring), so I understand the concepts, but get a little wigged out when 66-blocks and big cables are brought into the picture. This is, however, the part I'd really like to learn more about, so if I had a system of my own to experiment with, then I could play with the wiring and practice with it.

Would the MLS sets on the Partner require two-pair connections like the MLX sets on the Legend, or do they need only one pair? I know that one of the setups that I've been asked to help with will be several people working in office "sections" within one big room. Everything will pretty much be self-contained in that room, including the phone system. In this case, would I still need to punch the stations down to a 66-block, or can I plug the sets directly into the modules? Do the Partner systems have individual jacks like the Legend does, or do they have amphenol connectors?

How do all of the modules on the Partner system "talk" to one another? I see lots of individual modules out there for sale, but I'm not exactly sure what I would need for a fully functioning system with basic voice mail service. Obviously, I need a processor, some kind of module to plug the sets into and a voice mail system (is this a PC or an expansion card?), but do they all connect back to the processor module via fiber or something? Not sure how all the modules interact together. I also see 5-module cabinets for sale ... do the modules need to be put in a cabinet?

The Norstars are easier in the fact that one KSU contains amphenols for incoming phone lines, 16 stations, and includes the processor, power supply, etc. It seems that the Partner systems come together by combining modules ... is that right?

Thanks again for ALL of the help - really appreciate your time, dexman.

Take care,
Michael

dexman

Hi Michael!

Just for the record [or is it CD/MP3 or something like that? ] my name is Paul.

Thank you so much for those kind words! I'm not a CPE installer/vendor by profession. I'm a Central Office technician for a CLEC/IXC, but I've installed 2 telephone systems in my church (1 is active and the other is on hot standby).

I started out knowing little about the Partner ACS & Merlin Magix, but I've been tutored by a group of guys who are tops in their field . There is one person in particular I consider to be my mentor . I won't name him, but he knows who he is .

Partner MLS and Euro (I and II) phones all require 2-pairs to operate. Depending on the layout of the office, you could home-run the cables for the extensions or go for the centrally located 66 block and run a 25-pair cable back to the telephone room. As is the case with the Merlin Legend, each extension has its own jack on the Partner ACS processor and expansion modules. The only 2 AT&T/Lucent/Avaya systems that make use of amphenol connectors to any degree are the Magix and the Definity.

The nice thing about the Partner ACS is that the processor module can operate by itself for very small installations. For larger situations, Avaya sells 2 carriers. The first carrier will support the processor and 1 expansion card. The other will support the processor and 4 expansion cards.

Even if an installation will require a system with only 2 modules, the 5-module holder is the preferred choice simply because it offers better cooling capabilities than the 2-module holder does and allows for future growth.

Each holder has a backplane with slots for the male edge connectors on the rear of each & every module to be inserted. Power is also distributed to every module via the backplane.

Avaya offers a selection of auto attendant/voicemail systems for the Partner ACS. For small applications with minimal features, consider the Partner Voice Messaging. This auto attendant/voicemail is actually contained on a PCMCIA card that slides into a slot on the front of the processor. One version offers 4 mailboxes while the other will offers 12 (actually 16, but the available recording time will be very small so figure on 12 max).

For larger applications, consider the Avaya Partner Messaging. This will support up to 200 users and up to 100 hours of total recording time. This voicemail is contained in a Partner housing and would take up a slot in the 5-module carrier.

Out of box, the R6 processor will support 3 lines and 8 extensions. The R7 processor will support 5 lines and 9 extensions. Common expansion modules currently offered will add:

3 lines and 8 extensions (308EC)
0 lines and 12 extensions (012E)

There are other expansion modules for partial T1 service and SDSL connections, but they are not used very often. Still other expansion modules are available but they are old and, in some cases, obsolete.

Having a Norstar Meridian at the place where I work, I've been able to see how both systems program and the Partner ACS is easier hands down. The Meridian is closer to the Magix/Legend in complexity.

A few more thoughts: (lol)

If you go to some of the other tech help sites (Tek-Tips and Sundance for example) you will notice posts that deal with problems that have plagued the Partner ACS R7 processor since it was released for sale a few years ago. Avaya issues patches to fix one problem, but creates others in the process. The "K" software has been the most stable so far. "O" is the latest. It adds some nice features, but it too has had issues.

Also, don't be shy about seeking the services of a local Authorized Avaya Business Partner if the task looks daunting. They can install, administer and support a system very easily as well as train you and others in basic programming ....AND.... if a problem arises, it will be nice to have someone else face the "firing squad"!