NEAX-2400 (PBX / Phone System)

Last updated 2008/11/26

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Introduction

Suffield Academy has a private branch exchange (PBX) system to facilitate on-campus and external phone calls. We provide dial tone to all student and faculty residences, and also have phone service available to administrative and department offices.

This document describes the basic setup for our phone network, including a general network description, numbering plan, and programming instructions. Finally, a quick reference for end users of the phone system is provided.

Network Setup

Suffield Academy has a block of 440 DID (direct inward dial) extensions that we "own". Outside callers may dial (860) 386-XXXX, where XXXX is one of our 4-digit extensions. Currently, our DID allocations are:

All of these DID numbers are trunked via 2 PRI (primary rate interface) circuits from PAETEC. A PRI is like a T1, but one channel is used for signaling, and is capable of routing a large number of numbers over a smaller number of physical channels (in other words, we only need 46 channels for our 440 DIDs, because the PRI can route and signal the calls on any available channel). The two PRI T1s are sourced from different offices to provide some redundancy. The circuits are:

The circuits have the following numbers assigned to them:

These numbers are not routed or listed, but they do come up as the ANI (Automated Number Information) if you request a trace on the circuit. In general, our PBX should provide correct caller ID for our block of DIDs, so you shouldn't see these numbers popping up anywhere.

In addition to these digital lines, we also have 2 POTS (plain old telephone service) lines from AT&T. These are the school's older published phone numbers, and so do not share our 386 prefix. We have a Central Office Line Card (PA-16COT-BE) that these lines connect to. The numbers are:

We also order direct service from AT&T for other buildings not served by our network. These lines do not have 386 extensions, as they are not direct-dial extensions. They simply provide basic service to locations we cannot reach:

Finally, we've started using Cox Communications for some of our off-campus lines. The following numbers are provided by them:

PBX Setup

Our PBX is an NEC NEAX-2400 IMX. It serves all on-campus phones, and routes off-campus calls via the PRI interfaces (or, if they are unavailable, any analog lines). The PBX is also capable of many advanced features (caller id, hold, transfers, conference calling, etc.).

The unit itself is located in the school's main server room. The system is modular, and is capable of having additional cards and cabinets added to it over time.

Every line that connects to the PBX is assigned a Line Equipment Number, or LEN (or LENS). These numbers uniquely identify every station on the phone network, and are how the PBX "knows" which phone number is attached to which piece of equipment.

The LENs are assigned according to the location of the card in the PBX that is connected to the line. Our LENs are six digits long, and are comprised of the module, partition, card, and line that serve the particular station. (Note: Some previously undiscovered NEC documentation ("NEC NEAX2400 IMX System Operations and Maintenance Manual") refers to "module" as "module group (MG)", "partition" as "unit (U)", "card" as "group (G)" and "line" as "level (Lv)". It provides the following shorthand notation to describe a LEN: LENS=MG+U+G+Lv.)

To determine the LEN, you must determine each of these numbers and concatenate them. If you open the doors to the PBX, you'll see something like the diagram below:

+===============+===============+
|               |               |   -+
|  Partition 0  |  Partition 1  |    |
|   (Unit 0)    |   (Unit 1)    |    |  Module 01 (top two partitions)
|    010XXX     |    011XXX     |    |  (Module Group 01)
|               |               |   -+
+===============+===============+
|               |               |   -+
|  Partition 2  |  Partition 3  |    |
|   (Unit 2)    |   (Unit 3)    |    |
|    002XXX     |    003XXX     |    |
|               |               |    |
+---------------+---------------+    |  Module 00 (middle four paritions)
|               |               |    |  (Module Group 00)
|  Partition 0  |  Partition 1  |    |
|   (Unit 0)    |   (Unit 1)    |    |
|    000XXX     |    001XXX     |    |
|               |               |   -+
+===============+===============+
|    c  | p |   |               |   -+
|  i a  | o | f |     CPU 1     |    |
|  n r  | w | d +---------------|    |  CPU and interface cards
|  t d  | e | d |     CPU 0     |    |
|    s  | r |   |               |   -+
+===============+===============+

The PBX currently has 4 doors. The bottom door contains the two CPUs for the PBX and the interface cards (serial lines to the MAT, voicemail, and SMDR accounting). The door above that contains the bottom half of module 00 (partitions 0 and 1). The door above that contains the top half of module 00 (partitions 2 and 3). Finally, the topmost door contains module 01 (partitions 0 and 1).

These module and partition numbers form the first 3 numbers of the LEN. They are listed in the diagram above. For example, the top left partition's LENs all start with "010", because they are in the top module (module 01), and on the left side (partition 0): 01 + 0 = 010.

In each partition there are several line cards. Above each card there are numbers which determine the group number(s). Sometimes there are 2 group numbers (such as "4 . 5"), sometimes there are 4 group numbers (such as "2 . 3 . 29 . 30"), and sometimes there is a range (such as "12 ~ 15"). The numbers refer to the groups of 8 lines. If there are 2 group numbers, then the card can have up to 16 lines (2 * 8). If there are 4 group numbers, up to 32 lines are possible, but usually only 16 are used (the higher two numbers are discarded). For a range, 8, 16, 24, or 32 lines are available, using numbers from the top of the range first.

The lines themselves are numbered from 0 to 7 in each group, starting from the bottom of the card.

Some examples are in order. Suppose we have a 16-line card in a slot marked "4 . 5". There would be 16 lines total, with LENs ending with 040, 041, 042, 043, 044, 045, 046, 047, 050, 051, 052, 053, 054, 055, 056, 057. Note that the group number (4 and 5) is simply prepended to the line number (0 - 7) to make the final part of the LEN. In the case of single-digit group numbers, a zero is prepended.

Suppose now that we have a 16-line card in a slot marked ("2 . 3 . 29 . 30"). There are still only 16 lines total, and the prefixes "29" and "30" are ignored. The LENs would end with 02(0-7) and 03(0-7).

Finally, suppose we have a 24-line card in a slot marked "12 ~ 15". There are 24 lines total, with prefixes 13(0-7), 14(0-7), and 15(0-7). Note that the prefix "12" is unused, as we start from the top of the range (15) and work downwards. Since there are only 24 lines, we don't need the 12 prefix.

To calculate a complete LEN, you concatenate all of these numbers together. For example, a 24-line card in the top-right cabinet in slot 12 ~ 15 would have LENs in the range 011130 - 011157. You start with the module (01), add the partition (1), then the line card (13, 14, 15, as per the example above), and then the line number (0-7). Note: the last digit in a LEN can only be 0-7, as there can only be a total of 8 lines per group.

To determine the location of a given LEN in the cabinet, you can reverse the process. Suppose you have located LEN 000055 on the frame and now you would like to know where it resides in the cabinet. The first two digits (00) tell you the module number. The next digit (0) tells you the partition number. The next two digits (05) indicate the card slot number, and finally, the last digit (5) indicates the line. So, to paraphase, LEN 000055 would be located in module 00, partition 0, card slot 05, on line 5.

The cards themselves come in many sizes and types. Cards with a model number starting with "EL" are digital (capable of supporting NEC Dterm phones), while "LC" cards are analog (work with standard telephones from any vendor). These in turn come in 8, 16, and 24-line sizes. Any other cards in the PBX are specialty cards (PRI, T1, CPU, and other control cards).

Finally, there are virtual LENS that we use for second lines and other numbers that do not require a physical connection. For example, most of our office phones have a second line that is 200 below the real extension (e.g., extension 4567 has a second line at 4367). To assign those numbers, you should use a virtual LEN so that you don't tie up a real one. Each partition has a few blocks of numbers that cannot be used for physical lines (look at the labels on the top of the cards for gaps in the sequence). Each of those numbers can prefix 8 lines, and those can all be virtual extensions.

System Interfaces

The PBX interfaces with several other systems for control and logging purposes. All of these systems interface via a serial connection (DB-25 or DB-9). There are three main types of connections:

  1. MAT (control terminal, for programming the PBX) on ports 0 and 5 (note that the default baud rate for the MAT ports is 4800)

  2. MCI (Message Center Interface, or voicemail) on port 1

  3. SMDR (logging of call accounting data) on port 2, 3, and 4

The ports listed above are the labels on the serial cables on the back of the PBX (e.g., typ0, typ1, ... typ5). These connections in turn are on the "IOC" cards in the lower-left cabinet of the PBX. The port assignments from those cards are:

  1. Card 02 (Left), port 0: typ4 (SMDR 3)

  2. Card 02 (Left), port 1: typ5 (MAT backup)

  3. Card 02 (Left), port 2: typ6 (unassigned)

  4. Card 02 (Left), port 3: typ7 (unassigned)

  5. Card 03 (Right), port 0: typ0 (MAT)

  6. Card 03 (Right), port 1: typ1 (MCI/Voicemail)

  7. Card 03 (Right), port 2: typ2 (SMDR 1)

  8. Card 03 (Right), port 3: typ3 (SMDR 2)

Note: the SMDR ports buffer data if they are not connected to an output device. If an SMDR station fails and you won't be reconnecting it for a while, you must short the pins to prevent the buffers from filling up. To short the connection on a DB-9 interface, connect the following pins together:

That should discard data on the interface until a permanent connection is available.

In addition to serial communications, the MAT can communicate with the PBX over TCP/IP. Both CPU cards have slots with 10Base-T cards in them; these are called LANI cards by NEC. The second (rightmost) card on each CPU plane is used for the MAT, and so those are connected to our network. Note that the active CPU switches every night (one is always in standby), so the active LANI card will also change when the CPU does. We've connected both to our core switch, so whichever one is active should ARP for the IP address and allow a connection. See System Data indices 515-526 for programming the IP address, network mask, and default gateway. See the NEC IPX Office Data Specification Issue 1 (Command Reference) Chapter 2, section 6.2.5 and also ASYDL command reference. Be aware that a change in IP address will not take effect until the next CPU switchover (e.g., you may need to wait a day before it takes effect).

Special Considerations

Rebooting

Upon occasion, a system reboot may be necessary. These don't happen very often, but when they do there are some things that should be remembered.

Adding Line Cards

When adding a line card, one should be aware that after initial insertion of the card (where all its LEDs will flash for an instant), there will be no other indication that the card is present in the system. Even if you use the DISS command to view the cards in the system, a newly installed card will not appear to be present in the expected location. You first have to use ASDT to assign a station to a port on the card to get any visual cue that the card is active. Once done, all LEDs on the card will flash, with the exception of the LED for the port that has been assigned, which remains unlit.

Temporary Relocation of Console

The console can be moved to another location, if necessary, without too much trouble. It is probably best to make sure NECC is available to facilitate the move, but if not, it can still be done.

The console is powered remotely by the PBX in its present configuration, which is useful in the event of a power failure. (The PBX is located in a building and room supported by UPS and generator power, effectively allowing the console to remain available for use indefinitely.) The cross-connect cables used by the console are easily identified on the frame, as they stand out from the background blue/white of our standard cross-connects. The three pairs used for the console are blue, orange and green, and terminate at the bottom of the fourth column of 66 blocks (from the left). The blue pair carries the actual voice circuit, while the orange and green pairs are used to carry 48V to power the console.

If a temporary move of the console is required, it is only necessary to move the blue pair to the temporary location. The console has a power supply (that we do not ordinarily use) which can provide its power. To avoid a blown fuse (3.2A, bottom left corner of PBX cabinet), or worse, remove the bottom two bridge clips on the 66 block mentioned previously (orange and green pairs). (Spare fuses can be found in one of NEC boxes stored with the NEC manuals.) The console need only be put in "night service" mode and then disconnected before moving.

The Frame

Server Room

The frame is where all of the wires from the PBX are connected to the wiring that leads to the individual stations (possibly via other cross-connects in other buildings).

The frame is comprised of numerous 25-pair "split 50" 66 block connectors. Each block has 50 rows with 4 columns of connectors. In every row, the two left connectors are electrically connected, as are the two right connectors. However, the left and right halves are not connected together.

Standard punchdown for a station requires two sets of connectors: either the left or right pair of connectors in two sequential rows. We list the LEN for the station on the top row, and the associated station number (e.g., extension) on the bottom row. For standard white-blue wiring, the white wire (tip) goes on top and blue (ring) on the bottom.

Thus, a sample block might look like the diagram below. The left side shows the label and type of wiring; the right side shows sample numbers as they might appear on the frame (1047 would be LEN 001047, and 4401 would be extension x4401).

LEN label (White/tip) |   A   B   C   D   | 1047
STN label (Blue/ring) |   A   B   C   D   | 4401

A = punchdown from PBX        (left side)
B = punchdown to jack/station (left side)
C = punchdown to jack/station (right side)
D = punchdown from PBX        (right side)

When connecting wiring, you will attach the wires to post "B" for the left-hand side and post "C" for the right-hand side. Posts "A" and "D" are already connected to the PBX and should not be used.

Connecting Station Equipment

Wiring is cross-connected from the frame, though a series of equipment boxes to get to the building where the equipment resides. From there, it is cross-connected again to the horizontal cabling in the building, and thus to the individual jack where the equipment will be connected.

In order to connect equipment to the telephone system, the following procedure should be followed:

  1. Activate the extension and LEN in the PBX using the MAT programming software (or, identify an already-active LEN/extension). You will need the LEN to find the cable pair on the frame.

  2. Identify the master cable pair (e.g., pair 537), which corresponds to one of the 110 block cabinets to the right of the frame. For existing numbers, the pair should be listed in the FileMaker phone database. If not, you will need to trace an existing wire (if the LEN/station is already cross-connected), or find the cable pair by building.

    To find the cable pair by building, you need to know the cable pair in the 110 block for that specific building (usually, a number between 1 and 100). This is where the physical jack (e.g., 34A) is punched down, and should be clearly labed with the jack number and the pair number.

    Once you know the local building pair (between 1 and 100), you can find the master cable pair. The master pairs run from 1 to 1200, with a contiguous block assigned to each building (the building ranges are marked on the 110 block cabinets). Simply correspond the start of the building block with the number from the building to find the actual master number. For example, Memorial Hall has the master cable pairs 26-100, and building cable pairs 1 - 75. So Memorial's building cable pair 1 corresponds to master cable pair 26, 2 to 27, 3 to 28, and so on.

  3. Cross-connect the master cable pair to the frame using UTP wiring. White wire goes on the top (66 block) and left (110 block), and blue goes on the bottom/right.

  4. If necessary, cross-connect the 110 block to the jack in the building where the equipment should be connected (again, most building pairs are already terminated, so this is only necessary for jacks that don't already have service).

You should now have service on the desired jack.

Programming

Some system changes only require wiring to accomplish (e.g., switching an extension to a new jack). However, most other changes require programming the phone system. This includes assigning new extensions, changing phone type (digital/analog), changing the name display on the phone screens, and many others.

Programming the PBX requires the IMX MAT software from NEC. This software is installed on a machine with a direct serial connection to the PBX (4800 baud), or IP connectivity. The commands are somewhat arcane, so this section describes frequenly-used commands for common tasks.

Terminology

Several of the commands share input values. Some of these values are always the same (for example "tenant" is always 1), and others use one of a pre-set range of values. We discuss these below.

Phone Type (TEC)

Our PBX supports two kinds of phones: standard analog phones (any make or model) and digital phones (NEC Dterm). The digital phones support many additional features (e.g., multiple lines, conference calls, name display).

When a station is created, the type of the line must be specified. One of the following two values must be used:

TEC Description
3 Analog
12 Digital
18 Virtual

Most often used with the ASDT and ASCL commands.

Restriction Class (RSC)

Our PBX has been set up to allow or deny certain features based on the restriction class of a particular number. Historically, this was used to prevent students from using their phones at certain times of day (study hall and lights out), but these restrictions are currently not used (students can dial at any time).

Restrictions can also be used to allow certain phones to dial numbers, require a PIN for long distance, or perform other tasks. The following table lists the restriction classes in our PBX:

RSC Description
5 Admin (default/PIN required for long-distance)
6 Admin (no PIN for long-distance)
7 Student (enabled - normal operation)
8 Student (default - emergency calls only)
9 Dorm Faculty (no PIN for local calls)

Most lines will either be 5 (admin phones) or 7 (student phones).

Note: RSC 8 ("student default") is not currently used. This restriction class does not allow any calls, except to 911. This class exists for lights out and study hall, but we no longer have the policy of restricting calls during this time.

Most often used with the ASDT and ASCL commands.

Service Feature Class (SFC)

The service feature class limits the type of service that a particular phone receives. For example, digital phones support putting calls on hold, transfers, and conference calls. The following table defines the service classes for the types of phones we use:

SFC Description
3 Admin (digital phone)
4 Admin (analog phone)
6 Student (enabled - normal operation)
15 Student (default - emergency calls only)

Most lines will either be 3 (admin phones) or 6 (student phones).

Note: SFC 15 ("student default") is not currently used. This class is a holdover from when we restricted calls during study hall and lights out.

Most often used with the ASDT and ASCL commands.

Station/Extension (STN)

The station is the primary extension of the phone (or, for analog phones, the only extension). We use "station" and "extension" interchangably in this documentation.

Tenancy (TN)

On our system, the tenant is always 1.

Automatic Number Identification (ANI / CPN / Caller ID)

Our PBX connects to the phone company's central office (CO) via a PRI, which is a type of ISDN digital line. As such, our system is more like its own central office than an end customer of the phone company. When our system places calls, it sends out ANI data via the digital line to the CO informing the CO of the station that placed the call.

Because we use "internal-only" (non-DID) extensions, we have to be careful not to send out ANI data for numbers that we do not own. By default, the PBX will send out 860386XXXX, where XXXX is the extension number. We must configure the PBX to override this behavior when we want to send out a different number.

To make matters more confusing, there are 3 types of "caller ID-ish" info that get sent out:

Commands

Backup Phone Database

Changes are held in RAM and will not survive a full system reset unless they are stored to the hard drive. Whenever significant changes to the system have been made, you should back them up.

From the MAT software, choose System Backup -> MEM_HDD (Data control between Memory and HDD).

Choose Memory to Hard Disk as the direction.

Check all the boxes for the data that have changed. We don't use Wireless Call Data or ACD Data Memory, so leave those items unchecked.

Some data are associated with a specific Line Processor (LP), and you must enter the number of the LP to back up the data, which is 0 (zero).

Choose Start. The process will begin, and a timer will count. Each individual checkbox will cause a separate process, and will be shown in the log menu. When all of the processes have finised, the screen will un-grey (accept input) and you can return to the main menu.

Display Station Data (DSTN)

If you know a station number (extension), you can find out all associated information (such as LEN, classes, key assignments, etc.). Simply enter the station number and click Get to fetch the associated information.

If you want a listing for a range of stations (instead of just a single number), use LSDT instead to generate a report.

Display of LENS Data (DLEN)

If you know a LEN, you can find all the associated information (such as extension/station number, phone type, and classes).

Simply input the full 6-digit LEN and you'll get back all the associated information.

If you want a listing for a range of LENS (instead of just a single one), use LLEN instead to generate a report.

Assignment of Name Display Data (ANDD)

Use this command to change the name display that screen phones will show for incoming or outgoing calls.

Enter tenant and station. If a name is already assigned, you must delete it first before entering a new value and saving it.

Assignment of Key Data for DTERM (AKYD)

This command allows you to program the 8 or 16 programmable line buttons on a digital phone. The buttons can be programmed to ring, flash, or dial other lines (allowing people to easily answer other lines or transfer calls).

Enter the primary station for the phone you'd like to program. In the grid below the phone information, you can enter operations for the line buttons. The buttons are numbers left-to-right, top-to-bottom, with the top-left being line 1. Line 1 should be the primary extension for the phone.

In general, just copy an existing line to make another line ring on that phone. If you want the line to flash, but not ring, enter "0" in the RG column (instead of 7). If you want the button to speed-dial a number (rather than answer or join the line), enter "2" in the KD column.

We program all digital phones to have the "last" line button (either 8 or 16, depending on model of phone) dial voicemail. So that number should be programmed to speed dial (KD=2) voicemail (STN=4405) but not ring (RG=0).

Assignment of Station Data (ASDT)

This command allows you to create an extension by assigning a station number to a LEN. The LEN must be unassigned; if you need to unassign the LEN, put in the current station number and then say "Y" under DEL. You can then assign a new station to the LEN.

When you create a new extension, you must choose the phone type (TEC) , restriction class (RSC) , and service feature class (SFC). See the terminology section above for valid values. Note: the LEN is tied to a specific card in the PBX, and the card type determines the kind of phone that can be attached (analog or digital).

If you need to change the restriction classes, but don't need to reassign the LEN or TEC, use the ASCL command below.

If you need to change extension numbers, but don't need to change anything else (LEN, restriction, phone type, etc.), use the ASTN command below.

Assignment of Station Class Data (ASCL)

Assign phone type (TEC) , restriction class (RSC) , and service feature class (SFC) for an existing extension (if you need to change these values). More frequently, you will use the ASDT command above to create a new extension and simultaneously assign these values.

Assignment of Station Number (ASTN)

If you have an existing station number that you'd like to change, but do not need to change any other features (such as restriction class or phone type), use this command. Simply provide the existing extension and the new extension and the numbers will switch.

If you need to assign a station to a new LEN, use the ASDT command above.

Assignment of Call Forwarding Station Data (ACFS)

Users can set their phone to forward calls to another number if certain conditions are met (all, busy, no answer). This is useful for forwarding calls to voicemail, to another party, or to another number (e.g., a cell phone).

Users can forward their phone by picking up the handset and dialing *5 (all calls), *6 (busy), or *7 (no answer), followed by the number to forward to (4405 is voicemail, or the extension of your choice).

We have assigned the system parameter that dictates that the FORWARDED station's restriction class is used when a call is forwarded. Thus, if Station A is forwarded to a long distance number, and Station B calls Station A, Station B will be prompted for a PIN if Station A would normally need one. If Station A is in a restriction class that does not require a PIN, then all calls (regardless of origin) will forward without needing a PIN.

To cancel forwarding, dial #5 (all calls), #6 (busy), or #7 (no answer).

For this command, enter 1 for TYPE, and use one of the following for SRV:

SRV Description
V All calls
D Don't Answer
B Busy
N Not reachable (unsure what this is for)

You can list the current assigned forwarding status for a range of numbers by using the LCFS command.

Assignment of Authorization Code Data (AATC)

This command allows you to create PINs for users to dial restricted (long-distance) numbers. Depending on the restriction classes defined, the PIN allows dialing to local, domestic, or international numbers.

For ACR, enter 1.

For RSC, use one of the following restrictions, which define the class of numbers that may be dialed with this PIN (note that RSC 6 should always be used with SFC 3 (Admin), while RSC 2, 3, and 9 should only be used with SFC 6 (Student)):

RSC Description
2 Student domestic and local (e.g., all but international)
3 Student international, domestic, and local (e.g., all numbers)
9 Student local only
6 Admin all numbers (use with SFC 3 below)

For SFC, use one of the following:

SFC Description
3 Admin
6 Student

To examine existing PINs, use the LATC command (you can give a range like "0000000 - 9999999", though the report will take several minutes to generate).

Assignment of Date and Time (ATIM)

The clock in the PBX does drift over time, and also requires manual setting during the switch to/from daylight savings time. This command allows you to set the exact date and time.

Assignment of Calling Number Data (ACND)

When the PBX makes a call, it sets the Calling Party Number (CPN) and sends it to the called party (which uses it as caller ID). Additionally, this is the number shown to emergency services when 911 is dialed.

When the PBX makes a call, it sends the station number out as the CPN. However, we only use 4-digit extensions, so these numbers are not really valid as CPN.

ACND allows you to define rules for turning extensions into full CPN data.

The first field is CNP, which is a number from 1 - 255 defining the pattern that you'd like to define (you can define multiple patterns and then assign them with the ACNP command below). We use "1" as our default plan.

The next field is the SKIP, which is how many digits of the extension to get rid of (working left to right). If the skip is 0, the whole extension will be appended to the CPN data. If skip is the same length as the extension (in our case, 4), then the extension will not appear in the CNP at all (useful if you want to wholly replace a number with another one).

Next there is the ADD field, which tells how many digits will be prepended to the extension. This number should equal 10 - (length of extension) + SKIP. In other words, this prefix plus whatever part of the extension you're sending should be 10.

Finally, there is the DC field, which defines the prefix to put in front of all CNP. It should be the same length as the ADD field.

Examples:

If you use 4-digit extensions, and want to send out a standard area code and prefix before the extension number, you would do:

 CNP: (number between 1 and 255)
SKIP: 0 (use whole extension)
 ADD: 6
  DC: 860386

A call placed from extension 4567 would come through as 8603864567.

If you want to wholly replace a number with another, you say:

 CNP: (number between 1 and 255)
SKIP: 4 (skip all 4 digits of extension)
 ADD: 10
  DC: 8603864400

Any number that matches this rule will be replaced with the full 10-digit number specified.

Our current ACND values are:

CNP SKIP ADD DC Notes
1 0 6 860386 Default rule (add are and prefix to station number)

See the ACNP command for information about assigning CPN based on the route, and ACPNCL command for overriding the CPN based on the dial prefix.

Assignment of Calling Number Pattern (ACNP)

Once you've defined one or more CNP using ACND above, you need to tell the switch which CNP apply to which numbers. ACNP does this based on the route that the call goes through.

First, you must say whether the route applies to Incoming or Outgoing routes. We want to affect the CPN for outbound calls, so enter O (the letter "oh") here. (Inbound routes would be for a site-to-site setup where you wanted to modify inbound caller ID from a trusted site.)

For RT, you must provide the route number that the calls are going through.

Finally, specify the CNP variable (1 - 255) that you created using the ACND command above.

Once committed, all calls going through the route will apply the pattern you specified.

Our current ACNP values are:

IC/OG RT CNP Notes
O 10 1 Use default CNP for outgoing calls on PRI 1
O 20 1 Use default CNP for outgoing calls on PRI 2

See the ACPNCL command for a way to assign CNP based on the prefix of the station and override this command.

Assignment of Calling Party Number Conversion (ACPNCL)

This command is like a combination of ACND and ACNP; see those commands for a more detailed description of their options.

This command is useful to override the values set by ACNP (which is like a system-wide default) based on the number of the station placing the call. In this way, you can "exempt" a block of numbers from caller ID, or reassign a block to a standard number.

As we use both DID and non-DID numbers, we need to be careful not to send out non-DID extensions as part of our CPN. Our system-wide default is to send this info, so we use ACPNCL to override this default for the blocks of numbers that are not DIDs.

To use the command, you must specify an outgoing route (OGRT) and station prefix (RCPN). RCPN can be a full extension number (so it only applies to that station), or a prefix (for example, "49" would apply to all extensions starting with the digits "49", including 4901, 4902, etc.).

Note: RCPN numbers cannot overlap or override each other. In other words, you cannot make a rule for "42XX", and then try to override with "4234". If you need to do something like this, you need to break the RCPN into smaller non-overlapping prefixes and specify each one.

Click the Get button to look up the information.

You can now specify a SKIP and ADD, just like for ACND.

Finally, you must provide the ACPN, which is the pattern to prepend to the portion of the extension that hasn't been skipped (see the DC field of ACND).

For example, to replace the CPN for all extensions 4900-4999 with a single number, you would use:

OGRT: (route number)
RCPN: 49 (all numbers starting with 49)
SKIP: 4 (remove all 4 digits of the extension from the CPN)
 ADD: 10 (prepend with full 10-digit number)
ACPN: 8603864400

Below are our current settings for ACPNCL. Keep in mind that any pattern not matched below will use the default rules specified in ACPN above (in other words, "860386" will be prepended to the station number).

OGRT RCPN SKIP ADD ACPN Notes
10 40 4 10 8603684400 4000-4099 internal-only (PRI 1)
20 40 4 10 8603864400 4000-4099 internal-only (PRI 2)
10 42 2 8 86038644 4200-4299 remap to 4400-4499 (PRI 1)
20 42 2 8 86038644 4200-4299 remap to 4400-4499 (PRI 2)
10 43 2 8 86038645 4300-4399 remap to 4500-4599 (PRI 1)
20 43 2 8 86038645 4300-4399 remap to 4500-4599 (PRI 2)
10 49 4 10 8603864400 4900-4999 internal-only (PRI 1)
20 49 4 10 8603864400 4900-4999 internal-only (PRI 2)

Assignment of Terminal Application Data (ADAI)

This command allows you to (among other things) change the number of rings before the station forwards to another extension (e.g., to voicemail).

The main things to look for here are the TC fields (timer) and MTC fields (multiplier). The TC fields have two possible values: 3, which means "2 seconds", and 7, which means "8 seconds" (no, that isn't a typo; the keys and their values have nothing to do with each other).

The multiplier fields determine how many total seconds the phone will ring for, based on the TC field.

For example, if TC is 3 and MTC is 8 (our system default), then the phone will ring for 2 x 8 or 16 seconds (approximately). A general rule of thumb is that the called station will hear a full ring cycle (1 ring plus 1 pause at the least, though possibly more if the ring tone is short) about every six seconds. The caller may hear different numbers of rings depending on their provider and some other timing issues.

The field you most likely want to override is 139, which controls the main answer time. You can also tweak 140 ("no answer recall"), or more likely 247 ("blind transfer no answer"), which gets involved if you transfer to another station. The PBX's call-forwarding mechanism does not appear to count as a "transfer", however.

All of the system defaults can be seen by running ASYD and probing the indices listed above (139, 140, 247). The DATA will list a hex value, where the first digit is 3 or 7 (the TC) and the second digit is anywhere from 1 to F (the MTC). ADAI will override these system-wide defaults.

Enter 1 for the MODE, the tenant and station number, and then zero for all other fields (except those you wish to modify). So, to modify the standard ring time, you'd enter a value for 139MTC and 139TC and zero for all the rest.

Display of Program Issue (DISS)

This command allows you to view the program information in the PBXs main memory and that of the port microprocessor memory of each circuit card installed (SP No. and issue No.)

Voicemail

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User Commands

Our PBX allows users to customize their extension to provide special features or settings. Please note, sections marked "digital phones only" only apply to NEC Dterm multi-line phones (like those found in our administrative offices).

Forwarding Calls (all phones)

Users can forward their calls to another extension, or to our voicemail extension (4405). There are three conditions when you can forward calls, and each is set independently. The conditions are all calls (forward immediately), busy (forward only if you are on the line), and don't answer (forward only if you don't pick up after several rings).

Note: most users forward to voicemail for busy (*6 4405) and don't answer (*7 4405) only.

Pick up the handset and dial one of the following codes, depending on which kind of forwarding you want (if you want more than one kind of forwarding you must repeat these steps for each type you want):

Dial Forwarding type
*5 All calls
*6 Busy
*7 Don't answer

After dialing the code, wait for broken dial tone. Then dial the number you wish to forward to (to forward to voicemail, enter 4405). You will hear a confirmation tone. Hang up the handset.

To cancel forwarding, pick up the handset and dial one of the following codes, depending on which kind of forward you want to cancel (if you want to cancel more than one kind of forwarding you must repeat these steps for each type):

Dial Forwarding type to cancel
#5 Cancel all calls forward
#6 Cancel busy forward
#7 Cancel don't answer forward

You will hear a confirmation tone, at which point the forward has been canceled.

Voicemail (all phones)

To check your voicemail from on campus from your own extension dial 4405 and follow the prompts.

To check your voicemail from on campus from someone else's phone dial 4205, wait for the recorded message to start, and then dial 9 plus your extension.

To check your voicemail from off campus, dial (860) 386-4405. Wait for the recorded message to start, and then dial 9 plus your extension.

Telephone Setup Functions (digital phones only)

Up/Down Arrows

Used to adjust LCD contrast, speaker/receiver volume, and ringer volume.

Feature Key

This key is used to set various features and functions on your telephone. To activate or cancel, press the Feature button first, then the appropriate number.

System Features

Hold

To place a call on hold: Press Hold button; held line wink flashes. Note: If held line appears on other D-Term stations, the associated LED flashes red slowly.

To retrieve: Lift handset or press Speaker. Press held line. Note: Any station with this line appearance can retrieve the call.

If unanswered: After approximately two minutes, held call will automatically ring back to the phone that places it on hold. Caller does not hear this ringing. To retrieve call, press button for held line. To continue holding call without hearing automatic ringing, press button for held line, then press Hold.

To place a call on Exclusive Hold (cannot be retrieved from other phones): Press Hold twice; line light winks. (Other D-Term telephones show steady red light). To retrieve call: Lift handset; press button for held line. Call can be retrieved only from telephone that put it on Exclusive Hold.

To place call on hold and consult with third party: Ask party to hold (but do not press Hold); press Transfer, hear broken dial tone. Dial number of party you wish to consult. Converse with third party; when they hang up, you will automatically be connected with holding party. If third party does not answer, reconnect to holding party by pressing Transfer again.

Transfering Calls

To transfer a call: Press Transfer. Broken dial tone indicates caller is placed on hold. Dial destination number, wait one second for call to connect, then hang up.

(Optional): You may stay on the line to announce transfer of call. If party does not answer or line is busy, press Transfer to return to holding party.

Conference Calling (aka three-way calls)

To set up three-way conferencing: Establish first call (incoming or outgoing); ask party to hold.

Press Transfer; receive interrupted dial tone (caller is on hold). Dial third party. (If no answer or busy, press Transfer to reconnect to held party.)

When answered, press Conf Button (Conf LED lights). Three-way conference is established. If one party hangs up, other two remain connected. (Conf LED goes out).