Hello all,
Our company has this older Norstar system in place. We lost the hard drive on the voicemail system a few times and finally upgraded to a DR5 module so we could move to a Startalk flash. Our operator is going nuts with hangups now and from what I understand its because the KSU doesn't actually support DS to effectively communicate with the module. Would it be simply a matter of purchasing a DS cabinet and swapping it in place of the non-DS unit? Any potential pitfalls I could expect from the upgrade? Would appreciate any advice, thanks.

Regards,
Stephan

Wow, you ain't kidding about old. Surprised that thing still holds the programming after a power outage. Have to say that is what made the nortels awesome they just run. Any way why don't you just swap out the old 8x24 for a MICS. You can still use the same phones you would just have to program it up again. You could keep the same extension and so on. I would recommend 3 dight extensions at least though. you could find a MICS for cheap I bet.

Actually I seem to recall changing the battery a few years back. I'm mostly look for as cheap as possible. I see some 8x24 DS on eBay from 150-350, mostly wondering if those are sufficient. We are going fully VoiP over Lync Q1 of next year, mostly trying to keep our operator from losing her mind. I'll look into the MICS but not looking forward to reprogramming again. Thanks.

just thinking you may actually be able to get away with a CICS. Most CICS can handle up to 8 phone lines, and up to 16 extensions up to 24 with the station expander card. That acutally might be a cheaper way to go in your case than the MICS. Especially if it is short term. You will still have to program it up. If you need a vendor I handle South Eastern PA, NJ, and DE. My website is www.atlantic-ip.com. Take care and good luck.

Lkev, How far are you from a town called Ben Salem? Have you heard of it? It's in PA I know that and I have something going on up there that I may need some assistance with as it's a little far for me. I'm located in Baltimore, MD and I map quested it from my office and it's 2 hrs. and 20 mins. Kinda far... Contact me if your interested.

Jeremy J. Carter
Charm City Communications
http://www.charmcitycommunications.com
Norstar. BCM. CS1000 Programmer

Since you're at DR5 already you could buy a 824-DS cabinet, put your software in and keep all your existing programming. The database for the 824 is stored in the software cartridge,

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

Thanks exsmogger, that's mostly what I was wondering if they were swappable. I have a M0x16 expansion, does that also have to be a DS module or is that just the primary KSU? Thanks for the help!

Just KSU and Software need to match.

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curlycord
www.curlycord.com

I dont think your answer in first post was ever answered.

"Would it be simply a matter of purchasing a DS cabinet and swapping it in place of the non-DS unit?"

There is DS and NON-DS software and DS and NON-DS KSU's.

Match one with the other.

DS = Disconnect Supervision
DS software/KSU allows for programming it and detection.

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curlycord
www.curlycord.com

I'm fairly certain that all DR5 software is DS. Since there is an expansion card in the 824 make certain that you put this into the DS cabinet before you power up or the database in the software cartridge will be defaulted.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

To be more specific, all DR5 software for the 824 is DS. Not so with the 616 or 308.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

Correct except 3X8 I might disagree on.

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curlycord
www.curlycord.com

So the programming for DS is in the non-DS 308 DR5? I don't have any to play with.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

No I think the DS programming is only in DS software for any system, I just cant find any DR5 non-ds 3X8 systems in lab or internet and leading me to believe they do not exist.

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curlycord
www.curlycord.com

I'm pretty sure I've seen some non-DS 308 DR5's, but it's been a long time, so I'm not 100% sure. I'll make a note to check with a large wholesaler I do some work for in Atlanta. They might have one collecting dust in their warehouse, if it exists.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

Yep your right, lab just found one with black text which is good indication NT5B05CN.

I was thinking why make non-ds when DS is out forgetting that they just kept the same DR number....silly.

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curlycord
www.curlycord.com

Thanks for verifying. It is silly. All the control units, software and trunk cards should have had DS built in.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

I've never seen a non-DS 308 DR5.

616: Software: Non DS and DS DR5
KSU: Non DS and DS
Software and hardware must match... won't boot if it doesn't.

824: Software: DS and Non-DS
KSU: Only one version

Marv
www.telemarv.ca

So I am not alone!!!

Will have a tech look at this one we found today.

3X8 was introduced during DR5 correct?

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curlycord
www.curlycord.com

I'm 100% sure that there was a 308 DR1.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
http://www.OregonPhone.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

There was a DR 1 308

Marv
www.telemarv.ca

I recall now....I am reading to much into my SP sheet it seems.

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curlycord
www.curlycord.com

Usulnet,

What in particular is driving the operator nuts? The fact that the line doesn't immediately hang up when the other party disconnects? I once had a DR5 cabinet 8x24 that didn't contain DS supervision. Thank goodness for the BCM and UCx.

What phones are you going to use on Lync? Not related to Norstar, but you know the Nortel 11xx and 12xx phones will work as SIP clients on Lync, right?

Indiana University recently went to Lync and disposed of all their 11xx series IP sets and bought all new phones. It's been proven by various sources Lync will support any SIP client, including Nortel SIP phones...

Just curious.

Hi Gordon,

I cannot recreate exactly what is causing it but I think it's if someone hangs up on the startalk system it will try to route the dead call back to the operator. So she gets hangups throughout the day, sometimes a couple a day, sometimes a dozen. This isn't her only job function so this can be disruptive, especially if the fix is just a DS enabled KSU for a few hundred dollars.

In regards to the SIP phones, we run M7310's which I don't see how it could communicate with Lync unless there was a more modern system in place it could talk to. We were planning on going with soft phones for about half the workforce that all but never communicates with external contacts and Polycom's for the remainder. They are inexpensive and I've heard nothing but good things about them and have Lync feature models.

Regards,
Stephan