MICS 7.0, KSU, NVRAM compatibility

[senk1s]

Do you know of any compatibility issues - specific versions/ vintages do not work.
Ive got numerous sw returned as bad - but still not able to get to the bottom of it. Nortel doenst know of any issues. (Tried cold starting, new NVRAM, new sw ...all combinations)

KSU-A, NVRAM-A (Rel2), 6.1 - boots in about 5 minutes
replace with 7.0-A - left it overnight, still blinking

KSU-A, NVRAM-B (Rel1), 7.0-A - boots in about 5 minutes
replace with 6.1 - boots in under 5

KSU-B, NVRAM-A (Rel2), 7.0-A - boots in about 5 minutes
replace with 6.1 - boots in under 5

 

[NTL555]

I have had problems with MICS 6.1 MR Rel 01 (30CQG05) with NVRAM02 to a MICS 7.0. The system will come up, but after a power down or startup it never comes back up. I ended up Upgrading to 30CQG10, then to MICS 7.0 and never had a problem.

NTL555

 

[aragon]

UGH

This forum has become full of software corruption issues with 7.0
Nortel has screwed us once again.
It took them two subreleases to get 6.1 right and now we are back to square 1 with 7.0
NVRAMA, B rel 1 rel 2
Rel 17 M series volume issues
WHAT NEXT!!????!!!!
I am tired of all of this nonsense.
Why must we keep paying the price for Nortel's mistakes?
Why do installers and dealers remain so loyal.
I'm sure that the end users are fed up too.
I am tired and I could rant all day....
Oh well at least there is this forum to keep us educated.
Long live democracy!
I have been advising my customers to stick with 6.1 MR2

 

[aragon]

oh btw what ever happened to that cool "Evergreen" philosophy?
Let's analyze:
Pre release 17 M series phones not supported post 6.0
Companion discontinued
Spectralink OEM dropped in lieu of Kirk telecom DMC OEM
Startalk no longer supported
Flashtalk no longer supported
NVM no longer supported
CAP no longer supported
NVRAM rel 1 no longer supported
All software prior to 7.0 no longer supported by ITAS as with all new software versions when they go GA.
Copper expansion no longer supported
Compact no longer supported
Modular no longer supported
VMI no longer supported
ATA1 no longer supported
SMDR pre release 6 no longer supported
Pre fastRAD no longer supported
Each new software version requires to be purchased unless Nortel issues maintenance release
Each new version of ICS software requires purchase of new version of Norstar Remote Utilities
NVRAM Ver2 requires purchase
Upgrade tool requires purchase
The only thing "evergreen" is the backplane in the ICS KSU's
Now with BCM50 all features must be activated via license

I hope everyone is charging their end users for all of this support because it sucks holding the bag. Caveat Emptor

 

[aragon]

Oh and I forgot dealers no longer supported

 

[NTL555]

I been recommending 6.1 on all my sales. And WHYY OHH WHYY did they discontinue the NAM. I have soo many applications that need more then 8 channels of voicemail. 100 users and 8 channels with AA does not cut it.

NTL555

 

[hawks]

Makes you wonder where they get their information from when designing a new system? Like everthing else works great in the lab so lets send it and see what happens.

 

[NTL555]

They get their information from the Quality Control People walking around. It looks good, let it fly..

I personally have seen solder leads for surface mount chips combined when they're not supposed to be. I seen connectors drop off because they weren't soldered correctly. I seen connectors for the LS/DS CID T1 cards flipped where you can't insert them into the KSU...I can go on and on.

They must be drinking before they go to work.

NTL555

 

[hawks]

The BCM50E has patches out already soon we'll have the patches before the product.

 

[senk1s]

am i glad or what that i'm not alone !!

thats what i'd been doing ... latest 6.1 is better

Evergreen probably means they want the green($$) for ever

 

[aragon]

And from my own lips
Nortel no longer supported
I would rather flip hamburgers for a living
I would have a clearer conscience

Asterisk rules
3Com NBX kicks @#$$

 

[NTL555]

hawks, yup you are correct. My docs is the compatibility matrix for the 6.1. As far as my reference, since the NAM and Flash have been discontinued, it is no longer supported on the newer systems - ie no new release...hence, it is on my documentation.

I guess its like the Call Pilot working on an 8x24, it works, just not supported.





NTL555

 

[NTL555]

sorry wrong forum post LoL.. stupid me.

NTL555

 

[senk1s]

Not related to the thread ...but
Aragon - do you use asterisk on a Win PC or Linux?

 

[aragon]

Runs on Linux
It is pretty tricky to configure Asterisk
The 3Com NBX is really nice and the new 6.0 SW load expected GA Q1 2006 will kick ass (also SIP protocol basedand will run on Linux).
As for Asterisk there are several GUI's that help with configuration but none of them are great.
The most common and free and easy way to get Linux up and running is

http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=123387&package_id=135368&release_id=331675

 

[senk1s]

thanks aragon ...i'll try that out.
asterisk has been one of those weekend projects gone sour

 

[MarvO1]

aragon, I feel your pain. I spent 25 years at Nortel, and when they let over 50,000 of us go, they seemed to forget something. I don't think anybody is left to test anything.


MarvO said it

 

[senk1s]

ya from creative products they went to creative accounting

 

[PTerrell]

On the lighter side: While we waited for my system to upgrade from 6.1 to 7.0, I was discussing with my Nortel tech the PC Magazine review of the 3Com NBX and ShoreTel systems. I told him about all the nice features of true VoIP versus the MCK solution I just implemented.

Do you think the KSU heard me, got upset, and caused the system to default...? ;-)

 

[aragon]

Marv01 I too spent years of my life with Nortel GNTS.
They forced me into a pension plan where my pension would not be portable after two years of employment, gave me useless stock options instead of a raise, and then laid me off before those stock options could vest.

I digress.

I miss the good old days of DR5.1 where you could trust the product. Anything they touch or change now only creates more grief and mistrust.
Nortel product management just doesn't get it anymore.
Or maybe they do.
Norstar sales aren't down really, only our ability to make a profit as dealers has been effected. What hurts is that they keep dropping the price on the product so that we have to sell more systems to pay the bills. The fact that the product never lives up to expectations anymore; and we have to spend more of our time chasing down product defects really cuts into the bottom line.

I am either going to roll over and give up.
Or start flipping burgers for a living.
Or start preaching the value of real vendors who keep up with the times and don't lock me into defective proprietary solutions.

Hello Asterisk, hello Allworx, hello 3Com NBX.