Monitor T1 Trunk usage over time

[mdillinger]

Hello,
we have an IP Office 412 Unit with a T1 BRI from our Telco provider, Qwest. We currently have all 24 channels that can be used for incoming and out going calls. We are looking to move to a different provider who can provide us with a PRI ISDN line for our voice calls, but can only provide us with 16 channels. Is there a way for us to monitor the system for say a week or two, and then get a statistical report of the actual usage at any given time on the T1 line?

We are trying to see if we are under or over utilizing our current 24 channels and to see if 16 channels would be sufficient. The main reason why we are looking to change is price and the fact that Qwest cannot offer us inward or outward Caller ID.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[gknight1]

where are you located? Here in Florida a T1 is a T1 is a T1. It doesnt matter how many voice channels they have configured. A normal T or PRI runs about $450, if any voice is going to be on the T (it doesnt matter the number of channels) then they run about $525. I would look to a different service provider.

 

[mdillinger]

Well considering I am in Colorado and rural Colorado to be more precise we have limited options and Qwest is basically our only option. We are a government entity and are looking to provide better services to our employees and our customers, the citizens. We are just trying to see if we actually would need to stay with Qwest (Who can't and won't give us Caller ID and upgraded services) or go with someone else who can give us what were looking for at a price cheaper than Qwest. Only downside is going from 24 channels to a 16 channel PRI ISDN line.

I also feel that it would be beneficial to me to be able to just get some stats on the actual usage over time so we can make an appropriate choice.

 

[gknight1]

you could use CCC or a third party call accounting software. We use Chronical here at our office. I think they even offer a 14 day free trial, so that might serve you well.

http://www.ximasoftware.com/chronicall/index.php

 

[mdillinger]

Gknight1,

Thanks for this info. I was looking thru Avaya's site and didn't find anything but their CCC which we can't get at this time. I will try Chronical and see what type of information that gives us.

Thanks Again!
Mike

 

[jamie77]

If you are on 4.0 or above, look at System Status.

In the Trunk info it will tell you how long each line has been in it's current state. If you has 1 or more that have been idle for a long time then you haven't used them for that time.

eg

Line 1 idle 1min 14 s
Line 2 idle 2min 1 s
.....
Line 18 idle 18 Days 12 min 14 s
Line 19 idle 43 Days 12 min 14 s
Line 20 idle 84 Days 12 min 14 s
Line 21 idle 84 Days 12 min 14 s
Line 22 idle 84 Days 12 min 14 s
Line 23 idle 84 Days 12 min 14 s
Line 24 idle 84 Days 12 min 14 s

From the example above I would take it the it has been 18 days since you needed 18 Lines at once, 43 days since you needed 19 lines at once and since the others are a long time ago and the same they probably haven't been used since the last time the kit was rebooted.

This assumes the US T1's use lines like UK PRI circuits, start at channel 1 and work up.

If they don't, I've just typed all this for nothing

Jamie Green

ACA:Implement - IP Office
ACS:Implement - IP Office

Football is not a matter of life and death-It is far more important!!!!

 

[gregl45]

I am in rural Montana and we get a Qwest integrated access starting with 6 PRI channels

 

[Drew2400]

jamie77 is absolutely correct. That's the quick and easy way of determining the number of channels used. If you look at the idle times, you can even tell your nominal and surge levels.