Trunk to trunk routing

[vulcanfan]

Hi,

We have a MICS 'Modular Plus' (as its called in the UK) Norstar system, with PRI ISDN and AC15 lines on it.

I'm trying to route between ISDN and AC15 trunks. For example, so an incoming call on AC15 has the incoming DDI digits analysed for a destcode, and if it's the ISDN destcode then the call is routed out over ISDN. And vice-versa, all without attempting termination on any local extension, or using F84 divert or similar.

Is that possible? Seems that it insists on trying to terminate incoming calls directly onto local extensions only.

Many thanks!

 

[Shaun E]

I'm not in the UK so not too familiar with the MICS over there but I seem to recall the UK variant didn't allow trunk-to-trunk routing or even the ability to transfer/forward a call externally due to some local regulations.

 

[Firebird Scrambler]

I used to set something up, where you could transfer and route a call on the UK versions. I think you need to setup the remote packages on the two trunks to allow access through them.

 

[Firebird Scrambler]

The attached files should help you.

 

[vulcanfan]

@Firebird Scrambler Thanks very much for the docs, I'll need to set some time aside to read the large one at least.
Incidentally, is Release 3 version the latest that the UK received for the Modular Plus?

I have tried the Remote Packages feature, but only partially got it working. For example, an incoming call on AC15 (3 Received digits) does indeed 'seize' an outbound ISDN trunk, but doesn't pass out any digits. By 'seize' in ISDN terms I mean I can see the Norstar sending SETUP-REQ but with no 'called number' field. The 'CO' at the remote end (which is an Avaya IP Office in CO mode) responds with SETUP-ACK and waits for subsequent overlap digits, but the Norstar never sends any digits and the call fails/disconnects. It seems that the Norstar is incapable of dialling overlap digits out on PRI (which I did read somewhere) but if it can't pass digits received on AC15 over to an outbound ISDN trunk then not sure what use the Remote Access Package brings.

The other 'high-risk' option is to acquire a MICS6 or 7 cartridge from the US and see if that works in the CCU we have, and see if that works any better (eg supporting overlap digits). Our Norstars are on private networks, so don't need to 'UK' compliant at all, and are being used as glorified ISDN/AC15 converters really. The only way we can work out how to integrate our legacy AC15 network into a relatively newer Avaya IP Office setup.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[Firebird Scrambler]

That's great that you were able to make some progress. It's probably been well over 25 years since I last saw a Norstar Modular system!.
It's bad enough trying to remember how it was configured.

I wouldn't recommend obtaining a cartridge from another country for a number of reasons.

1st one is that your existing configuration might default to a Factory day one config if you end up doing a "downgrade" instead of an "upgrade"

2nd point is that I tried out a USa / CA Norstar Compact 6+16 cartridge and discovered that my digital terminals weren't compatible anymore.

I've attached a compatability chart for all the UK versions. Check with your system version to see if you are able to do an upgrade.

 

[vulcanfan]

Thanks, although I didn't see the compatibility chart attached?

I think I've seen it posted before though, if it's the same one. Our 'Plus' cartridges are a mixture, eg 30ArE01 NP03 which I don't often see listed.

Having read your previous doc, it seems that Remote Access is based on DISA/Auto principle, ie in-band secondary dial-tone. DISA (or at least Auto #) it also then says isn't supported incoming over PRI. (No 'Ans with DISA' option in Lines, whereas there is for analogue trunks). For AC15 -> ISDN direction using Remote Access like I said, it sends SETUP on ISDN with no signalling digits, so I thought maybe it expects an immediate answer then it sends the other digits in-band as DTMF, but that seems not case either.

Curiously doing F84 Line Direct doesn't send any outbound digits on PRI either, when the same mechanism works for Line Divert out over AC15. It does say somewhere that there are no DTMF transceivers it generates an Event code, but no such Event code logged. It's always puzzled me why US docs on MICS refer to linepools called PRI-A, PRI-B, but they don't exist in the UK software.

In the meantime, I'll try Remote Access from AC15 to an analogue trunk line, and see whether the additional digits are sent as tones out the trunk line.

Many thanks

Andy

 

[Firebird Scrambler]

Morning Andy

No worries. I've checked out your software cartridge "30ArE01 NP03" that you mentioned about and I couldn't find it in the attached *.xls file that I've now zipped up for you.
The nearest model suggests that you have a Norstar Compact Plus 4.01 (Rlse 4) rather than a Modular system?.

The remote access is available via the use of a modified RAD that I've done on UK versions. Remote access is also available within the programming which can be confusing.

Have you tried messing about with Target lines to try and force any dialled digits across the AC15 link?.
As you have more than one Norstar unit, are you able to set up a test AC15 link between two Norstars?