sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Nortel Telephones & Systems Norstar CICS 8x16 setup tips?

Since the ancient Octel VMX100 connected to our equally old DK280 died recently, we will use a refurb Norstar CICS 8x16 (7.1) and CallPilot 100 R3.1 to tide us over while we evaluate moving to a VOIP system.

Since I've not programmed Norstar before (Definity G3i/AUDIX was the last serious phone stuff I did before dealing with the DK280 and VMX100), any helpful tips are much appreciated.

Is the initial system programming best done from a phone or from a PC with NRU? (assuming that the I-RAD is activated on this system).

I have downloaded and read the installer's guide for 7.1, and setup seems fairly straightforward.

Any tips and/or assistance are much appreciated.

Thanks,
Barrey

The I-Rad should be active if it is 7.1 software. I would program the phones thru the sets instead of NRU. On the Call Pilot you can use the GUI interface to program.

Ok, another Q:

The current extensions run 101-123, and mgmt wants to keep the extension numbering the same to avoid changing biz cards.

I found a thread elsewhere that suggested this:

<CODE>
This has been resolved by configuring the CP to be VM, once up and running, gointo the browser and change it to CP Interface, change the NAME & SPECIAL PREFIX from 11 & 19 to 80 & 81, then get out of the browser, change Call Park to 5 or 6 (it doesn't matter which one), Line pool codes 90, 91 etc...
8 is then reserved. Go back into the browser and change the interface back to VM, and everything seams to be working. I have it working as so:
MICS 6.1 w/ CP 150
1-PRI (PRI-A + 90)
4-Loop (Pool A = 91)
Park = 5
D-Dial = 0
Group List =7
NAME = 80
SPECIAL PREFIX = 81
General Delivery MBox 100
Sys Co MBox 102
All Ext. + MBox 110-132
</CODE>

Will try this and report back, but further suggestions are appreciated.

-Barrey

From what I understand, that thread has "zip" to do with the extension numbering.

If you're not familiar with Norstar, I highly recommend getting a trained installer in there to set this up for you....otherwise you'll be doing a lot of :bang:

If your CICS is indeed an "8x16" (not expanded), then it won't be large enough to suit your needs with 23 extensions as the max is 16. Even with an expansion card it'll still only give you a total of 24 extensions and keep in mind Call Pilot will take up 2, so in effect you're already over max.

You'll also need enough MB's on the Call Pilot to accommodate the 23 extensions.

Persoannly I would have gone to a MICS with CP150, but it's your money, not mine...

You have to do that to assign MBs from 101 to 109.
But you have to keep that to VM interface . as soon as you change VM back to CP the numbers 11 & 19 comes back. You don't have to change Pool access code if you don't want to. But MT is right that system is already small for your App.

Dave -

Thanks for the info.

A slight clarification. While there are xx extensions in the current DK280, there are only 15 phones active, and this is all that we will need for the new system as well. Sorry for the confusion.

Of those, only 8 or 9 will have VM.

Of the current extension numbers, many do not actually have phone ports assigned, and are used for VM transfer and such.

This system will be in place for a fairly short period of time while we look at the options for a VOIP system that will fully integrate with Exchange 2007 Unified Messaging, since we are a MSFT systems house and want to use the products we sell. As such, we wanted to limit the capital outlay. We typically have 3-6 people in the office at a time, and of those, usually 2-3 on the phone at any particular time.

We may actually get an installer for the initial system setup, since I have a baby due any day now and may not be available when the system arrives.

I still want to learn as much as I can about it, since I'll be handling the system admin tasks.

Thanks,
Barrey

That makes more sense now. Yes it would be well your while to get an installer in there to set it up and well worth an hour or two of his time to teach you how to do whatewver you'll need to know.

He may or may not be willing to show you anything on the "Installers" section of programming, but he'll teach you to be the "System Co-ordinator" & with that you can do most everything anyway.

Thanks to both of you for the info, it's been quite helpful.

One question that comes to mind is regarding the CallPilot 100:

What are the major differences between VM and CP interface modes on this?

Does CP mode enable the use of the advanced features/apps (that we have not licensed and likely don't need)?

If it's easier to point me at a document or URL, that's fine...

Thx,
Barrey

There is no difference in operation.

NVM interface emulates Norstar Voice Mail access codes while CP interface emulates the CP mini for Option phone systems.