atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Nortel Telephones & Systems MICS behind an Opt 81C

I'm new to this site so I hope this post makes sense. I work on custom voice switches for the FAA so my only experience with Nortel is an 8x24 DR2 that we use as an intercom between labs.

Our building is serviced by an opt 81c with Call Pilot VM. Every one in my group currently has an analog line at their desk with a flashing MWI from the 81c. I want to install a MICS "behind" the 81c just for our group but ,for security reasons, everyone's VM must continue to be provided by the 81c. If I do this, how will I get the MWI to show up on the Norstar phones? Will the LS/DS card even see the MWI or would I need a PRI?

Any insight would be GREAT! Thanks in advance.
-Joe

My best thought is you would have two phones on your desk if you have these restrictions.

The call can go to the MICS and to the s/l.

Turn off the ringer on the s/l.

Put each analog line on a ls/ds and assign it to appear and ring on your new MICS phone.

Use that line to call the voicemail extension.

Add any other lines you want to the MICS.

I think if you wish to have MWI from your CallPilot you have to connect Nortel and Opt. via PRI with MCDN networking on your Morstar and use SL-1 Integration to be able to use one Centralized VM.

The 8X24 does not support MCDN. The Option 81 would have to have appropriate networking software.

Everyone else is correct. I believe in simple solutions and assuming you have room on your desk for two phones, the current analog and an additional keyset, then commoning the s/l port onto an ls/ds card would give you the functionality you want without the expense of upgrading the Option.

With the way the economy is, I would rather have my government do the cheaper option and have two phones on the desk or put the s/l on a stand somewhere.

Or even cheaper, leave well enough alone! John C.

Hey, thanks for the advice all.

vad60: That's also what the option techs told me I would have to do

Old Bunnie: I like the economy of your idea (and so will my boss)... however I think I'm going build a homemade MWI Lamp. I just know someone's going to complain about having 2 phones.

So basically everyone in your group would have an analog extension from the 81C connecting into a CO port on the MICS. I assume one trunk per set?? Kind of a fake DID if you will.

Why not go into Telco options under Terminals and Sets and set "Extl VMsg set" to Yes. I've used it before for Telco provided voicemail. The MICS doesn't care where the message waiting signal is coming from as long as the lamp voltage from the 81C is close to what the CO provides, the message light should work on the MICS sets.

Won't work on 8x24, but MICS should not have a problem.

I may have done this years ago where you send the MWI to the analog port on the Option, the analog port then goes to a trunk card on the Norstar, you assign the trunk line to the Norstar set.
However I am not so sure DR2 offers Ext MWI so you might need DR5.

It would be easy to try a set to see if works since your sort of setup.

I think he would install a MICS, not use an 8x24 so this might work. And I learned a new trick with the External VM light, never used that before, thanks.