I have finally gotten around to exploring this Panasonic system and I've gathered up enough experience to ask a few questions. Here's what I've got:
Panasonic KX-TD816 w/ KX-TD160, KX-TD170 and KX-TD180 (that would be the doorbell gadget, extension expander and CO line expander.)
ROM ver: -----P401A60905A
One older Panasonic key phone for programming (model # not handy, one of the simpler Easa-Phone series) - it doesn't have the programming
keys labeled but I've figured out most of the equivalents.
Many manuals in PDF form
My main area of concern is the function the serial/RS-232 port. I know that nearly everything can be programmed from the key phone but I'd like to take advantage of the PC-based management that's there. Also, I'm not able to input extension names (or other text) on the phone I have. I think it may lack the necessary buttons(s.) I can provide the model # later - it was not one that was spec'd in the manual(s.)
When I first started experimenting with the KSU, I was able to read the settings dumps you can initiate with a command from the key set. Then I got the bright idea of doing a factory reset (hey I was feeling confident) and now I can't get anything more out of it. The serial port is not broken or misconfigured, as I am able to use a demo copy of the "Programmator" software just fine (more on that later.) Attaching a PC terminal program to it, I get only the periodic output of the modem init string programmed into the T816. This would suggest there's a setting that determines whether there's a modem or local console attached but if there is, I have not found it.
One very odd thing (to me) about the serial port function is that the programming mode is initiated by a keypress (or other data) only within 10 seconds of _plugging in the serial cable._ Otherwise, it's stuck in printer output mode for call logging, etc. until the cable is removed and re-attached again. This is documented in the manual. I assume it's relying on the carrier-detect signal to make this decision, as I can pull the cable and re-attach it if I want to use Programmator. I've never seen a device that acts this way - or do I have it all wrong? Is there a way to get it back into programming mode without physically removing/re-attaching the cable It would seem that would increase wear or risk of electrical damage to the KSU, not to mention being hard to do when you're not local.
Assuming the KSU is functioning normally, what should appear on the serial port in programming mode? Is there an interactive command set, a menu, a language? I don't have a serial sniffer handy or I'd watch what Programmator is doing. I can hit Enter or any other key (or control character) all night long and it doesn't make a blip.
On the topic of software, while Programmator works, it's a 14-day trial. I have read that there were various dealer tools for programming the D816/D1232, as well as a later Unified Console from Panasonic that may have talked to this model in its older versions. I understand that Unified Console is a licensed product, but are there any old versions available that Panasonic has abandoned that work with this unit? (I believe I read that later ones dropped support for the KX-TD series?)
I know there are copies of the older tools, as well as the Console product, "out there," but as I understand it they do not work with US-model systems. And I don't really want to turn my home network
into a Russian bot-net
Any advice on the issues above, or any other interesting tips on the KX-TD series, is appreciated. This guy will be the backbone of my home system, eventually talking to Asterisk and 1A2 equipment and of
course many, many telephones...
