We are having difficulty with a T1. Each time the provider tests it, a barrage of calls go to our operator. It's annoying. Of course, the test patterns don't match anything in our routing table, so they default to the operator. Is there a wildcard function that can be added to the table at the end of the list? Can they be dumped into the DMZ of the PBX?

You can put a + as a pattern at the end of your call routing tables. Anything that doesn't match including no digits sent will go to the destination for the + signal. Create a CRA with no greetings that just times out to hang up. Make this the destination for the + entry.

Awesome. I'm being a bit more devious. If I have it immediately disconnect, the provider tests may not work. So I've sent it to an endless loop of the attendant recording.

Thank you, sir.

A little clarification:

Routing tables should always end with entries + then E. The + entry routes calls presented with digits that don’t find a match in the routing table. The E entry routes calls presented with no digits. An E call doesn’t equal a + call.

As far as routing these calls to an endless loop, I’d rethink that strategy. If you get slammed with phantom calls, you’ll tie up all your voice mail ports. Once that happens, users can’t access voice mail, and then calls get routed to the primary attendant.

A much better idea would be routing calls to a CRA with a short greeting, and then drop the call.

Excellent information. I will take your advice on the loop.

Thank you