Let me start out by saying that to call me a novice in telephony would be putting it mildly. That being said, I beg your indulgence if my ignorance shows. I'm an IT infrastructure manager for a company with a Norstar Plus Modular ICS. I noted the following modules attached to it: MOX16 (7), MOX8A, and MOX8AM. We are running CallPilot 100/150. The web interface reports we are using Voice Mail Version: 31.10.14.22.

My question is what needs to be backed up on this system and how often do you recommend running backups? Many times when our phone system vendor works on our system we end up losing all our voicemail and the configuration for the system.

I found in the CP 100/150 Installation and Maintenance Guide how to back up CallPilot, but this is a manual process that takes the system offline. Is that the only option? Ideally, I'd like perform backups in a fashion similar to that used for our company's servers or maybe some sort of file copy that I can run routinely. Beyond CallPilot are there other aspects of the system that I should be backing up? If so, how should I do that?

Thanks very much for your assistance and forebearance!

KY Dilbert
Lexington, KY

Manual backup is the only way I know.

I would think even if you do a backup of both prior to your vendor doing whatever he's doing, restoring the backup might undo something that he's done. Depending on what he's doing, he should do a backup of the system if needed. The VM is your responsibility for backing up normally.

I suggest when the vendor is in, test it all before he leaves.

I don't know what is your tech doing that system loosing all Programs and VMs. Only system start up and VM Reinstall would effect on your program. I might assume that system may loos some program on the Power down condition but that means that your memory cartrige doesn't hold a memory and has to be repaired. Otherwise both system and VM have a Flash memory cartrige and not supposed to loos programming.

You need a new phone system vendor.

A good interconnect company would make sure that the tech always checks out with the system administrator before leaving site.

I have to agree with Danny. Time for a new vendor.

Both the Call Pilot and the ICS can be backed up. You have an expanded ICS and it may be worth backing up. The procedures programs and equipment are different for both. Find a vendor willing to provide this guidance!

This brings up another question (perhaps worthy of another thread)...if you back up an MICS with PRI keycodes installed, when you restore the back-up will the key codes/PRI still be there? I have an MICS that has to be repaired (backplane), but I do not have the keycodes (client trade-in). I know PRI is installed and would hate to lose it upon sending the box in for repair...?

Thank you everyone for your responses! I will definitely pass on your recommendation.