NEC Phone System - Management Access

[Bobbeh]

Hello, looking for some advice please if anyone has any experience in this area!

 

We have an NEC SV8100 telephone system within our school. The LEA's chosen phone support company charge a crazy amount of money to make any sorts of changes.

 

Happily, so far we haven't had a great deal of problems but there is a slight change we could do with making to an extension. I think some minor changes I could possibly achieve myself if I had access to the system, however we have no access at all and the company are so far refusing to give me the login details which is very frustrating.

 

Is it unreasonable for us to have access to a system we own? They keep trying to fob me off with different excuses which is making me all the more keen to actually get the details. I can appreciate that in the wrong hands the system could be rendered unusable but it is our equipment!

 

Has anyone experienced this sort of thing before, if so how did you get round it?

 

Thanks!

[JordanT91]

We have a support contract with a local company but we actually own the equipment.

 

To find the IP address of the SV8100, on NEC phones (we have NEC DT700s) if you pull the power out then when it's rebooting if you press HOLD, TRANSFER, *, # repeatedly until it gets you into the service menu. Don't changed anything in this menu unless you know what you are doing. It will ask for a username which should be prefilled with ADMIN, the default password is 6633222. Go to 2 SIP Settings, 2 Server Address & URI, 1 1st Server Address. This will be the IP address of the SV8100 which you should be able to browse to on a PC.

 

Can I ask what you are going to change on an extension? The web interface is complicated and I might be able to help you with what you need rather than going in blind.

 

Edit: Of course you'll still need a username and password for the WebPro interface. You may have to be quite forceful with with the telecom company to get any credentials out of them but if it's your equipment and not leased they should give it to you or at least set you up with another account.

Edited March 14, 2016 by JordanT91

[TechMonkey]

Derailing slightly. How do you find the NEC system? It is one of our tenders and I'd never come across the system so real life usage would be welcome. We would be getting the new 3C system, so may not be what you have but a general feel for an NEC system would be nice.

[Bobbeh]

JordanT91, thanks for that. I managed to get the IP address as it's still the default, I just can't login. What we want to change is that we have an extension in the head's office that rings if the main office line isn't picked up within a certain number of rings. We would like that to happen on another extension as well.

 

TechMonkey, the NEC has worked fine so far. I don't think we are doing anything particularly exciting with it though. A mix of digital and analogue handsets. No VOIP or anything like that.

[JordanT91]

Derailing slightly. How do you find the NEC system? It is one of our tenders and I'd never come across the system so real life usage would be welcome. We would be getting the new 3C system, so may not be what you have but a general feel for an NEC system would be nice.

 

It does the job OK. We don't have anything too complex - we have mostly digital phones with 6 or so IP phones. If we had a larger environment or one where we need to make regular changes I would probably go with another system. The NEC SV8100 isn't really meant to be used by non-telecom engineers, I only really know how to do a few basic things like change extension numbers and names, ring loops etc. Personally, I like having more control over the things I'm responsible for.

[JordanT91]

JordanT91, thanks for that. I managed to get the IP address as it's still the default, I just can't login. What we want to change is that we have an extension in the head's office that rings if the main office line isn't picked up within a certain number of rings. We would like that to happen on another extension as well.

 

You may need to pay a one-off charge to get the support company to set you up with your own account, it is technically a change to the system. Have you looked into getting a support contract with the company? We took one out and it covers call out charges, hardware replacement, tech support etc. At ~£300/year it gives me confidence that any problems I come across that I don't have the knowledge to fix or any major changes to the system won't cost the school a fortune. Something to consider.

[Alis_Klar]

We are terndering for a new IP phone system. We stilll have a CENTREX analogue system here. Have had quote for NEC SL1100 and Mitel MiVoice Office 250. Als considering Polycom SIP handsets with Microsoft Cloud hosted PABX solution but UK this is a US only product due for UK release this year. May wait it out till then.

 

But in the meantime do you rate either ofthese options. I like the Microsft hosted PABX more because its not locking you in to one handset manufacturer you can use any Lync / Skype for Business acredited handset or even any SIP handset with a reduced featureset AFAIK. Correct me if i'm wrong?

 

Because we want to avoid vendor lock-in with Mitel I was thinking about using Microsoft Lync / Skype for Business.

 

The main hardware vendor for Lync seems to be Polycom. Also Skype for Business integrates with Office 365 which we are signing up for in April. We are looking to use Office 354 cloud PBX possibly.

 

Polycom VoIP Desk Phones for Skype for Business and Microsoft Lync - Products for Microsoft - Polycom, Inc.

Office 365 / Skype for Business Online Solutions

 

Not sure if a robust backup solution can be created with the above for times when our internet link goes down. Might we still require an onsite PBX with ISDN links?

 

 

Looks like MS Cloud PBX is still US only but a UK rollout looks set for this year.

 

Skype for Business Cloud PBX with PSTN Calling ? 5 Steps to Success | Mark Vale's Blog

[Bobbeh]

You may need to pay a one-off charge to get the support company to set you up with your own account, it is technically a change to the system. Have you looked into getting a support contract with the company? We took one out and it covers call out charges, hardware replacement, tech support etc. At ~£300/year it gives me confidence that any problems I come across that I don't have the knowledge to fix or any major changes to the system won't cost the school a fortune. Something to consider.

 

We have a support contract at present but it only covers issues with the existing system and setup. Any changes aren't covered no matter how minor and their fees seem quite high to me. I'm used to being able to sort most things myself with other systems we have, so it's quite frustrating not being able to even just take a look at this thing that we own.

[twin--turbo]

They may be able to provision different access levels.

 

Having administered Hicom, Samsung, Cisco, Astrisk, Avaya and Mitel over the years and none are without confusion and quirk.

 

One mistake can have assorted knock on effects and each system can be configured manyways to achieve a desired result. As such each company may do things different...

 

My fave, cisco callmanager.

 

At home, freepbx and mitel 3300cx for fun

[john]

We are terndering for a new IP phone system. We stilll have a CENTREX analogue system here. Have had quote for NEC SL1100 and Mitel MiVoice Office 250. Als considering Polycom SIP handsets with Microsoft Cloud hosted PABX solution but UK this is a US only product due for UK release this year. May wait it out till then.

 

But in the meantime do you rate either ofthese options. I like the Microsft hosted PABX more because its not locking you in to one handset manufacturer you can use any Lync / Skype for Business acredited handset or even any SIP handset with a reduced featureset AFAIK. Correct me if i'm wrong?

 

Because we want to avoid vendor lock-in with Mitel I was thinking about using Microsoft Lync / Skype for Business.

 

The main hardware vendor for Lync seems to be Polycom. Also Skype for Business integrates with Office 365 which we are signing up for in April. We are looking to use Office 354 cloud PBX possibly.

 

Polycom VoIP Desk Phones for Skype for Business and Microsoft Lync - Products for Microsoft - Polycom, Inc.

Office 365 / Skype for Business Online Solutions

 

Not sure if a robust backup solution can be created with the above for times when our internet link goes down. Might we still require an onsite PBX with ISDN links?

 

 

Looks like MS Cloud PBX is still US only but a UK rollout looks set for this year.

 

Skype for Business Cloud PBX with PSTN Calling ? 5 Steps to Success | Mark Vale's Blog

 

We use Polycom CX handsets with our on-premis Skype for Business, I tested a Polycom VVX handset and oh my it was awful its in a box in the junk room for if they actually improve it ever. Snom make S4B handsets if you get them with the Lync License and they work nicely

[MatthewL]

Surely its the schools phone system you are entitled to have the details so you can login. They will be stalling so they can keep making money from you.

[Alis_Klar]

We use Polycom CX handsets with our on-premis Skype for Business, I tested a Polycom VVX handset and oh my it was awful its in a box in the junk room for if they actually improve it ever. Snom make S4B handsets if you get them with the Lync License and they work nicely

 

Why do you say VVX are bad? Do you rate Yealink? Should/Could a school admin run a freepbx or asterisk themselves or is the main cost going to be handsets and SIP lines?

[john]

Why do you say VVX are bad? Do you rate Yealink? Should/Could a school admin run a freepbx or asterisk themselves or is the main cost going to be handsets and SIP lines?

 

Just such a poor interface and build quality wasn't what I expected for the cost and they are just not great so far hence it went back in its box. It is also very S4B client tied in which if you watn something similar to traditional PBX phone with hotkeys and functions its not for you the Snom is the one.

 

If I am using Skype for Business I'd take a CX handset ideally CX300 as its just a usb device and then probably use a Snom S4B approved phone for common areas etc... We have seen a high rate of failure of hook switches on CX600s, maybe we got unlucky but they are so over-engineered its crazy and a lot of folks won't use the built in calendar and features of a CX600 anyway I suspect.

@localzuk runs his own home brew PBX in his school I believe from past posts on this area

[twin--turbo]

Surely its the schools phone system you are entitled to have the details so you can login. They will be stalling so they can keep making money from you.

 

A mistake can be costly in terms of time to resolve a miss-configuration.

 

A small mistake could take lines off, take the system down, disrupt all service. And if your not experienced in trouble shooting the particular system then more damage can be done.

 

TT