Phone System Connection To ISDN

[ChrisH]

We've had the phone line moved and the ISDN lines have been moved as well, we have an ancient Avaya IP500 system which only runs IP phones now. We have got rid of the old digital phones so there is now minimal connections needed to the unit (ISDN and Network). Now the plan was that I would check the cabling of the ISDN boxes at the back of the cabinet but when I tried to get in there the builders were cutting a channel in the floor, the next time I got there the BT engineer was already in there and had disconnected them . The BT Engineer couldn't test the line properly without it being connected to the equipment, which was still in the old location until today. Anyway I have moved the Avaya IP500 and have it connected to one port on the IP500 giving me 2 lines (blue lead). I have no idea if I need more connection from the ISDN boxes to the IP500 or not, I have tried every combination I can think of but it's not happy with anymore connections to and from the boxes. Can anyone point me in the right direction here please?

 

[john]

Each NTE should have 1 cable from it to the PBX in my experience of other PBXs, last one I fitted the site had 4 Channels of ISDN2E and each NTE did 2 of them so was 2 cables one in each in that PBX. It also mirrored how it was on the old PBX and worked fine so would think you need the same unless its configured differently on your install to that site.

[robk]

Make sure you have the old patch cables for the isdn... I had to make up isdn crossover cables for our hipath system.

 

Guessing you have 4 outside lines? In which case I would expect a patch cable from each isdn nte to the switch.

 

The ISDN connections are not on the back of the unit are they?

[Blue_Cookeh]

The ISDN connections are not on the back of the unit are they?

 

That's an ISDN2e compatible card (BRI) in his Avaya unit. Ports 1-8 are digital phone outputs and 9-12 are ISDN. As far as I know each of the four ISDN ports should be able to support 2 channels.

 

It's probably a configuration problem on the Avaya unit, particularly as it's seeing the connection (the green light) to the NTE. You should download the Avaya administrator's toolkit and use IP Office Manager to look at the configuration of that ISDN port. IIRC the toolkit also has a live log viewer so you can see what the unit is doing in realtime when (like a call) happens.

 

As much as I like BT after leaving them on good terms, their engineer could have very easily tested the ISDN line. BT engineers are given equipment for this purpose... unsure of Kelly Communications etc.

 

Off topic but tbf, it may be old now but that Avaya system is still very powerful and I'd be hesitant to remove it for another good few years yet!

Edited February 15, 2018 by Blue_Cookeh

[ChrisH]

Thanks for all the replies, yes 9-12 should be the ISDN ports, currently I can plug into 9 or 10 (Not both)on the Avaya to get 2 phone lines, if I try anymore cables it stops working. I had a quick look at the cable and assumes it was just a normal patch lead??? I will check again tomorrow morning when I can get away with unplugging it.

[ChrisH]

Okay here's a question, if both boxes are working, should I be able to get a connection from either with the same cable? I would assume the Avaya config should not affect this?

[robk]

Okay here's a question, if both boxes are working, should I be able to get a connection from either with the same cable? I would assume the Avaya config should not affect this?

 

I would expect at least a link light from both boxes. Are all 4 lines the same number/batch of numbers?

 

If so I would expect to be able to plug the working patch cable into ether NTE and get 2 working lines.

 

If you can't it sounds like a duff NTE but you do have a green light on each box which is a good sign.

[ChrisH]

The green light on the other box is a slow flashing like the other when unplugged, but when you plug into it, it is rapid flashing.

[john]

The green light on the other box is a slow flashing like the other when unplugged, but when you plug into it, it is rapid flashing.

 

Rapid flash isn't good.

 

http://www.avalontele.com/file/how2-check-isdn-2e.pdf

 

Sounds like that is your issue IMHO.

[ChrisH]

Okay I had a play this morning with the monitor on and managed to decipher some of the output, it mostly spams this:

 

    159587mS ISDNL1Evt: v=3 peb=3,F6 F8

 

The F6 and F8 indicate it is synchronised but lost framing. Does this sound like a line fault or an issue communicating with the IPO?

[john]

No support from the PBX Support firm I take it to get them to swap the card just-incae?

 

I assume if you swap them over the error follows the ports? If so I'd say line provider if the fault is always the same port on the PBX maybe the card / config derpy?

[ChrisH]

Yes one box will work in port 9 or 10 but the other will not work in any of the 4 ports even when plugged in on its own. The support for this is a bit of a minefield for various reasons but I just wanted to check it wasn't something simple before we got charged for it.

[john]

Yes one box will work in port 9 or 10 but the other will not work in any of the 4 ports even when plugged in on its own. The support for this is a bit of a minefield for various reasons but I just wanted to check it wasn't something simple before we got charged for it.

 

I'd suggest then its carrier fault so back to OR