We had a lot of requests for examples of telneting into the SG Voice switches, so we though we would do a quick video on that process. The V switch is a very different animal from the rest of the SG family. Basically, a small Linux server lives inside the switch and contains a Flash memory card to hold Automated Attendant and Voice Mail for users assigned to that “server”. There are some characteristics about the V switch that you [...]

Generally, we do not fill out  forms given to us by Carriers.   Most Carrier forms use nomenclature that is “Marketing Speak” and not technically driven.   It seems we have 100 different ways to refer to a TDM with PRI signalling and only one of them means anything to an engineer.   There are a variety of new delivery methods being offered to clients for PRI service and it is important to understand exactly what type of circuit you [...]

Both models of the ShoreTel VG90 and VG50 are availabe in V switch configurations.   The V switch configuration enables you to provide local voice mail and autoamted attendant functionality to a smalll site economically.  Compared to the cost of adding a distributed voice mail server, the SG50V and SG90V are economically viable alaternatives that should be considered as you plan for resilency and site continuity during a WAN outage. Due to the CF card capacity, daily backup of  voice [...]

Most ShoreTel System Administrators learn early on that the “Quick Look” link in the ShoreWare Director is your best friend! After all, telephony trouble indications are easy to spot: Green is good, Red is Bad and yellow means “something needs attention”. At the first report of a trouble indication, a System Administrator will bring up a browser and get to the log in screen of the Shoreware Director portal. Quick Look, Under the Maintenance section of the administrator portal, provides [...]

In both ShoreTel Release 8 and 9 there is a very interesting behavior that will ultimately bring a client call to your support center.   The behavior is most obvious in a multi-site deployment in which there is only one HQ server providing voice mail services.    A call to a user at a remote site, is RNA (i.e. ring no answer) transferred to the voice mail system.   The call entered the system on a PRI at the remote [...]

Lately the subject of ShoreTel Route Points and IRN’s has been getting a lot of “mind share” from those working with them.   Two questions:  How many Route Points can a ShoreTel server support?  How many IRN’s can an ECC support?  How many DNIS numbers can a ShoreTel support.   Seems like a simple set of questions, but the answers are something like “herding cats”.    Route Points are used in a ShoreTel system to accomplish call routing and TAPI [...]

ShoreTel will often have a controlled release of software.   For example, Version 9.0 might be shipping to new clients but will not be availalbe to existing installations until it is declared GA.    Existing clients with a compelling need, could always obtain the upgrade, but it would be subjected to the terms of a controlled release.  Over the years I have observed that an 8.0 release, for example, never goes GA, but becomes 8.1 when it does.   With [...]

Fax Machines on ShoreTel?   It is not uncommon for system administrators to create a user named FAX SEVER, then define it as EXTENSION ONLY.    Though I personally have been trying to eliminate all the forest eating fax machines and printers on the planet, it would appear that Fax machines are going to be with us for quite some time.   Even with a fax server, people want to stick a piece of paper into the machine and watch [...]

Microsoft Office Communications is a powerful collaboration tool. The MOCS provides web conferencing, IM, audio conferencing, desktop sharing and also provided SIP. For purposes of this brief discussion, we will stay focused on the Internet Messaging component of MOCS. With the Release of ShoreTel 8+, the Professional Call Manager provides both desktop to desktop video conferencing and Internet Messaging. The Internet Messaging component makes use of a Microsoft OCS server and the ShoreTel solution integrates the solution as an application [...]

One of the more interesting aspects of PBX system installation in general and ShoreTel in particular, is the subject of Legacy PBX integration. There are a variety of reasons that a new ShoreTel installation might need to integrate with the old, in place or “legacy” PBX phone system. You might be installing the ShoreTel at the first location of a multi-site installation with the rest of the sites coming on line as older equipment leases expire. PBX’s typically use a [...]