root@gargoyle.uchicago.edu (Dave Madsen) (09/06/89)
I need to get a device that'll hook into an IBM type (preferably) PC, that'll do the following: 1) Call a specified phone number. 2) Return a status to me of BUSY, NO ANSWER, or ANSWER. 3) Repeat all these steps under computer control. Nope, this is not for illegal purposes, nor is it for telemarketing, an activity that *ought* to be illegal... At night, certain phone lines are supposed to be forwarded to *recordings*. This device would be used to check these lines to see if the lines are properly forwarded (ANSWER) or if someone forgot (NO ANSWER) or if we need to try again later (BUSY). Since this would happen at night, there's going to be nobody around to do the test, just a lonely computer. I'm not a telephone person, and have no idea of what kind of gear is out there. Do you know who has such stuff, so I could call them, or of any way I could find out who has equipment like this? Would a telemarketing equipment supplier have stuff like this? Do you know any dealers? (Although I hate supporting that industry). "Signed, Desperate" :-) Thanks very much! Dave Madsen ---dcm gargoyle.uchicago.edu!vijit!madsen (uucp) or madsen@vijit.chi.il.us (domain) This message claims to state the personal opinion of ONLY myself, and no other person or organization.
vances@xenitec.uucp (Vance Shipley) (09/08/89)
In article <telecom-v09i0355m04@vector.dallas.tx.us> vijit!root@gargoyle. uchicago.edu (Dave Madsen) writes: >At night, certain phone lines are supposed to be forwarded to *recordings*. >This device would be used to check these lines to see if the lines are >properly forwarded (ANSWER) or if someone forgot (NO ANSWER) or if we need to >try again >later (BUSY). Since this would happen at night, there's going to >be nobody around to do the test, just a lonely computer. It seems to me that what you really need is to ensure that the forwarding gets done to begin with. If you cannot ensure that someone will do it what you need is either a flexible 'night service' feature from your pbx or a 'network management' system for same. The night sevice feature would be the best way to go, as long as the time of day is correct (in the switch) it would be done without fail. If this isn't possible then a network management system that was compatible with your pbx (or centrex) could be used to alter the configuration on a schedule. To blow my own horn a minute we manufacture a network management system that (among other things) is capable of this sort of thing with northern telecom SL-1 pbx's. the product is called SwitchView. Now if i'm totally out to lunch on what you need then the pc board you descibe is manufactured by (among others) Dial-logic corp. Vance Shipley uucp: ..!{uunet!}watmath!xenitec!vances Linton Technology - SwitchView INTERNET: vances@egvideo.uucp 180 Columbia Street West (soon) vances@xenitec.uucp Waterloo, Ontario CANADA tel: (519)746-4460 N2L 3L3 fax: (519)746-6884 # if it ain't got an interface it ain't much use! #