On Mon, 16 Aug 1999, Daniel A. Seagraves wrote:
> This SHOULD be on-topic, it DOES have a computer in it...
> Remember that Bell box I mentioned awhile ago? It turns out it's a Bell
> Dimension 400 PBX, and it's now mine. I got the console and boot tapes,
Nice.
> So anyway, the usual 30 questions bit:
>
> 1. So, what can I do with this besides take up space?
> Can I plug this into the phone network? I plan on toting it to work
> and putting it to use there, where a PBX is desperately needed...
> Otherwise, I guess I could run it non-connected, but it'd be a waste.
Install the sucker. I don't have direct experience with the Dimension
(its an AT&T...er Lucent product, well actually back then it was still
AT&T) but if you got the install manuals you can decipher it with enough
time and eventually become a k-rad PBX hacker with your very own switch.
Doing the wiring is relatively painless. Programming it is like learning
a new operating system, but from what I know the Dimensions are fairly
easy to configure, and have pretty nice features.
> 2. Is this hard to program? I haven't had time to read thru all the
> manuals yet. I got 7 different manuals:
>
> A. Dimension 400 PBX task lists and index
???
> B. How to operate the Dimension attendant console (etc.)
You'll need this to know how to operate the main switchboard, provided you
got it with the unit.
> C. A small flip-type card listing all the feature codes...
Good. This tells you how to access the features like three-way calling,
call forwarding, call pickup, trunk access, etc.
> D. Dimension 400 PBX detailed level procedures. (500-659)
> E. Dimension 400 PBX detailed level procedures. (660-793)
These are probably the installation and programming manuals.
> F. Customer order document. (I dunno what this is...)
Just an order form for ordering additional equipment (like phone sets,
trunk cards, etc).
> G. Schematic Drawings. (Don't worry, it's only block diagrams
> and general stuff, nothing really specific that I can see.)
Only useful if you're Tony Duell :)
> 3. Can I plug normal phones into this, or does it need special phones?
It depends. If you have analog station ports then yes, you can. If all
you have in it are proprietary digital station ports then you have to get
compatible proprietary phones for it. I can help you find some if this is
the case. The manuals should have an equipment card reference section
that will help you identify what line cards are in the system.
> I guess that's it. I'll learn a little more about it tomorrow when I fire
> it up...
E-mail me if you want help.
Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar_at_siconic.com
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Received on Mon Aug 16 1999 - 21:28:16 BST