Branch phone exchanges (PBX) typically use the serial RS232c (or RS-232) interface for exchange of billing data. Data format depends on the PBX type, but mostly the exchange can be connected to a printer or a PC with application software that loads ongoing call accounting data. In this application, it is cost-effective to replace the remote PC with a dedicated remote buffer box, which stores call data records from the phone exchange when the PC is turned off or busy. The buffer can be connected to the phone exchange using the RS-232 or RS-485 interface.
Let's take an example of a phone switch located in the basement of a building. The installation of more cables, converters or flash memory for transmitting data represents extra cost. The data recorder eliminates these extra costs by simply connecting the RS-232 port of the switch to the buffer's RS-232 serial port. The Ethernet interface of the buffer box is then connected to the intranet. So if you already have the Ethernet network wired in the building, the buffer price is the only cost.
The billing data is stored in 2,048 kB flash buffer in the device. Using space compression, the data of up to 20,000 / 80,000 phone calls can be stored. The data collected in the internal buffer is accessible over the intranet using TCP/IP interfaced to the call accounting application.
Whenever the PortStore “buffer” is about 75% full, it sends an email to the person responsible for running the accounting application. If the responsible person is not available (for example on vacation), the “Buffer” sends an email to the second listed address to alert when 10 % of the capacity remains.
The PortStore2 data recorder does not send an email but starts to attemp to send data by TCP connection to predefined IP addres in "RAW format" - TCP Client/Server mode.
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A branch telephone exchange (PBX) is located in the basement of a building. The nearest PC could be up to 5 to15 meters (16.4 to 49.2 feets) away, which is the maximum recommended distance for RS232. However, Ethernet is installed because of the existence of a network router or switch for the local intranet. - The worker evaluating phone bills, other account information or telemanegement over an intranet is located in another building in the same area.
- Data can be safely exchanged all over the various points on the intranet/Internet using TEA encryption. The PortStore and PortStore2 buffers are independent net devices, which do not require any other support hardware.
List of Supported PBXs (not completed)
- 2N: Ateus series
- Alcatel: Omni PCX Office series, 4100 series, 4200 series, 4400 series, 4520, 5200 series, Office series, S12b, Telic
- Avaya: Definity series, MERLIN LEGEND, EUROGENERIS series, INDeX, Magix, MLX
- Ascom: Ascotel 2020
- Asconn: CONNEX series
- Atlas: Hymax series
- Bosch: Integral series
- DeTeWe: VARIX series, VARIX CONTENT series
- Ericsson: BP series, MD110
- Fujitsu: F9600
- Inter-tel: Axxess series
- Kapsch: DKS-200, MERIDIAN series, Midistar, BusinessPhone series, MD-110
- LG: ARIA, GHX series, GSX series, STAREX ACS, Starex
- Lucent (AT&T): DEFINITY series, EUROGENERIS, G3i, MERLIN LEGEND series, PARTNER series
- NEC: NEAX series, Electra Elite, Electra Elite IPK, Aspire
- Nitsuko: NEC DXE 32, DX2E, 43, 64
- Nortel: Matra, Meridian, Norstar
- Panasonic: DBS series, KX-T series, KX-TD series, KX-TA series, KX-TDA series, TD series
- Phillips: SOPHO iS3000 series, ISO3010
- Samsung: SKP 36 HX, SKP 816 series, DCS-828, Inforex
- Siemens: Hicom 1xx series, Hicom 300 series, HiPath series, Rolm
- Tesla: UE series
- TIE: ONYX VS, TCX series
- Toshiba: Strata CTX, DK, CTX
- and more...