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“Our Data-Link units allow us time to fix the problem or shut equipment down before the threshold where damage is likely to occur. Not knowing of high temperatures in our equipment rooms is a big deal. To avoid the loss of telephone service, the system’s ability to notify us of alarms is crucial.”
Terry Schimon - Telecom Network Specialist for Pierce County


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Asentria Data Buffers Collect and Transfer CDR/SMDR Call Data

 

Overview

Plug your PBX into an Asentria Data-Link data buffer then breathe a sigh of relief. You just prevented the loss of critical CDR data. Whether your company uses the data for billing clients, billing professional services, billing tenants, productivity reporting or analyzing trunk traffic, data buffers play a critical role in the collection and transfer of data within a TeleManagement call accounting system.


Solution

Data-Link prevents data loss that can occur if you rely solely upon your PBX and a PC.


You have three choices for transferring CDR:

  • Serial
  • Modem
  • Network connection

Serial Data Connections

Serial connections utilize direct RS-232 cable connections. This is referred to as an in-line data buffering mode. Typically, data from the PBX enters the Asentria Data-Link data buffer through one serial port and exits unchanged through a different serial port. If for some reason the receiving device stops working, Data-Link automatically stores the data in its internal memory until the connection is restored, and will send you an alarm when it recognizes that the flow of data has been interrupted.


Modem Data Transfers and Leveraging the Power of the Internet

Data-Link is a “Pollable” device as it is capabile of being queried for its data. Modem data transfers can utilize Xmodem or more advanced network protocols such as PPP and FTP over a phone line. For example, the Data-Link Pollable Remote Access Unit can dial out with its internal modem and make a connection to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and initiate data transfers over the Internet. This transfer method can save a substantial amount of money if a company is managing several PBXs, with each data polling incurring long-distance charges via modem. That is because the phone (modem) connection to an ISP is made at a local phone rate. Call Accounting Service Bureaus are a good example of a type of company that can benefit greatly from PPP data transfers.


Network Polling and Data Transfers Initiated by Data-Link, not the Telecom Manager

TCP/IP network polling, which Asentria pioneered several years ago, allows FTP, Telnet, and PPP polling at faster transfer rates and lower costs. It's the best thing going. The Data-Link product line provides FTP auto push. This data transfer method, which is probably the most popular today, is actually initiated by the Data-Link unit - on a schedule that you define. For example, Data-Link will initiate a network connection with your server and "push" its stored data out to the call accounting application.


IP Record Collection™ (IPRC)

Asentria introduced the first data buffer with IPRC, the Data-Link DL150, which can query IP-based PBXs for CDR data via direct network connection (instead of RS-232). This enables you to avoid costly, custom programming. DL150 queries IP-PBXs for CDR so you don't have to develop sophisticated software to communicate in the proprietary protocol of the IP-PBX.


Mixing it up - Using Multiple Data Transfer Methods

Data-Link allows you to utilize different schedules and data transfer methods for each serial port that is collecting data. For example, data collected in the Data-Link I/O port 2 (CDR from the PBX) can be sent to call accounting software, while data collected in I/O port 4 (traffic data from the PBX) can be sent to the telecom manager responsible for that data. Data-Link accomplishes this by utilizing different storage "files" for each serial data input. This keeps the incoming data sources separate, while allowing more data-transfer flexibility for the end user. You can also use a combination of data transfer methods. So, if your network goes down, the data can automatically transfer to your server via modem!


Benefits

  • A utomatically handles data collection for accurate and unfailing storage of call records for legacy PBX, IP telephony, and fixed and mobile wireless call accounting environments.
  • Allows you to avoid long distance phone charges, which limits your charges to the cost of the Internet service.
  • TCP/IP network polling allows FTP, Telnet, and PPP polling at faster transfer rates and lower costs.
  • Avoid costly, custom programming. DL150 queries IP-PBXs for CDR so you don't have to develop sophisticated software to communicate in the proprietary protocol of the IP-PBX.
  • Using a combination of data transfer methods, if your network goes down, the data can automatically transfer to your server via modem.

The Company

Asentria develops remote site monitoring and telemanagement solutions that enable providers of critical communications infrastructure to more efficiently and reliably run their networks. Asentria’s products help ensure quality of service and lower operational costs, while making it easier to provision, maintain and support remote equipment. Our strategic solutions fit both large and small communication networks and provide high-value, cost-effective and competitive differentiators to our customers.


Asentria helps administrators cost-effectively manage their call reporting data and remote site infrastructure, while extending confidence and security to ensure availability, integrity and performance. Asentria enables administrators to avoid failures from poor performing equipment that threaten end-user service expectations, while providing better control to predict the performance of remote infrastructure. These new levels of protection shield end-users from remote site equipment failure. Our service provider and enterprise customers trust their remote equipment sites to Asentria. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.