( " ) * + , Copyright © 2004 jshelton.com; all rights reserved. This document may not be reproduced without permission, though small quotations for review purposes may be used without permission. The trademarks Merlin, Spirit, and Partner are owned by Avaya, the successor to AT&T & Lucent. Please send suggestions for enhancement to john@jshelton.com. "- ., Several of the illustrations are from older AT&T and Lucent manuals available from the Avaya.com website.
/ * 1 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................... 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 2 WHY THIS WAS WRITTEN ..................................................................................... 1 THE PARTNER CONCEPT ....................................................................................... 1 THE MANUFACTURERS .........................................................................................
5.9 5.10 5.11 6 PARTNER II ATTENDANT.................................................................................... 39 PARTNER REPORTER .......................................................................................... 39 PARTNER PASSAGEWAY .................................................................................... 39 WIRING................................................................................................................... 40 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.
, FIG. 1. FIG. 2. FIG. 3. FIG. 4. FIG. 5. FIG. 6. FIG. 7. FIG. 8. AT&T 1A2 KEY SYSTEM TELEPHONE (565) ........................................................ 4 AT&T COMKEY SYSTEM ..................................................................................... 4 AT&T CLASSIC MERLIN PHONE .......................................................................... 5 COMPARISON CHART, PARTNER SYSTEMS ............................................................ 6 FIVE-SLOT CARRIER, 2-SLOT CARRIER .........
/ TABLE 1: PARTNER 5-SLOT CARRIER VERSIONS ................................................................... 8 TABLE 2: PARTNER BASIC SOFTWARE RELEASES ................................................................. 9 TABLE 3: PARTNER PLUS SOFTWARE RELEASES ................................................................... 1 TABLE 4: PARTNER II SOFTWARE RELEASES ........................................................................ 2 TABLE 5: PARTNER ENDEAVOR SOFTWARE RELEASES .......................
# 0 . " ## 1 I am a telephone hobbyist. My professional work is not related to telephone installation. In my spare time, I have tinkered with telephones for the last 40 years. In the 1990, AT&T introduced the Partner phone system, aimed at small business and upscale residential markets. The Merlin phone system introduced a half-dozen years prior was evolving to larger sizes and more complex systems, leaving a gap at the small end.
While Partner started with only two system phones, the MLS-6 and -12, it soon added phones with more programmable buttons, and added a display. At introduction, Partner was a “poor cousin” to Merlin, but during the 1990s, Partner grew to have more user-oriented features than Merlin. Merlin evolved to handle more complex situations such as multi-office networking. Appendix A, “Comparison of Avaya phone offerings,” on page 44, offers a detailed comparison between Avaya’s current offerings.
part of Lucent was spun off. The move allowed Avaya to singularly focus on the needs of enterprise customers. Avaya separated from Lucent on Sept. 30, 2000 and began operating as an independent company. 1 More importantly, Avaya continues the Partner ACS system. # . " The old “Bell System” (AT&T, Western Electric, etc.) provided multi-line phone systems to users from the 1930s through the 1970s.
, # /) / # 2 + 34546 In the 1970s, AT&T introduced the ComKey system (an update to the 1A2 system with a few more features) and the Horizon system, about which I know very little. , /) / * 2 AT&T’s first true Electronic Key Telephone System was the Merlin, introduced in 1984, and through evolution, still made today.2 (See “Overview of Merlin Phone Systems” from this same author.
, /) / * " ' + Soon after, AT&T introduced Spirit, for very small systems. The Spirit system had some design defect which caused AT&T to cease manufacture in a short time, and was the basis of a class action lawsuit. AT&T settled with discount coupons for maintenance or additional parts.3 Spirit was a featurepoor system, and of little interest here. Partner replaced Spirit, and continues to present-day; it has also replaced smaller Merlin systems.
/ Partner systems are built using 1 – 10 Partner circuit cards, assembled into a Carrier (or pair of carriers.) In the sections below, we describe the whole package (system), and introduce the circuit cards. Many of the cards are usable in later systems, but are only described in the section corresponding to the system in which they were first introduced. For each system, we identify the different processor releases. Each release adds functionality or support for new modules or accessories.
connects to the local electrical supply via a power cord, or via the carrier’s internal electrical supply bus.
/ #& * 4< " * No locking tabs; modules are restrained by friction and installation of cover. Note open top: For Partner II only, a second carrier for the expansion processor and cards. Not clear if this is different in any way than the original carrier, but AT&T documented it as a separate gadget. Improved carrier that does not require a cover. Locking tabs keep modules in place. There is more space between modules to improve airflow. Color photo shows cover installed.
table-top, but 2-card systems were only designed to be wall mounted, to allow for heat dissipation. The Partner Basic was designed for end-user installation. The processor was based on the 80C321 microcontroller with 8K RAM and 64K ROM. / & > " ( 1990.Oct !" . " . , " Call restrictions Speed dialing Ringing options 1991.Apr #!" Adds support for 200 module PBX & Centrex support Adds support for MLC-6 cordless phone 1993.
from Basic to Plus. From the beginning, Partner Plus supported display phones, and required a display phone at extension 10 for programming. The Plus processor included a jack for paging, and an RCA jack for music on hold input. The processor was based on Motorola’s 68000 microprocessor. Partner Plus allowed use of the 5-slot carrier for greater expansion in addition to supporting the two-slot carrier, supporting several modules adding line and station ports. See section 2.8, “Partner Modules,” on page 10.
/ & ( . " . 1990.Oct , " Original release. Supported MLS-12, -12D, and -6 Only 206 cards supported. Maximum 8x24 configuration 1991.May # Support for MLS-34D, MLC-6 phones Support for 206 board Maximum 8x24 configuration Support for Partner Plus Attendant. 1992.Jun $ Support for 400 board Maximum 12 line support Support for CA-24 “Call Assistant” direct station selection. Added SMDR port to processor $! 1993.Oct Support for 206E and 400E boards !" 1994.Aug ?? ! 1995.
, 5 / :+ & . . 00 00 ( 1991.Sep . " . , " Original release Support for MLS and MLC phones 1991.Nov Specialized for use behind Centrex. I have found little information for this release. # ?? $ 1992.July Support for 206EC and 400EC modules; caller ID Voice Mail with external Partner Mail system $! 1993.Oct Hospitality Features !" 1994.Aug Support for Hybrid mode Support for MDC and MDW cordless phones Support for new Partner Mail VS module !" ! ?? ?? ! 1996.
5 ? . Compared to Partner ACS (see below), the Partner Endeavor, introduced later, was somewhat crippled. Only two releases of Endeavor were made, starting in 1998.Aug. A colleague reports: The Endeavor was made concurrently with the ACS. It was originally supposed to be available through distributors such as Graybar for Non-Business Partners, before the current Business Partner model was in place. It is truly strange equipment, and I'm glad that it is no longer made.
/ 4& ? . ( , " . " . !" 1998. Original release ! ?? Avaya Beep Code Table shows 1.1 release, but no documentation found. 1999.
Grounding connection, important for protection. (See section 6.4, “Ground wiring,” page 41, for more information.) Contact Closure jack – for connecting up to 2 contact closure devices (See section 5.1, “Contact Closure,” page 36 for more detail.) SMDR port – for connecting a printer or PC to log calls. (See section 5.3, “SMDR Logging” on page 36.) Two PCMCIA (PC Card) slots for added functionality. (See section 2.7.1, “Partner ACS PC Cards,” on page 8.
/ 5& * ( , 5 " . " . !" 1997.Jan Original release Initial features similar to final features from Partner II, with addition of features to support Contact Closure. ! #!" ?? Support for Partner Voice Messaging PC Card release 1.0 1997.Nov Automatic System Answer to help answer and route calls. Direct Extension Dial to allow callers to dial an extension or help group directly without the aid of the receptionist. Line Pooling to create up to four groups, or pools, of multiple outside lines.
( , 5 " . " . !" Support of the 1600 DSL module, a module that contains up to 16 lines on one line jack. Caller ID name and number appear on display telephones while a call is ringing. Newly designed [5-slot] carrier, requiring no cover. Dial plan increased to support 48 stations. !" Support of the 012E module, a module that increases the maximum extension capacity to 48. Support of the Endeavor 362EC module, enabling PARTNER® Endeavor telephones to function with PARTNER ACS.
Partner ACS can use all previous Partner modules, and has added several new ones supported by the ACS processor. See section 2.8, “Partner Modules,” on page 10. ;# * * * . Like the Endeavor, Partner ACS includes a pair of PC card slots allowing for expanded functionality. Using PC cards, owners can improve their system without needing to add modules. Available PC Cards include: "" $ + , . – One time use card upgrades processor from older release to newer release. Even original ACS Release 1.
SMDR waits until the call is completed and then sends all the data for the entire call.7 , = &' ( ' ) ; * * * &+ ) , & . Though it’s possible, and relatively easy, to administer features from stations 10 or 11 using a Partner display phone, one can also administer the system using Partner ACS PC Administration software, downloadable from Avaya.com. It requires a remote administration card to be installed in the ACS processor, and a Windows PC with a modem.
, % + " 8 * . The current release (R6) can administer Partner ACS releases 3 through 6. Although remote access via modem can operate at high modem speeds, many people report problems with connecting, particularly from laptops. Setting the modem speed slower, sometimes as slow as 1200 bits per second, may be necessary to get a good connection. Also, dialing in from within the system (i.e.
( " + A 2 ' . = ' . Processor with no lines or stations. Partner Plus 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 4.0, 4.1 Partner II 1.0, Centrex 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 4.0, 4.0.1, 4.1 Required for use in 2nd carrier to support 4 additional line/station cards. Partner II 3.1 Processor with 3 lines, 8 stations. Only last 2 station ports support T/R ringing. 2 touch-tone receivers, unless a 362EC module installed. One power failure port. Partner Endeavor 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 Processor, 3 lines, 8 stations.
( " + A 2 ' . = ' . #" % 2 CO lines, 6 stations Unlike 206, this is an expansion unit only. Partner Plus 3.1 or better 3.0, 3.1, 4.0, 4.1 1 touch-tone receiver 1 power-failure transfer port #" % 2 lines, 6 stations, Caller ID Partner II R3 or better 3.0, 3.1, 4.1 $" - 3 CO Lines, 8 stations, Caller ID support Partner ACS R2.0 or later. 3.0, 6 touch-tone receivers. 2 power-failure transfer ports 308EC R3.0 has improved Fax CNG detection.
• Using Feature # 1 • Using Feature 5 9 When you use the Feature #1 option, you will hear various beeps from the handset which correspond with the beeps indicated on the chart below. You must be on an active call on an outside line. You can accomplish this several ways: • Call one of the incoming lines to the Partner system and have another person answer, then press Feature # 1. • Call an outside party and explain that they will hear some beeps on the phone while you conduct this test.
/ ;& > + " . " 00 1 beep 2 beeps 2-1 beeps #!" 3 beeps 4 beeps 2-2 beeps $!" 1-3 beeps 2-4 beeps 3-1 beeps $! 1-3 beeps 1-2 beeps 1-4 beeps !" 2-3 beeps 3-2 beeps 3-3 beeps !" ! * ? . 3 5-1 beeps P ACS R1.0 5-1 beeps P ACS R1.1 5-2 beeps P ACS R2.0.1 5-3 beeps P ACS R3.0 6 ? . 3 , 6 2-1-1 beeps P ECS - S - R1.0 2-2-1 beeps P ECS - L - R1.0 2-1-1 beeps P ECS - S - R1.0.1 2-2-1 beeps P ECS - L - R1.0.1 5-4 beeps P ACS R4.
> + 4P3 5P1 5P2 5P3 5P4 5P5 5P6 ! . Partner II 4.1 Partner ACS 1.0 or 1.1 Partner ACS 2.0 Partner ACS 3.0 Partner ACS 4.0 Partner ACS 5.
@ " ' Avaya and predecessors built four different voice mail systems for Partner. Of course, there are others from third parties; they are not reviewed here. Only Partner Plus and better support voice mail. Partner Basic does not have the ability to support any Partner voice mail systems. ' , uses a separate box, like a desktop PC, and The original, integrates via station ports in the Partner system.
0 1 0 Max.
# ' Partner Mail was introduced in 199313 for Partner II release 3. Unlike later systems, Partner Mail required a separate cabinet, essentially a modified PC. Like other such systems, messages are stored on a PC hard disk. The cabinet was designed for wall-mounting. Partner Mail integrated with the Partner II using modular cables attached to station ports on 206 modules. Release 1 supported 2 or 4 ports, but a later release supported 6 ports.
' @ AT&T introduced the Partner Mail VS integrated voice mail system in 1994, targeted at Partner Plus and II (Release 3.1 or better.) Unlike the earlier Partner Mail, VS is a complete system in a single Partner module, plugging into 2- or 5-slot carriers. Integration is via the digital bus, rather than direct connection to station ports, which saves system capacity. 5 releases were made until Avaya replaced VS with Partner Messaging.
/ ##& ' @ ( ' , @ " . " !" 1994.January Original release 2 port only, 10 or 20 mailboxes $!" 1995.July Support for mystery “Partner 48” system. 2 port only, 10 or 20 mailboxes !" 1997.March Support for up to 4 ports, up to 40 mailboxes, up to 17 hours of storage. “Outcalling, Automated Attendant Announcements, and Message Forward features are introduced with this new release of PARTNER MAIL VS.
@ " ' , , * * . Lucent cleverly introduced Partner Voice Messaging PC Card in 1997, allowing Endeavor and ACS installations to add inexpensive voice mail without consuming slots in a carrier. By using flash memory and PC Card technology, the entire voice mail system plugs into the expansion PC Card slot on the Partner processor. At low cost, the PVM PC card is necessarily limited in capacity and function. These cards support only 2 ports, and 4 or 12 mailboxes, 40 or 120 minutes of total storage.
' , , PARTNER Messaging, available in a 2-, 4-, or 6-port configuration, is an embedded voice messaging system housed in a module (circuit pack) that plugs into the Partner system carrier. It replaces the Partner Mail VS system, and adds substantial additional features. Most importantly, it joins Avaya’s Unified Messaging architecture: The Unified Messaging Application is a software application that interfaces between PARTNER Messaging and email servers (Microsoft Exchange servers and SMTP servers).
A LAN port allows message interchange with other systems, and administration. An RS-232 port allows direct connection of an administrative PC. , #4 + 8 ' , , . 8+ . - " Although a relatively new voice mail option, Partner Messaging works with Partner Plus and Partner II in addition to ACS. Partner Messaging releases are summarized below. We do not know why release numbering went directly from 1.0 to 6.0. / # & @ * ' " ' , , , , * ( . , " . " !" 2001.Jun Original release % !" 2003.
## * " Functions as a personal answering machine, allowing a caller to: Hear the Personal Greeting recorded by the mailbox owner. Switch to the alternate language, if the system is configured in Bilingual Mode. Leave a voice mail message. Designate the voice mail message as a Priority or Private message. Transfer to an operator or to another extension. # . . " Answers incoming lines and presents callers with a list of options. Based on callers' input, they may be: Transferred to an extension.
Administer System Parameters, such as System Language Mode and Call Answer Service Operator extension. Administer an extension to be either a Mailbox, Fax, Transfer-Only, or Automated Attendant extension. Administer up to four Automated Attendants. Administer System Security Parameters. Administer Line Ownership. Administer System Group Lists. Perform a System Backup or System Restore.
/ + # * + , " This quick chart shows basic differences between the different kinds of phones supported by Partner. / + . / " MLS , ETR , ( 6, 12, 18, 34 " Membrane technology Adjunct CA-24 Available in creamy white or black. Partner Endeavor ETR 6, 18, 34 Special to Endeavor modules Partner (Euro) ETR 6, 18, 34 Current technology. Adjunct CA-48 Available in White, Gray, or Black.
' The MLS series phones were introduced with the Partner originally. Each system phone has an analog voice path and a digital signaling path. Phone wiring requires only 2-pairs, unlike the Merlin phones. Partner phones use an 8-pin modular jack, but work correctly with traditional 4-wire, 6-pin modular cords. All system phones have an Adjunct jack that supports a standard “tip-ring” telephone or phone accessory. Only a single pair is used.
, #= ' <5 Also available was the Call Assistant 24 (MLS CA24), allowing direct station selection of 24 extensions. from the primary console (10, or 10 and 11 on Partner II and ACS). The CA24 will also work with Partner (Euro) phones. Two such units could be daisy-chained to address 48 stations. Each CA24 requires its own power supply, a small “nugget” or “wall-wart.” , #% ' * < ( " " .! " ' < ( + ? .
, ? . #=( + Endeavor phones have “small displays” (see illustration, above) that cannot show Caller ID and Name simultaneously, similarly to the MLS phone displays. 4 3? 6+ Electrically compatible with the original MLS phones, these currentmanufacture system phones have a 2-line, 24-character display (18D and 34D models) that has a pleasant adjustable back-lighted display with 3 display angles. This is a rare feature in the industry.
, # <58 <#=8 , ( + . <#=( + 8, An improved direct station selection device, the Partner CA48, allows the users at extensions 10 and 11 (Partner II and ACS) to direct calls to stations 10 – 57. The CA48 includes a button for each extension, and in-use activity light. Out of the box, the CA48 buttons will directly ring an extension if pressed, but can be re-programmed to voice-intercom instead of ringing. Each CA48 requires a wall-wart power supply.
, * < =( " " .! " ( Like the MLS-CA24, the CA48 requires a power supply. 5 ' * " . + The MLC-6 cordless phone was designed for Partner: The AT&T MLC-6 cordless telephone is compatible with your PARTNER™ Plus or PARTNER Communications System. It gives you the freedom of a cordless phone while providing the same features as a corded MLS™-model telephone. The MLC-6 cordless phone is functionally similar to the MLS-6™ corded phone.
; / / - ' (* % * . + The MDC 9000 was designed for use with Partner, Merlin, and Definity systems, so is not optimized for Partner, but claims to be fully compatible. It provides 6 line/feature buttons with a status display for the buttons. Like the MLC-6, the MDC 9000 used a standard handset plus base arrangement. Using newer technology (the “D” in MDC stands for “Digital”), this set provided digital transmission for greater range, clarity, and security. The base station can be wall or desk mounted.
Still fully compatible with Partner, MDW phones also work with Merlin; Systems 25, 75, 85; and Definity. To a Partner, the MDW appears to be the old MLC-6 phone. , 5 ' (1 % , ; ' (1 % . . . . . < .
/ # & / / / - / - ' (1 + ( , , " " " . 0 ' 2 3""" First model, introduced 1995 0 ' 2 3" " Introduced 1996; similar in appearance to the 9010. Supported linking multiple carriers for larger arrays of phones, up to 18 total. New “Pocketphone,” smaller handset. 0 ' 2 3 " $" Introduced 1997. Emulates 12 button set, through use of shift keys (only 4 actual line buttons, but 12 display indicators.) Introduced 1997 0 ' 2 3"$ Support for up to 24 phones using 4 carriers.
, ! = ' (1 % " 8% "- + 4 #$ %$ & '
4 .! " . 4# * " . " * Partner ACS supports Contact Closure devices, essentially relays that can control electrical power. Under ACS processor control, buttons on a system phone can activate the contact closure, thus activating some device. For example, pressing a button on a phone could unlock an electric door, or start a coffee maker. ACS processor can control two different contact closure devices. , % * " * + + The controller can be configured for momentary or toggle mode.
4 ' . As with other tip-ring devices, modems can be attached to station ports on Partner systems. Because the Partner processor is internally a digitally switched system, there is some degradation of signal quality. For normal speech, this is unnoticeable, but modems may not run at full speed. Avaya recommends bypassing Partner switching for maximum modem performance. Partner ACS has a modem built-in for remote administration. 44 ' " C .
doorphone is pressed, designated inside extensions are alerted. On ACS, the addition of contact closure support allows remote unlocking. , # ( + 4= . Introduced in 1991, the Partner Plus Attendant provides automatic call answering and redirection for Release 2 Partner systems. It can help handle incoming calls efficiently, even after business hours and on holidays and weekends. It can serve as a backup for a busy receptionist, or it can serve as the primary answering position.
, . 4% 00 8 . Similar to the Partner Plus Attendant, above. 4# + Partner Reporter software for Windows supports processing of SMDR records for analysis; it was designed for Partner II. 4 ## , 1 Introduced in 1993, PassageWay™ Solution is a collection of software applications that ran on Microsoft Windows™ operating system version 3.1 or later. These applications provided an interface between an lBM®-compatible personal computer and a Partner system via a system or standard telephone.
5 1 , 5# / * . Partner systems use a special power cord; the cord can plug into a module directly, or into a 2-slot or 5-slot carrier. , * .8+ . - " + , , . Avaya urges: “The power cord should hang straight down from the connector, flush against the plastic case for the entire length of the board. Do not install the power cord at an angle to the case or with a loop in it.” 5 1 , Partner system phones require two pairs of wire.
=<+ . ! "- ( > <% 1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 " 2 6 3 7 " 4 8 3 * 6 (>< 4 . 5 9 view from back side of connector. Pin 1 Pin 9 22 Pin 2 Pins 1, 6, 8 6+8 Pin 3 Pin 4 20 Pin 4 Pin 5 7 Pin 5 Pin 2 3 Pin 6 Pin 3 2 5 7 . , AT&T has a long track record of safety and reliability. To improve both aspects of an installation, they insist on strong ground wiring requirements.
, ! 4 ?: " + , .
; ' " ;# C Partner modules include telephone electronics and a switching power supply that accepts various world voltages. Special Partner power cords supply input electrical voltage to the correct power supply wires. Modules cool themselves convectively; in normal installations, modules are mounted vertically, and as electronic components heat, the heat transfers to surrounding air, which rises, flowing out of the top of the module. Long-term reliability depends on proper heat dissipation.
* + + , The following chart is reproduced from a 2003.April Avaya brochure, showing the differences betweens Avaya’s SMB offerings.
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