[WXC/VFX] Connecting all phones/Sky/Lifelink to run over VFX (to be new Fusion user)

Forums › Vodafone New Zealand › [WXC/VFX] Connecting all phones/Sky/Lifelink to run over VFX (to be new Fusion user)

sylkstream

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Topic # 18439 10-Jan-2008 16:12

Hi. I'm new on here and have read through a number of posts regarding snipping the incoming wires from Telecom and then (in a nutshell sort of) connecting the router (or, presumably, the ATA) to the main point to make all extension go via the VoIP connection.

Unfortunately I don't think I can do that - or, actually, have enough chutzpah to try it - as I still have to have the dsl line in the first place. So my question is, how do I (or what is the easiest/most effective way to) connect stuff up so my phones (cordless base station, 2x ordinary phones, Sky & St John's Lifelink) all run via the VFX service I will have via Xnet Fusion?

Incidentally, both Sky and Lifelink are currently just plugged into normal extension boxes with filters on them, neither is hardwired.

My end intention is not to have a "landline" at all, just to have my broadband and VoIP - hence going for the Fusion package.

That, or does anyone know someone in or near the Warkworth area that I can contact to help me with this??

Many thanks, in advance, and sorry if this has been covered in the many pages in the forum that I haven't got to yet.

Regards
Sylk

grant_k

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Reply # 104037 10-Jan-2008 16:25

First off, welcome to Geekzone Leanne

sylkstream: ...So my question is, how do I (or what is the easiest/most effective way to) connect stuff up so my phones (cordless base station, 2x ordinary phones, Sky & St John's Lifelink) all run via the VFX service I will have via Xnet Fusion?

I am using MySky successfully via VFX. However, I haven't tried an ordinary Sky decoder. Presumably, it would work because both decoders have a similar modem AFAIK.

However, St John's Lifelink is not like anything I have tried to use with VFX.

I can tell you that Fax machines normally work, but Dial-up modems never work in my experience.

It would be best if you contact WxC and ask if St John's Lifelink is likely to work with VFX. I would imagine that Maverick could help you with that request.

Regarding modification of your house wiring to work with VFX, I have been involved in quite a lengthy discussion on this topic in another forum. There are some reasonable photographs and some good drawings which make it clear how to tackle this job. Details are here:

http://www.gpforums.co.nz/thread/298231/?s=

In case any of the GZ mods gets upset at my posting a link to another forum, rest assured that I have posted several links to GZ in the GP Forums. Sharing the Link Love is what it's all about eh guys

sbiddle

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Reply # 104047 10-Jan-2008 17:44

Running a unit such as a LifeLink (or any other medical alarm) over a VoIP connection starts to raise some concerns, even if it does work you have to realise that the uptime of such a unit has now potentially reduced. The existing PSTN has an almost 100% uptime however the second you switch to a VoIP connection there are many factors that can reduce this.

There is a huge market for IP capabilities for both medical and security alarms, whether these be IP based units running over an internet connection or cellular based units running over a GSM/3G network. It amazes me that we are so close to the start of the NGN rollout yet are still stuck with legacy dialup products that will be obsolete in a few years time. Maybe a lot of these alarm companies are a bit like some of the ISP's who moaned about Telecom's cabinetisation plans because they had failed to see where the sector was heading.

maverick

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WorldxChange

Reply # 104073 10-Jan-2008 20:08

Newer Sky Units should be okay, we are actually doing some testing with Sky at present to better confirm some models / types of units as they do have differnt Modems in differnt Sky units,

As for the St Johns life link I can not answer as it has not be tested as of yet. but I will attempt to look into it.

Yes I am a employee of WxC (My Profile) ... but I do have my own opinions as well

https://www.facebook.com/wxccommunications

DataCraft

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Reply # 104092 10-Jan-2008 21:23

Its funny you mention the fact that the public PSTN is 99.999% reliable (which it is). However at some stage during the last 2 weeks my phoneline
that runs my broadband connection went dead-> the phoneline is now just static. HOWEVER the broadband is still up and running so I can make VOIP calls via WXC!

VOIP 1
PSTN 0

sylkstream

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 104109 10-Jan-2008 21:58

Hi, and thanks for the responses. I do have MySky so it's good to know that should still work. As the the Lifelink - it's a backup situation for the few times I am not around for my Mum, who is the 'user' of this service. But she is okay with us trialling this as she, like me, is totally cheesed with Telecom, et al and the farce that is landlines and what will be local loop unbundling. Take my word for it (and I have experience here), the local loop unbundling is going to be a major nightmare.

Thanks, Grant_k for the info on the other posts, it has given me some ideas and I think I may have sorted a way of getting around it all. I'm a little disconcerted about the dial-up modem comment, though, as my fax is my modem in my pc, used with Snappy Fax (or Faxtalk) so that might be a problem.

Maverick, if you want testers for the Lifelink thing I would be happy to offer my situation once Fusion has gone live at my premises.

Thanks again.
Sylk (aka Leanne)

grant_k

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Reply # 104112 10-Jan-2008 22:12

sylkstream: I'm a little disconcerted about the dial-up modem comment, though, as my fax is my modem in my pc, used with Snappy Fax (or Faxtalk) so that might be a problem.

You should be OK with a dial-up modem operating in Fax mode.

What I was referring to there is the V90 protocol used by Dial-up modems. I have never managed to get it working with VFX, even when I tried to slow the Connect Speed down to 28.8k.

But my Brother Multi-function fax machine works OK when set to BASIC mode (9.6kbps) or NORMAL mode (14.4kbps).

sylkstream

5 posts

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Reply # 107162 28-Jan-2008 12:30

Hi all.

Well, thanks, again, for all the information. I've traced the wiring in my house and sorted it so everything is now going through the PAP2T before it gets to the main line in. MySky is working perfectly (even ordered a movie using the handset, which someone suggested - in another post - might be an issue); the fax modem (after WxC applied a particular codec) is also working perfectly. The only thing that isn't is the Lifelink, but I have some ideas about that. Of course trying to sort this with St John's is proving difficult as there is no-one technical that the end user can actually speak to, you have to go through staff who barely know what broadband IS let alone VoIP etc.

Anyway, my thinking about the Lifelink is this... (and bear in mind, I'm definitely one of those 'a little knowledge is a dangerous thing-type people)

1. As the unit has a card in it that was changed when we moved to Warkworth because the number being called by the unit was different, maybe because we now have a Hibiscus Coast number it needs a new card/no. - if you follow. Mind you, the unit is calling an 0800 no., so theoretically that shouldn't matter (I do have my reasons for thinking this could be an/the issue).

2. St John's receiving equipment isn't set up to recognise the new HBC 'area code' of 959 and is rejecting the call.

3. The unit is dialing too quick before properly getting a dial tone. Now here I am assuming (I know, I know, don't assume anything) that the unit is actually some sort of glorified (or cut-down) modem and should be opening the line, waiting for a dial tone then dialing.

So, here's the even more interesting bit - the MySky box is on the same jack point and works just fine. I have tested taking Sky out of the loop, so it's not interfering with anything. What I hear when I listen to what's going on is the unit tone dialing but I don't hear anything on the other end, no ringing, no pickup, no negotiation, no nothing. I managed to find out the number being called (but I've promised St Johns', who freaked when they found out I knew it, never to call it again or give it out!) and the call, from the jack point using an ordinary phone, was answered and I heard the negotiation tones - so, weird huh...

Anyway, thought I'd update this in case any of you bright sparks :-D out there can shed some light.

Ciao for now

Niel

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Reply # 107190 28-Jan-2008 15:33

I am an electronic engineer with a lot of knowledge about electronics, yet sometime I too get dangerous thoughts. It must be part of being human or being male. Anyway, some time ago my wife got us an AC Neilson HomeScan device with which you scan all your groceries and once a week the thing will dial an 0800 number to upload what you buy and how much you pay for it. It refuced to work over VFX even though it is a high quality scanner which should tolerate noise and stuff. My crazy idea was to insert an ADSL line filter. You see, the device generate analogue tones digitally and then the VFX box digitize it again. You then get something called digital noise (high end products have anti-aliasing filters, sample rate converters, etc. to reduce this). The simplest way of reducing digital noise is to run the analogue signal through a low pass filter. This is exactly what an ADSL line filter is.

You have to get your head around getting it wired up correctly, but it is worth trying. Once you realise that the filter's line plug and modem socket is wired one-to-one just like a gender changer, then you "click" that you can plug the Lifelink into the phone socket and the VFX port into the modem socket of the filter (think I had it the other way round, but should work the same).

This worked really well on our HomeScan and I have suggested it to people trying to get their alarm panels to work over VFX, however I know of no one else for whom this has worked (or perhaps some did not understand how to wire it up). It is worth a try, because I'm sure you will have the right cables and a spare filter somewhere and takes only a few minutes.

You can never have enough Volvos!

cisconz

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Reply # 107348 29-Jan-2008 09:32

To talk to St John about lifelink call 0800 STJOHN and ask for IT Services. That is their in house IT department who should know about how the lifelinks are communicating. I was under the impression that they called a specific number, gave their unit number then got patched through to a call taker.

Hmmmm