NEC SL1000: Useful Networking Tips using Wireshark

Well as you know NEC SL1000 can support IP extensions & IP trunks (both SIP/H.323). In our setup for such services sometimes we encounter issues like extensions not registered, IP trunks not linked up. And therefore today i would like to introduce the usage of this network trouble-shooting tool known as Wireshark.

Wireshark used to be known as Ethereal for those who has used this tool before. I mean it is great that we can capture what is going on in the network but there are soo many information which are not relevant for our purpose. FYI before we can capture any network traffic, we need to ensure that the port where you are connecting your PC can 'see' network traffic going on elsewhere (for example at port 16 where your NEC SL1000 VoIP card is connected to). There are 2 ways to capture network traffic; port mirroring & using a network hub.

After we have captured the network packets, we can make use of filter command to 'see' the things we want to see;

• sip (this command allows us to see only the SIP communications between NEC PBX & end-points) 
• ip.src==x.x.x.x (this command allows us to see traffic coming from x.x.x.x under Source field)
• ip.src==x.x.x.x (this command allows us to see traffic coming from x.x.x.x under Source field)
• ip.src==x.x.x.x&&ip.dst==x.x.x.x (this command allows us to see traffic coming from both x.x.x.x under Source field, x.x.x.x under Destination field)

These commands are very useful to perform your network trouble-shooting. 

NEC SL1000: NEC Sl1000 Hotel Features (Hotel Operator / User Guide)

http://www.mediafire.com/?z0bnnwmr6c445b0
(Hotel Operator Guide)

http://www.mediafire.com/?fxeha3y3a3ctj93
(Hotel User Guide)

NEC SL1000 offers deployment in a hospitality setup. This solution is well geared towards small boutique hotel / small hotel+motel, without the hassle to connect to PMS side for integration.

It offers all the good hotel features as a standalone solution. With the use of this license SL-SYS-HOTEL LIC it allows the usage of the following useful hotel features;

Check-In / Check-Out
Wake-Up Call
Message Waiting
Do Not Disturb (DND)
Single Digit Access
Toll Restriction Class Change for each Room
Room to Room Call Restriction
Room Status Indication on DSS Console
Room Status Output
Room Monitoring by SLT

*Note: The above hotel feature will be access through phone access codes 

NEC SL1000: NEC SL1000 R2 Enhancement

Well folks we have been waiting for a long time for the new release of NEC SL1000 R2 enhancements. The new version was launched recently and below shows you the new feature enhancements;

• Distinctive Ringing Enhancement
• Embedded VRS Enhancement
• System Features Enhancement
• IP Trunk Enhancement
• VBD (Voice Band Data) Support
• E-mail Notification Enhancement 

Do stay tuned for the updated download links for the new release. My apologies for the broken download links so far, let me do something. 

Lastly for the new enhancement, there is no new hardware nor license introduction. 

NEC SL1000: Connecting NEC SL1000 to Skype (Skype Connect)

NEC SL1000 supports SIP trunk, and therefore it is possible to connect the system to Skype via Skype Connect (formerly known as Skype SIP trunk service). With the service subscribe for the business owner, now it is possible to integrate Skype call button into your corporate website. Meaning when a potential customer sees your website and wish to contact you for further enquiry on the NEC communication platforms, they can simply click on the Skype button to make a call direct to the company. 

Below shows you how typical Skype users see this Skype Connect user, and how can outside users (offnet) make a direct call to the users behind this Skype Connect service;

         

         Connecting NEC platforms to Skype

• The customer need to subscribe to Skype Connect http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/business/skype-connect/#t_overview
• In a way this is a SIP trunk service from Skype, so on the NEC platform side you will need to quote in the necessary hardware / software licenses (VoIP card, MEM, SIP trunk licenses)
• At Skype Connect you will need to sign up for the channels (concurrent calls required), each channel US$6.95/month
• Ensure necessary network configuration are done over at the customer end (to allow SIP messages)

How Skype user see you

• Once the Skype Connect has been setup, you will have a online unique nickname assigned for this service
• So to normal Skype user, they will see you as just another contact on their buddy list

How to call to NEC platform from Skype

• In the Skype Connect setting, you will need to assign the nickname to a internal number (can be a virtual number or physical) which has been setup in your NEC platform
• So when Skype user click on your nickname, the assigned number behind the NEC platform will ring

How to call to NEC platform from Outside

• For outside users (PSTN, mobile) to call you, online number is required. This online number is an add-on service which you will need to subscribe.
• So when you have this online number, basically the Skype will translate this number to your Skype unique nickname
• Below shows you which are the countries that this service provide (local number) =>

       

• Australia
• Chile
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France

• Germany
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Japan *
• Korea, Republic of

• Malta
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Poland
• Romania

• South Africa
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• USA

How to call to Skype from NEC platform

• It is not possible for users behind the NEC platform to seize a SIP trunk to call Skype user directly (phone cannot send alphanumeric)
• As such for users behind NEC platform to call Skype users, same thing the Skype user will need to subscribe to online number

NEC SL1000: Hotel Features & Room Status Printout

NEC SL1000 supports small boutique hotel/motel deployment less integration with PMS. Below shows you the supported hotel features;

•Check-In / Check-Out

•Wake-Up Call

•Message Waiting

•Do Not Disturb (DND)

•Single Digit Access

•Toll Restriction Class Change for each Room

•Room to Room Call Restriction

•Room Status Indication on DSS Console

•Room Status Output

•Room Monitoring by SLT

Connecting a PC to the NEC SL1000 we are able to have a room status output which shows the following information; 

Check-Out Information

•Wake-Up Call No Answer Information

•Room Status Information (MW, DND, etc)

Below is a sample room status printout;

Room Status List           --------     07/12/2012 22:37

Room Clean(Occupied) --- Check In

 201      

Room Status List           --------     07/12/2012 22:37

Room Clean(Occupied) --- Check In

Room Clean(Vacant) --- Check Out

 202     , 203     , 204     , 205     , 206      

Maid Required

Maid in Room

Inspection Required

END

Calling Class List         --------     07/12/2012 22:37

Room to Room Barring

Outside Call Class

 201     -01, 202     -02, 203     -02, 204     -02,

 205     -02, 206     -02 

END

DND and Clean Up Check     --------     07/12/2012 22:37

Do No Disturb

Clean Up Check

END

Message Service List       --------     07/12/2012 22:37

END

Wake Up Call List          --------     07/12/2012 22:37

END

NEC SL1000: Virtual Private Network (VPN) to Support Remote Users

•2 possibilities over here to setup the VPN for your NEC SL1000 to support remote users;

•Get a local VPN service with local Telcos

–Advantage

•Single running cost

•Routers provided by telco

•Service Level Agreement (SLA) guaranteed, meaning voice quality is good

–Disadvantage

•Slight higher monthly recurring cost

•Setup the VPN yourself using VPN routers

–Advantage

•Only makes use of the customer existing internet connection

•Cheaper monthly recurring cost (paying only for the internet access)

–Disadvantage

•Need to configure the VPN router yourself

•No SLA guaranteed. Meaning voice quality sometimes good, other times bad  

•VPN router will be part of your maintenance service

•

Setup NEC SL1000 Virtual Private Network (VPN) to support Remote Users (Gateway-to-Gateway, Client-Gateway)