JA VTC?

OK, so the JAG bought a Tandberg 6000 VTC package, and they (and their 3-Star) are screaming at us to get it up and working. They told us that it needed a PRI, which is what we gave them. When we try to get the thing going, we get an error that says there is no connection. I'm sure that the circuit is good--we plugged it into a known working VTC, and all is good--but I get the feeling that something is missing. We've got a Nortel Meridian Option 81C phone switch, and I haven't been able to find another base with the same set up.

Anybody have any tips?
Thanks,
Chris

Chris,

When I was at McConnell they had a similar VTC and the same switch but the VTC was FUBAR. I was able to fix it but it took a month of troubleshooting. It took a lot of research and a whole lot of my time. It's not easy and you'll get fustrated but stick with it and it'll come together. Below is a flow chart in I used in troubleshooting this equipment:

1st: Make sure all your connections are properly hooked up in the back of the equipment. I have found that this can be a problem. You may need to role your CAT V on the equipment side.

2nd: Check the setting on the VTC Controler. Buit into the VTC controler there is settings for rates. If it's not assigned to PRI it can mess up your connections.

3rd: Are you using an Imux? If you are this is controls your PRI Rate for the VTC Circuit. These things are a pain in the butt. You'll have to log into the IMUX and mess with the settings. I would call the VTC company or DISA ST Louis (they have VTC experts) and they should walk you through the settings.

4th: Tear Down and Start all over. I know this can be a pain but sometimes this helps. Don't do it if a contractor installed because it'll void the contract.

Well I hope this works for you guys.

Good Luck,
Jon

Make sure you check your PRI protocol type in the Tandberg. Even if your continuity is correct, with the wrong protocol it will be unable to perform call setup.

ours wasn't working here because the user didn't run the line into a NT3 box, and none of us knew it needed one. Just throwing that out there

VTCs operate off at least three channels. The channels have to be programmed to call the distant end VTC on the first channel, the distant end calls back your VTC back which connects the second channel and the third channel is connected when your VTC once again calls the distant end VTC.

You can test your VTC by finding out were the test station is for testing VTCs and call into it for testing. At least that is the way we did it in Brussels, Belgium--NATO HQ.

If you put your butt-set on each pair of the three pairs used you will not get dial tone but you can dial out and get the number you called from on the caller id of cell phone or regular phone that has a display. Make sure you have the programing insturctions that came with the VTC. You have to know the distant end configuration so that your VTC is configured the same way. For example Europe VTCs are configuratd differnt then US VTCs.

Hope this helps.
Anthony Crump

Hi Chris - Mr Bommar here -
Call me at scott Switch whenver you can.

I also have a JA VTC and we got it to operate in full service.
First of all you mentioned you provisioned it with PRI -

I recommend 3 BRI at 384kb - depending on which TANDBERG MuX connections it came equipped with. Much easier to nail call channelizing - etc. but if you are staying with the PRI - outpulsing issues as relates in the ISDN layer can be a headache - maybe simple IBNT2 T-1 provision would work best - translating inside the framing bits - although the older technology - is much simpler for trouble shooting - as you should not need any CLID service which the D channel provides on the PRI.
With the PRI setup - you can have one of many protocols not coming into alignment with you TANDBERG.
As the rest of the folks mentioned above - they are time consuming and these knuckleheads purchase these things without the shops ever knowing about it - unbox it - then call us like we're able to get it in service as easy as provisioning up an analog line.. Been there - heard it over and over.
God bless to you and everyone who wrote in this tread -
V/r Steve Bommarito Scott AFB Swith Mngr