Comdial DXP General System Description Service Manual 13B

DXP, DXP Plus, and Impact FX

General Description for the Common Code Base Software

Feature Set 14A, Release 162

The information in this publication is applicable for software feature set 14A,
release 162.

GCA40–218.02 11/99
Printed in U.S.A.

Comdial®strives to design the features in our communications systems to be fully interactive with one
another. However, this is not always possible, as the combinations of accessories and features are too
varied and extensive to insure total feature compatibility.

Accordingly, some features identified in this publication will not operate if some other feature is activated.
Comdial disclaims allliability relating tofeature non-compatibility or associated in any waywith problems
which may be encountered by incompatible features. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
publication to the contrary, Comdial makes no representation herein as to the compatibility of features.

2/12/97

Table Of Contents GCA40–218

Contents

Introducing The Software Release .......................1

Introducing The Software Release ...........................................1

Detailing Hardware And Software Considerations For The DXP System.............2

Detailing The Hardware Considerations ....................................2

Detailing The Software Considerations.....................................2

Explaining The Software Release Features ....................3

Feature Sets and Release Numbers (All CCB Systems)...........................3

Software Keying (FXS and FXT Systems only).................................4

Using The Software Key ................................................4

VMMI Programming Changes ..............................................7

File New / File Open As (All CCB Systems) ................................7

Impact and Impact SCS Telephone Support (FXS and FXT Systems only) .........7

Board Slot Layout (FXS and FXT Systems only) .............................7

Database Translation (FXS and FXT Systems only)...........................9

Board Configuration Translation (FXS and FXT Systems only) ................10

Programming The Features..........................11

Upgrading The DXP Software .............................................11

Converting The DXP Database ..........................................12

Translating An Earlier DXP Database To A Common Code Base Database .......12

Master Clearing The DXP System........................................13

Upgrading The DXP Plus Software .........................................14

Upgrading the Impact FX Software .........................................15

Using The System Software Key.........................................15

Enabling The Impact FX System Software .................................16

Table Of Contents iii

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Introducing the Software Release GCA40–218

Introducing the Software Release

1

Introducing the Software Release

Software release 14A contains new features and feature enhancements designed to make the common
code base (CCB) systems—the DXP, DXP Plus, and Impact FX Systems— easier for end users to use.

CCB began with software release 10A and provides a uniformity of features across the spectrum of
digital communications system platforms. While hardware capacities may limit feature availability for
some CCB systems, the CCB software is completely compatible for all system models.

The software changes and additions are as follows:

Feature Set and Release Number (All CCB Systems)

•

Software Keying (FXS and FXT Systems only)

•

VMMI Programming Changes (All CCB Systems)

•

File New/File Open As
Impact and Impact SCS Telephone Support
Board Slot Layout
Database Translation
Board Configuration Translation

–1

GCA40–218 Introducing the Software Release

Detailing Hardware and Software Considerations for the DXP System

Detailing the Hardware Considerations

The DXP system must be operating on a DXCPU–68K CPU board. The 14A software release is not
compatible with systems using a DXCPU–186 CPU board found in earlier DXP systems.

If you are upgrading a DXP system to 14A from software 9C or earlier, you must use the
DXPSW–DLRP package. In addition to the 14A software card, this package includes the following
items that you must install as part of the software upgrade:

new cabinet labeling for board configurations,

•

new Random Access Memory (RAM) card (DXRAM–EXPC),

•

VMMI programming software.

•

If you are upgrading a DXP system to 13B from software 10A or later, you may only need to change the
software card (DXPSW–DLRC) on the existing DXRAM–EXPC Random Access Memory (RAM)
memory card; however, since the release of software revision 13A for the DXP digital communications
system requires a revision B DXRAM–EXPC memory card, you may also need to upgrade the memory
card in your system to revision B.

If your DXP should still include a revision A memory card, you must install an DXRAM–UPC upgrade
kit to convert it into a revision B card at the time you upgrade the system software to 14A. The
DXRAM–UPC kit includes two memory chips (integrated circuit components) and an upgrade label.

NOTE: The DXRAM-UPC kit is not available through normal supply distribution channels. You can

obtain the DXRAM kit through Comdial Distributor Sales by dialing 1-800-669-2663 and
speaking with a Distributor Sales representative.

Detailing the Software Considerations

The PCMMI (off-line) programming procedure is no longer available with 14A software. A

•

windows-based, Visual Man-Machine Interface (VMMI) programming system with help files now
replaces the PCMMI.

The DXP database must be at least revision 9A before you can translate it to 14A. You can ue the 9A

•

revision of the PCMMI programming software to upload your current DXP database and then
download it to a data storage area—such as your computer’s hard drive—as a revision 9A database.*
You must then use the new VMMI feature to translate this stored 9A data into an 14A database before
you load it back into the system.

The PC Attendant Position software must be at least revision 5A. (You must upgrade the software in

•

your PC Attendant to this level to be compatible with the 14A software release.*) It is a good practice
to upgrade the PC Attendant Position computer to contain at least 2 megabytes of RAM memory.
While this may not be necessary for every installation, upgrading to 2 megabytes of RAM memory
ensures that the PC Attendant Position functions properly under all conditions.

*Remember, you can download the latest VMMI, and PC Attendant software from the Comdial Technical Services
Bulletin Board by calling 1-804-978-2583 or from the World Wide Web at: http://bbs.comdial.com.

2 – Detailing Hardware and Software Considerations for the DXP System

Explaining the Software Release Features GCA40–218

Explaining the Software Release

2

Features

Feature Sets and Release Numbers

Beginning with software release 14A of the common code base (CCB) operating software, a new
convention exists for naming the software and the features that it supports. Hereafter, designation of
software consists of two parts: the release number and the feature set.

Release Number: The release number designates a particular build of software but does not define the
features contained therein. A release number is permanent and is never used for more that one distinct
build of system software. Release numbers are sequential (for example: Release 379, Release 382, and
so forth) and indicate the version of software that is running on a system.

Feature Set: A feature set is a collection of features referenced as a group and identified with an
alphanumeric character string (such as 12B, 13B, 13C, and so forth). A feature set indicates available
features but is only loosely connected to a software release number. This means that developers cannot
introduce new features as part of a new feature set without introducing a new software release number).
For each feature set, a minimum release number exists. This minimum release number is the release
number of the software in which the specific feature set first appeared as illustrated in the following list
of examples:

Feature Set 13C introduced with software release 161,

•

Feature Set 14A introduced with software release 162,

•

Feature Set 15A introduced with software release 163.

•

With the Impact FX Systems, it is possible to install new software (software with a newer release
number) without incrementing the feature set supported by the specific installation. For these systems, a
new software keying mechanism controls the feature set provided by the installed software. This
mechanism allows installers to upgrade the system software for maintenance reasons without modifying
the software feature set. Refer to the feature description titled, Software Keying on page 4, for a
description of this software keying mechanism.

Feature Sets and Release Numbers – 3

GCA40–218 Explaining the Software Release Features

Software Keying

Beginning with release of 14A of the common code base (CCB) software, each Impact FX System
includes a software keying mechanism. This keying mechanism, or key, is an encrypted string of
characters, that installers obtain from a Comdial representative and enter into VMMI programming
during the initial software enable or subsequent software upgrade operations.

A software key enables the following components:

feature sets (such as, 13C, 14A, and so forth),

•

slot count/port size (such as, seven slots/112 ports, 15 slots/ 224 ports, 29 slots/464 ports),

•

standalone features (such as, Networking, Impact or Impact SCS telephone support and so forth).

•

NOTE: Stand alone features are often for a special purpose and operate in addition to a feature set

grouping.

The software key controls the active feature set of the installed software by controlling access to the
database configuration of all features. For example, if an installer used a software key that only
provides support for feature set 13C to install release 162, VMMI will enable only the programming
options allowed under the 13C feature set even though release 162 can support feature set 14A.

Comdial ships both the Impact FXS and Impact FXT systems with a test mode software package that
allows these systems to run for one hour and operate as a six slot (FXS) or seven slot (FXT) platform.
The test mode allows installers time to set up the system and request the software key.

Using the Software Key

Installers use the VMMI program to enable the software key, thus they must have the software file (the
xxxxxxxx.bin file) stored on the PC from which they plan to run the VMMI program. Further, they must
determine the system serial number and then call a Comdial representative to obtain a software keying
character string that the system uses to enable the software.

NOTE: Installers do not need to install a hardware mechanism (or key) onto the serial port of the PC to
enable the software although they do need to do so when obtaining the magic number needed to turn on
the CTI applications. Having that mechanism installed does not interfere with system software enabling.

4 – Software Keying