Dialing rules specific to extensions

[robham]

Hi All,

Does anyone have any experience of setting up outbound routes specific to particular extenions?

The reason for asking is that we have just added two more SIP handsets to our PBX which are located in a different area of the country and have a different local area code.

We currently have our outbound route and trunk configured so as if we enter a local number if automatically puts the local area code, Milton Keynes (01908) on the front of the number.

The new extensions are in Sheffield (0114) so if they dial a local number we want the system to add the Sheffield area code to the front of the number instead.

Does anyone know how to do this?

Best regards,

Rob

 

[jroper]

Hi

This can be done in one of three ways:-

1. Is there any way that you can tell the difference between a Sheffield local number and an MK local number - e.g. does MY have 6 digit numbers, and Sheffield run 7 digit numbers, as would be suggested by the length of the dialing code, then it is easy in the trunk to manipulate 7 digit numbers to put 44114 in front, and manipulate 6 digit numbers to put 441908 in front of them.

2. You can put the dial plan in the phone - this depends on the phone model, so if a 6 or 7 digit number is called, put 44114 in front. Alternatively, you could prepend a digit on the phone to every call, and then this selects to outbound route which does the modification.

3. By using contexts, so that the Sheffield extensions are in a different context, and use a different trunk, where the manipulation takes place. This is non trivial.

Joe

 

[robham]

Thanks for the info Joe. Most helpful.

I think option 2 would be best for us as it allows us to potentially do other things in the future as well with the two remote handsets.

I am sure I can work out from the 57i instructions how to prepend a digit to the called numbers, but would not not effect internal extensions as well, or could I just append the extra digit to numbers over say 5 digits long - thus leaving all our internal extension numbers (3 digits) untouched?

 

[jroper]

I would try and keep it simple and only pre-pend 44114 to 7 digit numbers - I'm assuming that Sheffield is seven digits for local dialing.

If this is the case, my favourite would be option 1, but this only works because you have city numbering in one location and town in another.

Joe

 

[robham]

yeah, I sort of gathered that.

I'm thinking a little way ahead now, we are shortly going to bring Bedford online, which will be exactly the same as Milton Keynes, so I think I have to go the handset routeto distinguish where they are calling from.

thanks again for the help.

Rob

 

[jroper]

I'd seriously consider small PiaF units at each location, based on the UK Wallmart equivelant, or some reasonable refurbished machines, if there is going to be more than a couple of people there. Use IAX trunking, and either Dundi or just some IAX routes to call from extension to extension.

This solves a number of problems with NAT, Dial patterns, 999 calls, and so you don't lose the entire companies phone system if the central one goes off line.

Joe