New Aastra XML scripts 2.2.0 for PIAF

[fishfilet]

Not sure why that is there. It is not like that on my server.

 

[aastra1]

My mistake

I get the same error when I make the recommended change, so for now I'm stuck with entering the VM password with each login.

I just realized that there is a bug in the phone when parsing the URI, when $$SIPUSERNAME$$ is used more than once, the phone replaces the value of the first instance only.

So for instance if your user is 100

vmail.php?ext=$$SIPUSERNAME$$&user=$$SIPUSERNAME$$&pin=12345678

will be interpreted by the phone as

vmail.php?ext=100&user=[B]$$SIPUSERNAME$$[/B]&pin=12345678

So if you make the change in the MAC.cfg file, I would advise that you use

vmail.php?ext=100&user=100&pin=12345678

instead.

This bug will be fixed in a future firmware.

If you want to change in the .prf file then you can use

vmail.php?ext=$$SIPUSERNAME$$&user=[B]$$AA_SIPUSERNAME_AA$$[/B]

for instance.

Hope this helps you to understand what's going on.

Regards

aastra1

 

[aastra1]

Some answers

First our current phones show a directory of company extensions. This is similar to the pre configured directory. Then we each user may want to add phone numbers to a personal directory and this is also there under services. But we also have a directory that shows a list of common numbers like vendors, support agents and such that are set by an admin and show up on every phone. This was easy to do with the polycom each user had directory-xml and you could just put company contacts in the default 0000-directory.xml. How can I get this functionality on the 57i?

You have 2 options there.

Option 1
You can use the central corporate directory that can be uploaded from the configuration server, it is a csv file. Check the admin guide for more details.

Option 2
With the 2.2.0 XML scripts we provide an XML application called contacts which allows a user to search a directory (csv file). You just have to maintain this csv file on the server and every user can access to it. Check out the XML scripts documentation, it is not part of the default profile but it is very easy to add it in the .prf file.

Second the preconfigured buttons are almost perfect for our aplication but the intercom seems lacking for instance when you hit intercom you then enter the extention and away you go. But what if you dont know the extention? When you use the directory and you get a list of extentions the bottom pane changes to show dial. It seems like it should also have an intercom button if you want to intercom the person instead of calling. Can anyone help me with setting this up?

That is a pretty good idea, I guess we could add a 'Intercom' key on the PBX directory application as it is just dialing adding the configured intercom prefix (usually *80). We are working on the next version of the scripts, this could be a good candidate. It might not be available on all the types of phone though.

Regards

aastra1

 

[fishfilet]

Good to know I was wondering why that would not work.

While we are on the subject of firmware bugs let me throw this your way. Perhaps it is not in the firmware but you tell me.

I am trying to make the transition from our current old Panasonic PBX and phones to Piaf and the aastra 57i as smooth as possible. On our current phones even we have several BLF/Speeddial keys and so I want the new phones to act in a similar fashion so I set the first 5 Top soft keys to blfxfer keys like this.

topsoftkey1 type: blfxfer
topsoftkey1 lable: "Tom Jones"
topsoftkey1 value: 105

and so on it goes. I do this in the mac.cfg All of the topsoftkeys work right except for topsoftkey5 it always shows the lable of "Night Mode" even though it is functioning as a blfxfer key. It seems it is just the lable that will not take. In fact when the phone first boots it does show the right lable but quickly disapears and "Night Mode" somehow makes it's way to the lable.

If I leave the lable field off and change it in the web ui then the lable takes just now from a .cfg file So for now I am having to set the label on topsoftkey5 on all the phones from the web ui.

I have noticed it does this with other types as well not just the blfxfer type but I am not sure if all types exibit this problem.

Let me know if it something stupid that I am doing.

Thanks!

 

[aastra1]

Your answer is located at chapter 6.15 of the scripts documentation

While we are on the subject of firmware bugs let me throw this your way. Perhaps it is not in the firmware but you tell me.

I am trying to make the transition from our current old Panasonic PBX and phones to Piaf and the aastra 57i as smooth as possible. On our current phones even we have several BLF/Speeddial keys and so I want the new phones to act in a similar fashion so I set the first 5 Top soft keys to blfxfer keys like this.

topsoftkey1 type: blfxfer
topsoftkey1 lable: "Tom Jones"
topsoftkey1 value: 105

and so on it goes. I do this in the mac.cfg All of the topsoftkeys work right except for topsoftkey5 it always shows the lable of "Night Mode" even though it is functioning as a blfxfer key. It seems it is just the lable that will not take. In fact when the phone first boots it does show the right lable but quickly disapears and "Night Mode" somehow makes it's way to the label.

If I leave the lable field off and change it in the web ui then the lable takes just now from a .cfg file So for now I am having to set the label on topsoftkey5 on all the phones from the web ui.

I have noticed it does this with other types as well not just the blfxfer type but I am not sure if all types exibit this problem.

No you are not doing something stupid. What happens is that the extension was created using the self-configuration which memorizes (in the user context) the location of the special keys (DND, CFWD, Day/night, agent... that are managing the LED status). This is done when the user logs in.
So if you change the layout in MAC.cfg the location of day/night is still at top softkey5 and when the phone registers after reboot, the day/night label and LED are automatically updated.

So what you need to do is described at chapter 6.15 of the scripts documentation, you need to reset the user context for the day/night key (and maybe others).

If you do the following commands if your user is 100 for instance

cd /var/www/html/aastra/asterisk
php read_context.php 100 daynight

will return

daynight
Array
(
[key] => topsoftkey5
)

To reset the key type

php set_key.php 100 daynight ''

This should solve your problem.

In the next version of the scripts, the special keys are now identified from the MAC.cfg file so this will not be a problem anymore.

Let me know if you still have issues.

Regards

aastra1

 

[fishfilet]

Thank you yes I did eventually find the contacts app that uses the .csv file and it works great. I don't know if this is a good place for suggestions but let me mention a couple of more things.

First when I pick up the phone I immediately get a dial tone and the bottom soft keys change. Is there anyway to change this. The issue that springs up is this. What if I don't want to use my speaker phone? For instance some places are not allowed to use one such as cube workers. Let's say you want to listen to your visual voice mail over the headset, but when you pick up the handset the voice mail button goes away or perhaps you are trying to join a meet-me conference but same thing you pick up the headset and the option is no longer available. It would be nice if the options would stay put somehow and perhaps only disappear when you began to dial or something like that.


The second issue or preference which I'm sure is doable if you know how to program it but I don't know php or pearl or C yada yada yada is this.

again making it easy for my users I have opted for the following on the last 5 top softkeys.

1. Directory as set in the scripts that brings up extensions on the server.

2. Personal per phone directory for adding personal contacts this is currently under the services but I don't want them to have to navigate sub menus for such a basic feature.

3. directory for the csv file we were talking about with a shared company searchable list

4. Speed dial as set in the scripts

5. and presence as set in the scripts

It would be nice though If I knew how to combine this so that I had one Directory Button on a topsoftkey and when selected the bottom keys change to show Personal, Company, and Extensions. This would be nice but It is not the end of the world just have all three on the top just a suggestion.

Also let me say I do realize that while a suggestion is considered not everyone will have my wants or needs and so it may not be implemented and I appreciate these great scripts as they are.

Thank you.

 

[fishfilet]

Thank you I will try that today.

 

[aastra1]

Thank you yes I did eventually find the contacts app that uses the .csv file and it works great.

Glad it works for you.

I don't know if this is a good place for suggestions but let me mention a couple of more things.

This is definitely the perfect place for suggestions.

First when I pick up the phone I immediately get a dial tone and the bottom soft keys change. Is there anyway to change this. The issue that springs up is this.

This can not be changed, when you go off-hook by any means (press a line key, speakerphone...) the phone invites you to dial a number.

What if I don't want to use my speaker phone? For instance some places are not allowed to use one such as cube workers. Let's say you want to listen to your visual voice mail over the headset, but when you pick up the handset the voice mail button goes away or perhaps you are trying to join a meet-me conference but same thing you pick up the headset and the option is no longer available. It would be nice if the options would stay put somehow and perhaps only disappear when you began to dial or something like that.

For the Visual voice mail, we have done some changes in 2.2.1 which allows the user to disable auto-answer and listen to his messages via the handset (or headset). He can even keep the handset in his hands between messages. Fo the meet-me conference, the button should be available but you have to press more to access it. We may be able to manage to stay in the application if the call has been triggered from the meet-me application. Another good candidate.

The second issue or preference which I'm sure is doable if you know how to program it but I don't know php or pearl or C yada yada yada is this.

again making it easy for my users I have opted for the following on the last 5 top softkeys.

1. Directory as set in the scripts that brings up extensions on the server.
2. Personal per phone directory for adding personal contacts this is currently under the services but I don't want them to have to navigate sub menus for such a basic feature.
3. directory for the csv file we were talking about with a shared company searchable list
4. Speed dial as set in the scripts
5. and presence as set in the scripts

It would be nice though If I knew how to combine this so that I had one Directory Button on a topsoftkey and when selected the bottom keys change to show Personal, Company, and Extensions. This would be nice but It is not the end of the world just have all three on the top just a suggestion.

This is easily doable for the XML apps but I guess not that simple to include the phone local directory and guess what it does not require any programming skill. With the scripts we provide an XML application called mymenu.php which can use config files to display custom menus, this is what we use for the 'Applications' menu behind the Services key.
I will do the work for you and publish it in the forum.

I was wondering about the phone local directory, is it really used? I personnally always try to avoid to store anything in the phone in case it has to be replaced, I was wondering if the speed dial application could not be used instead, even if it is limited to 30 inputs, each input can handle 4 numbers. BTW, the speed dial application can also be used for shared speed dials, the records are stored in the cache if you send a user extension it is stored in the user context, but you can create another context such as 'corporate' and everything will be shared between users. The application also supports a mode wher user cannot edit/change the records.

Thanks for your input, it is very valuable for us as it allows us to improve the XML scripts so they can fit your needs.

Regards

aastra1

 

[fishfilet]

For the Visual voice mail, we have done some changes in 2.2.1 which allows the user to disable auto-answer and listen to his messages via the handset (or headset).
aastra1

Great this will be a good change!

This is easily doable for the XML apps but I guess not that simple to include the phone local directory and guess what it does not require any programming skill. With the scripts we provide an XML application called mymenu.php which can use config files to display custom menus, this is what we use for the 'Applications' menu behind the Services key.
I will do the work for you and publish it in the forum.
aastra1

Thank you again.

I was wondering about the phone local directory, is it really used? I personally always try to avoid to store anything in the phone in case it has to be replaced, I was wondering if the speed dial application could not be used instead, even if it is limited to 30 inputs, each input can handle 4 numbers. BTW, the speed dial application can also be used for shared speed dials, the records are stored in the cache if you send a user extension it is stored in the user context, but you can create another context such as 'corporate' and everything will be shared between users. The application also supports a mode where user cannot edit/change the records.
aastra1

I don't know why I did not think of this but I will give It a try. For some reason I was just not thinking of the speed dial app as a personal directory when that is just what it is. I agree that having the info stored on the phone is not the best thing.

Thanks again for everything you certainly go above and beyond.

 

[fishfilet]

Fo the meet-me conference, the button should be available but you have to press more to access it.

Edit: 4/15/09
Never mind I was wrong. I could have sworn yesterday that when I picked up the phone the more button was gone but today it is not. Perhaps I need to get more sleep and stop playing around with Piaf to all hours of the night, lol.

This wont work because when you pick up the line even the more button goes away. All I have is Dial, Conf, and Xfer. So you cannot pick up the handset and then try and join a Meet-Me conference. Generally your going to be on speakerphone when attending a conference but you never know.

As A side note I don't use the Meet-Me program because I don't use static meeting rooms. I use the New Web Meet System where users dynamically create there own Meeting room number and it has a start and end time. The current Meet-Me application does not work with this. So what I do is just Create a Speed Dial softkey for meet-me such as *66 then when the user presses it they are prompted for the room number. It is not quite as nice because you cant get a list of meeting rooms.

Since I am doing this however I guess I can put that speed dial key on one of the topsofkey buttons then it wont go away when the user picks up the phone. I am running out of topsofkeys but the mymenu stuff you mentioned may help me regain some of these if I can consolodate my Directories.

Also I don't use parking but for those that do they also may want that to stay put when picking up the handset so they can answer a call without it going to speaker phone.

Again these are very minor since you could pick up a parked call and then pick up your headset.

 

[fishfilet]

This is easily doable for the XML apps but I guess not that simple to include the phone local directory and guess what it does not require any programming skill. With the scripts we provide an XML application called mymenu.php which can use config files to display custom menus, this is what we use for the 'Applications' menu behind the Services key.
I will do the work for you and publish it in the forum.
aastra1

Thanks that worked great! If you still want to publish this for others you can but it was easy to I just needed to go over the documentation again. I know I read that before but It did not hit me as to what it was or would be useful for at the time.

If anyone is wondering it is on section 7.16

Thanks again!

 

[aastra1]

Thanks that worked great! If you still want to publish this for others you can but it was easy to I just needed to go over the documentation again. I know I read that before but It did not hit me as to what it was or would be useful for at the time.

Doing the work I realized that we have a small bug in mymenu.php, if you create your own menu it interferes with the menu used by 'Applications'. The interference is minor but it can be annoying, it is fixed in 2.2.1 which will be available for beta tomorrow.

Stay tuned.

aastra1

 

[aastra1]

I definitely need to have a look at the new meet-me conference application, dynamic meeting rooms sounds great.

Will probably be for 2.3.0...

aastra1

 

[fishfilet]

Oh yes it is great and a breeze to install. Here is the forum link. http://pbxinaflash.com/community/threads/new-web-meetme-system-part-1.3644/?t=3644 The great think here is that the conference room number changes at random and of course the password can be set by the user each time. Also it is only available during its scheduled time. So if you make a one hour meeting it will expire after an hour and you cant join it again after that. This is good for security because with a statically configured room once someone has the room# and password they can log in anytime even after the conference and use the same password because lets face it you probably don't change them often. They may also be able to join in to a conference they are not part of and listen in.

I did not notice the bug you mention but it is probably because I have removed the services button from my phone and don't use it right now. It is working really great though. I put the intercom, Meet-Me, Paging all on top so they don't go away when the handset is lifted. So now I can lift the handset to page or intercom or join a meeting. I also noticed that I can hit intercom and then directory and choose an extention and it works. It would still be better intercom were one of the bottom keys of the directory though as it is less steps. But this is working great. Thanks alot for the tips and I cant wait to see what is new in the beta although I am not much of a beta tester but I may be able to help out.

Thanks again.

 

[fishfilet]

Disapearing menu items form mymenu lists

Doing the work I realized that we have a small bug in mymenu.php, if you create your own menu it interferes with the menu used by 'Applications'. The interference is minor but it can be annoying, it is fixed in 2.2.1 which will be available for beta tomorrow.

Stay tuned.

aastra1

Could you explain a bit about the bug. I wonder if it is what I am seeing. I created a Menu as mentioned before for my directories like so.

[RESERVED]
title=Directory

[SpeedDial]
title=Personal
uri=http://192.168.0.100:80/aastra/asterisk/speed.php?user=$$SIPUSERNAME$$
info=Speed Dial

[Extensions]
title=Extensions
info=Internal Extensions Directory
uri=http://192.168.0.100:80/aastra/asterisk/directory.php?user=$$SIPUSERNAME$$

[Shared]
title=Company
info=Company Contacts
uri=http://192.168.0.100:80/aastra/asterisk/contacts.php?user=$$SIPUSERNAME$$

And another one for making a page button that then shows page groups that you can choose from like this.

[RESERVED]
title=Page Groups

[Offices]
title=Offices
uri=Dial:201
info=Page All Office Extensions

[All]
title=Page All
info=Page All Extensions
uri=Dial:202

[VM]
title=Voice Mail
info=Leave a message to all users
uri=Dial:501

What is happening is that Either one will work fine. But if you use the other one then it wipes out the other one. For instance if I go to Directory is shows my three submenu items. But then when I go to page it is empty and I have to use the add key to add in my three menu items. Then that will work fine but if I chose directory it is now empty and I have to add them back in as well on the phone. So it is like I cant have two mymenu items or something.

Perhaps I should have waited for your code maybe it was not as simple as I thought and I am missing something.

Thanks.

 

[aastra1]

This is exactly the bug I was referring to...

Hello fishfilet

What is happening is that Either one will work fine. But if you use the other one then it wipes out the other one. For instance if I go to Directory is shows my three submenu items. But then when I go to page it is empty and I have to use the add key to add in my three menu items. Then that will work fine but if I chose directory it is now empty and I have to add them back in as well on the phone. So it is like I cant have two mymenu items or something.

This is exactly the bug I was referring to, as the menu options are stored in the user cache but as the context is the same for all the menus using one wipes the other one... Your configuration is fine. It is fixed in 2.2.1 and I am publishing the beta today.

If you want I can send you a patch for your installation, just PM me an email address or you can extract mymenu.php from the 2.2.1 load. Let me know what works the best for you.

Regards

aastra1

 

[fishfilet]

Oh good I can't wait. Thanks for the help I can wait for the beta release.

Ha Ha. First I can't wait, then I can.

 

[fishfilet]

Suggestion

Some of my users are paranoid and they want to have to put in a password to get their voice mail. However most of my users like myself have don't feel we are important enough that anyone would care what is on our voice mail and we want the convenience of not having to put in a password to get our visual voice mail.

That being said I do know where to set this up but it would be nice if when a user logged in say for the first time if the phone would ask "Do you want to save your password?" and then It would not need it again unless it was incorrect. That way if the user changes their VM password instead of saying that is is wrong it will ask for the old one again and if that is right then ask if they want to update or something.

This would let the user change their password and still have auto log in without having to tell the PBX admin (that is me) that they changed their password and now their voicemail does not work.

This has not happened I am just trying to think ahead.

 

[aastra1]

Maybe a new 'Auto-login' option?

Hello again fishfilet,

Some of my users are paranoid and they want to have to put in a password to get their voice mail. However most of my users like myself have don't feel we are important enough that anyone would care what is on our voice mail and we want the convenience of not having to put in a password to get our visual voice mail.

That being said I do know where to set this up but it would be nice if when a user logged in say for the first time if the phone would ask "Do you want to save your password?" and then It would not need it again unless it was incorrect. That way if the user changes their VM password instead of saying that is is wrong it will ask for the old one again and if that is right then ask if they want to update or something.

This would let the user change their password and still have auto log in without having to tell the PBX admin (that is me) that they changed their password and now their voicemail does not work.

This has not happened I am just trying to think ahead.

Now the 2.2.1 scripts are available you will notice the new 'Options' menu in the Visual VM which allows the user to record all its greetings as well as enable/disable auto-answer. What I would suggest for your problem is to add a new option which would be auto-login enable/disable when the VM script has the 'ext' and 'user' parameters with the same value (monitoring the phone VM). It could be easy to implement. We put the password to match what you have on the IVR side.

What do you think of this solution? It could make 2.2.1 beta2... As you say the risk being that if they change the VM password, they might forget it as the scripts will not ask for it anymore.

Regards

aastra1

 

[aastra1]

Beta1 for 2.2.1 is now available

Oh good I can't wait. Thanks for the help I can wait for the beta release.

Ha Ha. First I can't wait, then I can.

Details are now posted in this forum.

Enjoy!

aastra1