Vonage doesn't work with multiline system...

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 27, 2005 Posts: 6

Won't work with multiline system...

We are a small company and have just signed up for Vonage service (3 lines: 2 voice, 1 fax). We have a Partner (Avaya/Lucent) multiline telephone system which we have been using for about 7 years. We have a low call volume. We signed up for the Vonage service with the understanding from the sales representative that our existing system (described to her) would work with Vonage. Our telephone feed (from outside service) to the Partner system is a standard 4 pair line. This line is split into 4 inputs to the Partner system (pairs of brown, orange, green, blue). This provides our service for 2 voice lines.

We have the standard TWC Internet business package service with Motorola MODEM. Vonage sent us 2 Linksys routers: 1 for 2 voice line service and 1 for fax line service. We bought some Cat5 cable, split out the 4 twisted pair lines, and crimped RJ45 plugs on the ends to replicate the Partner input feeds (pairs of brown, orange, green, blue). On the other end of the Cat5 cable, we crimped a single RJ45 plug. We then discovered (as we should have noticed earlier) that the router telephone connections are RJ11 single line feeds.

I spoke with 3 different Vonage support representatives yesterday. The final response (from the advanced support rep) was that Vonage does not support, nor recommend the use of, multiline phone systems (such as most business would have). This seems in contrast to a section from the above posted technical support reference which states: "Because Vonage offers a business class service, there are going to be companies that want to hook their Vonage service into a business phone system or a PBX. There are two common problems, and both have workarounds." The technical support reps indicated they did not understand where we got our information that Vonage would recommend or support the use of such multiline systems. we would like to use Vonage as our provider, but have not been able to connect our existing multiline phone system for Vonage service.

My question(s): How can we connect the router to the Partner system? Can we combine the two single line feeds from the Vonage supplied Linksys router (Phone 1 and Phone 2) through some type of adapter? In short, is there a simple 2 RJ11 input to 1 RJ45 output thingy which will address this problem?

If we can't work this out, we will have to return the hardware and switch back to our prior telephone service provider.

Thanks very much for any help you can give!

Posts: 605 · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:38 am Post subject:

I am not sure how you would do it but I am almost POSITIVE that you can connect Vonage to a multiline telephone system. Im sure someone here will be able to assist you with that system. I wouldnt cancel the service as of this time. Best of luck.

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:42 am Post subject:

Typically you would connect everything through a punch down block for flexability. You would then connect a standard RJ11 jack to the punch down block and use the included line cord to complete the installation. If this had been done correctly the first time you would not even have this issue. You might have needed to add the RJ11 jacks, but the rest of the installation would have been simple.

However, since you are already crimping RJ45 connectors there is no reason you can't just crimp RJ11 connectors as well. Just put one on each pair.

If it were me I would put in a punch down block.

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 27, 2005 Posts: 6

The Partner system accepts RJ45 plugs and was wired by a team of Lucent technicians (about 5 of them) in that manner when the system was installed at our office. We have never had problems with the system. I would think that it was installed properly. What colors are to be split and crimped to plug into the router side of the Cat5 cable? In other words, the Partner side of the Cat5 wiring is understood, but what combination of color pairs/wires to split/crimp on the router end is not understood. I'm clueless about "punch down blocks".

We want to get the system working with Vonage, but are very concerned that we've gotten no technical support from Vonage except to say that they don't support or recommend using multiline systems though sales written documentation and sales reps indicate otherwise. This makes things pretty tough when you are sent equipment expecting it to work, set up phone service switch, and then are without any land-line phone service because the system isn't working!

Anyway, help is still appreciated. Thanks again!

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:55 am Post subject:

How many RJ45 plugs are in use, is it one for each line?

If so you can make cables with one end an RJ45 and the other RJ11. I have posted links in the home wiring forum concerning how to wire telephones using standard RJ45 equipment. Alternatively you should be able to connect standard line cords. The RJ11 plugs should correctly fit in the RJ45 jacks.

This PDF document contains installation instructions for a PARTNER system.

http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/partner_acs/r7/456803_6.pdf

EDIT: My concern is that you have a DSL module or a T1 module that would not be compatible with Vonage analog lines. However the base unit should support analog lines. Do you have a model number and the model numbers of any installed cards?

Posts: 55 · Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 10:08 am Post subject: Vonage and Partner

I would think that Vonage features and a Lucent Partner ACS are a very good pairing.

The POTS jacks on the back of the Vonage routers should plug directly in the lines on the Partner module. The Partner line jacks (Rj45 jacks) will take a RJ45 plug OR a RJ11 plug. I've seen both in a Partner core module. Unless labeled otherwise, each RJ45 line plug on the Partner is a single line.

I beleive the DSL and T1 modules are extra modules - you still need a core module for handling the main functions, the 4 incoming lines, and the first extensions (plus the PCMCIA Cards for programming and backup).

Keep a generic phone near the Partner. This allows for quick troubleshooting of the incoming phone lines, regardless if they're Local Telco or Vonage. If you discover an issue with the standard telephone, you can troubleshoot with it with Vonage, then plug the then fixed line back into the Partner.