IMG 1010 - Channel Group

Description

The channel group object defines incoming and outgoing attributes for a group of channels. The Channel Group object allows the user to specify a set of attributes such as IP Profiles, routing tables, translation tables, etc to be assigned to the specific channel group being configured. See Field Descriptions section below for a list of attributes that can be assigned to the channel group being configured.

Depending on the protocol, the IMG communicates with other entities in the network through the use of TDM channels/DS0's or IP Ports. A collection of TDM Channels or collection of IP Ports are labeled as a Channel Group. A channel group is created using a specific protocol such as SIP, SS7, or H.323 and is used to group a collection of DS0's or Ports to communicate with a far end entity. On the IMG the manner in which TDM Channels and IP Ports are allocated for channel groups is distributed differently as described below.

Accessing this Pane

IMG EMS > Routing Configuration > Channel Groups > Channel Group

Open

Maximum Objects

672 per EMS

Related Topics

IMG 1010 - Creating a Channel Group

IMG 1010 - Configuring H.323 Routing

IMG 1010 - Configuring SIP Routing

IMG 1010 - Configuring SS7 CIC Routing

IMG 1010 - Configuring ISDN Routing

IMG 1010 - Configuring CAS

ClientView Pane for Software (10.3.x - 10.5.0)

Open

ClientView Pane for Software (10.5.1, 10.5.2)

ClientView Pane for Software 10.5.3

Field Descriptions:

Name

Enter a name in this field that will identify the Channel Group. Click in the field and enter name.

ID

The ID field is automatically populated with the next available ID. The ID can be modified by selecting from a range of ID's from the drop down menu. The IMG supports the following range of ID's: (0 - 671)

Channel Group Function:

This field identifies the direction of calls on this Channel Group.

Incoming/Outgoing Trunks -  Channel group will be used for both incoming and outgoing traffic. (Two way traffic)

Incoming Trunks - Channel group will be used for incoming traffic only. (One way traffic)

Outgoing Trunks - Channel group will be used for outgoing traffic only. (One way traffic)

Signaling Type

The Channel Group being created can be configured to any one of the following signaling protocols. The protocol selected will dictate which fields can be modified. Any fields that cannot be modified for that particular protocol will be shaded in green and cannot be modified. The supported protocols which are in a drop down menu in this field are displayed below:

• SS7

• CAS

• H.323

• ISDN

• SIP 

Incoming Translation Table

The Incoming Translation Table field identifies any Incoming translation tables that the IMG will use when performing digit translation or error detection on any incoming calls received on this Channel Group. Select from drop down menu the translation table to be used for any calls received on this Channel Group. For the translation table to appear in the drop down menu, an incoming translation table must first be configured. Refer to IMG 1010 - Translation Table. If multiple incoming translation tables are configured then there will be multiple incoming translation tables to select from in drop down menu.

Route Table

The Route Table field allows user to select which route table out of all route tables configured to be used for routing calls received on a specific channel group. Select from drop down menu the route table to be used for any calls coming in to this channel group.

Incoming Treatment

The Incoming Treatment field lets the user decide what to do when a call comes into the IMG and fails to connect.

Release w/Cause (Default) - Release with cause is the default selection. If the call fails, the channel will release and transmit a cause code. Where the cause code is sent is dependent on the reason the call was released and whether the outgoing leg has started call setup on outgoing leg. The cause code value is dependent on the reason the call failed and eventually released.

Play Treatment - Play treatment is normally utilized for error detection or maintenance. When the Play Treatment option is selected, the IMG will play a pre-determined treatment file back to entity initiating the call. The treatment can indicate the channel is in maintenance, out of service, or use one of many reasons a treatment would want to be played on this channel.

Cause Code Mapping Table

The Cause Code Mapping Table field is used to modify an incoming cause code. The default is when a cause code is received, it is transmitted without being modified. The cause code can also be modified. Through the use of the Cause Code Table and Cause Code Entry objects, the cause code received can be matched and then modified. After the cause code is modified it is transmitted to the outgoing channel group with the modified cause code. Select from drop down menu the cause code table that will be used to modify the cause code. A cause code table and cause code entry must first be created. Once they are created then the cause code tables will be displayed in drop down menu. Refer to IMG 1010 - Route Table/Cause Code Table/Service Route Table for more information on creating a cause code table.

None (Default) - If cause code mapping is NOT going to be used, leave this field at as None.

Incoming IP Profile

The Incoming IP Profile field allows a user to select the IP characteristics for incoming VoIP calls on this Channel Group. Parameters such as voice encoding compression, payload size, echo suppression, can be configured. A drop down menu including all IP Bearer profiles configured can be used to select a specific profile. An IP Bearer Profile must first be created. Once created it will appear in this drop down menu.

Outgoing Translation Table

The Outgoing Translation Table field identifies any Outgoing translation tables that the IMG will use when performing digit translation or error detection on any outgoing calls being transmitted on the outgoing channel group. Select from drop down menu the outgoing translation table to be used for any outgoing calls being processed through this Channel Group. For the translation table to appear in the drop down menu, an outgoing translation table must first be configured. Refer to IMG 1010 - Translation Table and IMG 1010 - Translation Entry for configuration information. If multiple outgoing translation tables are configured then there will be multiple translation tables to select from in drop down menu.

Hunting Options

This field specifies the hunting algorithm used for selecting a TDM channel to route an outgoing call.

Alternate Odd / Alternate Even (Pre 10.5.3 SP6) - For alternate odd or alternate even, the IMG will choose the TDM resource based on its channel number. (i.e position in span starting at channel 0 as even).

Alternate Odd / Alternate Even (from 10.5.3 SP6) - The IMG selects the outbound (CAS or ISDN) channel based on the channel number being odd or even. For SS7 the odd / even selection is based on the SS7 CIC number. Refer to Alternate odd/even hunting option in a channel group for more information on functionality and limitations.

LRU (Least Recently Used) - Selects the channel that has been used the least.

Most Idle - Selects the channel that has been idle the longest.

Round Robin Clockwise - Starts at the first channel in the channel group and routes down the list of available channels, and then repeats from the beginning of the list.

Round Robin Counter Clockwise - Same as Round Robin Clockwise, but it starts at the last channel in the channel group and routes up the channels.

Sequential Bottom Up - Starts at the last channel in the channel group and routes up. If a prior channel becomes available this channel is used before selecting the next channel from the end of the list.

Sequential Top Down - Starts at the first channel in the channel group and routes down. If a prior channel becomes available this channel is used before selecting the next channel from the end of the list.

Outgoing Treatment:

Allows user to decide what to do when a call fails and is released.

Release w/Cause (Default) - Release with cause is the default selection. If the outgoing call fails, the channel will release and transmit a cause code to either the calling party, the called party or both. Where the cause code is sent is dependent on the reason the call was released and whether call setup has been initiated on outgoing leg. The cause code value is dependent on the reason the call failed and eventually released.

Play Treatment - Play treatment is normally utilized for error detection or maintenance. When the Play Treatment option is selected, the IMG will play a pre-determined treatment file back to entity initiating the call. The treatment can indicate the channel is in maintenance, out of service, or use one of many reasons a treatment would want to be played on this channel.

Ingress Side will Play Call Progress Tones:

This field controls if the IMG will play a call progress tones to the inbound call. This field is applied to the outgoing channel group only.

True - When field is set to True and Alerting is received on the outbound channel the IMG will generate Ring-Back to the inbound call. Setting this field to true will also override the default mapping of the 18x alerting message (With or without SDP present). The IMG has additional rules regarding ring back when Progress indicators No. 1 and No. 8. are present. For information on this additional functionality, see Suppress Local CPT when CPG Indicators Received

When Alerting is received on the outbound channel the IMG will generate Ring-Back to the inbound call. Setting this to true will override the behavior of mapping 18x with or without SDP. In software version 10.5.3 rules were added as to when ringback is played. The following link displays the new scenarios added: Suppress Local CPT when CPG Indicators Received

False (Default) - When Alerting is received on the outbound channel the IMG will not generate Ring-Back to the inbound call.

The table below displays different scenarios of when IMG will or will not play ring back when false (default) is selected.

Outgoing IP Profile:

The Outgoing IP Profile field allows user to select the IP characteristics for outgoing VoIP calls on this Channel Group. Parameters such as voice encoding compression, payload size, echo suppression, can be configured. A drop down menu including all IP Bearer Profiles configured can be used to select a specific profile. An IP Bearer Profile must first be created. Once created it will appear in this drop down menu. This field applies to SIP Channel Groups only. If configuring SS7 or ISDN then this field will be shaded in green and cannot be modified.

Treatment Table

If Play Treatment is selected in either the Incoming or Outgoing Treatment fields above then the treatment selected in this field will be the treatment played if a call fails on either the incoming or outgoing channel groups. The NFS server must first be configured. Refer to Configure NFS Share. The Treatment Table field will be populated with all available Treatment Tables configured. The Default Treatment Table is configured with ID:1. If custom Treatment Tables are added they will begin with ID:2

• TreatmentTable ID: 1: Default

• TreatmentTable ID: 2: User Created

Reattempt Cause Code

By default, the IMG will automatically attempt to re-route calls in response to the following cause codes: 42,41, and 34. Calls can be rerouted on up to (4) additional cause codes. This is accomplished by clicking in the 'Reattempt Cause Code' field which is located in the Channel Group ClientView Pane. A 'Select Multiple Items' box will appear with multiple Cause Codes to select from. More than one Cause Code can be chosen by selecting <CTRL> key and clicking on multiple entries. The IMG will automatically attempt to re-route calls in response to the selected cause codes.

Not Used (Default) - Feature Disabled. The IMG will only re-route on cause codes 42,41, and 34

Receive Gain/Transmit Gain

Configures the Input and Output Gain on a per Channel Group basis for TDM and RTP channels. Transformations are selected from a drop down menu which include selections from -21 dB to +18 dB in 3 dB increments.  When 0 dB is selected the transformation option is disabled.

Clipping - In the case of TDM to TDM calls, the combined Receive and Transmit Gain will be clipped at +18 dB. For example, if channel group A had the Receive gain set to +12 dB and channel group B had its Transmit gain set to +10 dB, and the call was flowing from A to B, one would expect +22 dB of gain. However, the IMG will implement clipping, so the gain on this call would be +18 dB.  It will work the same in the reverse direction as well.

Gain Control is not supported for pre-call announcements, treatments, or ringback.

The following fields relate to Overlap Signaling:

See Overlap Signaling (Receiving) for more information.

Overlap Enable (Receiving) ISDN, SS7, H.323 and SIP

Enabled - Enable overlap signaling on inbound Channel Groups when the outbound channel group does not support Overlap Signaling. The IMG will collect address digits until a Termination Condition is met and then continue call processing. See below for protocol-specific information. Overlap is only applied to the inbound channel, even on an Incoming/Outgoing Trunk.

Disabled (default) - By default, the IMG passes only enbloc received digits to the outbound side.  

Overlap Enable (Sending) SIP to SS7 only

Enabled: By enabling Overlap, this will allow Overlap Sending of destination address digits. In this case each received IAM and subsequent SAM messages will be interworked to a  series of INVITES each containing all the destination address digits received to that point, similarly when the SIP interface receives a series of INVITES, each containing more destination address digits than the previous one, these will be mapped into an IAM, SAM sequence with each message containing only the new digits from the latest INVITE. See Overlap Signaling (Sending)

Termination Digit

When Overlap signaling is enabled, the IMG will collect digits until one of the termination digits selected in drop down menu is met. The termination digits are displayed below. The default termination digit is the pound sign (#) character.

Minimum # of Digits

When Overlap signaling is enabled, the IMG will collect digits on incoming channel group until the minimum number of digits selected is met. Once the minimum number is met, the IMG will attempt an outseize on the outgoing side. Range = 1-24 (default = 24)

Inter SAM Timeout (ms)

The SAM is used to send Subsequent Address Signals (digits) when overlap is being used for call setup. The Inter SAM Timeout is the amount of time to wait between receiving digits. The default is 1500 milliseconds (1.5 seconds) but can be modified by clicking in the field and entering the new value.

Total Overlap Timeout

Max time allowed in seconds for the dialed digits to be received. Total Overlap timeout is used for both Minimum # of Digits or Inter SAM timeout. The Default is 18000 milliseconds (18 seconds) but can be modified by clicking in the field and entering the new value.

Support Digit A to F  (10.5.1 +)

Select from drop down menu either False or True:

False - (Default) Do not support the digits 0x0a through 0x0f for translations and routing.

True - Support the digits 0x0a through 0x0f for translations and routing.

Refer to Digits 0x0A to 0x0F Support for more information.

Channel Transfer

Disabled (Default) - When disabled is selected the Two Bearer Channel Transfer feature is disabled. If Channel Group 'Signaling Type' is configured for a protocol other than ISDN, then this field cannot be changed.

Enabled - When the Signaling Type field in the channel group pane is set to ISDN then the Transfer Mode field in the Channel Group Pane object pane can be changed to enabled. When Transfer Mode is enabled, the ISDN channel group is configured to send facility messages to the SPCS (Stored Program Control Switch) on the PBX or TDM Switch informing the TDM Switch/PBX to connect or loop two calls together. This will allow the two calls to be off-loaded from the IMG.

CPN/CPC Retrieval via INR/INF

In the case of SS7 to SIP calls, if IAM is received that does not contain a Calling Party Number or the Calling Party Category is set to unknown, the IMG can be configured to send an INR (Information Request) message back to the SS7 network requesting the missing parameter. The SS7 network will reply with an INF (Information Response) message back to the IMG and the information will be interworked into the outgoing INVITE message. Refer to Calling Party Information Retrieval via INR/INF for more information.

Disable (Default) - IMG will function normally and will not send INR (Information Request) back to SS7 network.

Enabled - If the IAM received from the SS7 side does not contain a Calling Party Number -or- the Calling Party Category is set to unknown the IMG will send an INR (Information Request) back to the SS7 network requesting the Calling Party Number and/or the Calling Party Category.

Reserved Incoming Channels (%)

The Reserved Incoming Channels (%) field was added for the Dynamic Channel Reservation feature and configures an SS7 or ISDN channel group to have a percentage of the available channels configured as Incoming Only. The Reserved Incoming Channels (%) field is a drop down menu ranging from 0% to 100%.

Example:

If 10 was selected from the drop down menu of this field and the channel group has 32 channels in it. The number of channels reserved as Incoming Only will be: (10% * 32 = 3.2 Rounded up to the next whole number = 4)

In this case, 4 channels will be reserved as Incoming Only. For more information, refer to Dynamic Channel Reservation

Monitoring Fields

Button Functionality

Save Incoming IP Tables - Used when Signaling Type is set to SIP.

Update Resource Table - After modifying a channel group, click on the Update Resource Table button and any existing Channel Group Resource Tables will be updated.