OmniPCX Enterprise

Distributed Systems
and Networking
 The Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise is a voice communication system that was designed from
the beginning to act as an enterprise network node. The model for the PBX came from
the telephone central office while the model for the OmniPCX Enterprise comes from the
Internet. Alcatel has built networking software so powerful that a network of 100 nodes
delivers the same features as a single system, keeping the distributed architecture
completely transparent to the user.

Alcatel’s software and hardware is so powerful that voice can be sent across a private IP network in a
compressed, low-cost form. And across frame relay. And across ATM. And across the public ISDN /
PSTN networks. Alcatel delivers radically new end-user power, and radically new integration of voice
and data applications, across any combination of wide area networks.

A powerful distributed architecture

The Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise hardware components can be distributed throughout company
premises and in remote locations via any communication infrastructure such as public telephone
networks, digital leased lines or IP data networks. This corresponds to a single virtual system that is
completely transparent.

A powerful distributed system

In the distributed configuration, the various Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise communication servers
communicate using the Alcatel Business Communication (ABC) Protocol. This protocol works with all
topologies and transport infrastructures and is based on four modules offering the following services:

ABC-F: Telephone features

ABC-F provides complete telephone feature transparency. Almost every feature available in a
single system is available across an entire network of Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise.

ABC-A: Applications
ABC-A offers enhanced network-wide applications, as both centralized and distributed solutions.

ABC-R: Routing
The core of the built-in routing protocol, ABC-R is based on a unique adaptive routing mechanism
that optimizes the size of network links and improves overall security. This protocol was designed
to reduce costs through the use of least-cost routing, automatic route selection, forced on-net,
break-in, break-out, and link optimization on transfer. And, ABC-R delivers a high degree of
network resilience.

ABC-M: Management
ABC-M guarantees database consistency among all Alcatel OmniPCXEnterprise. It uses
broadcasting and audit mechanisms to inform the whole network about configuration changes. It
also safeguards the system with centralized alarms.

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Distributed Systems and Networking

Packet voice network

Fueled by the quick evolution of enabling technologies such as packet voice, it is now possible to deliver
innovative services at reduced costs through a unified network. This unification leads to more network
choices: voice over IP, voice over frame relay, voice over ATM networks, and even packet voice over
traditional circuit networks.

Voice virtual private network (VPN)

New carrier tariff policies create opportunities for networks using public operators' switched infrastructures.
Alcatel's virtual private network solutions optimize both cost and performance with the use of packet voice
and compression technologies. Alcatel's advanced networking technologies also integrate easily with existing
ISDN / PSTN carrier services.

Heterogeneous network
Alcatel's ABC protocol is a superset of QSIG that increases the quality and performance of the Alcatel
OmniPCX Enterprise in an all-Alcatel network, and is completely compatible with other vendors existing
systems in multi-vendor environments. The QSIG protocol can also be used to connect new applications to
legacy PBXs; for example, mobile user groups, single-number dialing, call centers, etc. It is also an important
tool for migrating from older legacy PBXs to the capabilities of the converged Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise.
The Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise also fully supports the legacy DPNSS protocol.

Network concept
The Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise offers attractive and versatile options that reduce communication expenses
while maintaining a consistent service level throughout the organization.

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 Distributed systems
To address the needs of the very large organization, including very small locations, Alcatel provides
substantial network capacity:
• 100 systems in a homogeneous network • Over 1 million users in a supra-network

• 255 systems in a supra-network • 60,000 phone book entries

• 50,000 users in a homogeneous network

Distributed Media Gateways

In the Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise distributed architecture, various cabinets and chassis, called media
gateways, provide for all traditional voice end-point connections (i.e., analog, digital, wireless and soft
phones, and PSTN / trunk interfaces), system resources (e.g., conference and tone generation/
detection circuits), auxiliary devices and also provide local switching for voice end-points and
resources within the media gateway.

Distributed media gateway over fiber optics Distributed media gateway over digital
leased line
• Multi-mode and single mode fiber optic
• 64 Kbps serial digital link or frame relay
interface options
• Six / eight voice channels plus ABC
• Full feature transparency
network signaling supported
• Local switching for local communications
• Full ABC networking features
• On-site cellular hand-over and roaming
• Local switching for local communications
between media gateways
• "On-site" PWT cellular roaming
• Up to four 8 Mbps connections between the
remote media gateways and the • Overflow over ISDN / PSTN with ABC
communication server services in case of link saturation or failure

Distributed media gateway over copper cabling Distributed media gateway over TCP-IP data
networks
• Category 5 UTP copper cable
• TCP / IP network
• Full feature transparency
• 120 voice channels
• Local switching for local communications
• Local switching for local communications
• On-site cellular hand-over and roaming
between media gateways • Full feature transparency

• Up to four 8 Mbps connections between the IP domains for IP media gateways and IP
remote media gateways and the phones
communication server • Call limitation between domains
• Different compression algorithms intra-
domain and inter-domains
• Mixed legacy / IP domains
• Local media service: voice prompts, music
on hold, conferencing

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Distributed Systems and Networking

Packet voice network

Traditional voice networks are based on digital leased lines, including T1 and fractional T1. These are still
useful, and are an important component of current networks.

However, organizations can now deploy new networking configurations using the packet voice technology
built into the Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise. These include the digital public switched telephone network using
ISDN / PSTN signaling; public and private IP networks; frame relay networks; and ATM networks.

Packet voice network over ISDN Packet voice network over IP

Traditional voice uses 64 Kbps for a single voice The Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise provides a
call. With the Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise powerful communication capability across any IP
compression engine integrated in LIO (link network, and more. By sending the full ABC
optimizer) boards, a single ISDN / PSTN 64 Kbps networking protocol across an IP network, almost
every feature that works in a single OmniPCX
channel can support up to eight voice calls
Enterprise also works across a network. So, you do
simultaneously.
more than reduce transmission costs. You create a
• LIO B (serial data) provides one serial data single transparent network of almost any size
interface per board, X.24 / V.11 or V.36 across any distance.
native frame relay. Each LIO B board can
support up to four frame relay directions and
Characteristics:
has eight integrated voice compression
channels. • Allocation of the compression algorithm

• LIO X (auxiliary compression module) provides • Static

eight additional voice compression channels • Per bundle between Alcatel OmniPCX
Enterprise
Characteristics:
• Automatic fax detection • Automatic fax detection

• Using G.729A compression algorithm, • Call rerouting for new calls

compression rate is 8 Kbps • If there’s an IP network failure
• Using G.723.1 compression algorithm, • QoS problems (call by call)
compression rate is 6.4 Kbps
• Using G.729A compression algorithm,
• DTMF Q.23 codes interpreted, coded and compression rate is 8 Kbps
regenerated
• Using G.723.1 compression algorithm,
• End-to-end compression / decompression compression rate is 6.4 Kbps
• G3 fax up to 4.8 Kbps • DTMF Q23 codes interpreted, coded, and
• Integrated echo cancellation regenerated

• Lost frame interpolation • Dynamic jitter buffer

• Mutual aid between compression resources • Echo cancellation

• Silence suppression and regeneration (VAD) • End to end compression / decompression

• Voice frame fragmentation (reducing delay) • Ethernet connectivity

• G.711 voice coding: 64 Kbps • G3 Fax up to 4.8 Kbps

• Inter-node transit

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 • LIO E/INT-IP/MCV boards (one LAN • End to end compression / decompression
interface per board)
• G3 Fax up to 4.8 Kbps
• Lost frame interpolation
• Integrated echo cancellation
• Management fully integrated with
• Lost frame interpolation
management platforms
• Mutual help between compression resources
• Multiple VoIP bundles
• Silence suppression and regeneration (VAD)
• Silence suppression and regeneration (VAD)
• Six voice channels per PVC
• Up to 60 voice channels per board
• G.711 voice coding: 64 Kbps
• Up to 1,500 channels per node
• G.711 voice coding: 64 Kbps Voice over ATM
Today, many campus networks use ATM as a
Packet voice network over frame relay
backbone technology with many carriers
Frame relay is a central element of many providing ATM as an interface to a high-speed
enterprise networks. It’s efficient and cost- wide area network. The OmniPCX Enterprise
effective, and provides more deterministic supports native ATM connectivity, providing
performance than the Internet. The Alcatel seamless integration of voice and ABC services
OmniPCX Enterprise provides optimized support over ATM networks.
for voice across frame relay networks. The
OmniPCX sends voice across private and public Characteristics:
frame relay networks. This is particularly useful • ATM interface: 155 Mbps
for interconnecting sites with small to medium
• ATM adaptation layer 1
traffic loads.
• VToA Permanent Virtual Circuits: AAL1 CBR
• LIO B (serial data) provides one serial data (constant bit rate)
interface per board, supporting X.24 / V.11 or • The ATM interface uses circuit emulation mode
V.36. (CES1) unstructured
• Interface speed: 64 - 128 Kbps • The SDH transmit unit implements an ATM user
Characteristics: network interface compliant with the ATM
• Automatic fax detection Forum UNI 3.1 and the ITU-TI.432

• Using G.729A compression algorithm,

compression rate is 8 Kbps
• Using G.723.1 compression algorithm,
compression rate is 6.4 Kbps
• Data frame fragmentation (reducing delay)
• DTMF Q23 codes interpreted, coded, and
regenerated
• Each LIO B board supports up to four
bundles of compressed channels; each
bundle can go to a separate destination

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Distributed Systems and Networking

Virtual Private Network

Networking small sites with low or medium voice traffic does not always justify dedicated leased lines. As a result of
technical evolution of their infrastructure, carriers now offer an increasing number of switched network options at
increasingly attractive costs. The Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise supports versatile virtual solutions with real advantages.

ABC-VPN • Leased line D-channel ISVPN (ISDN based VPN)

Alcatel’s ABC-VPNs are used as a • PLL X.25 in ISDN D-channel. This service uses a D-channel service of
complete solution, or as a way to (Country dependent) public networks called user-to-user
handle peak overloads from leased line signaling (UUS1). ISVPN is a
ABC on demand
and other network alternatives. Leased networking solution with implementation
This solution makes it possible to build
lines can be sized based on the of all basic networking features. ISVPN
a powerful private voice network over a
average – rather than peak – traffic services:
public switched network without any
loads. When the leased lines become • Basic call
permanent connection. It combines an
saturated, additional calls are
integrated voice compression engine • Call back request
transparently routed across the public
with signaling on demand. • Call forwarding
switched network, using integrated
compression if desired. This reduces When required, one B channel • Centralized attendant
costs and increases network availability. connection is set up between two nodes • Enquiry call
and functions as a virtual leased line, • Homogeneous-numbering plan
Another alternative is a full VPN
transporting the network signals and the (based on virtual DID)
architecture, which requires only one
compressed voice. Up to eight calls are • Intrusion
permanent connection, which can be
carried in a single B channel. The • Name and number identification
low speed, for signaling. All voice
virtual leased line is released when the
traffic is handled by public switched • Overflow
call ends.
digital connections, using integrated • Path optimization
compression, if desired. It is: Analog ABC • Transfer on no reply and
Analog ABC uses analog leased lines conversation.
• Compliant with QSIG and ISDN /
PSTN networks for voice traffic. Analog ABC is cost- All networking solutions – using
• Integrated compression over QSIG effective for international networks and networks based on digital leased lines,
and ISDN / PSTN networks countries with attractive tariffs for analog leased lines, IP, frame relay,
The OmniPCX Enterprise uses a analog links. In addition, existing ATM, ABC-VPN, or VPN on demand –
disassociated signaling concept. This legacy networks based on analog lines inter-work perfectly and provide a
means that calls can be routed over one can be optimized with full ABC feature consistent and unique level of service.
path (for example, the PSTN) while transparency; the disassociated
inter-OmniPCX Enterprise signaling is signaling is transported via:
sent over another path: • Analog link via modem
• Analog link via modem • Ethernet TCP/IP networks
• Digital serial link
• Ethernet TCP/IP networks
• ISDN/QSIG B channel

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 Features and Spicifications
ABC-F: Telephone features • Text mini-messaging
• 3 party conference • Transfer
• 29 party conference • Transparency in decade and Q 23 dialing
• Alcatel Hospitality / Healthcare Link (AHL) • Unconditional forwarding.
• Auto assignment for guests / patients
ABC-F: Distributed GroupWare Features
• Automatic call-back on busy private link • Associate in network
• Basic call • Conditional forwarding to associate
• Broker call • Hunting group of subscriber
• Call back on busy links • Immediate forwarding to associate
• Call back on free or busy extensions • Manager / assistant filtering team
• Call by name • Object supervision: free, partially busy,
• Call deflection totally busy, ringing

• Call offer • Supervision of trunk, bundle, subscriber

• Call park ABC-F: Mobility features

• Call waiting indication • On-site mobility in network: roaming, user
rights and accounting allocated to home
• Camp on
node number
• Conditional forwarding (forwarding on no
• Paging services in networks
reply, forwarding on busy)
• Remote forwarding
• Conference
• Substitution
• Data communication
• Ubiquity services
• DISA
• Distinctive ringing based on hierarchies ABC-A: Networking applications
• Attendant services
• Do not disturb
• 3–party conference
• Entity routing for multi company/
department configuration • 29–party conference
• Hold • Broker call
• Individual call pick-up • Bundle reservation
• Inquiry call • Call by name
• Intercom call • Call distribution for decentralized and
centralized attendants
• Intrusion
• Call distribution in attendant groups
• ISDN supplementary services
parallel, cyclic, longest idle state
• Number and name identification
• Call offer
• Reading of personal charging pulse meters
• Centralized ACD supervisor in network with
• Retransmission of last number dialed real time supervision
• Substitution

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Distributed Systems and Networking

• Centralized or shared messaging system distributed management

in network
• Voicemail management ntegrated in subscriber
• Chained call management. ACD
• Class of service identification ABC-R: Routing mechanism
• Class of traffic indication on line keys (local call, • Adaptive routing
external call, overflow)
• Automatic Route Selection (ARS)
• Do not disturb override
– 1,000 route lists
• Dynamic access to user communication resources
– 20,000 destinations
(PWT, voicemail, text mail, etc.)
– 100 weekly tables
• Entity or installation status management (day, night,
fwd1, fwd2) – Access to alternative routes based on caller
rights
• Hold
– ARS server centralized or distributed
• Inquiry call
– ARS time dependent: day of the week, hour, and
• Intrusion
minute of the day
• Large busy lamp field supervision
– Cost limit barring per user / installation status
• Message waiting in networks
– Dialing command tables with add/delete digits
• Multi-tenant services for number
• Mutual aid between ACD groups in different nodes – Direct or indirect multi-carrier access
with look ahead call routing.
– Five daily tables per weekly table
• Number and name identification
– Five routes per direction
• Overflow of unanswered external calls
– Information (voice prompt) to callers if cheapest
• Reading of personal charging pulse meters route is not available
• Retransmission of last number dialed – Information (voice prompt) to caller if he/she
• Routing and services for multi-company multi- needs permission to use a more expensive route
department services – One to thirty analyzed digits translation
• Station reservation – Up to thirty numbers in dialing command table
• Status management (day / night / forwarding) for • Break-in
entity and attendant groups
• Break-out
• Text advertising message on busy user display
• Break-in via secured DISA
• Text mini-messaging
• Forced on net
• Traffic overflow for attendant group or attendants
• Homogeneous numbering plan
based on caller waiting time
• IP domains
• Traffic overflow with look-ahead routing
• Multiple call barring translators
• Transfer with or without presentation
• Multiple DID translators
• Transparency in decade and Q 23 dialing
• Multi public translators
• Trunk allotting with or without barring
• Multi-tenant ARS
• Trunk reservation
• Overflow if leased line failure or saturation
• User, abbreviated numbers, and entities

A L C AT E L 9 >
 according to user rights Heterogeneous networking
• Private network dialing plan (eight digit) The Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise supports network
• Private to public overflow signaling based on QSIG, a standard ITU
(according to user rights) protocol. This allows users to build networks with
non-Alcatel systems. It also eases the transition
ABC-M: Management features
from traditional PBXs (most of which support at
These management functions are integrated in the
least some QSIG functions) to the new PCX
ABC networking protocol to facilitate and secure
architecture. Advanced capabilities such as IP
the administration of a system. Connection to the
phones, network-wide mobility, ACD, PC-based
Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise is provided by an
telephony, and others, can work across an entire
Ethernet 10BaseT connection using state-of-the-art
network – even a network that still contains some
protocol stacks on top of TCP/IP.
legacy PBXs – because of the transparent
• Audit service signaling supported by QSIG. It includes three
• Broadcast functionality QSIG functions:
• Centralized alarms
QSIG - Basic call
• Centralized or distributed management from
external applications This allows multi-vendor networks to be built,
using basic telephony features:
• Communication tickets with VPN and LCR
tags • Calling line identification
• Management from attendant • Connecting line identification
• Remote maintenance access • Data calls bearer
• Remote software downloading • Malicious call identification
• SNMP traps • Sub-address
• VT 100 local management
QSIG - Generic function protocol
This part of the QSIG standard makes it possible
to combine voice systems from multiple
manufacturers in a single network, and yet still
have full support for the advanced features
offered by each supplier between that supplier’s
systems. This is important for working across new
carrier services that support QSIG GF.

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Distributed Systems and Networking

QSIG - Supplementary services DPNSS

Alcatel always remains up to date with the latest The OmniPCX Enterprise also supports the legacy
QSIG upgrades and commits itself to testing these protocol DPNSS, which inter-works with the ABC
features with other major suppliers. Supplementary protocol.
services available on the Alcatel OmniPCX
The services supported are the following:
Enterprise (more available with ongoing
standardization) include: • Call back when free (call completion on busy
phone) (9)
• Advice of charge
• Call forwarding (11)
• Call completion on no reply
• Call offer (14)
• Call completion to busy subscriber
• Call waiting (17)
• Call forwarding - busy
• Centralized night service (25)
• Call forwarding on no reply
• Conference (13)
• Call forwarding - unconditional
• Do not disturb (32)
• Calling/connected line identification restriction
• Hold (12)
• Calling/connected name identification
• Inquiry call (13)
restriction
• Intrusion (10)
• Calling line identification presentation
• Loop avoidance ( 37)
• Calling name identification presentation
• Route optimization (19)
• Call transfer
• Service independent string (16) Name
• Call offer
• Transfer (13)
• Connected line identification presentation
• Voice and data call (6 and 7)
• Connected name identification presentation
• Generic functional procedures OmniPCX Enterprise packet voice networking offers
optimized bandwidth through an integrated
• Message waiting indication
compression engine across all network types.
• Path replacement

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www.alcatel.com/enterprise

Alcatel
26801 West Agoura Road
Calabasas, CA 91301 USA
Contact Center
(800) 995-2612 US/Canada
(818) 880-3500 Outside US
www.alcatel.com/enterprise

Product specifications contained in this document are subject to change without notice. Contact
your local Alcatel representative for the most current information. Copyright © 2003 Alcatel
Internetworking, Inc. All rights reserved. This document may not be reproduced in whole or in
part without the expressed written permission of Alcatel Internetworking, Inc. Alcatel® and the
Alcatel logo are registered trademarks of Alcatel. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
P/N 030881-02. 6/03