Directory entries can only contain 10 digit phone numbers (prefixed with a "1" or "011" for Long Distance). For technical reasons, entries currently cannot contain other Prefix digits (star codes - *67, etc) or Suffix digits (extension numbers or PINs).
In the future, Star * Code Prefix digits may be possible, but only if Primus modifies their servers and the Portal to handle this. Suffix digits in the Directory would also require changes to the Portal as well as the Call Agent servers and the ATA firmware. Neither of these has been discussed or planned by Primus.
Technically, before a call is setup, the ATA converts any dialed digits into an IP packet and sends it to the Call Agent. PhoneControl/VOISS ASSISTANT also converts a clicked number into an IP packet, in addition to tagging it as coming from your ATA (and not the computer). When the Call Agent receives these packets, it does not know the difference, so simply processes these packets in (a valid) sequence to setup a call.
Clicking a Directory Number
Hence, when a user clicks on a Directory entry (Dialing from PhoneControl with RemotePhone ENABLED), currently only the 10 digit control portion of a call is setup with the TBB Call Agent (Server).
Dialing some Prefix digits before Clicking a Directory Number
However, a user can do some Prefix dialing from the TBB line (before clicking). Since the CallAgent gets the initial packet(s) from the phone, when PhoneControl sends the rest of the digits (packet) - the Call Agent just "thinks" it is coming from the DLINK ATA - and proceeds normally with call setup.
Suffix digits
Suffix digits can only be sent once a call is setup; meaning only after the actual voice path (audio channel) is connected to the user's ATA. Hence, Suffix digits can only be sent as DTMF tones through the audio channel from the ATA itself.
This is unlike Prefix digits which are coded into IP packets - either from the ATA or the Portal (a computer).
See a related topic in Using Call Forwarding or SpeedDial (with PINs or Extension numbers).
Another explanation:
When you dial from your phone itself, the system "reads" the key presses via the DTMF tones and sends the appropriate information to your call agent to set up the call. Once the call is connected, your phone will still send DTMF tones via the keypad allowing you to access voice mail, extensions, menu options, etc.. But this interaction is between your phone and whatever system you have dialed. That's why it is so important that the DTMF be set up properly for your phone and for the gateway so that the bank, voicemail, etc. can interpret your key presses correctly.
But dialing from the Portal does not deal in DTMF tones. When you click a number in the Portal Directory, that is the number that is setup with the call agent. Once the call is setup, any additional numbers must be sent through DTMF tones via your phone keypad. A call that has been setup already is completed, as far as the call agent is concerned, and it buzzes off to deal with another call. Extra key presses are technologically required to be your responsibility.
If you wish to dial *67 in conjunction with clicking a number in the portal, there is nothing to stop you from picking up the handset, dialing *67, and then clicking the number to set up the call. You can also do this when dialing a long distance number from the call log that doesn't have the '1' in front. Dial '1', then click the number to finish the call setup.
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by canoe 
last modified: 2005-06-24 15:32:13 |
