Dialer Settings

  • When are the Dialer Settings Used?
  • Phone Numbers and Call Types
  • Prefix and Postfix Codes
  • Modem Dialer Settings
  • Using the LineShare Software

    • When are the Dialer Settings Used?

    The Dialer Settings are used with all CommuniGate Server modules that employ modems and phone lines directly: the CommuniGate Fax module, the CommuniGate Pager module, the CommuniGate UUCP module, etc.

    If you do not plan to use such modules, skip this section.

    Choose Dialer from the Server menu. The Dialer Settings dialog box appears.

    Phone Numbers and Call Types

    Country Code:
    Enter the international access code for your country here. Phone numbers starting with the International marker (+) and the specified access code will be processed as not international, but long-distance or local numbers. When processing such numbers, the Server will remove the International marker and the country access code.
    Area Code:
    Enter the local area code here. Non-international phone numbers that start with the specified area code will be processed as local numbers. When processing such numbers, the Server will remove the area code.
    Check for Area Code:
    While it is highly recommended to include area codes into all phone numbers, the Dialer can process phone numbers without an area code (it will process them as local numbers). Since the first digits of local phone numbers can match some are codes, the Dialer must be instructed how many digits should be in a phone number to process the first digits as an area code.

    Phone numbers starting with the asterisk sign (*) are always treated as long-distance numbers.

    Note: In some countries, the local numbers may vary in length. In thiose countries, this setting should be set to the maximum value, making the server assume that the number is local regardless of the number length. To specify a long-distance number, the long distance prefix (see below) should be used:
    In Germany where the long distance prexif is 0 and local phone numbers can have from 4 to 8 digits, this setting should specify 8 digits. Then, the string 40111234 specifies a local number, while the strings 040190 and *40190 specifiy the same long distance number within the 40 area code.

    Prefix and Postfix Codes

    For each type of a phone number, the Dialer can add a prefix and a postfix to the number being dialed. You should enter those prefix and postfix codes in the Dialer Settings dialog box.

    Local Area:
    Enter the prefix and the postfix to use with local calls. Usually these fields should be empty.
    Long Distance:
    Enter the prefix and the postfix to use when making long-distance calls. For US, the prefix is 1, for most European countries - 0. If you want to use a special carrier for long-distance calls, you should enter the carrier access code in the Prefix field: 10333, for example.
    International:
    Enter the prefix and the postfix to use when making international calls. For US, the prefix is 011, for most European countries - 00. If you want to use a special carrier for long-distance calls, you should enter the carrier access code in the Prefix field: 103331, for example.

    When you use phone or credit card dialing, you may want to specify the postfix (usually - the card number) to use with each type of call. In most countries it is useful to place the hash sign (#) into the International Postfix field - it speeds up dialing.

    Modem Dialer Settings

    Dialing Method:
    Use this option to select the method supported with your phone system: the pulse dialing or the tone dialing.
    Dialtone:
    Use this option to specify if the CommuniGate Server and its modules should check for the Dalton before dialing a number.
     
    PBX Prefix:
    If you use an in-house phone system, you may have to dial some external access code before dialing any number. Enter that code in the PBX prefix field. This code will be added to all numbers except for the "as is" numbers starting with the special "-" maker.

    You can use digits (0-9), the asterisk (*), and the hash (#) signs in phone numbers, prefixes and postfixes. Also you can use the special symbols processed with modern modems:

    , (comma)
    pause in dialing for 2 seconds; use several commas for a longer pause
    w
    wait for the dial tone before proceeding
    p
    switch to the pulse dialing method
    t
    switch to the tone dialing method
    @
    wait for 5-seconds silence before proceeding
    !
    hook flashing

    You can also use the capital letters: these letters are converted to the corresponding digits (ABC - into the digit 2, DEF- into the digit 3, etc. - in the same way as the letters on the pushbuttons of regular phones).

    Using the LineShare Software

    If you plan to use the telephony modules, installing the LineShare software is highly recommended.

    You should install LineShare if you want to use several modules (for example, Fax and UUCP) to receive calls on the same modem line. The LineShare software is also required if you want to share the same modem line with other applications (for example, to use CommuniGate Fax and ARA , or to use CommuniGate UUCP and a BBS software on one modem line). Each telephony module configured to answer incoming calls occupies the serial port. If you want to share a single line between several CommuniGate modules receiving calls or between CommuniGate modules and other communication applications, you should use LineShare.

    If all telephony modules are configured to make outgoing calls only, LineShare is not required.