Black Box FX155A User manual

Lineshare Master
LineShare Master
ON
CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION
Order toll-free in the U.S. 24 hours, 7 A.M. Monday to midnight Friday: 877-877-BBOX
FREE technical support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone]
Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]
NOVEMBER 1996
FX155A

3
FCC STATEMENT
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT
Class B Digital Device. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B computing device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur
in a particular installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy, and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or telephone reception, which can be determined
by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected.
• Consult an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Caution:
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
To meet FCC requirements, shielded cables and power cords are required to connect
this device to a personal computer or other Class B certified device.

4
LINESHARE MASTER
NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)
ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes
de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.
2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para
referencia futura.
3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de
operación deben ser respetadas.
4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.
5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo,
cerca de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca,
etc..
6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales
que sean recomendados por el fabricante.
7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como
sea recomendado por el fabricante.
8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más
allá a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio
deberá ser referido a personal de servicio calificado.
9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama,
sofá, alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se
debe colocar en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los
orificios de ventilación.
10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de
calor como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos
(incluyendo amplificadores) que producen calor.

5
NOM STATEMENT
11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo
del tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el
aparato.
12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la
polarización del equipo no sea eliminada.
13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no
sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen
del aparato.
14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las
recomendaciones del fabricante.
15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las
lineas de energia.
16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no
sea usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.
17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean
derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.
18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:
A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u
B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del
aparato; o
C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en
su desempeño; o
E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

6
LINESHARE MASTER
TRADEMARKS
All applied-for and registered trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.

7
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENTS
1. Specifications ...................................................................................8
2. Introduction.....................................................................................9
2.1 Before You Begin.....................................................................9
2.2 About the Lineshare Master ...................................................9
3. Installation .......................................................................................11
3.1 Ports on the Lineshare Master................................................11
3.2 Installing the Lineshare Master..............................................12
3.2.1 Installing the Lineshare Master on a Dedicated
Phone Line ....................................................................13
3.2.2 Installing the Lineshare Master with a Line
Sharing Device ..............................................................15
3.3.3 Installing the Lineshare Master without a Line
Sharing Device ..............................................................17
4. Using the Lineshare Master ............................................................18
5. Using the Lineshare Master Custom Functions.............................21
5.1 Entering the Programming Mode..........................................21
5.2 Changing Functions ................................................................23
[1] Tone Time.........................................................................23
[2] Silence Time.....................................................................23
[3] Time Before First Tone ...................................................24
[4] Number of Tones.............................................................24
[6] Call Hold Function ..........................................................25
[9][9][9] Reset to Factory Settings.......................................26
6. Calculating the Timing Parameters................................................27

8
LINESHARE MASTER
1. Specifications
MTBF — 56,200 hrs.
Operating Temperature — 5° to
113° F (-15° to 45° C)
Relative Humidity — 85%
noncondensing
Ringer Equivalency — 1.0 B, DOC
load=30
Size — 1.8"H x 5"W x 5.5"D
(4.5 x 12.7 x 13.9 cm)
Weight — 3 lb. (1.4 kg)

9
LINESHARE MASTER
2. Introduction
2.2 About the Lineshare Master
The Lineshare Master is a state-of-
the-art device that produces a variety
of routing tones on outbound phone
calls. It is designed to work in
conjunction with a modem, fax, or
any type of automatic or manual-dial
telephone device. The Lineshare
Master lets any fax or modem device
automatically route calls through
line-sharing devices that detect fax
CalliNG (CNG) or Reverse Modem
Tones.
The Lineshare Master works
best when installed between the
telephone company’s line and a fax
or modem device. When a device
accesses the telephone line through
the Lineshare Master, the Lineshare
Master pauses until dialing is
complete. It then places the calling
device on hold and transmits a series
of user-selectable calling tones.
When used in conjunction with a
Lineshare Pro (A/C, part number
FX150A, or D/C, part number
FX150A-D48), the Lineshare Master
can access multiple modem-type
devices on a single phone line.
2.1 Before You Begin
This guide is designed to introduce
you to the various installation and
operational procedures for using the
Lineshare Master.
Please read through this guide and
select the installation procedures
appropriate for your specific
application before attempting to
connect or operate the Lineshare
Master.
NOTES
We recommend surge
protection for all tele-
communications devices.
Use surge suppressors
and/or line conditioning on
the input power supply, as
well as the connected
telephone line.

10
LINESHARE MASTER
NOTE
The Lineshare Pro is a four-
port line sharing device
designed to identify and
route any specified tone
produced by the Lineshare
Master.
Please read through the rest of
this guide to learn how to properly
operate the Lineshare Master.

11
LINESHARE MASTER
3. Installation
CAUTION
Do not connect all
telephones in a home or
office through the Lineshare
Master. During power failure,
the unit will not pass the
telephone line through to the
phones.
3.1 Ports on the Lineshare Master
The rear panel of the Lineshare
Master has four modular ports and a
power input port as shown in Figure
3-1. Only two of the four ports are
active; therefore, you must complete
installation procedures as stated for
proper operation.
NOTE
Before installing the
Lineshare Master, we
recommend that you install
the fax or modem and
connect it to the telephone
line.
Install the Lineshare Master on a
dedicated line with a fax or modem
device. When a fax or modem device
is not on a dedicated line, you need
to isolate the Lineshare Master from
other tone-dialing devices so they do
not interfere with its operation.
Placing the Lineshare Master on the
FAX port or MODEM port of a line
sharing device (such as the
Lineshare Pro) will isolate the unit
from other tone dialing devices on
the same phone line.
If you are not using a line-sharing
device or you cannot connect the
system to a dedicated line, you can
disable the Lineshare Master by
using a tone command during any
phone call. (See Chapter 4.)

12
LINESHARE MASTER
Figure 3-1. Modular Ports and Power Input Port on the Lineshare
Master.
NOTE
The AUX 1 and AUX 2 ports
are reserved for future use,
and are currently inactive.
LINE IN PRIMARY AUX 1 AUX 2
12V AC
Connect the telephone equipment
to the modular ports on the
Lineshare Master as follows:
LINE IN
PRIMARY
Use this port to
connect a single
telephone line from a
wall jack to the
Lineshare Master.
Use this port to
connect a computer
modem, fax/modem,
or fax/modem card
to the Lineshare
Master.

13
LINESHARE MASTER
3.2 Installing the Lineshare Master
This section explains how to install
the Lineshare Master in most home
or office phone configurations. You
can install the Lineshare Master into
any one of the following phone
configurations:
• a dedicated phone line with
a line sharing device
• a dedicated phone line without
a line-sharing device
Installation procedures for each of
these configurations are provided in
the following sections.
To perform the installation
procedures in the next sections, you
may need the following equipment:
• one telephone cable—provided
with the Lineshare Master.
• additional telephone cables—
typically supplied with
equipment by the manufacturer.
You need additional telephone
cables for as many pieces of
equipment as you intend to
connect to the Lineshare Master.
If the equipment manufacturer
does not provide the required
cables, you can purchase them
from your dealer (part # EL04M-
04).
• extension cables—required if the
connecting equipment is not
located near the Lineshare
Master.
3.2.1 I NSTALLING THE L INESHARE
M ASTER ON A D EDICATED P HONE L INE
Figure 3-2 shows the Lineshare
Master on a dedicated phone line.
To install the Lineshare Master on
a dedicated phone line, follow these
steps:
1. Unplug the fax or modem
device telephone cable from the
wall jack, and plug it into the
PRIMARY port on the Lineshare
Master.
2. Plug one end of the telephone
cable provided into the LINE-IN
port on the Lineshare Master.
Plug the other end of the cable
into the wall jack where the fax
or modem was connected.
3. Plug the small end of the AC
power cord provided into the
power input port labeled “12
VAC” on the Lineshare Master.
Plug the AC adapter into a
standard 110-volt outlet.
The Lineshare Master begins a
self-check immediately after power
is applied. The green ON indicator
(LED) lights and remains lit.
NOTE
The line must be installed for
the unit to pass the self-test
and show proper indication
of the green ON LED.

14
LINESHARE MASTER
Figure 3-2. The Lineshare Master Installed on a Dedicated Phone Line.
LINE IN PRIMARY AUX 1 AUX 2
12V AC
Telephone
Wall Jack 110 Volt
Outlet

15
LINESHARE MASTER
3.2.2 I NSTALLING THE L INESHARE
M ASTER WITH A L INE -S HARING D EVICE
If you are using other telephone
equipment (multiple phones, fax,
modem, or answering device) that
connects to the same telephone line
as the Lineshare Master, we
recommend that you purchase a
line sharing device (part number
FX150A or FX150A-D48). This
ensures that each device is isolated
from other equipment on the same
line.
NOTE
Install your line-sharing
device before performing the
following installation
procedures.
Figure 3-3 shows the Lineshare
Master installed on a single phone
line with a line-sharing device.
To connect the Lineshare Master
to a line-sharing device, follow these
steps:
1. Unplug the telephone cable
from the line-sharing device
connected to the fax or modem
device and plug it into the
PRIMARY port on the Lineshare
Master.
2. Plug one end of the telephone
cable provided into the LINE-IN
port on the Lineshare Master.
Plug the other end of the cable
into the line-sharing device port
where the fax or modem was
connected.
3. Plug the small end of the AC
power cord provided into the
power input port labeled “12
VAC” on the Lineshare Master.
Plug the AC adapter into a
standard 110-volt outlet.
The Lineshare Master begins a
self-check immediately after power
is applied. The green ON indicator
(LED) lights and remains lit.

16
LINESHARE MASTER
Figure 3-3. The Lineshare Master Installed with a Line Sharing Device.
LINE IN PRIMARY AUX 1 AUX 2
12V AC
LINE IN PRIMARY AUX 1 AUX 2
12V AC
Telephone
Wall Jack 110 Volt
Outlet
110 Volt
Outlet
Lineshare Master
To telephones
Line-Sharing
Device

17
LINESHARE MASTER
3.3.3 I NSTALLING THE L INESHARE
M ASTER WITHOUT A L INE -S HARING
D EVICE
If you install the Lineshare Master
on a phone line with other
telephone devices and do not use a
line sharing device, we recommend
that you read the following section.
The installation procedures for
this installation remain the same as
in Section 3.2.1, but there will be
telephones on the line that are not
connected to the Lineshare Master.
These phones will have complete
access to the phone line connected
to the Lineshare Master.
CAUTION
Do not connect all
telephones in a home or
office through the Lineshare
Master. If the power fails, the
unit will not pass the
telephone line through to the
phones.
The Lineshare Master can detect
tone dialing from a device on the
same phone line, even if the device
is not directly connected to the
Lineshare Master. If this device uses
tones to dial a phone number, the
Lineshare Master begins its timing
procedures and transmits the calling
tones simultaneously with the call.
If this happens, press # # on the
keypad of the phone to trigger the
Lineshare Master to stop
transmitting its tones.
NOTE
When the Lineshare Master
is deactivated with the ##, it
continues to monitor the
phone line for tone activity,
but does not transmit a tone.
The Lineshare Master remains
inactive until you turn it ON by
pressing # *. We recommend that
you turn the Lineshare Master ON
at the end of a dialing string during
the next data transmission.
If the equipment connected to
the Lineshare Master is used
infrequently or has no phones
connected to it, unplug the
Lineshare Master from the
telephone wall port or the power
outlet. When you need to place a call
from the equipment, simply restore
power to the Lineshare Master and
place the call.

18
LINESHARE MASTER
4. Using the Lineshare Master
Setting the Calling Tones
By dialing the * key and one of the
eight (8) allowable digits at the end
of a dialing string, you can set the
Lineshare Master to produce the
following calling tones:
0 = 1000hz tone
1 = 1100hz tone (typically fax
CNG tone)
2 = 1200hz tone
3 = 1300hz tone
4 = 1400hz tone
5 = 1500hz tone
6 = 1600hz tone
7 = 2225hz tone (typically
Reverse Modem tone)
The factory setting is 2225hz with
the unit turned ON.
If all calls from this system are to
transmit the same calling tone, it is
not necessary to enter the * after
each telephone number. The
Lineshare Master retains the
previous command in memory and
will send the same tone on every call.
If power fails, the Lineshare Master
will maintain the previous settings
once power is restored.
When a device dials a tone phone
number through the Lineshare
Master, the unit starts a two second
timer each time it detects a tone.
This continues until the two second
timer expires without detecting a
tone. The Lineshare Master then
places the calling device connected
to the PRIMARY port on hold. It
then begins to transmit a series of
calling tones (the frequency of the
tone depends on user settings). If
the Lineshare Master detects an
answer carrier from a fax or modem,
it immediately stops transmitting the
calling tones, and releases the line to
the calling device.
You can turn the Lineshare Master
ON or OFF using tone commands.
To turn the Lineshare Master ON,
press # *. Once you enter the # *
command, the Lineshare Master’s
timing registers are activated. To
turn the Lineshare Master OFF,
press # #.
You can also use tone commands
in the following ways:
• to enter the programming mode
• to set calling tones
• to set timing registers
• to use the Call Hold function
• to reset factory settings

19
LINESHARE MASTER
NOTE
All of the other tones
supplied with the Lineshare
Master can also be used on
an outbound call for routing
purposes. However, they
work best when used in
conjunction with the
Lineshare Pro A/C or D/C
(part number FX150A or
FX150A-D48), which is a
four-port device that can
route to all of its ports from
any specified tone produced
by the Lineshare Master.
To set the tone frequency for the
Lineshare Master transmissions,
enter the * and a single digit 0
through 6 at the end of a phone
number. The digit you enter sets the
tone frequency.
For example, pressing * 1 at the
end of a phone number (555-
1234*1) will send a fax (CNG) tone.
This allows the Lineshare Master
to produce CNG tones for a fax
machine that cannot produce the
tone. With the help of the Lineshare
Master, your fax machine can
automatically access other fax
machines that use a Line Sharing
Device to detect and route according
to the CNG tone.
In the same way, pressing * 9 at
the end of a phone number will send
a series of 2225hz reverse modem
tones. This allows the Lineshare
Master to produce reverse modem
tones for modems that cannot
produce the tones. With the help of
the Lineshare Master, your modem
can automatically access other
modems that use a line-sharing
device to detect and route according
to the reverse modem tone.
To route through a line-sharing
device using the reverse modem
tone, perform the following steps:
1. Set each modem to send and
receive calls normally. Do not
set either of the modems in the
Reverse Modem mode.
2. Turn ON the reverse modem
detection feature in the line-
sharing device that is receiving
the call from the
modem/Lineshare Master
combination.
3. At the end of the dialing string
(phone number) in the
modem’s communication
software, enter the * 9
command.
4. Place the call using the modem’s
communication software.

20
LINESHARE MASTER
The calling modem then accesses
the phone line through the
Lineshare Master and dials the
number of the receiving modem.
The Lineshare Master detects the * 9
and sets the tone emulation register
to transmit the 2225hz tone. Three
seconds after the last digit (9) is
dialed, the Lineshare Master begins
transmitting a series of 2225hz tones.
When the Line Sharing Device
answers the call, it detects the
Reverse Modem Tone from the
Lineshare Master and routes the call
to the receiving modem. When the
receiving modem answers the call,
the Lineshare Master detects its
carrier signal and releases the line to
the calling modem. The two systems
then establish their communications
link.

21
LINESHARE MASTER
5. Using the Lineshare Master’s
Custom Functions
To change the features and
functions, we recommend using
the following steps:
• Using Tables 1 and 2, write
down the sequence of changes
• enter the programming mode
• change the functions
The following section explains
how to enter the programming
mode and change the functions.
5.1 Entering the Programming Mode
1. Make sure that the telephone
line from the phone company is
connected to the LINE-IN port
on the Lineshare Master.
2. Plug a tone-type phone into the
PRIMARY port of the Lineshare
Master.
3. Pick up the receiver of the
phone, and you should hear
the dial tone.
4. Within five seconds, press and
release the * key and then the #
key on the telephone keypad.
5. The Lineshare Master is now
ready to accept programming
changes.
The Lineshare Master includes many
options that enable you to customize
its operation to meet specific
application needs. The
programmable functions offered by
the Lineshare Master allow you to
change the length of its tones, time
between tones, time before the first
tone, number of tones to transmit,
as well as the call hold feature.
The Lineshare Master functions
are factory preset, and it is unlikely
that you will need to make many
changes. However, if you desire, you
can alter any program by using a
tone phone connected to the
PRIMARY port. The Lineshare
Master cannot be programmed
with a rotary/pulse dialing phone.
NOTE
Before attempting to
program any function, we
recommend that you first
thoroughly read the
programming procedures.
Then read Section 5.2,
“Changing functions” and
decide if you want to make
changes.