Multilink VERSA-LINKTM ATX-250 User manual

VERSA-LINKTM ATX-250
Call Processor
Owner’s Manual
VERSA-LINKTM ATX-250
POWER
VERSA-LINK
TM
ATX-250
092407

VERSA-LINK ATX-250 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
1. INTRODUCTION ....................................2
Basic Features / Call Processing
2. EQUIPMENT .........................................4
FAX Machines / MODEMS / Telephones and multi-line systems /
Other equipment
3. APPLICATIONS ....................................7
Adding FAX or MODEM to a voice line / Expanding a FAX line /
Allowing two data devices to share one line
4. OPERATION .........................................9
Outbound calls / Manual transfer / Automatic FAX transfer /
CALL OPTI-MIZER
5. INSTALLATION .....................................13
Your phone line / Telephone systems / Multi-line phones /
Attaching FAX and data devices
6. USER SELECTABLE FEATURES................18
Configuration switches / Device selection codes / Factory settings
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS..................22
APPENDICES
A. FCC INFORMATION &
B. LIMITED WARRANTY .............................23
B. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS &
A. SERVICE INFORMATION ........................24
ATX-250
OPERATING MANUAL

VERSA-LINK ATX-250 2
INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD OF
CALL PROCESSING
1.1 BASIC FEATURES
Versa-Link is a 24-hour communications control center that automatically ana-
lyzes and routes incoming calls to the proper equipment. Your Versa-Link ATX-
250 permits a caller to remotely access your telephone, FAX machine, computer
MODEM, or other equipment you may have attached. Standard features include:
– Auto FAX Detection – CALL OPTI-MIZER – Automatic Ring-through to your
most-used equipment – Manual Transfer – Calling Party Hang Up Detect.
CALL OPTI-MIZER is a unique feature that makes your phone line look more like
a dedicated voice line to voice callers, and more like a dedicated data line to FAX
or computer MODEM callers.
Calls can be manually transferred at any time by either the caller or the called
party.
Versa-Link’s data protection feature allows you to transmit FAX or computer MO-
DEM data without the fear of someone disturbing the transmission by picking up
an extension phone. It also gives you peace of mind knowing that your voice call
will never be interrupted by a FAX or MODEM.
Another unique feature is Versa-Links surge suppressor, which provides added
protection from lightning strikes a voltage surges that could damage your sensitive
communications equipment.
1
Your Versa-Link ATX-250 is a powerful Computerized Call Processor that allows more than
one telephone device to share a single phone line. Versa-Link is compatible with standard
telecommunication and office equipment including: Facsimile (FAX) machines, computer
MODEMS, PC FAX Boards, single and multi-line telephone systems, answering machines,
phone mail systems, credit approval systems, and loop start TELEX equipment.
Versa-Link allows you to expand your present communications network without installing an
expensive dedicated phone line for each device. Versa-Link provides for greater utilization
of phone lines and office equipment.
INTRODUCTION

VERSA-LINK ATX-250 3
1.2 CALL PROCESSING
Call processing is the task of routing telephone voice and data calls to one of several desti-
nations. Your phone company can be considered a very large call processor.
To better understand the principles behind call processing, consider the following example:
•A receptionist who answers all incoming calls
•(in this case, the Versa-Link ATX-250)
•A Customer Service Agent.
•A sales agent.
When a phone call comes in, the Versa-Link acts as a receptionist and answers the call. If
the caller requests the sales agent by dialing an access code, the Versa-Link will trans-
fer the call without disturbing anyone else. If no code is dialed, the call is automatically
directed to the customer service agent for information and further routing. The customer
service agent may re-direct calls to the sales agent by entering the proper access code.
Your ATX-250 can be used to process calls to your voice and data equipment, just as it did
in the above example. If you are adding FAX or a computer MODEM to a voice line, you
have:
•A Versa-Link ATX-250 that answers all calls
•and transfers them to the proper device.
•A telephone system that handles most calls.
•A FAX machine or a computer MODEM.
This is just one application. As you will see, your Versa-Link is not just a switch. It’s a very
smart call processor that does exactly what it’s told to do, and does it very well.
INTRODUCTION

VERSA-LINK ATX-250 4
EQUIPMENT
Your Versa-Link ATX-250 is compatible with virtually all modern telecommunications
equipment, including single and multi-line telephones. Because your ATX-250 is
installed between your telephone system and the phone company, it can direct all your
telephone traffic to the proper equipment. The most popular types of equipment used
with a Versa-Link ATX-250 are described below.
2.1 FAX MACHINES
Your ATX-250 has special features that work extremely well with FAX machines and
PC FAX Boards. The Auto FAX Detection feature allows most FAX calls to transfer to
your FAX machine automatically.
The vast majority of FAX machines sold today have the ability to dial the number of
the receiving FAX from memory, and then identify itself as a FAX machine with a
tone (called CNG tone or AUTO-FAX tone). It will then continue to identify itself until
the called FAX answers the call. When an ATX-250 is used at the receiving end, it
can detect this FAX identification tone, and automatically transfer the call to the FAX
machine on the receiving end, without ringing the telephone.
Occasionally, calls will come from a FAX machine without a FAX identification tone.
This may happen if the calling person is using an older FAX machine, or dials the
number manually using the FAX handset. In most applications, calls without this
auto-FAX tone will be routed to your telephone system. The call can be manually
transferred to the FAX machine by dialing (or another selected code) on your
telephone keypad. Either the caller or the person who answers can transfer the call.
See section 4.2.2 for details of operation.
If possible, ask people who send you FAX messages to program your number into
their FAX machine’s memory. This will allow FAX calls to always be processed auto-
matically.
2
*2

VERSA-LINK ATX-250 5
2.2 COMPUTER MODEMS
Your ATX-250 is compatible with all dial-up MODEMS. Usually, MODEMS are attached to
the DEVICE 2 connector of your ATX-250. Your ATX-250 will transfer incoming calls to your
MODEM when the calling MODEM dials *2 (or another code, if re-programmed) after the call
has been answered by your Versa-Link. The data protection feature prevents interruptions
from other telephone equipment.
If your MODEM is only used for out-bound communication, you do not need to be concerned
with the device selection code for the MODEM.
The device selection code for your MODEM is best dialed by the calling MODEM. For
example, when calling into a MODEM attached to DEVICE 2, with the ATX-250 factory
programming, the dialing command would be:
1 203 555 1234 , , , ,
The commas will generate pauses in the dialing MODEM. The number of pauses may need
to be changed to allow enough time for the call to be switched through the telephone com-
pany, particularly if the calling MODEM is dialing long-distance.
The selectable device codes can be reconfigured to add security to any system. Your ATX-
-250 will restrict access to only those callers who dial the right device selection code. See
section 6, USER SELECTABLE FEATURES, to change this code.
Some MODEMS cannot dial the symbol. Therefore, if you plan to connect a computer
MODEM, it is best to choose a device selection code for your computer that does not use
the symbol.
*2
*
*
EQUIPMENT
*2

VERSA-LINK ATX-250 6
2.3 TELEPHONES AND MULTI-LINE
2.3 SYSTEMS
Your ATX-250 may be used with single and multi-line telephone equipment. Both tone-di-
aling and pulse-dialing equipment may be used with your ATX-250. See section 4.2.2 for
restrictions when using pulse-dialing equipment.
2.4 OTHER EQUIPMENT
Your ATX-250 is also compatible with Credit Authorization Terminals and Loop-Start dialup
machines.
Your ATX-250 can also be used with answering machines and cordless phones.
2.5 “CALLER ID” SERVICE
2.5 COMPATIBILITY
Your ATX-250 is now programmed to wait for and detect the transmission of “Caller ID” data.
This function allows the calling party’s phone number to appear on your “Caller ID” display
unit before your ATX-250 routes the call to any device. This will allow “Caller ID” data to be
displayed only on the line side. “Caller ID” data will not pass to the device ports. There is an
upgrade which can be purchased to allow “Caller ID” data to pass to DEVICE 1.
EQUIPMENT

VERSA-LINK ATX-250 7
There are many applications for your Versa-Link ATX-250. One unique advantage that
Versa-Link gives you is the ability to change its operation as your business grows and your
telephone needs change.
A few of the popular applications are described here.
3.1 ADDING A FAX MACHINE TO
3.1 A VOICE LINE
This application allows your ATX-250 to automatically direct all Auto-dialing FAX calls to
your FAX machine. All manually dialed FAX calls and all voice calls will be directed to your
telephone. You can easily re-direct manually dialed FAX calls to your FAX by pressing
(or another code, if re-programmed) on your telephone.
As your business grows, you may want to make your FAX line a dedicated line. Your ATX-
250 can still give you maximum utility of your phone lines. You may want to reconfigure your
system to allow outgoing voice calls on this FAX line.
3.2 ADDING A MODEM TO
3.2 A VOICE LINE
This application allows your ATX-250 to direct all voice calls to your telephone, and allow
incoming computer MODEM calls to access your MODEM with the proper device code.
3.3 ADDING VOICE TO A
3.3 FAX LINE
In this application, your ATX-250 will direct all incoming calls to your FAX machine when at-
tached to the DEVICE 1 port on your ATX-250. When your FAX is not in use, you will be able
to use this line for telephone calls.
*2
APPLICATIONS 3

VERSA-LINK ATX-250 8
3.4 ALLOWING TWO DATA DEVICES TO SHARE
3.4 ONE TELEPHONE LINE
This application allows you to use two data devices, such as FAX, MODEM, Credit
Authorization Terminal, etc. Normally, incoming calls will be directed to your FAX
equipment. Data calls can easily reach your MODEM or other equipment by dialing
the proper device selection code.
3.5 OTHER APPLICATIONS
Many configurations exist. For example, you can use your ATX-250 to:
– Screen incoming calls to your residence while allowing individuals with your select-
able access code to bypass the answering machine.
– Allow two offices to share a single line with privacy.
– Allow two answering machines to be used together for stock quotations, dictation,
daily results, sports scores, new real estate listings, etc.
– Allow remote cash register polling on an existing telephone line.
APPLICATIONS