CAS Signaling (Channel Associated Signaling) also called Robbed Bit Signaling is supported on the IMG. CAS signaling is a type of signaling where the least significant bit of information in a T1 signal is "robbed" from each channel. This channel will be used signaling and will carry framing and clocking information on it. Unlike SS7 or ISDN where there is a channel configured specifically for signaling, CAS uses the Least Significant Bit of each channel to provide signaling for that one channel. Below is a procedure that will show a step by step procedure on how to configure CAS signaling on the IMG.
In the IMG there are two ways to configure CAS. Create a new signaling variant, or import an existing template. There are many steps required to create a signaling variant. The engineers at Dialogic have provided four templates to set up CAS on the IMG. See the steps below to import an existing template and apply it to Channel Groups.
The second way to configure CAS Signaling is to create a new CAS Signaling object and then configure each individual parameter including Inpulsing Parameters, Outpulsing Parameters, Inseize Instructions, Outseize Instructions, Digit Mapping for the Called and Calling Number, and all the sub-parameters that go with configuring CAS.
The Procedure below will explain how to configure CAS using the four pre-configured templates. The next few steps are prerequisites before configuring CAS.
Before configuring CAS Signaling, Media Attributes must get configured. For information on how to configure media on the IMG see the following link. Configuring Media
Note: For DTMF reception configure an a-law or u-law Universal Receiver on one of the Media Modules. For MFR1 or MFR2 reception you must configure the specific MFR1 or MFR2 receiver accordingly. If you try to perform MFR1 or MFR2 using a Universal Receiver, you will get a Call Trace indication of "No DSP of this type configured" and the call will fail.
Before configuring CAS Signaling, the Facilities (T1/E1 Spans) must be configured. To configure the facilities use the links below. There are differences when configuring T1/E1 facilities in software 10.3.x and 10.5.x. When selecting the links below verify that the correct link is chosen.
Note: Set the signaling method for each span profile to CAS. See screen capture below.
Software 10.3.3 Profile Pane (Signaling)
Software 10.5.0 Profile Panes. (Signaling Method)
Software 10.5.x
Configuring T1/E1 Bearer Profile (Select CAS from the signaling field of the Bearer Profile Pane)
Configuring T1/E1 Bearer Spans
Configuring T1/E1 Signaling Spans
Software 10.3.x
Configuring a T1/E1 Bearer Span
T1 Physical Span (Select CAS from the signaling field of the T1 Physical Span Pane.)
E1 Physical Span (Select CAS from the signaling field of the E1 Physical Span Pane)
As explained above, there are four baseline CAS signaling configurations that are pre-configured. Importing and editing a pre-configured variant to match the network configuration will be explained below. Below is a Table which displays the settings for each of the four templates.
(T1)
(E1)
Variant File: --> |
FGB_mfr1.xml |
FGD_mfr1.xml |
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Setting |
Setting |
Configuration |
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Channel Type |
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Start Dial |
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Address Signaling Types |
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Collect Method |
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Stage : Strings |
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Digit Mapping |
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Inseize Instructions |
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Outseize Instructions |
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Variant File: --> |
E1DNANICAT.xml |
E1DNANICATOV.xml |
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Setting |
Setting |
Configuration |
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Signaling Bits |
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Address Signaling Types |
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Collection Method |
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Stage : Strings |
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Digit Mapping |
Stage 1, String 1
Stage 2, String 1
Stage 4, String 1 |
Stage 1, String 1
Stage 2, String 1 = ANI Stage 4, String 1 = CAT |
Inseize Instructions |
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Outseize Instructions |
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After the Media and Facilities are configured add the CAS signaling. Right Click on the IMG EMS object pane in ClientView and select New Signaling Variants. A Signaling Variants pane will get created. There is no configuration that needs to be done in this pane. It is a placeholder for all of the signaling variants that can be created.
Right Click on the Signaling Variants object and select Import Variant Table.
Select from drop down menu which pre-configured file will be used and select Next >>.
The file selected is loaded into ClientView but will not get configured on the IMG until it is linked to a channel group. Expand the Signaling Variant to see the different parameters such as Digit Mapping, Inseize Instructions, and Outseize Instructions that will be configured.
Once the variant is imported select an entry in the variant to modify any of the parameters if required. As with other configuration objects in ClientView fields in blue can be modified, fields in green are fixed and can only be modified by deleting and re-adding the object. Below is a list of links of all the objects in the CAS file. For more information on the individual fields within the objects click on each individual object.
Base Variant Parameter Pane (CAS)
Digit Mapping Called and Calling Party Number
The next step is to link the CAS variant to a channel group.
Right Click on Cantata IMG EMS and select Routing Configuration. A Routing Configuration object pane will get created.
Right Click on Routing Configuration and select New Channel Group. A Channel Group object pane will get created. There is nothing to configure here. This pane is an object in ClientView that will hold all Channel group object panes.
Right Click on the Channel Group pane and select New Channel Group and the Channel Group pane will get created.
Enter a name for the Channel Group and select CAS from drop down menu of the Signaling Type field. These two fields have to get populated. Fill in the rest of the Channel Group panes as needed.
Once configured right click on the Channel Group created and select New Channel Associated Signaling. The pane below will get created. Within this pane is a CAS Variant field. The CAS variant field will have all the CAS Variants configured in a drop down menu. Select one of the Variants. See screen capture below.
The CAS Variant is now configured and input into a Channel Group. From here CAS circuits can get created. Right Click on the Channel Associated Signaling and select New CAS Circuits and the CAS Channels object will get created. See Below
IMG Name - Select the Physical IMG from the drop down menu.
IMG Interface - Select from drop down menu whether Bearer or Signaling spans will be used.
Start Interface Offset / Start Channel - Select the starting span / channel being used for CAS signaling. This will be automatically populated with all spans that have CAS in their profile.
End Interface Offset / End Channel - Select the ending span / channel being used for CAS signaling. This will be automatically populated with all spans that have CAS in their profile.
CAS Signaling along with CAS circuits are now configured.
Next Topic
A Summary of Routing Configuration Tasks