This page contains usage information for the various services and telephone equipment offered at VCFMW.
As time allows, I plan to make videos demonstrating use of the various services offered at VCFMW. Those videos will be located in this Youtube playlist.
Each exhibit which has requested telephone services will be issued a Network Interface Device (NID). Subscribers should begin by locating this device at their exhibit.
Each NID has a customer side with 4 ports and a network side with 2 ports. Subscribers should not connect or disconnect anything from the network side of the NID, and they should not modify the jumper settings inside the NID.
The NID will be located at one of the tables for the exhibit, either on top or below the table. While some of the information on the label is only intended for use by Shadytel outside plant technicians, much of it is also useful to subscribers. The label includes such information as the name of the account holder and details of the services provided on each of the customer-side ports. All of this information should be checked by the subscriber for correctness to ensure the correct NID has been placed at the table.
Note that some of the other services offered by Shadytel Midwest at VCFMW may require additional equipment provided by the telephone company.
To connect equipment, simply plug the cord into the corresponding port on the customer side of the NID. The modular jacks are of the 8 position variety, however Shadytel has carefully selected and tested these connectors to ensure they also support connection with 6 position plugs (as are commonly used with telephones.
If the phone line also has ADSL service provisioned on the same pair, it will be indicated on the label. You should be sure to use a DSL filter or splitter as appropriate.
Once a telephone is connected, a call should be placed to the Automatic Number Announcement Circuit (ANAC) at extension 3999 to verify the extension number of the phone line matches the label. The ANAC will read out the number of the line the call was placed on. You can also use the ANAC with a modem if the modem has a speaker. Consult the modem's documentation to determine the method used to enable and control the speaker, and for dialing the number.
Most of the VCFMW analog telephones are served off of a Nortel Merdian Option 11C PBX. Many of those lines have certain calling features turned on, specifically 3 way calling and call waiting.
All Meridian lines which were not intended for modem usage are equipped with 3 way calling, call transfer, and call waiting by default, unless otherwise specified on the signup form. Modem lines do not have 3 way calling, call transfer, or call waiting by default, unless otherwise specified on the signup form.
To consult privately with a 3rd party: depress the hookswitch once momentarily; listen for recall dial tone; dial third party's telephone number; listen for ringing; third party answers; consult.
To return to original party: depress switchook twice, each time momentarily.
To add a 3rd party: place the original call on hold by depressing the hookswitch once, momentarily; listen for recall dial tone; dial third party's telephone number; listen for ringing; depress the switchook once more momentarily; all three parties are connected.
To remove a 3rd party: depress switchhook once, momentarily.
While in a call, the call waiting tone may be heard indicating there is another caller attempting to connect.
To answer the 3rd party: depress hookswitch once momentarily; 3rd party is connected, original call is placed on hold.
To return to the original call: depress hookswitch once momentarily; original call is returned and the 3rd party is disconnected.