7.1 Routers

Router

The router is a set of rules used for incoming call routing via the PBX. The routers are defined in the Routing – Routers menu, which consists of two windows: the list of available switch routers to the left and the configurable router parameters to the right, The context menu in the left part of the menu provides the following options:

  • Add – open a router adding window and enter the router name and type. After creation, the router types are colour distinguished for convenience. Choose any of the following router types:
    • Called number – add a router t+hat routes calls according to the CPN.
    • Calling number – add a router that routes calls according to the CLI.
    • Called number type – add a router that routes calls according to the called number subtype (CPN subtype), i.e. Internal, Local, National, International or Unknown.
    • Calling number type – add a router that routes calls according to the calling number subtype (CLI subtype), i.e. Internal, Local, National, International or Unknown.
    • Call type – add a router that routes incoming calls according to the call type, i.e. voice, fax or data calls.
    • Port – add a router that routes calls according to the incoming carrier.
    • Text – add a router that routes incoming SMS messages according to the text.
  • Delete – delete a selected router. If the router is not empty (has some rows), you will be asked for confirmation. If you delete a router, all the associated data are deleted too.
  • Delete all – delete all of the created routers.
  • Rename – rename a selected router. If you fill in an already used name, you have to change it or abort renaming.
  • Add router group – add a new group of routers.
  • Add router subgroup – add a subgroup to the currently selected group of routers.
  • Move to root level – move the selected object to the highest level beyond all groups and subgroups created.
  • Move group content – move the group/subgroup content to another router group/subgroup.
  • Default – delete all the current routers and create new default routers according to the router list. These new routers are automatically filled with services, users and extensions.
  • Default from file – this option has a similar function as Default, but in this case you can choose a file of your own for creating new routers.
  • Update – update the currently used routers including settings.
  • Update router – fill a router with services, users or extensions. If the given records already exist in the router, they are ignored, if not, they are added to the router end.
  • Update from file – this option has a similar function as Update, but in this case you can choose a source file of your own. The existing routers are not deleted but completed with missing records.
  • Export to file – back up all routers including records in the .xml file format.
  • Export router to file – use this option to back up the currently selected router in the .xml file format.
  • Copy router – make a copy of the currently selected router. All you have to do is enter a new name. The router copy contains the same data as the original router (including the default destination).
  • Show objects routed to router – open a side window to see the list of all objects to be routed to the selected router. This function helps you check the PBX routing settings.
  • Expand all – open the whole structure of groups and subgroups with routers easily.
  • Collapse all – close the whole structure of groups and subgroups with routers easily.

Moving records using the mouse, also called drag & drop, has been implemented in this menu for easier moving of existing routers, or router groups and subgroups.

Call Routing

Call routing is executed similarly in all router types. First, the row that matches the incoming information (CPN/CLI, CPN/CLI subtype, call type, incoming carrier or SMS text) is found and then the rule specified therein is applied. In the case of prefix congruence the following columns are applied and in the case of absolute congruence of all criteria the higher row is preferred. To change the row priority use the arrows on the right-hand side of the screen. To insert rows with a certain priority use the Insert ahead selected and Insert behind selected options. The Add option is used for adding a record behind the currently last one (i.e. the lowest priority record). Add copy of row and Add copy of row to another router are also useful functions, with which you can add a selected row to a router of the same type or with the same column header. Some router types also enable to change the number or SMS text used for routing. The subsections below describe all available router types and their configurable parameters.

By called number

This router is based on called number (CPN) routing. The router consists of twelve columns with the following meanings:

  • Prefix – set a part or the whole of the called number. When this prefix matches the incoming CPN, this row can be used for routing. In this column you can use all digits, characters *, #, + and letters A, B, C, D, which can also be DTMF dialled. The question mark (?) can substitute any digit (or character), but not the whole number (or prefix). Therefore, to substitute all of the three-figure prefixes xyz, you have to use three question marks, i.e. ???. Generally, the * character is used for services like the # character, which is also used for dialling end signalling.
  • Digits after – this column provides details on the called number length for a row (the prefix can be followed by a different count of digits). This number sets how many digits are to be awaited after the prefix before the call is routed to another destination according to the preset rule.
    • "0" – no more digits are awaited.
    • ">0" – the process waits for a given count of digits (characters).
    • "–" – the dash indicates an unknown length of the called number. Dialling should be terminated by adding a # or by the timeout expiry.

In the case of an 'unknown length' of the called number, the call is routed immediately upon prefix recognition and the following digits are transmitted to the destination according to the rule (generally to another router or to the public network). Otherwise, the call is not routed until the whole number has been dialled (according to the preset prefix and count of expected digits, so the number need not be complete at all). Therefore, remember to sort prefixes from the longest to the shortest ones while using the 'collision routing'.

The called number can also be changed in this router type. Having passed through the router, the call can be routed to another router of the same type where, however, it is routed according to the number modified by the preceding router. Use the following columns for CPN changing:

  • Remove from beginning – define the count of digits to be removed from the called number beginning.
  • Add to beginning – fill in the string to be added to the called number begin. Use this column only if the called number length is other than '–' (dash) in the Digits aftercolumn. Doing this use the following symbols:
    • Number – means digits, letters A, B, C, D and characters *, #, +.
    • , – the comma means waiting for one second.
    • p(X) – X represents the count of seconds of waiting. This instruction is equivalent to entering an X number of commas.
    • t – determines whether the preset number will be dialled after connection to a voice channel (t used), or whether dialling will be delayed before connection (t unused).
  • Remove from end – define the count of digits to be removed from the called number end. Use this column only if the called number length is other than '–' (dash) in the Digits after column.
  • Add to end – fill in the string to be added to the called number end. Use this column only if the called number length is other than '–' (dash) in the Digits aftercolumn. Doing this use the following symbols:
    • Number – means digits, letters A, B, C, D and characters *, #, +.
    • , – the comma means waiting for one second.
    • p(X) – X represents the count of seconds of waiting. This instruction is equivalent to entering an X number of commas.
    • t – determines whether the preset number will be dialled after connection to a voice channel (t used), or whether dialling will be delayed before connection (t unused).
  • Scheme – change the called number scheme to Number or URI. The default value of this column is Preserve.
  • Subtype – select the called number subtype as Internal, Local, National, International or Unknown. The default value of this column is Preserve. 

Examples

  1. The instruction t1p(5)3,,*6 means that after the other party answers the call, you dial digit 1, wait for five seconds, dial digit 3, wait for two seconds and, finally, dial * and digit 6.
  2. The instruction 1,2,,3p(3)456 means that digit 1 is dialled followed by a one-second delay, then digit 2 is dialled followed by a two-second delay, digit 3 is dialled followed by a three-second delay and, finally, digits 4, 5 and 6 are dialled.
  • Destination type – set the type of destination to which an incoming call should be routed. Choose an item from the list of available PBX routing objects. There are three options in the column that need more explanation:
    • Default – route the incoming call directly to the next routing level (if any). It is generally used for sorting objects into sets. With the Default option, the incoming call is routed back to the superior set and the next set item is used.
    • Disabled – terminate the incoming call routing immediately. The calling user will hear the congestion tone.
    • Origin – return a modified number from the given router back to the incoming port (through which it came to the PBX).
  • Destination – select a destination within the above-selected destination type.
  • Tone – define the tone to be played to the calling user after prefix dialling in the case of overlap sending. The tone is played after dialling end only in case the called number length has not been defined and a router is the next destination.
  • Time condition – set a time condition for each router row. The routing rule is valid only during the time condition validity period. Time conditions help you create sophisticated routing schemes according to time. You can route a call to different destinations for the same incoming conditions (except for time).
  • Default destination – if no match is found in the Prefix column, the call is routed as defined in this option (located below the routing rule table):
    • Type – set the type of destination to which an incoming call is to be routed. Choose an item from the list of all available PBX routing objects.
    • Id – select the destination of the above-selected destination type.

By calling number

This router is based on routing according to the calling number (CLI). The router consists of twelve columns with the same meanings as the case is in the By called number router. The only difference lies in that the CPN prefix is used and no instructions for delayed dialling are included. All completed changes affect the resultant CLI!

By called number subtype

This router is based on routing according to the called number subtype (CPN subtype). The called party number subtype is the only parameter that comes into the router and cannot be changed there. The router consists of five columns with the following meanings:

  • Subtype – is a part of the identification to be used for call routing. You can set five subtypes:
    • Internal – represents an internal phone number specified by the PBX administrator.
    • Local – represents a private network phone number in the local format.
    • National – represents a public network number in the national format with prefixes.
    • International – represents a public network phone number in the international format with prefixes.
    • Unknown – an unknown number format relating to none of the above mentioned subtypes.
  • Destination type – this column sets the type of destination to which an incoming is routed by this rule. Choose an item from the list of all available PBX routing objects. In this column you can find three options that need more explanation:
    • Default – route the incoming call to the next routing level (if any). It is generally used for sorting objects into sets. With the Default option, the incoming call is routed back to the superior set and the next set item is used.
    • Disabled – terminate the incoming call routing immediately. The calling user will hear the congestion tone.
    • Origin – return a modified number from the given router back to the incoming port (through which it came to the PBX).
  • Destination – select a destination of the above-selected destination type.
  • Tone – define the tone to be played to the calling user after prefix dialling in case that a router is the next destination.
  • Time condition – set a time condition for each router row. The routing rule is valid only during the time condition validity period. Time conditions help you create sophisticated routing schemes according to time. You can route a call to different destinations for the same incoming conditions (except for time).
  • Default destination – if no match is found in the Prefixcolumn, the call is routed as defined in this option (located below the routing rule table):
    • Type – set the type of destination to which an incoming call is to be routed. Choose an item from the list of all available PBX routing objects.
    • Id – select the destination of the above-selected destination type.

By calling number subtype

This router is based on routing according to the calling number subtype (CLI subtype). The router consists of five columns with the same meanings as the case is with the  By called number subtype. The only difference lies in that the CLI subtype is the only parameter coming into the router and cannot be changed there. The calling party number subtype changes made in this router are only used for routing and not for call identification.

By call type

This router is based on routing according to the call type (voice, data, video, etc.). All the columns have the same meanings as the case is with the By called number subtype except for the first one. The first column defines the call type. When a preset call type is recognised, the call is routed to the preset destination.

By port

This router is based on routing according to the incoming port (the call comes into the PBX through this port). All the columns have the same meanings as the case is with the By called number subtype except for the first one. The first column defines the port. When a preset port is recognised as the incoming port, the call is routed to the preset destination.

Message Routing

The last router type is an SMS router, which routes SMS messages according to their texts. This router can also be created in the Routing – Routers menu and cannot be used for call routing. It consists of five columns with the following meanings:

  • Prefix – use this column to enter a text string to be recognised at the SMS beginning. After recognition, the SMS message is routed through the PBX according to the preset rule.
  • Replace – edit SMS messages. You can either replace the existing text with another one or insert instructions with the following meanings:
    • %c – insert the sender number (CLI).
    • %l – insert the receiver number (CPN).
    • %se – erase the whole text of any length. If you leave the Replace column empty, it is translated as 'Don't change the incoming text'.
    • %sr(B,E) – insert the original string omitting the first B number of characters and the last E number of characters.
    • %ss("STRING",X,N) – find the X–th appearance of the STRING in the incoming SMS message. From this point on, you can leave N letters of the incoming text deleting all the others. By setting N to zero, you insert the whole text (from the mentioned point to the message end).
    • %sm(B,L) – from the B–th character of the SMS message on, you can insert L characters of the original text. By setting L to zero, you insert the rest of the text.
  • Destination type – set the type of destination to which an incoming SMS message is routed by this rule. Choose one of the destinations used for SMS routing only. In this column you can find two options that need more explanation:
    • Default – route the incoming SMS to the next routing level (if any). It is generally used for sorting objects into sets. With the Default option, the incoming SMS is routed back to the superior set and the next set item is used.
    • Disabled – terminate the incoming SMS routing immediately. The SMS message will not be delivered!
  • Destination Id – this column sets a destination of the above-selected destination type.
  • Time condition – set a time condition for each router row. The routing rule is valid only during the time condition validity period. Time conditions help you create sophisticated routing schemes according to time. You can route a call to different destinations for the same incoming conditions (except for time).
  • Default destination – if no match is found with any of the preset strings, the SMS message is routed as defined in this option (located below the routing rule table):
    • Default type – set the type of destination to which an incoming SMS message is to be routed. Choose only one of the destinations that can be used for SMS routing.
    • Default Id – set a destination of the above-selected destination type.