The Fine Art of Telephony
bf96c262439bb898f26175f14dca720d78e75f04121362ede2d6025ebebe1a93
The Fine Art of Telephony
Bell! Bell! Bell! Your reign of tyranny is threatened, your secrets will
be exposed. The hackers have come to stake their claim and punch holes in your
monopolistic control. The 1990s began with an attack on us, but will end with
our victory of exposing the secret government and corruption that lies behind
your walls and screens. Oppose us with all your might, with all your lies,
with all your accountants and bogus security "professionals." You can stop the
one, but you'll never stop the many.
A. Introduction
B. Basic Switching
C. RCMAC
1. Office Equipment
2. How Does All This Fit Into RCMAC
3. Function of RCMAC
a. Coordination of Recent Change Source Documentation
b. Processing of Recent Change Requests
c. Administrative Responsibilities and Interface Groups
D. The FACS Environment
E. Getting Ready For Recent Change Message
1. When MARCH Receives A Translation Packet (TP)
2. When MARCH Receives A Service Order Image
F. MARCH Background Processing
G. User Transaction in MARCH
H. Service Order Forms
I. COSMOS Service Order From The SOI Command
J. MSR - MARCH Status Report (MARCH)
K. Other Notes
L. Recommended Reading
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A. Introduction
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bell. Bell Bell Bell! What is it about Bell? I am not sure what my
fascination is with them, but it never ceases nor does it ever diminish. Maybe
its because they are so private. Maybe its because they find it possible to
rip millions of people off daily and they do it with such great ease. Or
perhaps its just that they do not want anyone to know what they are doing.
Around my area down here in Texas (512), the Central Office buildings have
large brick walls, cameras at each door, bright lights, and every piece of
paper says in big block letters: "PROPRIETARY INFORMATION -- NOT FOR USE OR
DISCLOSURE OUTSIDE OF SOUTHWESTERN BELL." This message can be found on
everything, but their phone books! Why?
This files are about RCMAC and FACS/MARCH. The information presented here
is largely from memory. If you think the information is wrong, then get the
information yourself! One thing to keep in mind is that nothing is in stone!
Different BOCs (Bell Operating Companies) use different systems and have
different ways of doing the same thing. Like in some areas RCMAC is the CIC,
the MLAC may not exist, so on and so forth. So nothing is ever fully true with
Bell, but then why should things like their systems differ from their policies
and promises. There is a Bellcore standard and then there is the real way it
is done by your local BOC.
B. Basic Switching
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A switching system (a switch) allows connect between two (or more) phone
lines, or two trunks. A basic T1 trunk is 24 lines on a 22 gauge, 4-wire
twisted pair. Not only does it allow connect, it also controls connection,
where you call, and when someone calls you. In short it controls everything
about your phone! From a large AT&T 5ESS switching 150,000+ line to a small 24
line PABX (Private Automatic Branch Exchange, a switch), they control your
phone service.
What's the big deal about telephone switches? Telephony is the largest
form of communications for just about everyone in the world! Just try life
without a phone line to your house. I have four phone lines and sometimes that
is still not enough.
Today's switches are digital. This means that when you talk on the phone,
your voice is converted to 1s and 0s (on or off, true or false). This works in
several steps:
[0] You call someone.
[1] Sampling -- The analog signal (your voice) is sampled at certain parts.
The output is called Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM) signal.
[2] Quantize -- The PAM signal is now measured for wave length high (or
amplitude) where numbers are given to the signal.
[3] Encoding -- In this step, the Quantized signal (with the numbers for the
height of the wavelength (amplitude)) is converted to an 8-bit binary
number. The output of the 8-bit "word" may be either a "1" (a pulse) or
a "0" (no pulse).
[4] Encoding -- Produces a signal called a Pulse-Code Modulation (PCM)
signal. PCM just means that the signal is modulating pulses (digital).
From this point, the signal is switched to where it needs to go.
[5] The PCM signal is where it needs to go. The signal is now converted
back to analog.
[6] Decoding -- The 8-bit PCM signal is sent to the decoder to get the
number that measured the amplitude of the wave.
[7] Filtering -- This takes the PAM signal (the decoding produced) and it
reproduces the analog signal just as it was.
___
[1] [2] [3] [4] | S | [5] [6] [7]
________ _________ ______ | w | ________ ______
| | | | | | __ | i | __ | | | |
\/\/|Sampling|-|Quantize|-|Encode|__| |__| t |__| |__|Decoding|-|Filter|/\/
|________| |________| |______| | c | |________| |______|
| | | |_h_| |
| PAM PCM PCM |
Analog Signal (You Talking) / \ Analog Signal__|
/ \
/ \
/ \
/ \
Blow Up / of the Switch \
/ \
/ \
___________________________
_____ | | _____
1 T | | T 1 | | 1 T | | 1
-------| T |------| |------| T |-----
|_____| | | |_____|
_____ | | _____
2 T | | T 2 | S | 2 T | | 2
-------| T |------| mxn |------| T |-----
|_____| o | | o |_____|
_____ o | | o _____
m T | | T m | | n T | | n
-------| T |------| |------| T |-----
|_____| | | |_____|
|___________________________|
The basic design of most of the switches today is a Time-Space-Time (TST)
topology. In the Time-Space-Time in the arrangement shown, time slot
interchangers will interchange information between external channels and
internal (space array) channels.
This is just a quick run through to gives you a general idea about
switches without going into math and more technical ideas. For a better
understanding, get "Fundamentals of Digital Switching" by John C. McDonald.
This book is well written and describes ideas that I cannot get into.
C. RCMAC
~~~~~~~~
The Recent Change Memory Administration Center's (RCMAC) purpose is to
make changes to the software in various Electronic Switching Systems (ESS). An
ESS uses a Stored Program Control (SPC) to provide telephone service. Since
people with phones and their services change often, the ESS uses a memory
called Recent Change. This Recent Change area of memory is used on a standby
basis until the information can be updated into the semipermanent memory area
of the ESS. It is in the templar area that changes (or Recent Change Messages)
are typed and held for updating into the semipermanent memory area (Recent
Change Memory).
The following Switching Systems (switches for short) that have Recent
Change:
- 1/1AESS
- 2/2BESS
- 3ESS
- 5ESS
- Remote Switching System (RSS)
- #5ETS
- DMS100/200/250/300
Here is a typical hookup. As you follow the diagram below, you will see:
[1] Telephone subscriber connected to the Central Office by cables.
[2] At the Central Office, each subscriber is connected to the Main
Distributing Frame.
[3] The Cable and Pair is now connected to the Office Equipment (OE) at
another location on the MDF.
_______________
(Home Phone Lines) M.D.F. | |
|--(Home Phone) ___________ | |
|--(Home Phone) /__/| /__ /| | D.S.S. |
|--(Home Phone) |\ ||__|/ | |-----| |
| | _|_/_|__| |-----| Equipment |
| | /|/ \| | |-----| |
| | /||__| \| |-----| |
|_________________|/_|/ |__|/ |_______________|
/ |
Cables Cross-Connects
[1] [2] [3]
1. Office Equipment
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Office Equipment (OE) is identified by a unique numbering plan. The
equipment numbers identify the equipment location within the system. The
Equipment Numbers also vary from one type of equipment to another.
You also may find the OE (Office Equipment) referred to as the LEN (Line
Equipment Number). It is called a REN (Remote Equipment Number) in a case of
RSS (Remote Switching System).
Each telephone number is assigned to a specific equipment location where
they bid for dial tone.
Here is an example of different types of Office Equipment:
1/1AESS #2ESS
~~~~~~~ ~~~~~
OE 0 0 4 - 1 0 1 - 3 1 2 OE 0 1 1 - 2 1 4 0
| |/ | | | | |/ | |/ | | |/
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Level | | | | Switch and Level
| | | | | Switch | | | Concentrator
| | | | Concentrator | | Concentrator Group
| | | Bay | Link Trunk Network
| | Line Switch Frame Control Group
| Line Link
Control Group
#3ESS Others
~~~~~ ~~~~~~
OE 0 0 1 - 2 1 4 0 1XB = XXXX-XXX-XX
| |/ | | | | 1XB = XXXX-XXXX-XX
| | | | | Level 5XB = XXX-XX-XX
| | | | Switch SXS = XXXX-XXX
| | | Switch Group DMS-10 = XXX-X-XX-X
| | Concentrator 5ESS = XXXX-XXX-XX
| Concentrator Group 5ESS = XXXX-XX-XX
Control Group RSS = XXXX-X-XXXX
DMS-1/200 = XXX-X-XX-XX
2. How Does All This Fit Into RCMAC?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RCMAC (Recent Change Memory Administration Center) is responsible for updating
any Service Order activity. This action will change a customer line or service
in the Recent Change memory of the SPC switches.
3. Function of RCMAC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The three basic functions performed in RCMAC are:
a. Coordination of Recent Change Source Documentation
b. Processing of Recent Change Requests
c. Administrative Responsibilities and Interface Groups
In more detail:
- Coordination of Recent Change Source Documentation
The first function is the coordination of Source Documents. The main
source of RC (Recent Change) is the Service Orders. Service Orders are changes
in a subscriber's service. RCMAC, in addition to the input of the service
order in the switches, is responsible for other activities such as:
- Simulated Facilities (SFG)
- Route Indexes
- Traffic Registers (TR)
- Subscriber Line Usages (SLU)
- Service Observing Assignment (SOB)
- MARCH (MIZAR) RPM Updates
Terminal Communications to the switches and/or MARCH (MIZAR) typically use
the AT&T Datakit. RCMAC also is responsible for "HOT" requests from the I.C.
(Installation Center) and other transmissions from the I.C.
- Processing of Recent Change Requests
The second function of RCMAC is processing of RC messages. This involves
inputting and editing RC messages in the switches. When RCMAC inputs messages,
they are making a change to their customer's service. The customers service is
dependent on the prompt, accurate processing of RC source documents (Service
Orders).
The due date (sometimes referred to as the Frame Due Date) remarks and
time interval assigned to the order will govern the release of RC input to ESS.
Due date is important because this is the date that the Service Order has to be
completed (going through the FACS system, frame work done, and RC message
inputted into the switch).
Recent Change Requests
The RCMAC receives documentation for changes to the temporary memory areas
of the various types of ESS equipment. These changes may come in many forms
and from many different sources.
_________ _____
| | | |
Service Orders---------------->| R |--------->| ESS | _____
Line Station Transfer--------->| C | |_____| | |
Service Observing------------->| M |---------------------->| ESS |
Special Studies--------------->| A | ______ |_____|
Trouble Reports--------------->| C | | |
Verifications----------------->| |--------->| ESS |
|_________| |_____|
Some Recent Changes requests are Service Orders, Line Equipment Transfers
(LET), Service Observing Requests (SOB), Special Studies (SLU), Trouble Reports
and Verification (follow local procedure). In short, it is taking this
information and making the correct changes into the SPC switches.
- Administrative Responsibilities and Interface Groups
- Control of errors.
- Monitor activity.
- Prepare administrative reports.
- Coordination of RCMAC operations and interface with other departments.
- Restore RC area of the switches in the event that RC memory is damaged
due to machine failure.
Operational Interface
RCMAC must coordinate activities with many work groups to achieve accurate
and quick RC for the ESSes.
BSC/RSC & MKTG
|
|
SCC | RSB
\ | /
\ | /
\ | /
NAC ---------- RCMAC ---------- IC
/ \
/ \
/ \
Frame MLAC
To help understand this better, here is a short description of each group
that interfaces with RCMAC:
SCC (Switching Control Center)
- Technical assistance to RCMAC
- Provide emergency coverage (off hours) for RCMAC. This includes
service affecting problems. They also coordinate any updates in
the ESS programs with RCMAC.
NAC (Network Administration Center) provides RCMAC with:
- Line Class Codes (LCC) like 1FR (1-party Flat Rate).
- List of numbers that must be changed (in ESS memory) from one intercept
route index to another, prior to reassignment.
- Translation Assignments; Example: Simulated Facilities Group (SFG).
- Area Transfer/Dial for Dial Assignment.
- Service Observing assignment.
- Subscriber Line Usages (SLU) study assignment.
- Customer Line Overflow study assignment.
- RPM updates for DMS 100 change in COSMOS tables USOC/NXX/Ltg.
Frame (Frame Jeopardy Reports) Central Office (FCC) will interface with RCMAC
for Line Equipment transfers.
- Problems encountered by the frame group when completing Service Orders
may be coordinated with the MLAC (Loop Assignment Center), or when
appropriate will be called directly to RCMAC (i.e. No Dial Tone on a new
connect).
Business/Residence Service Center (BSC/RSC) and Marketing (MKTG)
- The BSC/RSC and MKTG determine what kind of service the customer wants,
generates Service Orders, and coordinates with RCMAC regarding special
services to customers.
Repair Service Bureau (RSB) or Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
- Customer trouble reports may involve RC inputs; the RCMAC would work
closely with RSB or SPOC to clear such troubles.
- RCMAC is responsible for analyzing, investigating and resolving customer
trouble caused by RC input.
Installation Center (IC) and/or Maintenance Center (MC)
- The IC/MC group is responsible for the administration function
associated with the completion and control of Service Order load. This
invokes all orders whether they require field work or no field work.
- This Group is responsible for ensuring all service orders are taken care
of on the proper due date.
Mechanized Loop Assignment Center (MLAC) or LAC
- Assigns Service Orders for RCMAC.
- Assigns customers loops (this group is not in all BOCs).
D. The FACS Environment
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To better understand RCMAC, Source Document flow, and a typical BOC as a
whole, the FACS (Facility Administration Control System) is an important part
of this.
Systems in a FACS environment
PREMIS - PREMises Information System
This system is divided into three parts: the main PREMIS database,
PREMLAC (Loop Assignment) and PREMLAS (Loop Assignment Special
circuit). This contains customer and address inventory and assigns
numbers.
SOAC - Service Order Analysis and Control
This system receives Service Orders from SORD and interprets and
determines facility requirements. The system requests and receives
assignments from LFACS and COSMOS and forwards orders to MARCH,
forwards assignments to SORD, and also maintains Service Order history
and manages changes.
LFACS - Loop FACS contains all loop facilities inventory and responds to
requests for assignment.
COSMOS - COmputer System for Mainframe OperationS contains all the OE inventory
and responds for OE request.
SORD - Service ORder and Distribution distributes Service Orders throughout
the system.
MARCH - MARCH is the Mizar upgrade which will come into play when the
Stromberg-Carlson (SxS and XBAR) is upgraded to Generic 17.1 (the
software interface is called NAC). Though there is a problem with the
interface between MARCH and COSMOS (because the Generic Interface is
not supported by COSMOS), templates are used for MAN, AGE, LETS, etc.
Anyway, MARCH plays a big part in this system. MARCH, aside from what
was talked about above, has a basic function of keeping RCMAC up to
date on the switches (MSR user transaction). It is an RC message
manager which will allow one to modify messages (ORE), show usages
(MAR) and logs all transmissions.
BASIC ORDER FLOW
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PHASE I - COSMOS/MIZAR
__________
| |
| Customer |
| Request |
|__________|
|
V
_________
| |
| SORD |
|_________|
|
V _________
__________ | |
| | | Work |
| SOAC | ----------> | Manager |
|__________| | (WM) |
|_________|
|
|
V
* * * * * * _________
* * | |
* COSMOS * -------> | MIZAR |
* * |_________|
* * * * * * |
|
V
_________
| |
| SPCS/ |
| DIGITAL |
| SWITCH |
|_________|
===============================================================================
PHASE II - SOAC/MARCH
__________
| |
| CUSTOMER |
| REQUEST |
|__________|
|
|
V
__________
| |
| SORD |
|__________|
|
|
V ___________ _________
__________ | | _________ | |
| | | WORK | | | | SPCS/ |
| SOAC | ------> | MANAGER | ------> | MARCH | ---> | DIGITAL |
|__________| | (WM) | |_________| | SWITCH |
|___________| |_________|
===============================================================================
... Then There Was MLAC
With conversion to FACS, a shift in the service order provisioning process
was made from manual input by the LAC and NAC to mechanized data flow from SOAC
to COSMOS (via Work Manager). Tables used for Recent Change (CFINIT, USL, and
CXM) and spare OE assignments reside in COSMOS, along with the Recent Change
Message Generator (RCMG). The LAC and NAC are now involved only on an
exception basis (This will be explained in more detail later on).
________
| |
| SORD |
|________|
|
|
V ____________
_________ | |
| | ---------> | FACS |---
| SOAC | | COMPONENTS | |
|_________| <--------- | FOR ASGNS. |---
| |____________|
|
V * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
_________ * ___________ *
| | * | | ________ * _______
| WM |---> * | o SP OE | | | * RC | |
|_________| * | o CFINIT |----> | RCMG | * ----->| MARCH |
* | o USL | |________| * MSG |_______|
* | o CMX | * |
* |___________| * |
* * V
* C O S M O S * _________
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * | |
| SPCS/ |
| DIGITAL |
| SWITCH |
|_________|
. . . NOW THERE IS SOAC/MARCH
With the SOAC/MARCH application (FACS/MARCH configuration), the primary
source of service order data continues to be SOAC. COSMOS is taken out of the
Recent Change business with this application (except, like the LAC and NAC, on
an exception basis) and becomes just another FACS Component. The tables that
resided in COSMOS or Recent Change are now duplicated in MARCH.
Instead of retrieving, storing, and passing on already-formatted Recent
Change messages, MARCH now generates the Recent Change from the data passed
from SOAC, as did COSMOS previously.
________
| |
| SORD |
|________|
|
|
V ____________
_________ | |
| | ---------> | FACS |---
| SOAC | | COMPONENTS | |
|_________| <--------- | FOR ASGNS. |---
| |____________|
|
V * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
_________ * ___________ *
| | * | | ________ * _________
| WM |---> * | o RPM | | | * RC | |
|_________| * | o CFINIT |----> | RCMG | * -----> | SPCS/ |
* | o USL | |________| * MSG | DIGITAL |
* |___________| * | SWITCH |
* * |_________|
* M A R C H *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
E. Getting Ready For Recent Change Message
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
STARTING WITH SORD
Service Orders (SORD) contain FIDs and USOCs (Universal Service Order
Codes [these codes tell the type of service the customer may have or get])
followed by data specific to a customer's service request (SORD accesses PREMIS
for telephone number and address data; other entries are made by the Service
Representative). The order is then passed to SOAC.
THEN TO SOAC
SOAC uses internal tables to read the FIDs and USOCs passed by SORD to
determine what information is required from the various components of FACS.
SOAC then accesses the appropriate FACS components (LFACS for Cable Pair
assignment; COSMOS for OE assignment) and gathers the required data.
Once all the data has been collected, SOAC passes the information to the
Work Manager. Data is either passed as is or translated by SOAC (again using
internal tables) into language acceptable to the receiving systems (i.e.,
COSMOS and MARCH).
SOAC passes information intended for MARCH in one of two ways:
TP-Flow-Through Translation Packets
Translation Packets (TPs) contain fully translatable data from which
MARCH can generate a Recent Change message. Determination is made by
SOAC based on the interface capabilities and its ability to read,
translate as required, and pass data.
Service Order Image
Service Order Images are sent to MARCH if SOAC is not able to pass
all required data. Images require additional information, either
input manually or retrieved from COSMOS before Recent Change messages
are generated.
WORK MANAGER - THE TRAFFIC COP
The primary function of Work Manager is to read the service order and
determine where the data must be sent. Decisions include:
COSMOS System MARCH System
COSMOS Wire Center MARCH Switch
COSMOS Control Group Serving RCMA
Work Manager passes the service order data to MARCH on a real time basis
(orders that were previously held in COSMOS until requested by Frame Due Date
[FDD] are now held in MARCH), either as a TP or an Image.
1. When MARCH Receives A Translation Packet (TP)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(1) A Translation Packet, passed from SOAC via Work Manager is received in
MARCH by the CIP, Communication Interface Program.
(2) When data is received by the CIP, it calls up the CTI or Job Control
Module. The Job Control Module or CTI writes the data that is received to
a temporary file and informs TP Trans (Translation Translator) that an
order has been received. It also controls the number of simultaneous jobs
submitted to TPTrans.
(3) TPTrans analyzes the order in the temporary file, does appropriate FID
conversion (such as stripping out dashes), reformats the order, and passes
it to the Recent Change Message Generator (RCMG).
(4) RCMG performs all Recent Change message generation and, upon completion,
writes the order into a MARCH pending file (Pending Header or Review
file).
In addition to the data passed from SOAC, RCMG uses the following data in
MARCH to translate into switch-acceptable messages:
NXX Switch Specific Parameters (RPM)
USOC (RPM) CCF Keywords (CFINIT)
USOC/NXX (RPM) Review Triggers (RVT)
Release Times (SRM)
________
| |
| SOAC |
|________|
|
|
V
______
| |
| WM |
|______|
|
|
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* M A R C H *
* _______ _______ _________ ______ *
* | | | | | | | | *
* | CIP | -----> | CTI | -----> | TP TRANS| -----> | RCMG | *
* |_______| |_______| |_________| |______| *
* | /\ *
* | / *
* ______|______ / *
* | | / *
* | /TMP |------/ *
* |_____________| *
* *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
2. When MARCH Receives A Service Order Image
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(1) A Service Order Image, passed from SOAC via Work Manager is received in
MARCH by the CIP, Communication Interface Program.
(2) When the image is received by the CIP, it calls up the CTI or Job Control
Module. The Job Control Module or CTI writes the data that is received to
a temporary file and informs TP TRANS (Translation Translator) that an
order has been received. It also controls the number of simultaneous jobs
submitted to TPTrans.
(3) TP TRANS analyzes the order in the temporary file, sees that it is a
service order image, and creates a SOI (Service Order Image) file using
the order number and file name. The entire image is written to the SOI
file. TP TRANS signals the Service Order Image Processor (SOIP) program
for the remaining processing.
(4) If SOIP can determine the switch for which the image is intended, it
passes a request to the Call COSMOS file and stores the image data in the
IH file (Image Header). If SOIP cannot determine the switch, the image is
placed in the PAC (Unknown Switch Advisory) for manual processing.
(5) For images where the switch has been determined, MARCH calls COSMOS at its
next scheduled call time and runs RCP by Order Number (if the last call
time is past, it will defer the request to the first call time for the
next day).
(6) If the order is received from COSMOS, it is placed in the PH or RV file
appropriately and the Image Header is purged. A flag is set indicating
that a Service Order Image text exists in the system. If the order is not
received from COSMOS, the image is placed in the PAC for manual
processing.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* M A R C H *
* _______ _______ _________ ______ *
* | | | | | | | | *
* | CIP | -----> | CTI | -----> | TP TRANS| -----> | RCMG | *
* |_______| |_______| |_________| |______| *
* | /\ | *
* | / | *
* ______|______ / _V___________ *
* | | / | | *
* | /TMP |------/-----| /SOI | *
* |_____________| |_____________| *
* *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It is not necessary for you to know all the programs MARCH uses to process
Service Orders in a SOAC/MARCH environment. That gets trivial and all stuck in
various commands that do not mean anything unless, of course, one is on the
system at hand.
_________ _________
___________ TP | | TP _______ TP | |
| |-------> | Work | -------> | | -----> | SPCS/ |
| SOAC | Image | Manager | Image | MARCH | Image | Digital |
|___________|=======> | (WM) | =======> |_______| =====> | Switch |
|_________| |_________|
| | ^ ^
| | | |
| | | |
V V | |
* * * * * * * *
* *
* COSMOS *
* *
* * * * * * * *
| | | |
| |__| |
|______|
Though it is trivial to understand just how all these system work, here is
a rough overview of MARCH. To Cover MARCH, this will first cover the
background processing.
F. MARCH Background Processing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RECENT CHANGE PARAMETER (RPM)
In conjunction with ORI Patterns and Recent Change Templates, the RPM
determines how information from SOAC is changed and/or manipulated to create
acceptable switch Recent Change messages.
RCMA Supervisor has overall responsibility for the RPM. Although specific
categories may be maintained by Staff Manager, it is overviewed by RCMAC as a
whole.
This includes Line Class Code (LCC) conversion data previously under the sole
responsibility of the NAC in COSMOS. It requires a change of procedures for
the RCMA to ensure proper LCC information is passed on the RPM and updated
appropriately.
Initial USOC is LCC conversion data and will be copied into MARCH from the
COSMOS USOC Table.
SWITCH RELEASE MANAGER (SDR)
With SOAC/MARCH, it no longer determines the types of orders to be pulled
from COSMOS, and thus establishes the date and time orders are to be released
to the switch, coming both from SOAC and from COSMOS.
It is based on Package Type (PKT) and Package Category (PKC)
SWINIT TRANSACTION
Contains switch-specific data for MARCH to communicate with SOAC (via Work
Manager), COSMOS, and the switch.
Establishes the call times for COSMOS.
- RCP by Order Number for Service Order Images.
- Suspends, Restores, and Nonpayment Disconnects.
- Automated AGE Requests (as applicable).
- Automated MAN Report.
SDR - SWITCH DATA REPORT
SDR is a report transaction intended for use by the RCMA Associate.
The Switch Data Report provides a printout of the SWINIT information that was
populated from the Perpetrations Questionnaire submitted by the RCMA
Supervisor (see Order Description part of this file).
MOI of an Order in History
Orders in the History Header (HH) file will reflect the history source. The
history source indicated how the order was written to the history file.
G. User Transaction in MARCH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Most Commonly Used MARCH Commands
.-------------------------------------------------------------------------.
| Transaction | Name | Function | Search keys | Prompts |
| ------------|--------------|---------------|-----------------|----------|
| MSR <CR> | MARCH Status |office status | . <CR> | ---- |
| | Report | | sw address | |
| ------------|--------------|---------------|-----------------|----------|
| MOI <CR> | MARCH Order | status of | fn rv | ---- |
| | Inquiry | order, tn, | fn rj | |
| | | file | fn hh/adt xx-xx | |
| | | | so n12345678 | |
| | | | tn xxxxxxx | |
| ------------|--------------|---------------|-----------------|----------|
| ONC <CR> | On Line | Access COSMOS | ------ | login |
| | COSMOS | | | password |
| ------------|--------------|---------------|-----------------|----------|
| ONS <CR> | On Line | Access Switch | ------ | Switch |
| | Switch | | | logon |
| ------------|--------------|---------------|-----------------|----------|
| ORE <CR> | Order Edit | Edit Header or| fn rv | ---- |
| | | message text | fn rj | |
| | | of MARCH file| so n12345678 | |
| | | | tn xxxxxxx | |
| ------------|--------------|---------------|-----------------|----------|
| ORE -G <CR> | Order Edit | edit multiple | 2 Search keys | ---- |
| | Global | files | Required | |
| ------------|--------------|---------------|-----------------|----------|
| ORI <CR> | Order Input | Build MARCH | ------ | Patterns |
| | | file | | |
| ------------|--------------|---------------|-----------------|----------|
| ORS <CR> | Order Send | Send to Switch| so n12345678 | ---- |
| | | immediately | tn xxxxxxx | |
| ------------|--------------|---------------|-----------------|----------|
| TLC <CR> | Tail COSMOS | watch MARCH | ------ | ---- |
| | | pull orders | | |
| ------------|--------------|---------------|-----------------|----------|
| TLS <CR> | Tail Switch | Watch orders | ______ | ____ |
| | | sent to switch| | |
| ------------|--------------|---------------|-----------------|----------|
| VFY <CR> | Verify | Request Verify| ------ | rltm,type|
| | | | | tn,oe,hml|
| ------------|--------------|---------------|-----------------|----------|
| VFD <CR> | Verify | Show Completed| ------ | ---- |
| | Display | verifies | | |
| ------------|--------------|---------------|-----------------|----------|
| VFS <CR> | Verify Status| Show pending | ------ | |
| | | verities | | |
` ------------------------------------------------------------------------'
Here is a detailed explanation of some of the commands:
MOI - MARCH ORDER INQUIRY
MOI is a conversational inquiry transaction intended for use by the RCMAC
Clerk.
MOI is used to inquire on Recent Change messages in a pending file(s):
Pending Header, Review, Reject, and/or History Header. It may be used to
inquire on one message, an entire order, several messages in more than one
file, or all orders in a file, determined by the search keys entered.
ONS - ON line Switch
Each switch has its own login sequence.
DMS-100
Login
1) Give a Hard Break
2) At the "?" prompt type "login"
3) There will be an "Enter User Name" prompt. Enter the user name.
4) Then "Enter Password" with a row of @, *, & and # covering the
password.
5) Once on, type "SERVORD" and you are on the RC channel of the
switch.
Logout
1) Type "LOGOUT" and CONTROL-P
1AESS
Login
1) Set Echo on, Line Feeds on and Caps Lock on.
2) End each VFY message with " . CONTROL-D" and each RC message with
"! CONTROL-D".
Logout
1) Hit CONTROL-P
5ESS
Login
1) Type "rcv:menu:apprc" at the "<" prompt.
Logout
1) Type "Q" and hit CONTROL-P
ONC - On Line COSMOS
1) You will see "login:" so type in username and then there will be a
"Password:" prompt to enter password.
ORE - Order Edit
ORE Commands are used to move between windows and to previous and subsequent
headers and text within an editing session. Commands may be input at any
point in the ORE session regardless of the cursor location. They are capital
letters requiring use of the shift key or control commands. Here are the
movement commands:
Commands Description
~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~
N (ext header) Replaces the data on the screen with the next header and
associated text that matches the search keys entered.
M (ore text) Replaces the data in the message text window with the
next message associated with the existing header (for
multiple text message).
P (revious header) Replaces data in the header windows with the header you
looked at previously (in the same editing session).
B (ackup text) Replaces data in the message text window with the text
you looked at previously (in the same editing session).
S (earch window) Moves the cursor to the search window permitting
additional search keys to be entered.
Control-D Next Page
Control-U Previous Page
< Move cursor from text window to header.
> Moves to text window from header.
Q (uit) Quit
ORE -G
ORE -G is a conversational transaction intended for use by the RCMA
associate.
ORE -G is used to globally edit Recent Change messages existing in a MARCH
pending file: Pending Header, Review, and Reject. Editing capabilities
include adding information on an order.
ORE -G is also used to change header information and to remove messages.
ORI - ORder Input
ORder Input enables one to input an order and change orders. The changes
that can be made are in the telephone number, OE, so on. This command is too
complex to really get into here.
VFY - Verify
This is used to manually input verify messages into MARCH, thus to the
switches.
MSR - MARCH Status Report
This used to count the amount of service orders stored in SOAC. It also
shows the amount of change messages that have been sent to the switch.
H. Service Order Forms
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In my time, I have come across a lot of printouts that have made no sense to
me. After several months, I could start to understand some of the codes. Here
are what some of the common service orders are and what they are for.
SORD Service Order:
_________________________________________________________________
| |
| |
|TN CUS TD DD APT MAC ACC AO CS SLS HU |
|415-343-8765 529 T DUE W AS OF 1FR ABCDE4W |
|ORD SU EX STA APP CD IOP CT TX RA SP CON AC |
|C14327658 SMIUX R R |
|ACNA R |
|WA 343# EXETER,SMT |
|WN IDOL, BILLY |
|---S&E |
|I1 ESL |
|O1 1FR/TN 343-8321/ADL |
| /PIC 10288 |
|O1 ESL/FN 3438321 |
|---BILL |
|MSN IDOL, BILLY |
|MSTN 555-1212 |
|---RMKS |
|RMK BLAH |
| |
| /**** END |
| |
|_________________________________________________________________|
_________________________________________________________________
| |
|[1] [2] [3] [9] |
| | | | | |
|TN CUS TD DD APT MAC ACC AO CS SLS HU |
|407-343-8765 529 T DUE W AS OF 1FR ABCDE4W |
| |
| [8] |
| | |
| ORD SU EX STA APP CD IOP CT TX RA SP CON AC |
|C14327658 SMIUX R R |
|ACNA R |
| |
|[4] |
| | |
|WA 343# EXETER,SMT |
| |
|[6] |
| | |
|WN AT&T |
|---S&E \ |
|I1 ESL | |
|O1 1FR/TN 343-8321/ADL | [5] |
| /PIC 10288 | |
|O1 ESL/FN 3438321 / |
|---BILL |
| |
| [6] |
| | |
| MSN IDOL, BILLY |
| |
| [7] |
| | |
| MSTN 555-1212 |
|---RMKS |
|RMK BLAH |
| |
| /**** END |
| |
|_________________________________________________________________|
[1] Telephone Number. Format is XXX-XXX-XXXX.
[2] Customer number.
[3] Due Date.
[4] Work Address.
[5] The S&E field:
ACTION CODE -- This is the code at the far left-most side of the page. These
codes end with a 1 or a 0. The 1 says to add this feature and
the 0 says to not do the feature. There are several different
action codes. Here is a list:
Action Code Used to
~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~
I Add features
O Remove features
C-T Change designated number of rings, "forward to" number, or
both on Busy/Delay call forwarding features.
E-D Enter or Delete a feature for record purposes only.
R Recap CCS USOC to advise
Here is a list of some common USOCs (features):
ESC Three Way Calling
ESF Speed Calling
ESL Speed Calling 8 Code
ESM Call Forwarding
ESX Call Waiting
EVB Busy Call Forward
EVC Bust Call Forward Extended
EVD Delayed Call Forwarding
HM1 Intercom Plus
HMP Intercom Plus
MVCCW Commstar II Call Waiting
[6] Billing name
[7] Billing number
[8] Service Order Number
[9] Class of Service or LCC (See appendix 1)
SDR File Header Information Order (MARCH)
1. Switchname 7. Package Type
2. Header File Name 8. Package Category
3. Current Date & Time 9. Reject Reason
4. Service Order Number 10. Release Date & Time
5. Service Order Type 11. Accept Date & Time
6. Telephone Number Reject Date & Time
12. Input Source
History Header File
[1] [2] [3]
| | |
sw: swad0 history header file fri may 31 07:50:12 1992
[4]- so=janet3 tn= pkt-in pkc=other
[11]- act=05-30 0750 src=ori | | |
history text= | [6] [7] [8]
rc:sclist: [12]
ord 31235
cx =031235
adn 2
! ~
Reject File
[1]- sw:swad2 [2]- reject file [3]- fri may 30 11:22:01 1992
[4]- so=c238 [5]- ver=7 tn=5551212 -[6]
[9]- rj reason=ot rldt=05-30 1059 rjdt=05-30 :106 src=cosmos
message test= | | |
rc:line:chg: [10] [11] [12]
ord 87102
"=238-7102'
"ord c231"
"restoration from ssv-db"
tn 555 1212
lcc 1mr
! ~
ve data=
, er
m 07 rc18 0 87102 0 4 valar
new 00001605 err 00000307
05/30/92 11:07:16
I. COSMOS Service Order From The SOI Command
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
________________________________________________________________________
|WC% |
|WC% SOI |
|H ORD N73322444 |
| |
| DEC 19, 1992 10:12:21 AM |
| SERVICE ORDER ASSIGNMENT INQUIRY |
| |
|ORD N733224444-A OT(NC) ST(AC- ) FACS(YES) |
| DD(12-20-92) FDD(12-20-92) EST(11-16:14) SG(G) DT(XX ) OC(COR) |
| MDF WORK REQ(YES) MDF COMPL(NO) LAC COMPL(NO) RCP(NO) |
| WPN 9446 WLST 1= P 2= 3= 4= 5= 6= 7= 8= |
| COORDINATION REQUIRED |
| RMK FAT TBCC,RO D77901070 |
| RMK FAT TBCC,RO D77901070 |
|CP 48-0942 |
| ST SF PC FS WK DATE 11-28-89 RZ 13 |
| LOC PF01008 |
|OE 012-25-006 |
| ST SF PC FS WK DATE 11-12-91 CZ 1MB US 1MS FEA TNNL|
| PIC 10288 |
| LCC BB1 |
| CCF ESX |
| LOC PF01007 |
|TN 571-5425 |
| ST WK PD FS WK DATE 12-03-91 TYPE X |
| **ORD D77901070-C OT CD ST AC- DD 12-20-92 FDD 12-20-92 |
| |
|** SOI COMPLEATED |
|WC% |
|________________________________________________________________________|
________________________________________________________________________
| |
| WC% |
| WC% SOI |
| |
| |
| H ORD N73322444 |
| |
| [1]- DEC 19, 1992 10:12:21 AM |
| [2]- SERVICE ORDER ASSIGNMNET INQUIRY |
| |
| [3] [4] [5] |
| | | | |
| ORD N733224444-A OT(NC) ST(AC- ) FACS(YES) |
| |
| [7] [8] [6] [9] |
| | | | | |
| DD(12-20-92) FDD(12-20-92) EST(11-16:14) SG(G) DT(XX ) OC(COR) |
| |
| [10] [11] [12] [13] |
| | | | | |
| MDF WORK REQ(YES) MDF COMPL(NO) LAC COMPL(NO) RCP(NO) |
| |
| |
| WPN 9446 WLST 1= P 2= 3= 4= 5= 6= 7= 8= |
| COORDINATION REQUIRED |
| RMK FAT TBCC,RO D77901070 |
| RMK FAT TBCC,RO D77901070 |
| |
|[35] |
| | |
| CP 48-0942 |
| |
| [34] [35] [36] [37] |
| | | | | |
| ST SF PC FS WK DATE 11-28-89 RZ 13 |
| |
| LOC PF01008 -[39] |
| |
| OE 012-25-006 -[19] |
| |
| [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] |
| | | | | | | |
| ST SF PC FS WK DATE 11-12-91 CS 1MB US 1MS FEA TNNL|
| |
| PIC 10288 |
| |
| LCC BB1 -[27] |
| |
| CCF ESX -[26] |
| |
| LOC PF01007 -[32] |
| |
| TN 571-5425 -[14] |
| |
| [15] [16] [17] [18] |
| | | | | |
| ST WK PD FS WK DATE 12-03-91 TYPE X |
| |
| [38] [28] [29] [30] [31] |
| | | | | | |
| **ORD D77901070-C OT CD ST AC- DD 12-20-92 FDD 12-20-92 |
| |
| ** SOI COMPLETED -[40] |
| |
| WC% -[41] |
|________________________________________________________________________|
[1] Date and Time the SOI was Requested in COSMOS
[2] Title of Output Message
[3] Order Number
[4] Order Type
[5] Status of Order
[6] EST (11-16:14) When Service Order was Established into COSMOS
[7] Due Date
[8] Frame Due Date
[9] Segment Group
[10] Main Distributing Frame Work Required
[11] Main Distributing Frame Work Complete
[12] Loop Assignment Center Completed
[13] FACS Y
>-- The order has downloaded from SOAC to MARCH(MARCH)
RCP N
[14] Telephone Number
[15] Present State of Telephone Number
[16] Future Status of Telephone Number
[17] Date of Last Activity on Telephone Number
[18] Type of Telephone Number
[19] Line Equipment
[20] Present Status of Line Equipment
[21] Future Status of Phone Line
[22] Date of Last Activity on Line Equipment
[23] Class of Service
[24] USOC
[25] Features
[26] Custom Calling Feature
[27] Line Class Code
[28] Order Type that is Clearing Telephone Number
[29] Status of Order that is Clearing Telephone Number
[30] Due Date
[31] Frame Due Date
[32] Location of Line Equipment on Frame
[33] Cable and Pair
[34] Present Status of Cable and Pair
[35] Future Status of Cable and Pair
[36] Date of Last Activity on Cable and Pair
[37] Resistance Zone
[38] Order Number Clearing Cable
[39] Location of Cable and Pair on Frame
[40] SOI Complete Message
[41] Wire Center and Prompt Symbol to Indicate Computer is Ready for Another
Transaction
[42] Primary Independent Carrier is 10288 (AT&T's Ten Triple X Code)
J. MSR - MARCH Status Report (MARCH)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_______________________________________________________________________
| |
| switch name |
| |
| ==================================================================== |
| march status report |
| sw:switch name tue oct 30 11:14:48 1992 |
| pending work functions |
| ==================================================================== |
| past due due today future due |
| ____________________________________________________________________ |
| use moi for: 0 0 0 |
| reject file 0 1 270 |
| review file 0 0 0 |
| held release status 28 14 44 |
| normal release status 0 7 184 |
| ____________________________________________________________________ |
| use pac for: 0 15 |
| change notices 0 3 |
| unknown switch notices 0 0 |
| =====================================================================|
| |
| ** msr completed |
|_______________________________________________________________________|
_______________________________________________________________________
| |
| switch name |
| |
| |
| ==================================================================== |
| [1] |
| | march status report |
| sw:switch name [2]- tue oct 30 11:14:48 1992 |
| pending work functions |
| ==================================================================== |
| [3] [5] [12] |
| | | | |
| past due due today future due |
| ____________________________________________________________________ |
| |
| use moi for: 0 2 -[6] 0 |
| |
| reject file 0 1 -[7] 0 |
| |
| held release status 5 -[4] 6 -[8] 0 |
| |
| normal release status 0 3 -[9] 3 -[13] |
| ____________________________________________________________________ |
| |
| use pac for: 0 15 -[10] |
| |
| change notices 0 3 -[11] |
| |
| unknown switch notices 0 0 |
| =====================================================================|
| |
| ** msr completed |
|_______________________________________________________________________|
[1] Office MSR request in (switch name/address)
[2] Date and time of request
[3] Past due service order column
[4] Past due service order on hold
[5] Due today service order column
[6] Order due today in the reject file
[7] Orders due today in review file
[8] Orders due today on hold
[9] Orders due today with a normal release status
[10] PAC service orders which have been changed
[11] PAC switch advisory notices encountered today
[12] Future due service order column
[13] Order due in the future with a normal release status
K. Other Notes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LCC or Line Class Code is, in short, what kind of line the Bell customer
may have. They are the phone line type ID. These IDs are used by the SCC
(Switching Control Center) and the switches as an ID to what type of billing
you have. Here is a list of some common LCCs that a standard BOC uses.
Note: This is not in stone. These may change from area to area.
1FR - One Flat Rate
1MR - One Measured Rate
1PC - One Pay Phone
CDF - DTF Coin
PBX - Private Branch Exchange (Direct Inward Dialing ext.)
CFD - Coinless ANI7 Charge-a-Call
INW - InWATS
OWT - OutWATS
PBM - 0 HO/MO MSG REG (No ANI)
PMB - LTG = 1 HO/MO Regular ANI6
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%7Cutmcsr%3D(direct)%7Cutmcmd%3D(none)){kind=small}
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