HiPath

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The HiPath "family" of telephone systems from Unify (formerly Siemens Enterprise Communications , SEN) is the further development of the previously manufactured Hicom systems. Systems of these HiPath types are manufactured and used in different variants, whereby the following basic distinction is made: the "small" and the "large" technology of Siemens communication systems.

variants

The criteria for assigning large (HiPath 4000/8000) or small (HiPath 2xxx / 3xxx) result from the scalability of the systems.

The "small technology" (HiPath 2xxx / 3xxx): These systems are used in small to medium-sized companies. The average number of participants per system is from a few devices to 500 subscriber stations (up to 1000 in networked systems).

The systems from the "Large Technology (HiPath 4000/8000)" series are used in large companies with several hundred to several thousand participants. However, they are sometimes used in smaller scenarios if the requirements make it necessary.

HiPath 2XXX

The HiPath 2000 was a permanently developed communication system, which was primarily aimed at connecting VoIP telephones. The system was delivered as a 19-inch device with the size of one height unit . The device offers various LAN connections, connections for analogue devices and ISDN interfaces (internal or external). A Linux was used as the operating system . The system has not been sold since 2008 and there is no direct successor product.

HiPath 3XXX

Unlike the HiPath 2000, the HiPath 3000 can be expanded with modules within the scope of the respective size. The type and size can be recognized by the system designation. The first digit (always 3) defines the series, the second digit the size (3, 5, 7/8) and the last two digits the type (00 = 19-inch system, 50 = classic wall system: the operating system is coming Siemens / unify's own operating system is used here. The system has not been sold since 2013, the successor is the almost identical OpenScape Business (OS Biz) with an expanded range of functions compared to the 3000.

HiPath 4XXX

The HiPath 4000 is offered as a 19-inch system or as a stand system. In the product transition from the previous Hicom 300 model, there were also wall systems. The HiPath 4000 now always consists of a separate control unit (communication server) and peripheral units (shelves), which accommodate the assemblies for connecting the end devices and cables. In the first smaller versions there was the option that the control computer was housed in the first shelf. The shelves are connected to the control computer via cables ( proprietary cables in older versions , CAT5 / 6 patch cables in the current systems ). In addition, there are special shelves (IPDA) that are switched on via VoIP and are no longer spatially bound to the system location. This will replace previously networked systems. The advantage is that the efforts and restrictions of networking are eliminated. The disadvantage is that failure of the IP connection leads to an IPDA failure. To prevent this, IPDAs can be equipped with an emergency computer (AP Emergency). One emergency computer can control several IPDAs. From version 5, so-called soft gates can also be switched on. These are software-based IPDAs that run on a computer or in a virtual environment. A virtual emergency processor can also be installed on a Softgate (from V7R1 with project-specific approval). The HiPath Access 500 is a special type of soft gate, which comes with its own hardware and thus also provides analog and ISDN interfaces. Additional assemblies (XLINK modules) for classic end devices can be connected to Softgates and Access 500. These modules have the appearance of a network switch and are connected via IP via an independent LAN interface (XLINK). It is thus possible to operate devices with classic interfaces at Softgate locations (system telephones, cordless base stations, primary rate connections , ISDN basic connections and analog ( FXS ) connections). Since the connection of the XLINK modules is very time-critical, they must not be distributed in the network via switches. It is also not permitted to connect XLINK modules to virtualized soft gates. Up to HiPath 4000 V5, the basic operating system was RMX , and there was a virtual guest operating system ( SCO-Unix ). As of HiPath 4000 V6, the host operating system is SLES , and RMX runs in several instances as virtual guests. In addition, there are other SLES guests for the administration interface and as a CTI interface. The control unit can be designed as a so-called duplex system. The system consists of two switching computers (BP), one working actively and the other being hot standby . If the active computer fails, the standby computer takes control without disconnecting calls. Up to version 5, such a system consisted of three computers (one administration computer, two switching computers). As of version 6, a duplex system has two computers, as the management system also runs as a virtual guest. This means that the administration interface is also switched over in the event of a computer defect, but this does not take place without interruption. In order to further increase operational reliability, as of the V6, the two computers can also be located at different locations (GeoSeparation), which, however, requires a third computer ( quorum node). This is only possible if only IPDAs, Softgates and Access 500 are switched on.

OpenScape Voice

The "OpenScape Voice Series" (formerly HiPath 8000) forms the upper end of the SEN system product range. Unify markets these systems under the title OpenScape Voice. This purely software-based telephone system is used in large companies with up to 100,000 users, e.g. B. at the Federal Employment Agency. However, there are efforts to use the system in the medium-sized environment with 50 or more extensions. As a pure IP telephony system, no classic telephone interfaces can be connected to the OpenScape Voice. Gateway modules are used here. Some of the systems are also networked with HiPath 4000 in order to operate the HiPath 4000 as a gateway to the classic telephone network. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is used as the operating system .
There are separate system parts under the name OpenScape Voice Branch. They assume the role of a SIP - Proxy , Media Server and can also act as SBC and an emergency level in case of failure of the connection to the main system. Depending on the version, a branch also contains interfaces for analog subscribers and ISDN S0 / S2 interfaces. The interface hardware comes from Digium and the software base is an Asterisk . The use of these components means that in an emergency, features only function to a very limited extent and the behavior of the system also changes.

Properties:

  • Open and software-based platform based on VoIP technology (SIP).
  • Highly available
  • Can be virtualized with VMware®
  • Use of Openstage end devices (+ expansion modules) -> however in SIP mode, which differs significantly from the HFA mode in OpenScape Business and 4000

Other HiPath

The device classes "SOHO solution (BizIP)" for small office, home office (SOHO) are referred to as business intranet (BizIP). In general, only IP-capable components are connected:

Systems of types ( series ) 1210, 1220 and 1100 are designed for smaller offices and private homes with connection options for Siemens Optipoint system devices.

The technology behind the systems

PBXs HiPath series set to one or more ISDN - basic accesses ( S 0 port ) or - primary rate interface (S 2M port) on the physical network termination of the network operator, or use IP connections of a network provider. Via this communication interface, the systems provide the connected subscribers with routes to the telephone network . Internally, the HiPath series works with the ISDN protocol (3000, 4000) and the IP protocol (2000, 4000, 8000).

If a subscriber in the communication network that is served by the HiPath system has Siemens system telephones from the optiset , optiPoint or OpenStage series , they can actively use the extended features of the PBX.

In addition to the ISDN connections can also analog lines ( plain old telephone system ) (using special MSI - Interface - assembly ) can be used.

Networking

Both HiPath and Hicom systems have the ability to be networked with one another in a mixed manner (to form so-called "nodes" or to network the systems "back to back").

  • Nodes are useful when it comes to supplying a large company with multiple, interconnected systems, as a single system (despite the full expansion stage) is not able to cover all participants in their scope of services. Since the number of pluggable modules per system is limited, it is usually common in larger buildings to network three to four systems to form nodes. This technology is normally only used in systems of the 4000 series, since "small" systems of the 3000 series are not suitable for this application.
  • Systems are networked back-to-back in order to ensure that they share a block of numbers (via synchronization and various signaling) and treat the connected subscribers as if they were registered in the same system. The participants can thus reach colleagues via internal phone numbers, although they are registered and connected in a completely separate system at a location that may be far away. In the same way, system-internal performance features, such as the busy lamp field, can then also be used across systems. This technology makes sense as soon as a leased line exists or is desired between these locations (for example via ISDN connections) (in order to keep the costs of synchronization and signaling manageable). If there is no dedicated line, the system-internal performance features can be dispensed with and “virtual subscribers” can be set up for the respective opposite side in the own system. In this way, these subscribers can then be called via an internal number while the telephone system dials an external telephone number (this process remains hidden from the caller).

administration

HiPath 2000

HiPath 2000 offers the administrator an HTML interface. In addition, the system can also be configured via the Manager C / E (see HiPath 3000).

HiPath 3000

A special configuration program (HiPath Manager E / C) is required to configure the HiPath 2000 & 3000 systems. The HiPath Manager E is the tool for trained technicians and customers with qualified personnel, the Manager C is the customer variant with a smaller range of functions. In addition, the function of Manger E can be restricted via different user names and assigned rights levels, so that Manager E can also be used by customers. An offline configuration is carried out via the manager E, i. H. All configuration data (the so-called "customer data record", KDS) are loaded from the system into Manager E and changed there. Then either the complete configuration or just the changed parts can be transferred to the system. Some tasks on the VoIP modules cannot be carried out from Manager E. The VoIP modules have their own web interface ( Java applet ) for this purpose. Access to this is offered as a link in Manager E.

HiPath 4000

The HiPath 4000 also offers several access routes. The HiPath Assistant is primarily intended as a technician and customer access - a web interface ( Java applet ) that runs on the system. There is also access via its own tool (HiPath Expert Access - formerly ComWin). The Hipath Expert Access primarily offers Telnet- like access (ComWin Connect) to the so-called AMO interface (AMO = Administration and Maintenance Order), a separate command language. Here, tasks can be done much faster and more effectively by trained staff than with HTML. Therefore, most technicians primarily rely on this approach. For this purpose, HiPath Expert Access offers the possibility of running a list of commands (so-called batch) and offers a command reference for creating syntactically correct command lines. In addition to the batch, small configuration tools (masks) can also be created using their own language, which simplify tasks. A file transfer to the telephony operating system (RMX) is also included. Not all programming tasks can be done via the AMO interface or the HTML interface. So have VoIP assemblies have their own HTML interface, where required for some requirements own configurations. The integrated cordless telephony (CMI) is also carried out via AMO, but only undocumented columns of numbers are entered in the AMOs. The HiPath Assistant or a special cordless tool (CAT) must be used here. However, CAT again requires HiPath Expert Access to communicate with the system. The configuration via the AMO interface is an online configuration; commands entered here take effect immediately. Outwardly, the HTML interface is also an online configuration, but technically it is more of an offline configuration. The assistant runs in its own virtual environment. The HiPath Assistant is practically a HiPath 4000 Manager (see below). This makes a copy of the RMX configuration and converts inputs on the surface into AMOs, which are then sent to the RMX.

HiPath 8000

The OpenScape Voice (formerly HiPath 8000) is mainly administered via HTML.

Administration of networked systems

For the administration of system networks (corporate networks) with up to 100,000 connections and up to 256 geographically distributed systems or system parts in the network, the options of single system administration are no longer sufficient, since the administration of individual systems in a network always affects all systems in the network may have. If, for example, a subscriber connection is set up on a system in the network, it can only be called by other systems in the network when the fact that a new subscriber exists is made known across the network, i.e. the numbering plans in each system are changed consistently and reliably . That is the job of "HiPath 4000 Network Management". This has the knowledge of all systems and system parts (subscriber connections, network components and end devices) of the network. Operating tasks are formulated within the framework of a web-based user interface (normal web browser), checked for consistency via the network database and carried out in the network using a multi-level transaction control. The HiPath Manager is used here for HiPath 4000 networks. The interface is very similar to that of the HiPath Assistant. For HiPath 3000 networks there is the RSM, which accesses the KDS data from the individual systems via HiPath Manager E. Here, the interface for the administrator is primarily Manager E, only the system access and the distribution of network data is handled by the RSM.

For high security requirements (military, services) several HiPath 4000 network management (instances) can be used in parallel for the network administration of a single network. If, for example, a management center is destroyed, the web administration of another HiPath 4000 network management system for this network can continue to work without delay.

Interfaces

The configuration of a system can be implemented via the following interfaces:

  • V.24 : RS-232 connection, COM interface.
  • S 0 : ISDN subscriber; A call number can be reserved within the system (2000/3000), which can be dialed via an internal or external S 0 connection in order to send configuration data to and from the system.
  • LAN : If the system has a LAN module (with the HiPath 3000 series this is the "HG1500" or LIM module (standard from V6)).
  • Modem : Via a dial-up connection , similar to S 0 .

Others

  • Hicom modules are partially compatible with HiPath modules; When changing over ( migrating ) to a current HiPath system, U. certain assemblies are taken over.
  • In addition to other service providers, Deutsche Telekom sells Siemens Hicom and HiPath telephone systems under the names "Octopus E" and "Octopus F". The systems are almost identical and can also be administered with the "HiPath Manager" or "HiPath Expert Access" administration tool. Siemens system telephones (optiPoint and optiSet) work e.g. T. in the same way on these systems as "Octophone" (Octopus system telephones), since these are also technically identical, but it is u. U. can give software locks.

literature

  • Klaus-Peter Fähnrich, Christian van Husen (Hrsg.): Development of IT-based services. Physica Verlag, Heidelberg 2008, ISBN 978-3-7908-1943-4 .
  • Volker Jung, Hans-Jürgen Warnecke (Hrsg.): Handbook for telecommunications. Springer Verlag, Berlin / Heidelberg 1998, ISBN 978-3-642-97703-9 .
  • Kai Riemer, Patrick Arendt, Andreas Wulf: Market study of cooperation systems. Cuvillier Verlag, Göttingen 2005, ISBN 3-86537-703-3 .

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Federal authorities award contracts worth millions for eGovernment-Computing.de August 31, 2010, accessed March 25, 2013

Web links