Enable/Disable Modem screen

Use the Enable/Disable screen to allow the server's modem to accept one, unlimited, or no incoming calls. The call-receiving status of the modem can be changed to control access to the Avaya media server. This topic covers:

• Modem operation
• Security issues
• Enable/disable modem procedure
• Solving enable/disable modem problems

Modem operation

Each Avaya media server is connected to a modem over a USB interface. The two modems share a common analog line to an Avaya services center or another services agency. Usually this analog line reports alarms to the monitoring services agency. Services personnel may respond to the alarm in two ways:

• If they have access to the corporate LAN, they may connect to the server over this Ethernet interface., which is generally a higher-speed connection.

• If the services personnel are remote, they may dial in over the modem's USB connection to the server using a PPP connection. Further alarm reporting from either server is blocked until the modem's analog line is clear.

Security issues

Dial-in access through the modem on the server bypasses any firewall on the corporate network. The Enable/Disable Modem screen allows the modem to remain in service to report any problems with the server, but can restrict incoming calls to one or none.

For example, to protect system security, certain customers may prefer to disable all incoming calls to the modem. If a remote procedure is required, the site administrator can enable one incoming call to the modem before the services person dials in. This level of control makes it unlikely that the modem can receive an unauthorized call.

Enable or disable modem procedure

To check or change the call-receiving status of this server's modem:

1. In the main menu of the web administration interface under Security, click Enable/Disable Modem. The Enable/Disable Modem screen appears. The current status of the modem is listed.
2. Review or change the following call-receiving options:
3. Disable. Choose this option to prevent all incoming calls. The modem can still report server alarms, but no one can dial in on this line.
4. Enable for one call. Choose this option to allow only one incoming call. This option is typically used before a remote services procedure is done at a site where the modem is usually disabled for incoming calls.
5. Enable. Choose this option to allow unlimited incoming calls. The modem is available to support remote services personnel, provided they know the correct access information.
6. When you determine the option you want, click Enable/Disable.  The screen redisplays to confirm the change. If the change was successful, continue to work with the web administration interface.
7. If an error message appears, follow the steps in the next section.

Solving enable or disable modem problems

The Enable/Disable Modem screen may report the following problems:

• No modem found - modem access disabled. The modem for this server is not installed or has been disconnected. Connect the modem and try again.
• Modem currently in use - try again later. The modem is currently engaged in a call. Do the following:

1. Try this operation again. If one of the servers was reporting an alarm, the line should be clear.
2. If the line is busy, find out who is using the modem. If Services personnel are logged in, the line could be busy for some time. However, ensure that an authorized user is using the line.
3. Modem NOT enabled - error. This message can occur if you try to enable the modem to accept unlimited incoming calls if the mgetty program (the process in charge of the modem) does not start. To solve this:
4. Wait a few seconds, click Enable/Disable Modem on the main web administration menu to see if the mgetty process is running.
5. If a "modem access set for multiple calls but currently disabled" message appears, the mgetty process is still not running. Go to step 2.
6. If no error message appears, select Enable for unlimited incoming calls again.
7. Disable the modem, select Enable for unlimited incoming calls again.

• If the "modem NOT enabled - error" message appears again, there is a serious problem. The system should be examined by services personnel.
• Modem access set for multiple calls but currently disabled. The mgetty (modem program) process is not running, although the server has been set to accept unlimited incoming calls. To solve this, follow the same steps as for "modem NOT enabled - error" above.