Redundant AlphaCom integration

This article explains how to setup and configure redundant AlphaCom integration on an Exigo A-B system.
The solution may also be used for Exigo system with hot-standby controller.
Redundant AlphaCom integration is obtain as follows:

• From AlphaCom to Exigo -> The AlphaCom calls both Exigo Controllers simultaneously.
  
• From Exigo to AlphaCom -> Calls from Exigo is sent to the AlphaCom from both Exigo controllers.
  

If one of the Exigo Controllers fails you will still have integration between AlphaCom and the Exigo system.

Configuration Overview

Exigo Management Tool (EMT) is used for setting up the integration in Exigo.

EMT

AlphaPro is used for setting up the integration in AlphaCom.

AlphaPro

From Exigo there is two types of actions defined:

• Action Calls - from AlphaCom to Exigo.
• AlphaCom features - from Exigo to AlphaCom.

Exigo will use numbers from 98001 to 98099 to start activities in Exigo on incoming activities.
Outgoing from Exigo can define any number.

AlphaPro Configuration

Configuration on the AlphaCom with redundant call to Exigo contains three steps:

• Define and map IP addresses to the two Exigo Nodes (Controller A and Controller B).
• Defining Directory Numbers.
• Make a Group Call that calls both controllers.

Step 1. Define and map IP addresses to the first Exigo Node (Controller A)

The following steps needs to be repeated for Controller B.
Select Create Exchange to create the first Exigo SIP node in your AlphaCom system:

AlphaPro - Create exchange

Set the IP adress for the first Exigo PSC (Controller A) as the SIP Trunk Line:

AlphaPro - Set the Exigo PSC IP address as the SIP Trunk Line

Set up Net Routing:
Go to Exchange & System -> Net Routing:

AlphaPro - Setup the Net Routing

Select Insert:
Select the Exigo node:

AlphaPro - Setup the Net Routing

Select ACDP Link: SIP Link (31)

AlphaPro - Setup the Net Routing

Press OK.

  The steps above must then be repeated for Controller B.

After adding both controllers you should now have two Exigo nodes:

Net Routing - both controllers

Step 2. Defining Directory Numbers

In order to achieve redundancy the AlphaCom needs to call both controllers at the same time.
The next step is to add the directory numbers which are used in Exigo. These numbers are from 98001 to 98099.
Select Directory and Features:

AlphaPro - Directory and Features

Here you need to add the number of directory numbers/Action Calls you need.
For redundancy you need to add minimum two numbers (for example 98001 and 98002).
98001 will then call Controller A, and 98002 will call Controller B.
Add a directory number 98001 with feature number 9 (Call a User).

AlphaPro - Directory and Features

This will give you a number that are automatically in All Call 84, and can also be added to groups.
Give the Directory Number a descriptive text in Display Text.
The User will look like this:

AlphaPro - User

Check the SIP Station box.
The Related to Trunk must be set to the correct Exigo SIP Trunk (one for each Exigo Controller).
For redundancy you need two numbers.
For example will 98001 call Controller A (node 2), and 98002 Controller B (node 3):

98001 - Node 3 (Controller 2)

Step 3. Group Call

In order to achieve redundancy AlphaCom needs to call both Exigo Controllers at the same time.
This is done by doing a Group Call from AlphaCom.
Go to Groups -> Local Groups. Edit (change) an available group and include the two member (for example 98001 and 98002):

Group Call - Calling both Controllers

This Group Call will then make sure that AlphaCom call both Exigo Controllers simultaneously.

EMT Configuration

There is 3 main configurations that needs to be done in EMT:

• The AlphaCom node needs to be added.
• Actions Calls and
• AlphaCom features also needs to be configured.

Step 1. Add the AlphaCom node

First step is to add the AlphaCom node to the system.
In Components view expand the External Devices.
Drag the AlphaCom to the System -> Integration:

EMT - Add the AlphaCom node

Type in the IP address of the AlphaCom.

Step 2. Action Calls

For the AlphaCom to trigger features in the Exigo system one or more Action Calls needs to be added.
For redundancy we need identical Action Call to be started in both controllers.
In Components view expand External Connections.
Drag Action Call to System -> Integration -> Action Calls:

EMT - Add Action Call

Repeat the process so that you have minimum two Action Calls.

Then you can add input action to the Action Call. We will use Live Speech in this example.
In Components view expand Input action.
Drag Live Speech to System -> Integration -> Action Calls -> 98001 -> On Connect

EMT - Add Live Speech

In the pop up select:

• Activation: Start.
• Destination: The zones you want the Live Speech.
• Priority: Default priority is 50.
• Chime: Select the desired chime.

Press Done.
To make the Live Speech stop you also need to program Live Speech on disconnect.
This needs to have Activation: Stop.
Then you do the exact same settings for Action Call 98002.
This will then make sure that the Group Call we configured in AlphaCom starts 98001 in Controller A and 98002 in Controller B.

Step 3. AlphaCom Feature

Adding an AlphaCom Feature allows Exigo to trigger activities in the AlphaCom.
For redundancy both controllers needs to send the same command. In Components view expand External Connections.
Drag Action Call to System -> Integration:

EMT - Add AlphaCom Feature

Each AlphaCom Feature relates to one feature number, typically a group number such as 85, 86 and so on.
In this example we will use the group number 85 to trigger a group call in AlphaCom.
To make sure both controllers send the same command the Assign To System must be set to Both.

Each AlphaCom Feature can be assigned to different zones in the system.
Best practice is to have a dedicated zone for the AlphaCom.
Add a new zone to the system and give it an descriptive name (for example AlphaCom).
Drag AlphaCom Feature to the new zone:

EMT - Add AlphaCom Feature to the Zone

The group call from Exigo need to be adjusted on the AlphaCom.
In this example we have used group 85.

AlphaPro - Configure group 85

Exigo does not have an M key, and the group should therefore be set to Automatic M-key.
Best practice is to let the Exigo system control the gong. The AlphaCom group should therefore have No Gong set.
Be sure to include the members that you want to be part of the group.
The Exigo - AlphaCom integration should now work.

Availability

This feature is available from Exigo 1.3.2.7 and newer.