An Input is the system object that connects to a data source, such as PBXs, routers and other telecom signalling equipment, in order to collect the call logging data.

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Adding an input

To add a data input, click on the button from either the or the screen, as shown below:

A new window will open, allowing you to name the input. Click on the button to add the input to the system, as shown below:

The input-configuration screen will be displayed. For information on how to configure these settings, refer to the Configuring an input section below.

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Configuring an input

To configure a data input, select it from the list, as shown below:

A new window will open on the right-hand side panel, allowing you to configure the settings of your data input:

The settings displayed in this window will be described below:

Name

The field allows you to view or edit the name of the selected input. To rename, overtype the current entry.

Type

The field allows you to specify the connection method you want to use to collect the data from the phone system. The following connection methods are supported in NetPBX:

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Input types

Listener

This method creates a socket and binds it to a specific port, accepting any data received on the connection without challenge.

FieldDescription

Connection message

An optional greeting message which is sent to any connecting socket. This message can include one or more of the following variables:

  • - the IP address of the remote party
  • - the remote party's source port
PortThe port that the listener should bind to
Address familyThe address family of the socket
Socket typeThe type of data flow the socket expects
Protocol typeThe type of protocol the listener will use

Serial port

This method allows the connection of a serial (RS-232) device.

FieldDescription
Port nameThe name of the serial port device, e.g. COM 1, COM 2
Baud rate
The serial port's speed

Parity

The parity check regime

  • none - no parity checking is performed
  • odd  - odd bits parity checking is performed
  • even - even bits parity checking is performed
Data bitsThe number of data bits, between 5 and 8

Handshake

The type of handshake the serial port requires:

  • none - no handshake required
  • rts - request to Send
  • xonxoff - X-On/X-Off
  • rtsxonxoff - either RTS or X-On/X-Off is used
Buffer sizeThe size of the data buffer of the serial port
Buffer thresholdThe size that the buffer must first reach before being empty
Stop bitsThe number of stop bits used

Client socket

This method creates a TCP socket and connects to a remote host. 

FieldDescription
AddressThe IP address or hostname to which the socket should connect
Address familyThe address family of the socket
PortThe port that the listener should bind to
UsernameThe username required by the data source, if applicable
PasswordAn optional password which is sent upon successful connection
IP scriptThe script file used by NetPBX to check for new data

Trickle frequency

When the system becomes inactive, NetPBX sends a string of data back to the remote host in order to test the connection. Sending the trickle back data will emit a detectable error in case a disconnection has occurred and, thus, will cause the connection to reset.

The option allows you to configure the amount of inactivity that must occur (in miliseconds) before a trickle back is performed.

Trickle dataA string containing the data to be sent back

Pipe server

This method opens a global named pipe and accepts any data that is sent to it.

FieldDescription
Pipe name
The name of the pipe that is created
Buffer size
The size of the buffer, in bytes, that is allocated to the pipe

BCM SSH

This method registers a connection with the  library and receives data-callbacks whenever the PBX produces data.

FieldDescription
Host
The IP address or hostname of the BCM PBX
Username
The username required to access the CDR events
PasswordThe password required to access the CDR events
App IDThe unique ID number given to each source of data.

XML file

This method monitors an XML file for new nodes. To specify which nodes to monitor, an XPath query is used; to identify which nodes are new, a unique element is required. Default properties are designed to work with the ticketcollector.xml file produces by an Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise PBX.

FieldDescription
Location
The full filename of the XML file to be monitored. The {app} variable can be used to specify the program data location of the running service
X-Path query
The XPath query to use when testing for new nodes
Checksum nodeThe unique node(element) to be used to track which nodes have been added since the last check
Outer element

The name of the outer XML element to be used to contain any new nodes when the new XML document is created for output

Check intervalThe time interval the system is checking for a new node.
DelayA value, in milliseconds, that specifies the artificial delay that is waited when a change in the source XML file is discovered.

File reader

This method opens a connection to an actual file

FieldDescription
Location
The path of the folder where the file is located

BCM DCOM

FieldDescription
HostThe IP address or hostname of the BCM PBX
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Deleting an input

To delete a data input, select it from the list, as shown below:

A new window will open on the right-hand side panel. Click on the  button to remove the input from the system, as shown below: