June 2000

Teltone Corp.
22121 20th Avenue SE
Bothell, Washington 98021
P: 800-426-3926
Web: teltone.com

Price: $2,995 for TSP chassis, $2,595 for 8-channel analog module: $1,559 for single-port T1 module, other modules also available.

RATINGS (0-5)
Installation: 5
Documentation: 4.5
Features: 4.5
GUI: 4.95
Overall: A-

Teltone's TSP gives you both T1 and POTS simulation in one unit. The TSP features expansion ports, which allow you to mix and match the hardware modules, you plug into the TSP base chassis. Whether it's a single T1 card, two T1 cards, or multiple analog cards, you can change the configuration of your simulation in the lab, and you only need buy those modules you need today.

INSTALLATION
The Teltone came with an included RJ11-to-serial adapter, which converted a standard RJ11 (phone wire) to a standard DB9 for connecting to a PC's serial port. We began the installation by hooking one end of the phone wire directly to the TSP and connecting the other end of the phone wire to the RJ11-to-serial adapter, which in turn was connected to a serial port on a standard Windows 98 PC. Next, we connected a network cable from a standard 10-BaseT hub to the TSP, which allows for downloading WAV files and software updates to the TSP. The last step was plugging in the T1 module card, which had mysteriously disappeared. Teltone told us they sent it, so again we checked the lab and the box, to no avail. We again told them we didn't receive it, but Teltone insisted we had it.

The Missing T1 Module
Now, we've lost Nerf footballs behind the lab furniture (don't ask), and even some security dongles, but never a vendor's product. One engineer decided to check the box it was shipped in one last time, which was now located in the garbage can and half filled with packing peanuts. After digging around for a few seconds, the engineer pulled out the T1 module carefully wrapped in bubble-wrap. The module was so small and light, it was easy to see how the first engineer didn't find it in the box. Nevertheless, the engineer endured some ribbing for nearly throwing out the box with the very expensive T1 module still inside!

In any event, we installed the Teltone software that came on a CD-ROM and ran the software. Then we needed to obtain an authorization code to enable the TSP. We e-mailed Teltone, and they provided us with the authorization code to enter into the software, which worked without a hitch.

DOCUMENTATION
The documentation consisted of a single manual with plenty of screenshots to guide the user. The manual is well-organized and quite complete for a beta manual. It explains step-by-step how to begin using the TSP and includes diagrams for explaining technical concepts. Our main complaint about the documentation is that the beginning of the manual only gives a quick explanation of the different control set types. When we tried to jump in and begin our operational testing, it was unclear which control set type we needed.

After reading the entire manual all the way through, we determined that we needed a "switch emulation" control set, which unfortunately was described near the very end of the manual. The control sets were briefly explained earlier in the manual, but not in enough detail to help us get started. We thought these earlier pages were the only information available on control sets until we read the whole manual in its entirety. We suggest referring to control sets earlier in the manual with a disclaimer, such as "For more information on switch emulation see pg. x," might eliminate this confusion.

Also, it wasn't until we read the manual a few times and actually played with the TSP software that we truly understood the concept of what a template and control set are and how they relate to each other. This could use some clarity, perhaps by including sample templates and control sets. Overall though, the documentation was very good, particularly since it was a beta/draft copy.

FEATURES
One of the key features of the TSP software is its ability to log events that will allow you to define pass/fail parameters to help you automate your tests. Another important feature of the TSP is its support for three call types:

1. "Originate" -- calls placed by the TSP to a connected device.
2. "Terminate" -- calls placed into the TSP by a connected device.
3. "End to End" -- calls placed through the TSP by one device to another.

There are four slots at the rear of the TSP into which the user can plug any of the following available Network Interface Modules:

1. TSP T-1 Module (TSPU-ST1E1).
2. TSP Dual T-1 Module (TSPU-DT1E1).
3. TSP 4 Port POTS Module (TSPU-4POTS).
4. TSP 8 Port POTS Module (TSPU-8POTS).

The product's programmable call parameters include:

• T-1 channel type (robbed bit signaling): E&M, Loop Start, Ground Start, Clear Channel (a "nailed up" 64 Kbps connection -- no signaling occurs), Immediate Dial, Wink Start, Delay Dial.
• Analog channel type: Loop Start only.
• Wink/Dial: Delay Before, Duration.
• Call Timing: Call Duration, Guard Time, Far-end Disconnect Time, Delay Before Audio Message.
• Dial string: Caller Number, DNIS Called Number, Dialing Order.
• Dialtone: Enable, Delay Before, Length.
• Ringback: Enable, Duration.

Other features include:

• Play one or more audio files.
• Generate DTMF tones (but no DTMF detection).
• Definition of pass/fail parameters such as failure to complete call sequences, failure to answer within a certain number of rings, failure to disconnect within a certain time period.
• View or change channel status (on-hook, off-hook, ringing, etc.).

OPERATIONAL TESTING
The first order of business when it comes to using the TSP is to create a "New Unit" from the TSP software menu option. After naming it "Teltone," we selected "Com1" in the drop-down box under the General tab and then picked an unused static IP address on our LAN. We clicked on "Query CardTypes" which is similar to Microsoft's plug-and-play detection of new hardware. "Query CardTypes" queries the TSP across the Com port to determine which modules are installed (single T1, analog, etc.) and sets the IP address.

When we clicked the next tab, called Slot 1, we could see that it auto-detected the T1 card. We set various parameters, such as B8ZS, the clock (whether internal or external), dial order, ANI string, ESF or D4, the caller number, and the number called. Setting the caller number and the called number utilize an automatic wizard. By clicking on the "Wizard" button, we were able to set the phone number's beginning prefix, such as "1800555," followed by "Slot+Port+Channel" which is used to automatically complete the 24 phone numbers for the 24 T1 channels.

After configuring the T1 module, we clicked on the Slot 2 tab to configure the analog module. There wasn't much to configure in this tab screen other than the caller number, called number, ANI string, dial order, and an audio message, all of which were also on the T1 module setup screen. Similar to the T1 module setup, the analog configuration screen also had a wizard button to allow the TSP to auto-create the caller and called numbers for the eight analog ports.

Once we configured both modules, we proceeded to create templates and control sets. We created a template called "Analog" and another template called "T1 wink start." Also in this main GUI, you can see the unit we defined (Teltone), as well as the current state of each channel in the right windowpane.

GUI Nuisance
Other than the timings (which we pretty much left at the default settings) there wasn't much to configure in either of these two templates. One minor nuisance in the GUI was when we wanted to edit an existing template. We tried double-clicking on the template name, but the double-click function is unassigned. Instead, we had to right-click on the template name and choose 'Edit'.

Since the TSP Windows program features an Explorer tree-like structure, we tried renaming the units, templates, and control sets using the F2 key (a well known Windows Explorer rename shortcut), but it didn't work. Next, we tried single-clicking on the unit names and then single-clicking again, which is another method of renaming within several Windows applications, including Explorer. This feature didn't work either. Alas, we had to use brute force, utilizing a right-click and choosing the rename option.

Another GUI nuisance was when we had to assign T1 channels to the analog channels in a control set. We couldn't just double-click on an available channel to add it to the control set. Instead we had to drag-and-drop each T1 and analog channel into the control set (multiple selecting via the Shift or Ctrl key is available). However, removing channels from the control set did not use drag-and-drop. You must select the channels and then click the Remove button, which we considered to be inconsistent. We feel that Teltone should put an Add button on the GUI or at least allow drag-and-drop removal of channels. Overall, creating control sets was easy, especially once we understood the concept of what a control set was and how they related to templates.

The inability to single-click to rename something or double-click to edit units, templates, or control sets affected the GUI rating slightly. In fact, were it not for these two minor inconveniences, along with a slightly inconsistent "channel assignment interface," the GUI would have received a perfect rating.

Simulating A Simulator
In any event, after performing all the necessary configurations, we were ready to begin our tests. Our first order of business was deciding what T1 product to connect to the TSP for our tests. We originally thought we'd use the Comdial FXS, which has a T1 line card installed. Unfortunately, we had a problem with the internal Digitech serial board, so we decided to use another T1 product instead. One of our TMC Labs engineers said, "Wouldn't it be cool to test the Teltone T1 simulator with the Gordon Kapes T1 simulator?" Of course these two products are direct competitors, but what better way to test a T1 simulator than with another one?

Another engineer chimed in, "If you use a simulator to test another simulator, aren't you actually only simulating tests and not really testing it?" Of course, he was kidding and we set off to test the TSP using the Gordon Kapes T1 simulator. We set the Gordon Kapes unit to the same T1 parameters as the TSP, and simply hooked up an RJ45 network wire to each other's T1 interface.

Next, within the TSP software, we assigned two analog ports numbered Port 1-Channel 1 and Port 4-Channel 1 to two of the 24 T1 channels (Channel 1 and Channel 2), as seen in Figure 7. Then we made a call from an analog phone plugged into the Gordon Kapes T1 simulator to the Teltone T1 simulator, which rang through Channel 1 of the T1 line. Immediately, the phone plugged into Port 1-Channel 1 rang and we picked it up. We tested that voice could be transmitted both ways across the T1 line. We verified our test by hanging up and dialing again. Once again the phone plugged into Port 1-Channel 1 rang.

Don't Assume
We wanted the phone plugged into Port 4-Channel 1 to ring, so we unplugged the phone connected to Port 1-Channel 1 and dialed again, thinking perhaps the Teltone would automatically "roll over" the call through all its analog ports until someone picked up. Since another product, from Gordon Kapes, has a "roll over" feature, in which it tries each of the analog ports in succession, we thought the Teltone T1 simulator might also have this feature. Also, since we only enabled ports 1 and 4 for this test, we figured the call would roll over pretty quickly when we didn't pick up the line on port 1, since it only had to roll over once.

However, our assumption was proven wrong and we determined that the Teltone doesn't have a "ring no answer" roll over feature. This feature is actually more of a "pseudo PBX" or ACD-type functionality, so we were only mildly disappointed that the Teltone didn't have this feature.

How did we get the call to ring the phone plugged into Port 4-Channel 1? Easy. We just made two simultaneous calls to the Teltone from two separate phones plugged into the Gordon Kapes. The first T1 channel is mapped to the first analog port (Port 1-Channel 1), so it would ring first. Since the first channel of the T1 was "in use," the nature of T1 is to use the next available T1 channel (or Channel 2 in this case). Since we mapped Channel 2 of the T1 to Port 4-Channel 1 in the Teltone GUI, the phone rang and success was ours!

In addition to testing whether the Teltone could receive inbound calls, we also tested its outbound capabilities. We picked up an analog phone connected to the TSP, and dialed "18005551111." The phone plugged into the first port of the Gordon Kapes rang, we picked up, and once again we could transmit voice both ways.

It Works... Really!
Next, we tried the audio message capabilities of the TSP. Clicking on "browse" allows you to browse to any .WAV file on your hard drive or LAN. You can also turn on the "repeat" option to have the .WAV file auto-repeat. However, every time we turned on this feature, we got this message: "Runtime Error -- Port already open" and the TSP Windows program would crash. We called Teltone technical support and they told us that they fixed this bug, but it would require that we ship the unit back to fix it.

We didn't have time to send the unit back for a software upgrade, so we just took their word for it that this feature works. We also tested the diagnostics feature, which allows users to display the current state for each channel (on/off-hook, ringing, etc.) as well as change the status of each channel. One final item worthy of note is the event log, which tracks events and also allows for filtering by event or channel, and includes a date/time stamp.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
Our first suggestion is that Teltone should include sample projects containing simple, common testing configurations, including descriptive template and control set names. This would allow a new user to have the T1 line up and running in two seconds, simply by clicking once on one of the sample control sets. It would also aid in the learning curve, since the user could learn by example via the sample projects included.

The current version requires that a TSP is attached to a PC's COM port at all times for it to function. Thus, our second suggestion is to drop the usage of the serial port for communication with the TSP and instead perform communication over the IP network connection. (According to Teltone, this is in the works.)

There is no online help yet, but it's beta, and the menu option was there, so hopefully it will be in the final release. DTMF detection is something that we would like to see in a future release, as well as support for E1, which may also be available by the time you read this. Another improvement would be support for DHCP so we don't have to manually pick a static IP address.

Finally, we'd like to reiterate the need for some minor improvements to the GUI, including the ability to rename templates/control sets/units using a single click, edit via a double-click, as well as the addition of an "Add" button in the channel assignment screen.

CONCLUSION
Teltone's TSP is perfect for installers, product developers, VARs, interconnects, etc. who can verify a system installation prior to final cutover of real live T1 circuits. In addition, sales and marketing can demonstrate telephony equipment at tradeshows without costly phone line rentals and time-consuming line provisioning.
We could have been a little bit harsher with our ratings, but since we begged Teltone to let us look at their beta version, we took this into account. Even without DTMF detection, requiring a serial port for changing settings, and only simple call generation capabilities, Teltone's TSP still merits an overall grade of "A-" for its ease of use, near perfect GUI, and its ability to save to file an unlimited number of configurations. TMC Labs' love affair with Teltone's testing tools continues, and we have no doubt that the final release would most likely receive such a high grade.