Amanda Work Place Instructions Manual

							Appendix C:
Configuration Reference
General Options
Configuration OptionDescription
abbreviate_datesControls how Amanda says the date for a message dated today or yesterday.
True or False. The default is True.
When True, Amanda says “today” or “yesterday” instead of the actual date, for example, 
“November 27
th, 1996.”
When False, Amanda says only the actual date, such as “November 27th, 1996.”
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set abbreviate_dates true
abbreviate_greetingAllows you to shorten the system greeting.
True or False. The default is False.
When True, Amanda says, “Please leave a message at the tone.” This is the shortened 
version of the system greeting.
When False, Amanda says, “Please leave a message for” followed by the name and ex-
tension recording. This is the usual default version of the system greeting.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set abbreviate_greeting false
activation_keyA number you receive from your Amanda Company sales representative to activate your 
system. You must set this option if one or more of your voice boards were not purchased 
from The Amanda Company. 
If you change or add a board later, you need another activation key because the key is 
based on the serial numbers for all of the boards and the total number of ports.
The default is 0, which means there is no activation key.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set activation_key 0 
						

							154 Installing [email protected]
active_holdWhen the extension is busy, the caller can hold for the called party—actively or inactive-
ly.
True or False. The default is True.
When True, Amanda is set up for active hold. The caller must continually indicate that 
he wants to remain on hold. Failure to continue to press * when prompted indicates that 
the caller is no longer interested in holding. If he doesn’t enter another extension, he is 
asked for a message. Active hold is best for 800 numbers, support lines, or when Aman-
da is used as an Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) device. It prevents a caller from 
pressing * to go on hold and staying on hold indefinitely without further interaction. The 
caller presses * to go on hold and must press * periodically to stay on hold.
When False, Amanda is set up for inactive hold. The caller indicates that he wants to be 
on hold only once. If the caller does nothing, Amanda retries the extension until it is no 
longer busy. The caller can also enter another extension or press * to leave a message. 
In this case, the user uses * to go on hold and * to leave a message.
See also auto_queue.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set active_hold true
adpcm_hqSets the sampling rate for outgoing greetings. The higher the sampling rate, the better the 
sound quality, but also the more disk space used. 
24, 32, or 64. The default (and recommended value) is 64.
NOTE:
If you change this on an active system, all previously recorded outgoing greetings need 
to be re-recorded.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set adpcm_hq 64
adpcm_nqSets the sampling rate for incoming messages. The higher the sampling rate, the better 
the sound quality, but also the more disk space used. 
24, 32, or 64. The default (and recommended value) is 32.
NOTE:
  If you change this on an active system, you should have users delete all their messages 
first.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set adpcm_nq 32
adpcm_pqSets the sampling rate for the system prompt file. This is set to the sampling rate at which 
the system prompt file was recorded.
24, 32, or 64. Correctly set by default.
NOTE:
Do not change this unless you have installed the appropriate system prompt file.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set adpcm_pq 
x
where x is the correct setting for your prompt files.
advertisingDisplays a text string at different locations on the Main screen after the screen saver 
starts up.
Use any text string ranging from 0 to 79 characters. The recommended length is less than 
30 characters so your message is easy to read and fits on the screen at most locations. 
Buy more AMandAs! is the default.
See also tmo_blank.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set advertising Buy more Amandas!
General Options (Continued)
Configuration OptionDescription 
						

							Appendix C: Configuration Reference 155
ati_modeAllows Amanda to be used with a Rhetorex x000 board and an ATI board. An ATI board 
requires a version 7.x Rhetorex driver.
True or False. The default is false.
When True, Amanda makes the connections needed for the ATI board. 
When False, Amanda does not make the ATI connections.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set ati_mode false
C
AUTION:RTNI-xATI voice boards cannot detect rotary. If you use an RTNI-xATI voice 
board, you must leave the rotary configuration option set to false.
auto_queueDesigned for callers with rotary telephones so that they can be put “on hold” without 
having to press *.
True or False. The default is False.
If True and if active_hold is False, callers are automatically put “on hold” when they 
reach a busy extension. A custom busy message must explain what’s going on so that 
callers are aware that they are “on hold” and that they can dial other extensions—if they 
prefer.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set auto_queue false
auto_reportThe name of a previously saved report file in the RPT.DB subdirectory within the 
AMANDA directory which can be executed and printed once each day. When not set, 
no auto reporting is done. 
Use the name of a report file with the extension .RPT. The default is an empty string 
which means that no report file is executed.
To use this feature, verify the following:
 A printer with a parallel interface must be connected to Amanda
 The parameter lpt_port must be set to 1, indicating the port to which the printer 
is attached
 The printer must be online and have enough paper
See also auto_report_time and lpt_port.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set auto_report 
auto_report_timeThe time of day at which the report is to be printed (when auto_report is not an empty 
string).
A time of day in 24-hour MMHH format. The default is 0745 (7:45 a.m.).
See also auto_report and lpt_port.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set auto_report_time 0745
begin_rec_promptWhen record_menu is True, this option controls whether the caller hears Amanda 
prompts or only a beep when recording a message. This option has no effect on the post-
record menu. If the caller presses #, the post-record menu indicates how to rerecord, ap-
pend to, or save a recording.
True or False. The default is True.
When True, Amanda plays, “Begin recording at the tone, finish by pressing # or hanging 
up” before the beep. 
When False, the caller hears only a beep.
See also record_menu and end_rec_menu.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set begin_rec_prompt true
General Options (Continued)
Configuration OptionDescription 
						

							156 Installing [email protected]
busycyclesMinimum number of non-ringback cycles necessary before the Rhetorex driver notifies 
Amanda that the extension is busy.
The default is 2 cycles. The range is 0 to 20. 0 means do not change the current Rhetorex 
setting (which is also 2 cycles).
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set busycycles 2
ca_fileThe file (in the C:\AMANDA directory) which stores call accounting (SMDR) data that 
comes from the port in ca_port. The data is collected from the telephone switching sys-
tem, stored while Amanda runs, and then (after a shutdown) read by a call accounting 
package that analyzes and manipulates the data.
Use any filename. The default is SMDR.DAT.
See also ca_port.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set ca_file SMDR.DAT
ca_portThe number for the logical serial port that will read SMDR data from the switch while 
Amanda is running. The data is stored in the file specified by ca_file unless the number 
is 0, in which case no SMDR data is read.
Use 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. The default is 0.
See also ca_file.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set ca_port 0
cancel_busy_holdDetermines whether callers can hold for a busy extension.
True or False. The default is False.
When True, busy becomes equivalent to Ring No Answer (RNA). That means that the 
caller cannot hold for a busy extension and can only leave a message once RNA or 
BUSY is the state of the called extension (assuming the mailbox accepts messages).
When False, the caller can press * to hold for a busy extension. 
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set cancel_busy_hold false
clock_syncControls whether Amanda resynchronizes the DOS software clock with the PC hardware 
clock.
True or False. The default is True.
When True, Amanda resynchronizes. 
When False, Amanda does not resynchronize. Turn this off if you have another utility 
that controls the PC clock.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set clock_sync true
cmt_maxlenSets the total number of seconds allowed for recording a List Comment. The user can 
record a comment while creating a mailing list or later. It names or describes the con-
tents of the list.
Number of seconds. The range is from 1 to 99. The default is 10.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set cmt_maxlen 10
General Options (Continued)
Configuration OptionDescription 
						

							Appendix C: Configuration Reference 157
connect_toneWhen an answer is detected and Amanda is not identifying the called party for the cur-
rent mailbox, this option determines whether Amanda plays a beep. (The mailbox’s ID 
Call? field is set to NO.)
True or False. The default is True.
When True, Amanda plays the beep.
When False, there is no beep.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set connect_tone true
create_lockedControls whether or not new mailboxes are locked when the mailbox template (usually 
mailbox 997) is locked. The administrator (using mailbox 999 and the telephone) can 
lock the template (and other mailboxes) using one of the system administration options. 
This prevents callers from logging into the mailbox template. 
True or False. The default is False.
When True, new mailboxes created from the template are initially locked if the template 
is locked.
When False, new mailboxes are not locked. This means that they can be logged into via 
the telephone immediately after they are created.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set create_locked false
db_lockingMakes Amanda lock each record in a file as it is accessed. No other port or program can 
access that record of that file. This is used within the context of using tokens to read and 
write to ASCII or dBase files. 
The value is 0 or 1. The default is 0.
When 0, Amanda does not perform record locking.
When 1, Amanda attempts to perform record locking which will fail unless 
SHARE.EXE, a DOS program (not licensed via The Amanda Company), is running. 
This program is usually loaded by the CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT file. 
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set db_locking 0
defaults_boxIndicates what mailbox to use as a template when creating a new mailbox. The contents 
of most fields, all notification records, and all automatic scheduling records are copied 
from the template to the new mailbox. The Comment and Directory Name fields are not 
copied. The Extension field is copied only if it begins with an @ (which indicates token 
programming).
If the Security Code field of the default mailbox is blank, the security codes for new 
mailboxes are their mailbox numbers. Otherwise, the security codes for all new mail-
boxes are the same as that of the template mailbox. The Security Code field always ap-
pears blank. You must fill it with spaces if you want it to actually be blank.
Use any valid mailbox. The default is 997.
See also guest_defaults.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set defaults_box 997
diskwarnWhen Amanda has only the specified percentage of disk space left, she executes Disk 
notification record (if there is one) for mailbox 999. The notification record may call 
you at home, call your extension, call your pager, and so forth. For example, use 20 to 
have Amanda notify you when the remaining disk space falls below 20. 
Number (for a percentage). The range is from 1 to 99. The default is 20.
See also tmo_disk.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set diskwarn 20
General Options (Continued)
Configuration OptionDescription 
						

							158 Installing [email protected]
dl_pickup_on_ringWhen an inbound ring is detected and Amanda goes off-hook, this option determines 
whether Amanda dials the code specified by the dl_pickup parameter in the 1001.PBX 
file or the current dial codes file for that port.
True or False. The default is False.
When True, Amanda dials the code.
When False, Amanda does not dial the code.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set dl_pickup_on_ring false
General Options (Continued)
Configuration OptionDescription 
						

							Appendix C: Configuration Reference 159
dtmf_action
dtmf_busy
dtmf_dnd
dtmf_ring
dtmf_xfer
tmo_xferThe dtmf_action, dtmf_busy, dtmf_dnd, dtmf_ring, dtmf_xfer, and tmo_xfer, options are 
required only for telephone switching systems, such as Comdial DXP and Panasonic 
KXT-D, that can send DTMF tones in place of PCPM tones. 
For Comdial DXP, The Amanda Company recommends dtmf_action=1, dtmf_busy=2, 
dtmf_dnd=3, and dtmf_xfer=1. (It sends nothing for a ring—dtmf_ring=.) 
tmo_xfer=50 and tmo_rna=25 have been recommended.
For Panasonic KXT-D, The Amanda Company recommends dtmf_action=1, 
dtmf_ring=1, dtmf_busy=2, dtmf_dnd=4, dtmf_xfer=5, and tmo_xfer=20. 
tmo_xfer is the number of tenths of seconds that Amanda waits to read a sequence of 
DTMF digits from the port prior to doing PCPM. The range is 0 to 255. The default is 
0, which disables this and the following options. (If this option is blank, the default is 
used.)
If the tmo_xfer timeout is greater than 0, Amanda waits for digits until the timeout oc-
curs.
The digits she might read are:
dtmf_xferThis sequences of digits means that the extension has been answered. Aman-
da releases the call. The default is an empty string (no digit).
N
OTE:The telephone switching system should bring the call back to the 
port if this digit is sent when the phone is ringing rather than ac-
tually answered.
C
AUTION:When using call screening, be aware that this will play the callers 
name and company as well as the call screening menu to a ring-
ing tone.
dtmf_dndThis sequence of digits means that the extension is in Do Not Disturb mode. 
Amanda treats the call as though it were not answered (RNA). The default is 
an empty string (no digit).
dtmf_busyThis sequence of digits means that the extension is busy so Amanda performs 
no PCPM. The default is an empty string (no digit).
dtmf_ringThis sequence of digits causes Amanda to stop waiting or to extend her wait, 
depending on the value of dtmf_action. The default is an empty string (no dig-
it).
no digit If Amanda reads no sequence of digits before the tmo_xfer timeout occurs, 
she stops waiting or extends her wait, depending on the value of dtmf_action.
The dtmf_action option determines what Amanda does if she receives the digit specified 
in dtmf_ring or if the timeout specified by tmo_xfer occurs before a digit arrives. (con-
tinued on next page…)
When 0 (the default), Amanda performs normal PCPM. 
When 1, Amanda continues to wait for a digit. She waits 6 seconds for each of the rings 
specified for a Ring No Answer (RNA). For example, if the mailbox has 4 rings for 
RNA, Amanda waits 24 seconds. Then she decides that the call is not answered.
For COMDIAL, see also dtmf_dt.
The defaults appear in install.cfg as:
set dtmf_action 0
set dtmf_busy 
set dtmf_dnd 
set dtmf_ring 
set dtmf_xfer 
set tmo_xfer 10
General Options (Continued)
Configuration OptionDescription 
						

							160 Installing [email protected]
dtmf_before_ringControls whether Amanda clears the voice board’s DTMF buffer when a ring is detected. 
Clearing the buffer gets rid of digits left over from a previous call.
True or False. The default is False.
When True, the buffer is not cleared. Make sure the telephone switching system can send 
DTMF before a ring prior to changing this to True.
When False, Amanda clears the buffer when a ring is detected. You must use False for 
Rhetorex 2132 and 4132 because they cannot detect DTMF while on-hook.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set dtmf_before_ring false
dtmf_busyThis option is required only for telephone switching systems, such as Comdial DXP and 
Panasonic KXT-D, that can send DTMF tones in place of PCPM tones. See also 
dtmf_action.
dtmf_dndThis option is required only for telephone switching systems, such as Comdial DXP and 
Panasonic KXT-D, that can send DTMF tones in place of PCPM tones. See also 
dtmf_action.
dtmf_detectHow long a DTMF tone must play for Amanda to recognize that it has occurred. 
Number from 2 to 6, each representing 16 ms. (For example, 3 equals 48 ms or .048 sec-
onds.) The default is 0.
Zero means to use the default. The default is 3 (.048 seconds). 
When non-zero, both Rhetorex’s DTMFDetect and DTMFDelay channel parameters are 
set to that value. 
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set dtmf_detect 0
dtmf_dlyControls the amount of time between DTMF tones when Amanda is dialing. 
Number of hundredths of seconds. The value is 0 or a number from 3 to 19. The default 
is 0.
Using a value of 0 makes it country-dependent (50ms in the US, 80ms in the UK). When 
non-zero, the specified time is used.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set dtmf_dly 0
dtmf_dtThe string of DTMF digits received instead of a dial tone. For example, COMDIAL 
sends a 1.
The string can be any length. The default is an empty string which means that Amanda 
waits for the dial tone.
If dtmf_dt is not an empty string, and if tmo_dtwait (the dial code that determines how 
long to wait for a dial tone or its equivalent) is > 0, Amanda dials dl_dtwait (the dial 
code that puts the caller on transfer hold) and then waits for the dtmf_dt digits to come 
from the switch.
If Amanda receives fewer digits or if the digits do not match dtmf_dt, Amanda assumes 
the extension is busy. If Amanda receives the expected digits, she proceeds with the call. 
As soon as Amanda receives the correct number of digits, she stops waiting regardless 
of the value of tmo_dtwait. Therefore, it should be safe to make tmo_dtwait substantial-
ly larger than the actual time expected.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set dtmf_dt 
General Options (Continued)
Configuration OptionDescription 
						

							Appendix C: Configuration Reference 161
dtmf_gateVerifies that the caller is still on the line before transferring him to the operator. This ap-
plies only if the mailbox (usually the operator) specified in the Done Chain for the Call-
er Instructions mailbox has Do Not Disturb turned off.
True or False. The default is False.
When True, Amanda verifies that the caller is still on the line after playing the Caller In-
structions and not hearing any DTMF. Amanda asks the caller to “Say ‘yes’ at the tone” 
before transferring the call. For example, on telephone switching systems that do not 
have disconnect supervision, this can prevent the transfer of a call to the operator or pre-
vent the replaying of a menu when the caller has hung up.
When False, Amanda transfers the call without verifying that the caller is still on the line. 
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set dtmf_gate false
dtmf_onControls how long Amanda plays each DTMF tone. 
Number in hundredths of seconds. The range is from 10 to 90. The default is 20 (.2 sec-
onds). 
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set dtmf_on 20
dtmf_ringThis option is required only for telephone switching systems, such as Comdial DXP and 
Panasonic KXT-D, that can send DTMF tones in place of PCPM tones. See also 
dtmf_action.
dtmf_xferThis option is required only for telephone switching systems, such as Comdial DXP and 
Panasonic KXT-D, that can send DTMF tones in place of PCPM tones. See also 
dtmf_action.
end_rec_menuWhen record_menu is True, this option determines whether the caller hears the post-
record menu that allows callers or users to review or re-record their messages or greet-
ings.
True or False. The default is True.
When True, the caller or user hears the menu.
When False, the caller or user does not hear the menu.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set end_rec_menu true
exit_digitDefines one additional DTMF tone that causes Amanda to stop during recordings 
(whether greetings or messages) and play the post-record menu.
The range is from 0 to 9 and also includes * and #. The default is #. Remember that the 
# key always causes Amanda to stop recording, even when it is not the value of 
exit_digit. 
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set exit_digit #
exit_to_0Allows a caller to leave a message and talk to the operator afterwards.
True or False. The default is True.
When True, the caller can press 0 after recording a message and is transferred to mailbox 
0.
When False, Amanda records the DTMF 0 as part of the message unless 0 is defined as 
an exit digit (see exit_digit).
NOTE:
Regardless of the setting for exit_to_0, a caller can press 0 during the “Begin recording 
at the tone...” prompt and go to mailbox 0 immediately. If the caller presses any other key 
(1-9, #, *), Amanda stops the prompt, plays the beep, and starts recording the message.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set exit_to_0 true
General Options (Continued)
Configuration OptionDescription 
						

							162 Installing [email protected]
future_deliverySpecifies the mailbox that stores messages to be delivered in the future. This mailbox 
must be able to store messages.
The default is 995, but you can use any valid mailbox. -1 means no mailbox has been 
assigned. 
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set future_delivery 995
gain_loudControls the volume of the custom busy message.
Number. The range is from -8 to 8 and the default is 0.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set gain_loud 0
gain_normThe initial volume for all ports.
Number. The range is from -8 to 8 and the default is 0.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set gain_norm 0
guest_defaultsThe mailbox to use as a template when creating a new guest mailbox. 
The default is 996, but you can use any valid mailbox. -1 means no mailbox has been 
assigned. 
See also defaults_box which explains what fields are copied.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set guest_defaults 996
guest_minThe starting mailbox for guest mailboxes. If this value is 90000, the first guest mailbox 
is 90000. The second is 90001, and so forth. 
See also guest_max. Guest_max must be larger than guest_min.
Any valid mailbox. The default is 90000.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set guest_min 90000
guest_maxThe last mailbox for guest mailboxes. If this value is 90199, the highest possible number 
for a guest mailbox is 90199. Along with the guest_min, you limit the number of guest 
mailboxes that Amanda can create. Guest_max must be larger than guest_min.
A valid mailbox. The default is 90199.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set guest_max 90199
integration_greetingDetermines what greeting plays for integrated calls that have both rrr and sss (or rrrr and 
ssss) fields set. (The r’s indicate the number of digits in the extension of the user who 
was called but did not answer. The s’s indicate the number of digits in the extension of 
the user who made the call. See “Using Character Codes” on page 32 for more informa-
tion.)
True or False. The default is True.
When True, Amanda plays the RNA greeting for the mailbox identified by rrr.
When False, Amanda plays the system greeting.
In either case, a message is taken for rrr from sss.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set integration_greeting true
irqThe IRQ over which the voice board communicates with the Amanda system.
The default is 7. The range is 0-15, but do not change this setting unless instructed to by 
an Amanda Company employee. Most IRQs are unavailable because they are used by 
PC components.
The default appears in install.cfg as:
set irq 7
General Options (Continued)
Configuration OptionDescription