Different Options Of Gathering PBX CDRs For A Call Accounting Solution
A PBX creates Call Data Records (CDR) for the call accounting system which in turn processes the call records into useful data. A Call Data Record is a text based string of information containing information about a phone call and covers the date, time, duration and other useful information. If there are no Call Data Records or if they are erroneous, this will result in a malfunction of the call accounting platform or worse, bring the entire process to a stand still.
There are 3 major layouts in which various PBX products generate the CDR. These are: serial data, IP (Internet Protocol) data; data contained in a file.
1. Serial data: The serial data is transmitted via a serial RS232 (Recommended Standard 232) port where the device sending the data and the the device receiving the data both have to remain within a distance of 15 meters. Although a serial port can transmit information up to 50 meters, data accuracy is not guaranteed.
2. Internet Protocol (IP) data: One of the formats in which PBX Software generates CDR is the Internet Protocol (IP) data layout where the CDRs are sent to a network address in the shape of data packets. The disadvantage of this method is that it is only reliable within a local area network (LAN). Confidential data should not be transmitted over the Internet with the IP data format.
3. File Data: The file data layout is an easy format where the PBX software outputs the Call Data Records to a shared file, normally in simple text. This information is then used by the call accounting system.
The file data layout does not require any additional software or hardware for saving the Call Data Records, yet the serial and IP data layouts do. The device used is called a call buffer which may be a hardware device linked near the PBX device, or it can be software installed inside the client's LAN. In both cases, it receives Call Data Records from the Private Branch Exchange, temporarily keeps them and then transfers them to the call accounting platform in a reliable way. As per the kind of call buffers being utilized, you can find them priced from $200 or as high as $500 per unit.
A call buffer can be classified into 3 types:
The serial to serial call buffer takes the serial data and transfers it to a call accounting platform whilst retaining its serial input format.
The serial to IP buffer collects the serial data and converts it into IP data, then transmits addressed packets onto the network. A limitation to this call buffer is that the information needs to be stored and transferred within a Local Area Network only, as data in this format transferring through the Intranet or Internet may not arrive at its destination properly.
The third method for using a buffer is transmitting the call data records securely via the world wide web. In this case, the information (serial, IP or file) is gathered, stored and transmitted onto the Internet based call accounting system using reliable Internet protocols (such as File Transfer Protocol(FTP), HTTP or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)) that can reliably deliver data.
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