[cisco-voip] Transmitting ALI data from Emergency Responder?

Tue May 15 09:09:21 EDT 2007

Something you can consider as an alternative is asking your PSTN provider to update the ELIN records for you. For example, if you don't need dynamic ELINs and callback, and you have a short number of them, you can add LDNs on your PRI/megalink service and have the records updated for those numbers only.

Of course, all the stars have to align, your provider has to offer this service and you have to be using PRIs, etc, but it might be an option for you. 

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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ed Leatherman 
  To: Candace Holman 
  Cc: cisco-voip at puck.nether.net 
  Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 8:11 AM
  Subject: Re: [cisco-voip] Transmitting ALI data from Emergency Responder?

  Anyone have info on a reputable company that handles PS-ALI service? If Verizon is the only ALI uploader in our state, are we stuck with them?

  I have a regional campus that needs maybe 15 ELINs, and Verizon will only sell a minimum of 80 records, which for the size and budget of the campus is something they are resisting paying for. We can't add them to our own PS-ALI contract as they are on a different 911 system. 

  On 5/14/07, Candace Holman <holman at post.harvard.edu> wrote:
    It's a bit off topic for this list but may be the only place where hands-on VoIP/E911 projects might be discussed, so I'd like to hear what others say too.

    There are whole companies devoted to this task and you are right, it is a major task and can be a hassle.  It's going to depend on the state-supported E911 infrastructure you deal with, so look up each state you need to do this for.  A "selective router" in the e911 infrastructure routes calls to the proper PSAP and each PSAP has a PS/ALI database.  For example, in Massachusetts there are 2 selective routers and 278 PSAPs.  The MA PSAPs have a deal with Verizon to be the only PS/ALI uploader so we had to do our data uploads through Verizon.  We had to use Kermit over a modem, but I believe they are updating this process.  You will need to press your service provider for information, but you have to know the right questions to ask. 

    We only had to do two PSAPs. Since each state's E911 is run independently, you're going to have to find out what needs to be done for your case/s.  Within CER you generate the upload files, and may need to tweak them for the PS/ALI formatting (hopefully not too much). Hint - generate one of each NENA format and you'll be ready when they tell you you sent it in the wrong format. 

    At some point you will need to deal with each PSAP to do testing, so get prepared and know which ones you'll need to contact.  As a professional courtesy, you don't want to dial 911 for testing without calling ahead first. 

    Here's a Vz link that I think someone on this list posted recently.  It shows what you should be looking for from your provider, and lets you start building a list of questions to ask:
    http://www22.verizon.com/wholesale/local/E911/1,21070,,00.html 

    Also check out the NENA website and when you think you need a break from it all lookup the Next Gen 911 (ECRIT) project being defined in the IETF and googlable in combination with Henning Schulzrinne's name.  I would be surprised if Cisco were not all over this at some point in the next year or two. 

    Candace
      From: "Dark Fiber" <d4rkf1ber at gmail.com>
      To:  cisco-voip at puck.nether.net
      Date: Mon, 14 May 2007 15:30:53 -0500 

      I am curious to find out what others have done in regards to
      leveraging emergency responder and more specifically working through
      the process for transmitting your ALI info.

      Personally I have not had a lot of luck in determing the process from 
      my service provider.

      Like many who have CallManager we have PRI's coming into a main
      office, we have satellite offices in many different cities with
      different PSAP's and such.  The users have phone numbers tied to a DID 
      range tied to the PRI's and well 911 is an issue.

      We plan to leverage ER to identify phones in those offices and tie
      them to an ELIN associated with the address of that office.  Nothing
      too detailed or granular. 

      The primary issue at this point is getting info to the service
      provider I guess.  I don't think we are suppose to deal with
      individual PSAP's.  My understanding is we are suppose to send info to
      the service provider of our PRI's, who is suppose to send the info or 
      pass it on to PSAPs I guess.

      Just looking to hear what others have done regarding this process, the
      trials and tribulations if you will of figuring out this aspect of the
      whole thing, it does seem to be the most important component of 
      rolling out ER.

      later

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  -- 
  Ed Leatherman
  Senior Voice Engineer
  West Virginia University
  Telecommunications and Network Operations 

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