IBM 8750


Overview
The IBM 8750 Business Communications System is a voice and data switching system, suitable for medium to large numbers of extensions, used on customer premises, and usually connected to public and private communication networks.

The role of an 8750 Business Communications System is essentially to connect many different types of line. A wide variety of lines is supported, allowing an 8750 to be integrated into an existing network, and to function as an establishment's communication hub.

In addition to the basic functions of a Private Automatic Branch Exchange, the 8750 can be the gateway to public Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN), as well as to IBM SNA networks.

The 8750 is the successor to the IBM 1750 and 3750 Switching Systems. Migration from and coexistence with 1750/3 750 is assured by the compatibility of their network design.

Countries and product releases
Country coverage

The IBM 8750 Business Communications System can operate in the following countries where it meets the PTT requirements for connection to the public telephone network:

Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg, UK.

Introduction of the 8750 into additional countries is dependent upon PTT regulations, homologation and other factors.

Releases
The 8750 is made available in two releases:

  • Release 1: from 91 to 1400 extensions depending on configuration
  • Release 2: from 91 to 3000 extensions depending on configuration.

In addition to greater capacity, release 2 improvements include:

  • Digital trunks in Belgium, Italy and UK
  • Radio paging
  • Advanced networking based on a 2 Mbps digital link (Common Channel Signalling)
  • Main/Satellite in 1750/3 750 networks
  • Network Management workstation support
  • Data: Third-party connect
  • System availability in Luxemburg.

The upgrade of release 1 software to release 2 is provided free to all customers, and is planned to cause minimum disturbance to the telephone service.

Architecture
8750 switching is based on Stored Program Control and Time Division Multiplexing. The digitisation of the information conforms with the European CCITT recommendations: 8 bits, 8kHz, A-law. Information, speech and data, is transmitted through the system over a bus with a bandwidth of 295 Megabits/second, understood to be the fastest in the industry.

An 8750 can support a total of over 1000 simultaneous voice conversations or data sessions, in various mixtures of conversations and sessions.

The modular line interface cards each house up to 16 extensions. The microprocessor of these cards allows adaptation to the various PTT parameters, providing unique flexibility.

In general, any card space in the system can be used for any function, thus eliminating rigid constraints in the mix of extensions, trunks and other features.

Controller
The controller is based on the Motorola 68020 32-bit microcomputer. The operational program is loaded from a 3.5 inch diskette and executed from a 30MB fixed disk. The controller can be duplicated.

Lines
NMOS or CMOS microcomputers are mounted on CMOS integrated circuits manufactured under the 'surface mount' process. The CEPT 2 Mbps interface is a compact single card using VLSI chip sets.

Hardware Packaging
A system consists of a minimum of one cabinet and a maximum of five adjacent cabinets. Additional optional service cabinets are also available.

All cabinets measure:

Depth: 82.6 cm (32 in.)
Width: 76.2cm (29 in.)
Height: 190.0 cm (75 in.).

Connection of the system to the customer Main Distribution Frame is provided through an Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF) and associated cabling. The IDF is an integral part of the IBM system, and represents the demarcation point between customer and PTT equipment. In addition, the IDF provides the necessary safety barriers required by most PTTs.

The weight of each fully loaded cabinet does not exceed 415 Kg (915lb).

The noise level is below 75 dB in a multiple cabinet configuration.

Attachments
Operator consoles

An 8750 can support up to eight IBM 8755 Operator Consoles at release 1, and 16 at release 2. An IBM 8756 Braille Operator Adapter can be connected to each 8755.

The IBM 8755 Operator Console is a desk-top unit for:

  • Processing incoming and outgoing calls
  • Monitoring system alarms.

Each console features:

  • IBM PC keyboard design and style
  • High reliability
  • Low voltage power from the 8750.

The IBM 8756 Braille Operator Adapter consists of a microprocessor-based Braille pad, with a keyboard used for scrolling and retrieval. It is connected to an IBM 8755 Operator Console via the V.24/V.28 interface. It is powered locally and has 8 hours battery backup.

Extension interfaces
The basic system includes 91 to 96 extensions. 16 of these must be digital extensions. The remainder can be configured in any combination of digital increments of 16, and analogue increments of 15.

Analogue
Both rotary and multifrequency telephones can be attached. Long line extensions are supported.

Digital
Digital extensions are connected by ROLMlink

Analogue
Suitable analogue DOD and DID trunks are available in each country. Meter pulses from a public exchange may be recorded if metering cards are included in the configuration. These pulses may help determine the cost of calls.

Digital
Digital (CEPT 2Mbps) trunks supporting DOD and DID with Channel Associated Signalling in Belgium, France and Italy are available. A pre ' ISDN trunk with Common Channel Signalling is available in the UK (DASS 2).

In France, the CEPT 2Mbps trunk transmits data at 64kbps on dedicated channels (TRANSCOM on RTC64 service). This service can be accessed from an extension via ROLMlink.

Tie line interfaces
Analogue
Analogue tie lines are available to connect to other PBXs. 8750 can be connected to 1750 and 3750 ILS/INS networks.

Digital
Digital tie lines are available in two versions:

  • Channel Associated Signalling to interlink 8750s using 1750/3750 in-band signalling (similar to ILS/INS)
  • A pre-ISDN protocol (DPNSS) to interlink 8750s by Common Channel Signaling.

Digital public network interface
Primary access with the interim protocols as implemented by the PTTs is supported:

  • In Belgium, France and Italy using Channel Associated Signaling
  • In the UK: with DASS-2
  • In France, the digital data transmission service, TRANSCOM (or RTC64), can be accessed from a ROLM1ink extension.

Additional equipment Based on the 19-inch rack dimension, interface panels with V.24 and V.36 sockets, fuse panels, Automatic Emergency Switching (AES), and rack-mounted data communication modules, can be housed in Supplementary Service Cabinets.

Except for the Power Distribution Unit and rectifiers, all the above mentioned equipment can be housed in an SSC model 2.

Except for the Power Distribution Unit, rectifiers, batteries and Rack-Mounted Data Communication Module, all the above-mentioned equipment can be housed in an SSC model 3.

Modularity
Cabinet modularity

The number of ports in one cabinet varies with the feature mix, and whether the controller is duplicated or not. The maximum configuration of five cabinets provides 15 shelves.

Hardware circuit modularity
The hardware features of 8750 are mounted on cards, inserted into racks at installation time. The number of features mounted on a card depends on their complexity: for example there are 16 digital extensions on one card. However, a CEPT trunk needs one card per 2 Megabit link.

Software
For each country except Italy, a single software package containing all available functions is offered. Italy has two software packages; one is the standard package, while the other excludes Call Detail Recording and user intrusion. As a customer expands from voice only, adding data, networking, and Automatic Call Distribution (ACD), the 8750 requires no additional software. Each system is tailored by software tables to the customer's numbering plan, Call Detail Recording requirements, and other facilities.

System Input/Output devices
The 8750 controller exchanges information locally with mass storage and, for system management, externally with an IBM Personal System/2.

Mass storage devices
A fixed disk with a capacity of 30 MB is used for:

  • Automatic loading of programs and tables
  • System log files
  • The Call Detail Recording file.

A removable 3.5 inch diskette with a capacity of 1.44Mb is used for:

  • Initialising the system
  • The Call Detail Recording file

System initialisation
The system is initialised on-site by IBM. The operational program is merged with customer-specific system tables. These system tables are prepared off-line using the 8750 table generation program on an IBM Personal System/2 model 50. The 8750 table generation program is available to IBM staff for definition of the system and particular tables. It is also available in a limited version to customers for definition of customer-specific data, such as extension and speed calling lists. In addition, both versions can print ROLMphone templates.

System management
System management is performed on an IBM Personal System/2 (PS/2) model 50 with at least 512Kb memory, a 20Mb fixed disk, one 1.44Mb 3.5 inch diskette, and an asynchronous V.24/V.28 communications adapter.

System management includes the following:

  • Administration such as table updates, Call Detail Recording, traffic analysis, and ACD supervision
  • Customer problem determination.

One Personal System/2 must be adjacent to each 8750, but further ones may be attached, each running their own applications. When not used with 8750, the Personal System/2s can be used for other general purpose applications.

Supplementary Services Cabinet (SSC)
There are three models of SSC available. Two models have the same external dimensions as the 8750 and covers that match. These models are equipped with 19-inch racks at the front and rear, to allow units (IBM or non-IBM) to be fitted to both sides. The third model can be wall-mounted.

Model 1 may contain the following:

Power Distribution Unit (PDU)
This is required for DC-powered systems and is fitted with AC and DC contactors for Emergency Power Off (EPO).The PDU supplies AC to the power outlets, to power the rectifiers, recorders and other equipment. The DC from the rectifiers is connected to a common DC bus by a 'plug-in' cable. DC is distributed from the common bus to the fuses or circuit breakers to power up to five 8750 cabinets.

AC outlets
The 15 AC outlets serve to power the rectifiers, modem, DCMs, recorders, and other equipment mounted in the cabinet.

Test Jack Frame for Data (TJF-D)
The TJF-D provides a test point for all equipment installed in the cabinet, and consists of a 100-pair block-mounted to the side of the 19-inch rack. The cables from modems and other data equipment are wired to the TJF-D to allow testing without removing units from the rack.

Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF)
The IDF is a 19-inch unit equipped with six 25-pair sockets, prewired to 150 pairs of connection and test points. The IDF panel can be used as the PABX side of the Main Distribution Frame (MDF).

Main Distribution Frame (MDF)
The MDF is a 19-inch rack-mounted unit equipped with 200 pairs of connections.

The circuitry for controllers and lines offers a maximum of capacity for a minimum of space and power.

Telephones
Analogue telephones
Non-IBM rotary and multifrequency telephones can be attached to the IBM 8750 System as long as they are approved by the country's PTT.

Digital telephones
IBM has available a family of digital telephones, called ROLMphones. A microprocessor in each ROLMphone digitises speech before transmission to the 8750. Certain ROLMphone models can have more than one extension appearance, but all models need only a single twisted-pair line to the 8750.

Each model has a built-in loudspeaker and a handset. All have adjustable ringing, push ' button dialling, and a message waiting indicator. Keys can be defined for line or feature access.

Four models are available, in increasing degree of sophistication:

  • The ROLMphone 120 handles a single line.
  • The ROLMphone 240 can have up to II line appearances. Versions are available as voice only, voice/data, and voice with a headset.
  • The ROLMphone 244, similar in appearance to the 240, is described separately below.
  • The ROLMphone 400 can display the name and extension number of an internal caller, a called number, a call-back message, and other information. This model can handle up to 29 line appearances all on a single line to the 8750.

An optional, built-in, Data Communication Module (DCM) is available for models 240 and 400. (See ROLMphone DCMs in the 'Data connectivity' subsection.)

Two headset jacks are optionally available for models 240 and 400. Only the model 400, however, can have both a DCM and headset jacks. The headset feature is commonly used for ACD (model 400H).

ROLMphone 244
A ROLMphone 244 equipped with an enhanced DCM (asynchronous), interfaces with the communications port(s) of an IBM PC or Personal System/2 and has been designed to complement the PC or Personal System/2. It allows the user to exchange commands and information between the PC or Personal System/2 and the RP 244 using the 'AT' (Hayes*) intelligent modem command set.

Applications such as Personal Telephone Management allow the user to:

Display information about the call being presented, such as:

  • Calling extension number and name
  • Message waiting indicator Time and date

Number dialled

  • Dial from the PC keyboard
  • In addition, asynchronous Data Communication is available simultaneously.

ACD functions
The following functions are available:

  • Priority trunk queueing by trunk group
  • Multi-group call queueing with overflow
  • Up to 200 agents per group
  • Up to 64 groups
  • Sophisticated agent set, ROLMphone 400H
  • Recorded Voice Announcement or music on hold
  • Management reports; 12 reports are provided. Four reports are designed to be displayed on a Personal System/2, and eight reports printed for management evaluation. These reports include information such as:
  • Agent and ACD station performance Group summary report
  • Complete ACD report Trunk usage (delayed/lost calls).

ACD software is provided in all 8750s.

IBM 8751 CBX Technical Characteristics
Dimensions
Depth of each cabinet 788 mm (31 in.), by 724 mm (28,5 in.) width, by 1900mm (75 in.) height. Covers add 38mm (1 in.) to depth and width.

Weight
Approximately 415 kilograms (915 lb) for a fully loaded cabinet. 
45 kilograms per square meter, and 450 kilograms contact point load.

Environment
From 10 to 40.6 degrees Celsius
Air humidity 8 to 80 %
Altitude 0 to 2100 meters.

Power
AC power through a Line Conditioning Module at the base of each cabinet. The 50 Hz input is rectified to 48 V DC output at 50 amps. Alternatively, DC power feeds the bus-bar directly. Maximum 1200 watts per cabinet.

ROLMbus 295
The ROLMbus 295 provides the switching architecture. There are 2304 timeslots, based on an 8 KHz sampling rate. The clock rate is 18432 MHz. 2240 timeslots are used for voice and data. This allows over one thousand 64 Kbps simultaneous voice or data paths.

Taken from IBM 8750 technical publication 10/87

 
 
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Last revised: October 30, 2022

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