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Overview
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Ascendis Caller ID can send or receive caller information over a network. When configured to send caller information over a network, we call it a server. When configured to receive caller information over a network, we call it a client. Ascendis Caller ID can act as a client, server, both or neither. No special version is required for client or server operation.
The ability to share calls over a network makes Ascendis Caller ID ideal for a small or home office. You can monitor calls from multiple computers, or multiple people can monitor calls at the same time. You can even monitor calls over the internet!
Ascendis Caller ID is licensed per phone line, so you must purchase one copy for each phone line being monitored.
Volume discounts are available!
You can run it on as many computers as you like.
For ordering options, please see the order page.
Configurations
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Single Server
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In this configuration all the phone lines run to one computer, which acts as a server to all the Ascendis Caller ID clients. This is easier to visualize and configure, but getting multiple modems to work in one computer is tricky. (If you're not using modems then this is obviously not an issue.) We recommend external serial modems, as this avoids problems prevalent with controllerless modems. (Controllerless modems are also called winmodems, or soft modems.) The number of external serial modems that can be used is limited by the number of serial ports on the computer. Most modern computers only include two serial ports. A computer with an existing internal modem can probably access two external serial modems, so that three phone lines could be monitored. See our discussion of multiple modems in our forums for potential problems when using multiple internal modems in one computer. Our modem page has information on modems that have been tested with Ascendis Caller ID.
Pros:
- Phone lines only run to one location
- Easy software setup
- Server can be isolated to prevent misuse
Cons:
- Hard to get more than two or three modems working in one computer
- Requires modems with hardware controllers
(View software configuration instructions)
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Single Server with Whozz Calling? Device
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In this configuration all the phone lines run to a Whozz Calling? device which is connected to one computer. This computer acts as a server to all the Ascendis Caller ID clients. This is the easiest to visualize and configure. The Whozz Calling? devices only require a single serial port connection on the computer. We recommend the Whozz Calling? 2, Whozz Calling? 4, or Whozz Calling? 8 depending on the number of phone lines you need to monitor. You can also use the Whozz Calling? Lite 4 or 8 line units, but they do not support outbound call monitoring.
Pros:
- Phone lines only run to one location
- Easy software setup
- Easiest hardware setup
- Server can be isolated to prevent misuse
Cons:
- Whozz Calling? devices cannot hang up the phone
(View software configuration instructions)
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Multiple Servers
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In this configuration a different phone line runs to each of four computers, which then share the caller information with the other computers. In this case each computer is acting as both an Ascendis Caller ID server and a client.
Pros:
- Easy hardware setup
- No dedicated server required
Cons:
- Phone lines must be run to multiple computers
- Software configuration is more complicated
- All computers acting as servers must be turned on for all phone lines to be monitored
- Slow or busy computers will delay propogation of caller information
(View software configuration instructions)
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