MonTel Version 2.12.x: Release notes, changes and fixes

The current release is MonTel (32 bit) version 2.12.30 .

WARNING: Do not upgrade if you are not on a current maintenance agreement. A new license key was needed for version 2.11.x to run correctly. New license keys are free to clients on a current and fully paid maintenance plan. A 2.11.x license key will run a 2.12.0 installation, however this may change with the release version.

Version 2.12.x: release Notes

WARNING: From version 2.12.5 The network check order now defaults to 4. This will affect Netware users who were relying on the previous default of 0. These sites will now need to specify NetworkCheckOrder=0 (or 3 or 7).

WARNING: From version 2.12.30 Setup will no longer perform an automatic backup on SQL databases not set to SIMPLE recovery mode.

This update is available as a single executable file called montel_2_12_[n].exe where [n] is the current release number from links on http://www.netwiz.com.au/software. You will require a user name and password to access the files, which we ask you to keep secret. Please phone or E-Mail support at support@netwiz.com.au to get your password and user name. Naturally, these are available only to MonTel customers on a current maintenance plan.

It is important to understand the recovery mode that the SQL database is using. On large sites a full SQL server (not express) may be in use, in which case the recovery mode is likely to be FULL. In this case is is essential that a regular log file backups are made, and the database administrator has a recovery/backup plan in place.

For this reason from version 2.12.30 MonTel no longer performs backups on SQL servers that don't have a recovery model set to SIMPLE, as this may break or obfuscate the backup chain.

On SQL express system, the recovery mode by default is simple. On these systems or on system where the DBA has explicitly set SIMPLE mode, a MonTel administrator can perform backups and other system maintenance functions from the menu of MtAdmin. In SIMPLE mode from MonTel version 2.12.30 onwards MonTel will run a checkpoint when performing and update (On SQL version 7 or MSDE 1.0 a log file truncation is also performed), followed by a shrink log file command down to 16MB. This should include plenty of growth space, but should catch runaway situations before they evolve. To reduce any ensuing internal fragmentation, a de-fragmentation of all the data indexes is performed as well. On the database system menu of MtAdmin the 'Truncation and shrink of transaction log files' is performed using the same steps.

From Version 2.12.2 you will need a new license key. For Version 2.12.1 you will need to specify you country.

2.12.1 introduces separate costing systems for Australian, North American (and coming soon) the rest of the world.

For Australia you will need to download at least one of the Number Zip files and a rate code file. For the USA and the rest of the world contact you MonTel sales agent for the files.

The installation wizard performs all the steps of a manual install (including the backup) and unzipping the files, and automatically makes any required changes to the PABX.INI and other configuration files.

The wizard (also known as SetUpMT) now backs up and shrinks the Master Client (and Web Reports if present) Database. It does this just before it updates the database, even if there are no changes to be made. It will not stop to ask the user if this is required unless the user has unselected the check box early in the wizards that asks about 'stopping only at critical points'. In other words, backing up and shrinking are not considered critical points. This is important to note for some administrators who may be archiving using some other plan and want to avoid spurious backups, have limited permissions on the SQL server, or who want to keep transaction logs as part of a separate archival process. Otherwise, this back up is a very good idea!

There are some substantial changes made to the PABX.INI file. The largest is the removal of the [SerialPortSettings] section, which is replaced by [InputSettings] to reflect the more general methods of receiving data from a phone system. This also facilitates the Servers ability to have multiple inputs, that is, to receive data from more than one PABX.

In addition all the settings in the .INF file (or files) have been moved to the PMA.INI file and an editor has been supplied. It turned out that as many changes were being made there as in the PABX.INI file itself.

WARNING: If updating from versions prior to 2.11.18, the MonTel Server Service should be stopped and removed prior to running the set-up program. This is because the Server Service name has changed and service managers after these versions are unable to control services before and including these versions. SetupMT will attempt to do this (2.11.18 onwards) silently if it can at the time the services are stopped.

For more information and a breakdown of steps see: Installation at http://www.netwiz.com.au/appnotes/i4549.htm.

Changes, fixes and new features are listed below, with the most recent changes first.

Version 2.12 is currently beta, and will be beta with the implementation of the North American Costing tables. Production sites in Australia sites in Australia can consider moving to 2.12 earlier than this.

All known MonTel sites on current maintenance are using V2.11.0 (or greater) with the SQL Database, and os instructions on upgrades assume this minimum version. Information on versions earlier than 2.11 will be removed from the website over time. Please note that a new LICENSE KEY was required to run MonTel Sever 2.11.x correctly, so upgrading from version 2.10 or earlier to 2.12 will require contact with Netwiz support.

To see some of the features of the 32 bit version of MonTel see http://www.netwiz.com.au/montel32.HTML.

WARNING: Do not upgrade if you are not on a current maintenance agreement. A new license key will be needed for version 2.11.x to run correctly. New license keys are free to clients on a current and fully paid maintenance plan.

Version 2.11.x will start with the same feature set as 2.10.x, but will evolve additional features over time. Version 2.11.x early versions differed from 2.10x versions only in that 'c' code is complied using Microsoft compilers rather than Borland.

The following applications were included in 2.12.x but not in 2.11.x.

EdPma32.exe (used to edit PMA.INI which combines the old .INF files).

The following files have been dropped from 2.12:

All 16 bit server components (the 16 bit client was dropped years ago). This means the DOS server is no longer supported.

ServerCN (Use 'ServerSV CONSOLE' for the same effect).

SvcMan (Use MtAdmin)

SqlSvc (Use MTAdmin).

All .INF files (use EdPma32.exe and PMA.INI)

In the Firm Specific [PMA].INF file delete UseMatterClientRelationship as it is no longer used, and replace MatterLinkKey with MarkAlsoSecondaryAsTerminated set to the same value.

Notify32 that starts the MonTel popup (popupvb.exe) now has a splash screen, that stays active if and while the local client database is being upgraded. If you are or were using the /NOLOGO option, this will now work for Notify32.exe. Alternatively, you can set the ShowSplashScreen in the [popup] section of EdIni32 to 0.