California State University, Los Angeles
Don't Be Unplugged!
Despite whatever good intentions you may have, please do not unplug your telephone, fax, modem, or room alarm for any reason. You’ll save yourself and the campus from some unwanted consequences if you stay “plugged in.” No one but an Information Technology Services (ITS) technician should ever unplug or move these kinds of devices. Here’s why:
Every telecommunications device is assigned to a particular jack. Whenever a device is unplugged, an error message is transmitted to the telephone system indicating the jack no longer has a device connected to it. The system routinely transmits and receives signals from all the communication devices on it (i.e., the system and the devices do a “handshake”). When an error message is received, and when there is no handshake, the system disables telephone programming from the jack. Now, even if you plug the device back in, it will not function the way you expect. Voicemail on telephones that have been disconnected in this fashion will not function either. Worse still, if you move a piece of equipment from its assigned jack and plug it into another one, you may damage the equipment or the telephone system.
Here are some FAQs to help you resist the temptation to unplug:
Q: I swapped my multi-line telephone with my co-worker’s. The phones work, but the features don’t. Why?
A: Each jack is programmed for specific telephone features on a specific phone. Your jack is not recognizing your coworker’s phone. You may be able to make calls on the phone, but no one will be able to call you.
Q: My phone was unplugged. Now when I call my extension, I get a fast busy and my voicemail doesn’t work. What should I do?
A: Contact Telephone Repair at 3-2666. Give your name, extension, intercom number, and location. A trouble ticket will be opened immediately.
Q: I needed a “hands free” phone, so I unplugged one and swapped it with my single line phone. It didn’t work. Why?
A: It didn't work because each jack is programmed for a specific phone. Also, multi-line phones are digital and the single line phones, fax machines, and modem lines are analog. Plugging a digital device into a jack programmed for analog devices may cause serious damage to the equipment and the campus telephone system.