Frequently asked questions about collecting call data (SMDR/CDR)

Q. How does Callwhere get the call records from my phone system?

Q. Can Callwhere collect call records over my network if my phone system uses a traditional serial interface?

Q. How does Callwhere get the call records from my phone system?

A. In most cases, your phone system will send the call records to Callwhere using a serial connection. A serial cable will connect the phone system to the computer where Callwhere is installed (see figure 1).

Diagram of serial connection between computer and phone system
Figure 1

In other cases, the phone system will make the call records available at an IP address. Callwhere can connect to this IP address and download the SMDR over your network (see figure 2).

Diagram of TCP/IP connection between computer and phone system
Figure 2

Q. Can Callwhere collect call records over my network if my phone system uses a traditional serial interface?

A. Yes. If you connect a serial-to-IP buffer device to your phone system's serial SMDR port, Callwhere can connect to the buffer device's IP address and download the SMDR over your network (see figure 3).

Diagram of connection from computer to buffer box then to phone system
Figure 3