Central call recording method utilizing RTP forking in Avaya environment

Using Avaya Communication Manager release 5.0 or higher, it is possible to register up to three devices against an extension; using earlier releases, only one device can be registered. The multiple registrations call recording method, that Verba Recording System is using, takes advantage of the multiple registrations capability to register a recording device against the actual extension at which calls are to be recorded. The application simply requests listening services and CM sends the duplicated stream of whatever comes and goes from the originally provisioned extension. The forked RTP comes to the recording server from the MedPro card. The duplication request takes up a MedPro license, but does not require conferencing resources or timeslots.

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Supported platforms

*Avaya AES is required to provide call recording functionality

Advantages

• Because this method does not require a standalone recording device to be added to calls, the six party limit in a call is not affected compared to the other 2 recording methods (single-step-conference, service observing).
• Because the RTP is forked by the Communication Manager itself, it does not require additional TDM slots compared to the other 2 recording methods (single-step-conference, service observing). The Multiple Registrations method consumes one additional MedPro resource for each recording device. Additional TDM timeslots are not consumed as the recording device is not able to talk.
• Service Observing and Single Step Conferencing both make use of standalone recording devices which are registered against extensions that have been provisioned on Communication Manager specifically for call recording purposes. Thus each recording device consumes one additional station license. Service Observing typically has a one-to-one association between target extensions and recording devices, and therefore consumes a relatively large number of station licenses. Single Step Conferencing typically uses a pool of recording devices, and therefore potentially needs fewer station licenses, but exposes the possibility of running out of recording devices if a large number of recordings need to be made at the same time. The Multiple Registrations method used by Verba Recording System does not consume additional station licenses.

Considerations

• It is not possible to register a DMCC device against a SIP extension. In practice, this means that the multiple registration method cannot be used to record calls at SIP extensions. Only DCP, Avaya H.323 IP phonesets are supported.
• Requires Avaya Communication Manager 5.x or later and Avaya AES 4.2 or later.
• Automatic announcement of the recording cannot be done by the recorder. An external IVR should be involved.