Cisco CSIM (Call Simulation) – Hidden IOS Command

CSIM is an undocumented IOS command.  When configuring a router to act as a voice gateway it is possible to test outbound calls by originating calls from the router.  If the router is configured correctly then the far end number will ring and may be answered. Use the csim start dialstring hidden command to initiate simulated calls to whichever real-world E.164 number is desired. This allows you to determine whether you can properly go offhook from the router to the PSTN, send digits, and complete a call to the destination phone. You can modify the POTS dial-peer appropriately to account for long-distance access codes and other prefixed digits as necessary. In the example below, the POTS dial-peer can match on any string of digits starting with “9”, and all digits that follow the “9” are played out voice-port X/Y/Z.

dial-peer voice 1 pots
destination-pattern 9T
port 1/0:0

r1# csim start 91800555121

Original Article # http://www.markholloway.com/blog/?p=645