Advanced IP phone systems allow even small offices to have a fully functioning paging system without using a standalone system. Users can page other users by dialing the paging account and speaking into the phone. Recipients will hear the message from the speaker on their phones.

Paging can be thought of as a one-way audio session, as opposed to intercom, which features two-way audio for one-to-one communication. Paging allows a single extension to communicate with a few people (unicast paging) or a potentially large group of people (multicast paging). The following diagram shows the paging process for both unicast and multicast configurations:

Several paging groups can be configured on the system so that different audiences can be addressed.

Using the Paging Account from a Phone

Using the paging account is pretty straightforward.

• If you are in live playback mode, dial the paging account number and start speaking. When you hangup, the paging stops. If there was a maximum paging duration setup, the system will cut off the paging at that time.
• If you are in recorded playback mode, dial the paging account number and start speaking after the beep. If you want to re-record the message, press ‘*’ during the recording (requires version 5 or higher). After you hangup, the message is scheduled for playback and will be played back as soon as possible.

Setting up the Paging Account

 

• Account Number(s): This field takes extension number(s) and/or DID number(s). The number of DIDs that can be entered into this field is unlimited. This information can be changed at any time.

• Streaming Mode: This setting allows you to determine how your paging group will be set up:

—Unicast (SIP): When using unicast mode, you’ll need to provide a list of destination numbers for your paging group in the next setting (Destination). With unicast paging, the system initiates a call to all extensions listed, so be sure to limit your paging group to no more than 10 extensions. Unicast paging is not limited to the local area network, so all extensions that are connected to the system will be paged regardless of location.

—Multicast: Multicast mode allows you to designate a single IP address as your paging group and create paging groups that encompass entire organizations without taxing bandwidth (the end systems are unaware who the members of the multicast group are and do not send SIP signaling to the individual paging devices).

• Destination: Enter a group of extension numbers into this field.

• Source: List the extensions that are allowed to page this group. Enter a star (*) to give access to all extensions.

• Display Name: The display name will be used to identify the source of the call. SIP phones will display this text in the display area. The Accounts page will list the display name next to the account number:

• Multicast-Address: Enter a multicast address into this field. The IP address range for multicast addresses is 224.0.0.0–239.255.255.255. When using a traditional paging system, use the IP address of the paging device (e.g., (192.x.x.x).

• Codec: The system comes with G.711 and is free. Other codecs, such as G.729, require a fee due to the royalties associated with them.

• Record message: The Record message feature can operate in two different modes:

—Live playback: This mode allows you to send a page in real time. With this mode, you pick up the phone, dial the paging account number, and start speaking/paging. All interested parties will hear the page.

—Play recorded message: This mode has a store-and-forward mechanism and requires that you record the message before sending it to the interested parties. With this mode, you pick up the phone, dial the paging account number, and start speaking. The system will record the message once you hang up and will send it to the interested parties.

• Permissions to monitor this account: Enter the extensions that are permitted to monitor this account.