Guide to Paging
Table of Contents
Definitions Connect to an Existing System Build a New Paging System Things to Consider Scenario's Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 Configuration Multicast Paging ConfigurationPrerequisites:
- Verify that your specific phone models are capable of paging. These instructions won't work unless the device itself is capable of handling a page.
- This feature is not compatible with WebPhone and is for physical devices only.
- Access to the portal with at minimum an Office Manager role.
- Access to the Device Web GUI.
Definitions
Intercom is unrelated to paging; the terms are NOT synonymous. The intercom feature refers to bidirectional communication between two people, typically involving an auto-answer feature. This allows for direct and immediate communication between the two parties.
Paging is unidirectional communication from the device that initiated the page to multiple devices in the paging group.
Multicast Paging is a device feature and not a system product. Configuration is mainly independent of the Cloud PBX. This method is recommended for paging needs for devices within the same layer two network. Because the multicast protocol is a layer two function, WAN (internet access) is technically not required for communication to flow, making it a resilient option. Be aware that no call history record for multicast paging will exist.
| Setup | Network Load | Compatibility | Multisite | |
| Multicast Paging: One-to-many broadcast to IP phones on the same LAN using multicast. | simple | low (one LAN multicast) | brand and firmware specific | LAN only |
Connect to an Existing System
Integrating your Cloud PBX system with an analog or legacy paging system is straightforward and cost-effective. This allows you to modernize your paging capabilities without replacing your current infrastructure.
A paging adapter (such as those from Algo) bridges your Hosted Voice environment with an existing paging system. This device connects to your Hosted Voice network via SIP and interfaces with the existing analog amplifier or paging controller. Once configured, users can dial a paging extension from any registered Cloud PBX endpoint (desk phone, softphone, etc.) to broadcast announcements through the legacy paging system.
The adapter must be configured as an SIP extension in the Portal.
Build a New Paging System
If you're starting fresh, a fully IP-based paging system offers maximum flexibility and scalability. You can deploy one or multiple IP paging endpoints (speakers, horns, strobe lights, intercoms) throughout your site. These devices register directly to your Cloud PBX as SIP endpoints.
Only a PoE switch (or PoE injector) and a reliable network connection are required for power and communication. In the hosted system, you can create custom paging groups or zones to suit different areas or notification types (e.g., emergency alerts, scheduled bells).
Things to Consider
- Multicast paging is a network-level protocol; we do not see these attempts in the portal.
- Multicast paging by default does not cross different subnets.
- Will require a Linekey setup per paging zone
- Each zone will need to be added to the phone's listening addresses.
Scenario's
Scenario 1
In this scenario, the phone has three paging buttons. When the user presses button one, the page is sent to all phones, as they are all listening on the same address: 224.0.2.60:50001. Using buttons 2 or 3 will result in no phones receiving a page.
Scenario 2
In this scenario, the phone has the same three paging buttons. When button one is pressed, only zone 1 will receive the page; zones 2 and 3 will not. If button two is pressed, only zone 2 will receive the page, but zones 1 and 3 will not. This continues if button three is pressed. With this, all three zones are separate from each other.
Scenario 3
This one is similar to scenario 2, but device 2 in zone 2 and device 3 in zone 1 also have listening addresses on their phones for 224.0.2.60:50003. They all still receive their respective pages when the corresponding button is pressed, but if button three is pressed, device 2 in zone 2 and device 3 in zone 1 will also receive that page. No other devices in zone 2 or zone 1 will receive the page.
Configuration
Multicast Paging Configuration
The multicast paging feature is mainly independent of the Cloud PBX. It is a device feature.
Please refer to your device's manual to learn whether it can support multicast paging. Below are example resources for configuring it.
| Avaya | Avaya Documentation: Phone to Phone Paging |
| Cisco | Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express System Administrator Guide: Chapter: Paging |
| Grandstream | Grandstream Networks, Inc.: GRP26XX Carrier-Grade IP Phones Multicast Paging User Guide |
| HTEK | Htek: How to Use MultiCast Paging on Htek IP Phones |
Here are some examples for brands that require an override if multicast paging is configured.
| Panasonic UT | Panasonic_Multicast_Paging_Function.pdf |
| Polycom | Polycom UC4+ Firmware: ptt.pageMode.enable="1" Group_Paging_and_PTT_FP62327.pdf |
| Snom | How to Configure Multicast Paging |
| Yealink | Yealink 71+ Firmware (change linekey and address/port as desired): multicast.listen_address.1.ip_address="224.5.6.20:10008" multicast.listen_address.X.label="page all" linekey.2.type="24" linekey.2.value="224.5.6.20:10008" linekey.2.label="page" |
See this article for "How to Configure Multicast Paging via Override Code."