Multicast Paging Feature

Overview

1. Multicast paging is supported for both Cloud and Cloud+ locations.

2. Multicast paging is supported only on Polycom® VVX® and Yealink® desk phones.
3. Multicast paging is for local extensions only ( i.e. on the same network ).
4. Multicast paging is not constrained to a limited number of members (extensions) per group as is the case with standard Paging Groups
5. Multicast paging functionality is provided at the switch level on the local network, utilizing designated Channels and has been successfully tested with all Star2Star supplied switches.

4. For Cloud+ locations there is NO impact on the StarBox® Voice Optimized SD-WAN.

 

Configuring Multicast Paging:

1. Login to the Star2Star portal.

2. Choose "Configuration" from the main top menu, then find/select the location ( View/Edit field ) for which you want to configure Multicast Paging.

3. Click the “Additional Location Information” link (under the Basic Settings section).

 

 

1. On the “Additional Location Information” page click on "Multicast Paging" dropdown (located on the right side of the page) and select "Yes"

2. Click "Save Changes" at the bottom of the same screen.

3. Now that Multicast Paging is enabled, go back to the “Configuration” page.

4. Navigate to "Destinations" under the Advanced Settings section.

5. In the “Existing Destinations” dropdown select "Add New Paging Group"

6. Enter a name for the Paging Group.

7. Confirm the "Multicast Paging Group?" dropdown is set to "Yes"

8. Note: The new groups will default to the Multicast type of group.

9. Note: An existing paging group can be switched to a multicast type group.

10. Note: Up to 23 Multicast Paging groups can be created per location.

11. The next available channel is set automatically.

( For channels details see Polycom or Yealink phone section bellow )

12. All local extensions (Polycom® VVX® and Yealink desk phones) will be displayed in the Extensions list.

13. Note: Polycom and Yealink phones must be placed in separate paging groups. They cannot be included in the same paging group. Selecting first extension (phone brand) will determine if a group will be Polycom or Yealink only (System will hide extensions that are not using the same phone brand as first selected one)

14. Add Members as required by highlighting the member(s) and clicking on <-- ( left arrow )

15. Remove Members as required by highlighting the member(s) and clicking on --> ( right arrow )

16. Remember to click "Save Changes to System" when you have completed configuring Multicast Paging Groups.

 

Disabling the Multicast Paging Feature:

 

1. Navigate to the Star2Star portal.

2. Choose "Configuration" from the main top menu, then find/select the location ( View/Edit field ) for which you want to configure Multicast Paging.

3. Click the “Additional Location Information” link (under the Basic Settings section).

4. Click the "Multicast Paging" dropdown and select "No".

Note: If there are any Multicast Paging Groups defined, Multicast Paging cannot be turned off until all Multicast paging groups have been removed. (“Yes” will be greyed out and not editable)

 

 

Polycom® VVX® Desk Phones configuration:

 

1. When Multicast Paging is enabled, a convenient “Paging” softkey will appear on the bottom of the screen as soon as the phone is rebooted.

2. Polycom phones will create & joining the following paging groups under reserved channels:
   1. “Page All” paging group is under reserved channel 1
   2. “Priority” paging group is under reserved channel 24
   3. “Emergency” paging group is under reserved channel 25

3. These default paging groups are only for Polycom phones

4. Polycom phones can only unsubscribe from “Page All” paging group, membership in default “Priority” and “Emergency” groups are permanent.

5. Differences between Priority and Emergency paging:

“Priority” paging will barge into an active call, over intercom, at intercom’s adjusted volume level.

“Emergency” paging will barge into an active call, over intercom, at maximum volume.

 

Yealink® Desk Phones configuration:

 

6. For StarCloud+ locations:

The “Paging” button will be added as a speed dial key, placed as first available speed dial key after line keys (and after “Park position” keys if “Key System Mode” is enabled)

If any speed dial already exists in that spot, it will be overwritten by the “Paging” speed dial.

7. For StarCloud locations:

The “Paging” button will be added as a custom soft key below the phone’s display on the second screen. ( to get to the second screen press “More” soft key on the bottom right corner)

8. Note: Phones must be rebooted in order for the “Paging” button to appear.

9. Note: (unlike Polycom phones) There are no default paging groups created by Yealink phones.

10. Note: (unlike Polycom phones) Yealink phone(s) must be a member of at least one multicast paging group in order to display the “Paging” button.

 

Additional Notes:

 

11. When a user is on a normal phone call and another user initiates a Priority or Emergency multicast page, the page will be heard over the intercom while the user is still engaged on their regular phone call. They will be able to hear audio from their phone call and the multicast page.

12. Users will only be able to see the paging groups they are a member of e.g. extensions 100 and 101 are in a paging group, extension 102 will not be able to see that paging group on their phone. Only extension 100 and 101 will be able to see that paging group.

13. An extension can be removed (i.e. unsubscribe) from the Polycom “Page All” paging group using the following steps:
    1. Log in to the Portal.
    2. Click the “Configuration” menu.
    3. Select a Location.
    4. Click Individual Phone Settings
    5. Select extension to be removed.
    6. Click Phone Options
    7. Set Unsubscribe From “Page All” Multicast Paging Group? to “Yes”.

14. To use the Multicast paging functionality when active on a call i.e. answered an incoming call, "Park" the call, then use the "Paging" option.

15. If a user initiates a multicast page and accepts another incoming call, the multicast page will drop immediately.