[Asterisk-Users] Multi-line help

[Nicholas Comanos]

Could you explain in a little more detail about what you are trying to do
with the multi-lines? Maybe a more in depth example would help.

In my (limited) experience, I have seen two types of multi-line uses

1. The phone has a number of lines (usually) two. If the first line is busy,
the call rings on the second and so the user has the option of putting the
first on hold and answering the new incoming call or letting it ring out.
Normally the user has only one advertised extension number (and the second
line may not even have its own unique extension #). The second line is often
used for inquiry calls or if the primary line is busy. Usually the phone
selects the first available line when making a new call.

2. The second type of multi-line use I have seen is where one phone has
lines for multiple extensions and those extensions may be represented on
multiple phones (shared line). For example, the phone of a personal
assistant may have a line for them and their boss. The multi-line button in
this case may often shows the status (ie: busy) of the extension as it is
'shared' among multiple phones. Depending on the configuration, if the
extension is called, it may ring on one or more of the phone lines that
support that extension. Even in this case, the phone often has a default
line to use when the handset is picked-up to make a call.

Asterisk will support the type 1. above as long as the handset support
multiple lines (which in your case it does,) However, case 2, I do not
believe is supported by Asterisk at the moment - you can make the line ring,
but you will not be able to show the status of the line on other phones.

In addition, with a SIP phone, the phone will also have to have a way of
receiving the notification for the status of the line (busy, not busy.) -
not all SIP phones support this, but looking through the Polycomm manual, it
seems they do.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sean Garland" <sean at siskiyoutech.com>
To: <asterisk-users at lists.digium.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2004 7:18 PM
Subject: [Asterisk-Users] Multi-line help


I am looking for common practice ideas on how to handle multiple line
phones.  Is it common with asterisk to have the lines appear as
programmable buttons? Or to just have itcm like buttons and use the dial
9 approach?  What I am specifically interested in, is to have my line
one appear on the first button (sip polycom phones) line two appear on
the second button, and use the third as an intercom (internal extension)
button.  I have managed to get the line 1 to ring on the line 1 button
and the same for line two.  I have even managed to get extension
transfers to happen on the itcm button.

The trouble I have is that I don't know if someone else is on the
particular line, and when I dial, it picks up the first available button
(line) so even if I dial an extension, it looks like I am dialing from
line 1 to the extension.  How do I make it pick the third button, etc...

Confusing?  I have read the "handbook" and countless searches through
wiki and Google, but cannot find practical examples of multi-line use
with asterisk.

Thanks a ton.  I have been testing asterisk and on the mailing list for
about a month now...  I would be happy to send all my config files for
perusal.

Sean Garland - Siskiyou Technology Consultants

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