Multicast Paging allows sets to communicate directly with one another with nothing more than a switch connection. No PBX is required. The page button determines which IP Address and Port the voice will appear on for the page. Using this structure, many paging zones and variations are possible.
To avoid interference from other network devices, the IP addresses used must be those available in the “unassigned Multicast” address range (per IANA). Currently, addresses in the range 224.0.36.0 – 224.0.38.255 are unassigned.
The address must appear in the “page softkey value” and also in the “page listening address” fields along with a Port for the one way audio. The paged address (from the Page softkey) triggers the listening sets and the voice appears over the Port. You can use the same port for all page zones.
Here is an example of a 3 zone paging configuration where 2 IP sets are in each of the page groups for Sales and Service and the third zone is an ALL Page.
The Receptionist set has all three Paging Zone buttons.
Receptionist Set
softkey1 type: paging
softkey1 label: Page All
softkey1 value: 224.0.36.0:10000
softkey2 type: paging
softkey2 label: Sales
softkey2 value: 224.0.36.100:10000
softkey3 type: paging
softkey3 label: Service
softkey3 value: 224.0.36.101:10000
Sales Group (listening assignments)
Set1
Paging group listening: 224.0.36.0:10000, 224.0.36.100:10000
Set2
Paging group listening: 224.0.36.0:10000, 224.0.36.100:10000
Service Group (listening assignments)
Set3
Paging group listening: 224.0.36.0:10000, 224.0.36.101:10000
Set4
Paging group listening: 224.0.36.0:10000, 224.0.36.101:10000
One drawback to multicast paging is that multiple simultaneous pages can interfere with each other. For example, during an All Page, if a second user initiates either an All Page or a Group page, both voices will be heard at the listening sets. As long as the IP Address and the Port match, the RTP stream will be gated through to the speaker on the listening set. There is no busy indicator when the page is in use, so it is best to not assign Page softkeys to more than one set.
Here is one method to add more paging zones. Note: only the Receptionist can page all four groups.
Accounting Supervisor Set
softkey1 type: paging
softkey1 label: Page All
softkey1 value: 224.0.36.1:10001
softkey2 type: paging
softkey2 label: AR
softkey2 value: 224.0.36.102:10001
softkey3 type: paging
softkey3 label: AP
softkey3 value: 224.0.36.103:10001
paging group listening: 224.0.36.0:10000
Accounts Receivable Group (listening assignments)
Set1
Paging group listening: 224.0.36.1:10001, 224.0.36.102:10001, 224.0.36.0:10000
Set2
Paging group listening: 224.0.36.1:10001, 224.0.36.102:10001, 224.0.36.0:10000
Accounts Payable Group (listening assignments)
Set3
Paging group listening: 224.0.36.1:10001, 224.0.36.103:10001, 224.0.36.0:10000
Set4
Paging group listening: 224.0.36.1:10001, 224.0.36.103:10001, 224.0.36.0:10000