Multicast Paging - is this scenario possible and how

[jessy.paconnect]

We have a medical facility that needs to be able to page even with the internet disconnected. Here is our thoughts, tell me where i might be wrong.

• Hosted 3CX Server running on Amazon Cloud
• Paging Adapter such as the Snom PA1 to run the Multicast Paging
• 3CX SBC

From my understanding when you are running an SBC locally you can continue to call internally even when the internet is down because the SBC will handle to connections to the phones, at least this is how I believe its meant to work (please confirm this for me)

If that's the case, then would it be possible to have a Snom PA1 configured to receive a Multicast page and distribute it out from the SBC? What would be all involved. If not, is what I am asking possible. We have never needed this before, but this client requires this as they have an analogue phone system now.

 

[craigreilly]

I think even calls behind the SBC are first routed to the server to locate the endpoint - so if internet is down, can it find the PA1?

This should work:
Snom PA1 with a Multicast Address
Custom Phone template for a button on the phone for Multicast Page.
The phone then delivers the Mcast page to the Snom - bypassing all of 3cx.

 

[jessy.paconnect]

Well normally SBC's will function offline routing calls internally but that's always through manual programing which is why i stay away from them. However 3CX makes this super easy to install them, but does that mean it sacrifices some of those features to do that.

As for the other should work, thats what i am hoping on is having the phone contact the paging adapter directly. Now with that said, can i still setup the multicast paging information on the 3CX Server and have that pushed out to the phones so that I dont have to manually program the phone

 

[cobaltit]

Don't let 3CX's use of the term SBC confuse it. It is not a standard SBC and calls will not work if there is no internet. The answer is obvious. Put the PBX on-prem

 

[jessy.paconnect]

Well on-prem is not the answer as we don't install on-prem phone systems for clients under 100 users, especially when we dont control the rest of the network. We will get getting in our SNOM-PA1 here on friday and will test.

 

[ivank]

From my understanding when you are running an SBC locally you can continue to call internally even when the internet is down because the SBC will handle to connections to the phones, at least this is how I believe its meant to work (please confirm this for me)

You are mistaken here. 3CX SBC routes signalling to PBX always, so without Internet even the local calls will not be working.

 

[jessy.paconnect]

I am glad that I now know that. So the SBC is definitely not a real SBC then. Its a stripped down relay essentially.

 

[jessy.paconnect]

Well interestingly enough. Setting up the phones up for Multicast listening and programming a button on the phone works no problem, however I cant seem to make the template work to program the button.

 

[CentrexJ]

What model phones?

 

[eddv123]

I did multicast paging +64 seats years ago and am sure I recall your switches being a factor in this.

Either they had to support multicast or an IP configuration was required.

As I said it was quite some time ago so not sure 100% of the status now.

 

[cobaltit]

I did multicast paging +64 seats years ago and am sure I recall your switches being a factor in this.

Either they had to support multicast or an IP configuration was required.

As I said it was quite some time ago so not sure 100% of the status now.

Definitely switch specific but doesn't seem to be relevant in this case. It looks like he's just having an issue with custom templates.