Adding addtional callers using a Polycom

[msteeler]

Hello All,

I'm new to the Cisco CM forum, just replaced a Meridian, and I have a question.

I have a Polycom Soundstation on a analog port using a VG224. I have someone who wants to set up an interview with 4 people calling into a bridge and then bring the 5th person being interviwed in using the flash on the Polycom. I call into the bridge on the Polycom, hit flash and get dial tone, call my cellphone, and it connects but it drops the Polycom from the call and everyone else is connected.

Seems like the analog line isn't set up to allow more than one line? Is this something I can change? Thanks

 

[whykap]

It's an analog port so it only has the ability to one call. You can replace it with an IP conference station or have the person call into the bridge when you are ready.

 

[whykap]

Another thought. Are you using MGCP? If so it could be your hookflash timer that is not right.
Change the VG224 port to SCCP, that way you can adjust the hookflash timer. I believe that only SCCP allows the conference feature anyway. In MGCP mode you are probably just hanging up on the established call when you press the hookflash.
Be aware SCCP will use licenses unlike MGCP so make sure you have them.

 

[msteeler]

Thank you. I got in touch with the vendor and they mentioned just what you said, change it to SCCP. Can you change one port on the VG224 to SCCP or does the whole VG have to be SCCP? They made it sound like I had to make the change to the VG224. Thanks

 

[whykap]

No you can change just the ports you need to SCCP. leave the rest MGCP. I do it all the time to fit my needs.

 

[msteeler]

Thanks. How do I go about changing it? When I select the VG that this conference phone is on I see protocol MGCP under Gateway Details. When I select the port that the Polycom is on I don't see where that can be changed. Would I have to delete it and rebuild it? Thanks

 

[whykap]

Nope. you have to add the vg in call manager as an sccp in addition to the MGCP. Also there are CLI commands to add to the vg224. Look up adding vg224 as sccp gateway and you'll get info on it.

 

[MitelInMyBlood]

With the VG224 and a Polycom analog phone you can have up to a maximum of 3 lines in conference using the switchook and feature access codes. In other words, the Polycom user + 2 others (3 total)

Original MUG/NAMU Charter Member

 

[trvlr1]

Why dont you just get one of the other callers on the bridge to conference the 5th person in?

 

[msteeler]

That's what we ended up doing (have another person conference the 5th in), but I wanted to understand why it wasn't working when it says the VG can have a total of 3 with a Polycom. It ended up being the MGCP issue. Thanks