Advanced Provisioner - Configuration Tabs - Lines

Description: The purpose of this article is to provide a detailed overview of the Lines configuration tab, which is accessible for all devices eligible for provisioning within the Advance Provisioner App.

The Advance Provisioner App serves as the primary digital workspace for configuring advanced settings on provisioned devices. For every device from any manufacturer, there is a roster of configuration tabs, each containing different parameters. Once you have added a new device, you will have the opportunity to customize a distinct set of configuration tabs tailored to that specific device. 

In all the tabs, parameters can be classified into two types: 

• those that require manual input of values.
• those that provide a dropdown list of options.

Next to some parameters, you can find clues about the values these specific fields will inherit either from the global default values or from the account settings level if you don't make any changes to the field.

The inherited values may differ based on the server and account settings, but the core concept remains consistent.

Within this article, we will examine the Lines configuration tab and its parameters available for customization.

Lines Configuration Tab

The parameters available within each Configuration tab may vary depending on the brand and specific device. This article covers all the potential parameters you might encounter within the tab this article is focused on.

This configuration tab is one of the five primary "account settings" tabs that can be set at the account level, ensuring that all newly added devices will adopt the parameters you have defined. 

Account settings are not global. There is a global default (which is the Inherits from Defaults value) which are static settings on the Provisioner. Account Settings are account defaults the admin for the account wishes to be applied on all devices in a given account.

Account administrators have access to Provider Settings, which is a level of defaults above Account Settings. All devices inherit settings in this order: 
Global → Provider/Reseller → Account → Device. 

To learn more about the Account Settings tab, you can refer to the corresponding section of an article accessible through this link.

However, when adding a new device or adjusting the settings of an existing one, you have the flexibility to reconfigure the parameters on this tab. When adding a new device or configuring an existing one, this configuration tab will be the initial default view.

The parameters listed on this tab can be categorized into six distinct sections:

• Line buttons: they are a series of circular buttons, each displaying the line number. 

The number of buttons may differ depending on the device. If no buttons are visible, it indicates that the configured device has only one line.

Within modern VoIP (or digital telephone systems, a "line" is a virtual entity created through software. These virtual lines serve as distinct channels, enabling you to initiate or receive calls autonomously, even if you possess only a single physical connection, such as an internet link. They serve as a method for effectively handling numerous simultaneous calls or communication sessions using a single device.

By selecting these buttons, you can seamlessly switch between the parameters within the currently active configuration tab, allowing you to configure them individually for each selected line.

The parameters within the following sections are set up individually for each line. Currently, there is no possibility to copy the settings of one line to another.

• Basic: this section contains the basic parameters of the line whose button was enabled in the first section.

There are seven parameters that need to be configured here:

• Enable: this parameter defines the status of the selected line. It can take one of three values.

• Inherit: by choosing this option, you allow this line to inherit its status from the Defaults.
• Enabled: by choosing this option, you will enable the chosen line irrespective of the parameters configured in the Defaults.
• Disabled: by choosing this option, you will disable the chosen line irrespective of the parameters configured in the Defaults.

• Display Name: within this field, you have the option to set a custom name for the chosen line. If you leave this field blank, the line will inherit the name set in the Account settings.
• Transport: when you click on this field, a dropdown menu will appear, presenting various choices for selecting the preferred communication protocol that the phone will use to transmit voice and data over the selected line.

By choosing the "Inherit" option, you allow this line to use the communication protocol set in the Defaults.

• Expire time: within this field, you have the option to set the time interval for the chosen line to renew its registration with the PBX.

This renewal process signals to the provider’s server that the line remains registered, active, and ready to accept incoming calls

• Voicemail number: within this field, you have the option to set a custom voicemail number for the chosen line. If you leave this field blank, the line will inherit the voicemail number set in the Defaults.
• MWI Subscription Number: you can use this field to input the mailbox number of a specific mailbox that you wish to activate using the indicator. If you don't provide a value in this field, the indicator will be activated for any voicemail box assigned to the user.
• Number of line keys: here, you can enlist the lines you want to appear on the device by entering their numbers separated by commas. If you leave this field blank, this parameter will use the line set in the Defaults.

• SIP: this section contains the SIP parameters of the line whose button was enabled in the first section.

SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol, which is a communication protocol used in phone systems to initiate, modify, and terminate real-time sessions that involve voice, video, messaging, and other types of multimedia communication. 

SIP is widely used in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems, which enable phone calls to be made over the internet rather than through traditional phone networks.

There are eight parameters that need to be configured here:

• SIP Realm: within this field, you have the option to set a SIP Realm for the selected line.

The SIP Realm is a domain or a namespace that identifies a set of users and devices that are registered to a particular SIP server or service provider. The SIP Realm plays a crucial role in authenticating and authorizing users to access SIP services.

• SIP Username: here, you can set a SIP Username for the selected line.
• SIP Password: here, you can set a password used to authenticate and authorize a user or device to access and use a SIP-based communication system. It ensures that only authorized users or devices can access and use the SIP services associated with the configured line.
• Primary Address: within this field, you can set a Primary Address for the selected line. If you leave this field blank, the line will inherit the Primary Address set in the Defaults.    
• Primary Port: here, you can set a Primary Port for the selected line.

A Primary Port is the main point of connection for communication

If you leave this field blank, the line will inherit the Primary Port set in the Defaults.    

• Secondary Address: within this field, you can set a Secondary Address for the selected line. If you leave this field blank, the line will inherit the Secondary Address set in the Defaults.    
• Secondary Port: here, you can set a Secondary Port for the selected line.

A Secondary Port serves as a backup or alternative in case of Primary Port failures, ensuring continuity and reliability.

If you leave this field blank, the line will inherit the Secondary Port set in the Defaults.

• Profile: within this field, you have the ability to choose the profile assigned to the configured line. When you click on this field, a dropdown menu will appear, presenting you with a list of profiles that align with the profiles set in the Profiles configuration tab article.

• Advanced: this section contains the advanced parameters of the line whose button was enabled in the first section.

There are seven parameters that need to be configured here:

• Showed Missed Calls: this parameter defines whether missed calls will be shown. It can take one of three values.

• Inherit: by choosing this option, you allow this line to inherit this parameter from the Defaults.
• Enabled: by selecting this option, you will activate the display of missed calls for the selected line, regardless of the parameters set in the Defaults.
• Disabled: by selecting this option, you will deactivate the display of missed calls for the selected line, regardless of the parameters set in the Defaults.

• RTP Encryption (SRTP): this parameter defines whether RTP Encryption will be activated for the configured line.

Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) encryption is a security measure used to ensure the privacy and integrity of live multimedia content, including audio and video streams, transmitted over the Internet or a network. RTP is frequently used in applications like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and video conferencing.

It can take one of three values.

• Inherit: by choosing this option, you allow this line to inherit this parameter from the Defaults.
• Enabled: by selecting this option, you will allow this line to use RTP encryption, regardless of the parameters set in the Defaults.
• Disabled: by selecting this option, you will forbid this line to use RTP encryption, regardless of the parameters set in the Defaults.

• RPort: this parameter defines whether the RPort mechanism will be activated for the configured line.

The RPort mechanism changes the SIP routing behavior, allowing responses to be received through a NAT (Network Address Translation) even when SIP headers use private addresses.

It can take one of three values.

• Inherit: by choosing this option, you allow this line to inherit this parameter from the Defaults.
• Enabled: by selecting this option, you will allow this line to use the RPort mechanism, regardless of the parameters set in the Defaults.
• Disabled: by selecting this option, you will forbid this line to use the RPort mechanism, regardless of the parameters set in the Defaults.

• UDP Keep Alive: this parameter defines whether the UDP-based Keep Alive mechanism will be enabled for the configured line.

Keep Alive is a mechanism used to maintain the uninterrupted functionality and responsiveness of network connections using a specific protocol for data transfer. This mechanism is based on maintaining an active network connection by periodically sending a signal or "keep-alive" message.

It can take one of three values.

• Inherit: by choosing this option, you allow this line to inherit this parameter from the Defaults.
• Enabled: by selecting this option, you will allow this line to use the UDP-based Keep Alive mechanism, regardless of the parameters set in the Defaults.
• Disabled: by selecting this option, you will forbid this line to use the UDP-based Keep Alive mechanism, regardless of the parameters set in the Defaults.

• Keep Alive Interval: this parameter defines the time interval for the chosen line to send a "keep-alive" message. If you leave this field blank, the line will inherit the Keep Alive Interval set in the Defaults.
• Dialplan: in this section, you have the option to define a Digitmap pattern as part of your Dialplan rules. Any digits entered on the phone will be compared to the specified Digitmap pattern, and if they match, the call will be automatically initiated without the need to press the Send key. If you leave this field blank, the configured line will inherit the Digitmap pattern set in the Defaults.

A dialplan is a set of rules and configurations employed within telecommunication systems to establish the routing and handling of calls in a network. It outlines the formats and sequences of digits or characters that users must input to initiate calls, along with the corresponding actions or destinations linked to these dialing patterns.

A digitmap, also known as a digit map, is used to match digits to ensure a complete number is dialed, transform dialed digits, and block numbers from being dialed. 

• DNS SRV auto prefix:  within this field, you can enable or disable the automatic inclusion of DNS SRV prefixes when searching for a DNS Service record, which are added in front of the realm. It can take one of three values.

• Inherit: by choosing this option, you allow this line to inherit the DNS SRV auto prefix from the Defaults.
• Enabled: by choosing this option, you will enable the configured line to have the default DNS SRV auto prefixes (sip, udp) irrespective of the parameters configured in the Defaults.
• Disabled: by choosing this option, you will forbid the configured line to have the default DNS SRV auto prefixes irrespective of the parameters configured in the Defaults.

• Preferred DTMF Method: within this section, you have the option to designate DTMF methods based on their priority.

DTMF is an acronym for Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency, a type of signaling that is used for the transmission of digits or signals over telephone lines.

This section contains three fields, each associated with a priority level ranging from 1 to 3. When you select each field, a dropdown menu will appear, presenting the available DTMF methods for you to choose from and assign to the respective priority level.

If you leave this field blank, the configured line will inherit the DTMF methods set in the Defaults.

• Network: in this section, you can set some Network parameters in addition to those available in the Network configuration tab article.

There are 3 parameters that need to be configured here:

• Mode: here, you can select one of four available modes of working with DNS resource records. When you click on this field, a dropdown menu will appear, presenting the available Modes for you to choose.

By selecting the "Inherit" option, you allow the configured line to inherit the Mode from the Defaults.

An A Record (also known as an Address record or host record) links a domain to an IP address. An A Record maps a domain to the physical IP address of the computer hosting that domain. Internet traffic uses the A Record to find the computer hosting your domain's DNS settings. The value of an A Record is always an IP address, and multiple A Records can be configured for one domain name.

A Service record (SRV record) is a specification of data in the Domain Name System (DNS) defining the location. These records are used to help clients discover the hostname and port number where specific services, such as SIP servers or LDAP servers, can be found on a network, improving the efficiency of service location and connection.

A Name Authority Pointer (NAPTR) is a type of resource record in the DNS of the Internet. NAPTR records are used to facilitate complex URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) resolution by allowing mappings between different types of URIs or resources, often used in the context of SIP to determine the appropriate server or service for routing communications.

• Primary Server: here, you can input the primary DNS server that will be used if you select the "Static" IP Address Mode in the IP Configuration section of the parameters on the Network configuration tab article.
• Backup Server: here, you can input the secondary DNS server that will be used if you select the "Static" IP Address Mode in the IP Configuration section of the parameters on the Network Configuration tab.

Both of these server fields replicate the ones provided in the Network Configuration tab. It is unnecessary to configure them in both locations.

Make sure to press the "Save" button to apply all the changes you have made to the parameters.