Configuring the DECT wireless handset with Switchvox 7.3 or later

Owned by Nathaniel Halbrooks
Last updated: Dec 18, 2024 by Kelli Higdon
10 min read

 

This article provides instructions for setting up a Sangoma Wireless DECT Phone base station and handsets, for use with Switchvox. 

Switchvox version 7.3 or later is required.

A wireless handset attaches as a Switchvox SIP phone extension, and therefore requires a Switchvox subscription. Base stations do not require a subscription. You will need access to the DECT base station, wireless handset, Sangoma portal, and Switchvox admin. The DECT base station requires an Internet connection to the Sangoma portal. The following information is required to complete this task.

  • Base station MAC address - (Found on the bottom of the device.)

  • Base station IP address - (The base station uses DHCP, to obtain its IP address. Use a network discovery method, such as ARP, to locate the IP address associated with the base station’s MAC address.)

  • Wireless handset IPEI number - (Located either in the handset battery compartment, or in the handset's menu, under Settings > Status.)

  • Switchvox extension number - (In Switchvox, Setup > Extensions > Manage > Create Extension > SIP Phone extension type.)

  • Switchvox’s IP address or FQDN/hostname - (Used in the Sangoma Portal to identify Switchvox.)

  • Sangoma Configuration Access, username and password - (Generated during the Configuration Access step below.)

  • Base station, 4-digit Handset Access Code - (Used to register a handset. Generated during the Base Station Configuration step below.)

  • Sangoma Portal login - (Internet access and login for https://portal.sangoma.com.)

 

Understanding the Switchvox, Sangoma Portal and Base Station Relationship

Switchvox is the phone system, where the logical extension number resides. When a base station powers on, it automatically contacts the Sangoma Portal and presents its MAC address. It expects to receive details for locating and connecting to Switchvox. The Sangoma Portal is a repository of a base station’s MAC address and the associated connection data for Switchvox. The base station uses this data to directly reach out and connect with Switchvox. Upon connecting, Switchvox then tells the base station the number of wireless handsets configured and their assigned extension number.
 

Let's start with configuring Switchvox

In your Switchvox admin

  • Create a SIP Phone extension for each wireless handset.

    • The DECT wireless handset may only be registered as a Main Phone extension. Select, Setup > Extensions > Manage > Create Extension > SIP Phone extension type. NOTE: You may optionally add other Digium branded phones as additional phones, to this Main Phone extension.

  • Configure Sangoma Wireless Phones. Select Setup > Phones > Sangoma Wireless Phones. NOTE: This step allows the base station to request configuration data, for the wireless handset and extension number. After handset registration, deleting or changing the following steps does not affect the handset.

    • Click Configuration Access
      Enter the same username and password that you enter in the Sangoma Portal Phone Provisioning section (later in this process). These should be alphanumeric, and 12 characters or less. These are used for your base station and Switchvox to exchange configuration information. The requirements for this username and password are dictated by the Portal, so you may need to complete the process in the Portal, then ensure they match here in Switchvox.

  • Click Create Base Station.

    1. Enter a Base Station Label. NOTE: This helps you remember the device’s function or location. 

    2. Enter the base station's MAC Address. NOTE: Found on the bottom of the device.

    3. Create a 4-digit Handset Access Code. NOTE: Allows the handset to register and retrieve its configuration. If changed from default 0000, then you must manually update the Access Code field, within the base station management GUI, before registering the wireless handset. Careful, the Access Code is displayed in two places in the base station. You must update the “AC: field, in base station >  Extensions > Handset > IPEI number.

    4. Phone Networks: Select the appropriate network that your base station resides on. If your base station is remote to Switchvox, then select All Networks.

    5. Repeat the prior four steps, to add additional DECT base stations. NOTE: All base stations will connect to Switchvox with the same username and password, as defined above under Configuration Access.

  • Click the Manage Handsets action (blue gear icon), in the base stations list.

    1. Click Create Handset.

    2. Enter the handset's IPEI number. NOTE: Found either inside the handset’s battery compartment or in the handset's menu, under Settings > Status.

    3. Enter the Switchvox SIP Extension number, for the handset. NOTE: This should be a local (not PEER'd) Switchvox SIP Phone extension. It must be a Main Phone extension. It cannot be an Additional Phone extension. If in the future, should you need to modify a handset’s extension number here; such that you need to assign a handset's extension number to a different phone, delete it here first. After any changes, restart the base station.

    4. Repeat the prior three steps, to add additional wireless handsets.

 
Next, let's configure the Sangoma Portal

In the Sangoma Portal 

Sangoma Portal’s role: After powering up, a base station automatically contacts the Sangoma Portal and presents its MAC address. The Sangoma Portal replies with a contact address and authentication credentials, for Switchvox. The base station uses this information to directly contact Switchvox, and request data on wireless handset extensions. The base station downloads this data to a local configuration file.

  • Add the base station to the Sangoma portal. NOTE: This information allows the base station to register with Switchvox.

    1. Log into the https://portal.sangoma.com.

    2. To add a "new" base station.

      1. Select My Products > Sangoma Phones > Phone Import Wizard > Want to claim a product? Click here! button. Enter the base station's MAC address into the Product Serial Number field and click Add A Claim. NOTE: Exclude colons, when entering the MAC address.

      2. Next, click the Edit icon to the left of the base station, to identify Switchvox as the source for configuration. (Alternatively, you may need to check the Update checkbox by the base station, and click Redirection Settings.)

      3. Now go to the "Enter the following details" step 4 below.

    3. To locate a "previously claimed" base station. 

      1. Select My Products > Sangoma Phones > Change Redirection Settings. Search using the base station’s MAC address. Exclude colons, when entering the MAC address. Then either:

        • For the base station, check the Update checkbox > Redirection Settings > Zero Touch Configuration > Enable Redirection checkbox.

        • For the base station, click View > Zero Touch Configuration > Enable Redirection checkbox.

    4. Enter the following details: (also shown in following image)

      • Redirection Type:   IP/FQDN

      • IP Address/FQDN Protocol:   https://

        • NOTE: This is a common misconfigured step. Ensure the protocol is https:// not http://.

      • IP Address/FQDN for PBX:   <Switchvox IP or hostname>  

        • Depending if the base station is local or remote, to Switchvox, this is either Switchvox's local IP address or its public facing hostname/IP. For example if remote, enter either: pbx.digiumcloud.net or 8.23.87.245

      • Phone Provisioning username and password: 

        • These are the same credentials previously established in the Configuration Access step, configured within Switchvox, in the first section above. 

        • NOTE: This is a common misconfigured step. If unsure go to Switchvox > Setup > Phones > Sangoma Wireless Phones > Configuration Access, and re-enter the credentials.

      • Phone Provisioning Port:   443

        • NOTE: This is a common misconfigured step. Ensure the port number is 443, not 1443.

      • Example follows (values, such as IP, password, and full address, are just examples, yours will be different):

dectphone1.jfif

 

Now, let's check if the base station

The base station contacts the Sangoma Portal to learn how to contact Switchvox. It then contacts Switchvox to obtain information on configured wireless handsets. The base station saves the Sangoma Portal and Switchvox data to a local configuration file. Upon startup, the base station always checks for configuration changes. You may factory reset a base station any time without worries, as upon start up it will always re-obtain configuration data. However, we need to (1) confirm the base station is running the correct firmware version, (2) possibly update the 4-digit Handset Access Code, established in the Switchvox configuration step above, and (3) perform one final restart to pull configuration data.

  1. Log into the base station. 

    • From a browser, enter the base station’s IP address. For example, http://192.168.42.165. When prompted for login credentials, for both the username and password, enter: admin  (default base station credentials). If you need to reset the password, just factory reset the base station as described below.

  2. Check the Handset Access Code.

    • Ensure the 4-digit Handset Access Code, configured in the Switchvox configuration above, is correct. On the Extensions page, select Handset > IPEI number. The AC field indicates the Handset Access Code. Update if necessary. The default entry is: 0000

    • NOTE: This is a common misconfigured step, that results in failed handset registration. The Access Code defined within Switchvox and base station must be identical. 

  3. Ensure the base station is running firmware version 450 or later. If you need to update the firmware, perform the following steps:

    1. The Home/Status page, shows the current firmware version.

    2. If necessary, select Firmware Update and enter the following information:

      1. Firmware update server address:   http://dphone.dl.digium.com

      2. Firmware path:  /firmware/wireless

      3. Terminal file path:   Leave this field blank

      4. Type, for Update Base Stations:

        • Required version:  450

        • Required branch:   06

      5. Click Save/Start Update. This process may take 10 minutes to complete. NOTE: Allow for the process to fully finish before proceeding.

  4. Restart the base station.

    1. If the base station is already powered on, such that the green activity light has displayed solid for 60 seconds, restart the base station. NOTE: After powering up, the base station contacts the Sangoma Portal and presents its MAC address. The Sangoma Portal replies with a contact address and login credentials for Switchvox. The base station then contacts Switchvox to request data on wireless handsets. The base station downloads this data to a local configuration file. A restart typically completes within one minute.

Time for a sanity check

If you've completed the prior steps correctly, then the base station will list the extension and handset. At this point, you can register the extension from within the base station and it will appear as Registered in Switchvox.

  1. Log into the base station and select Extensions, from the side menu.

  2. Check the box as shown below, to select the listed extension.

  3. Press the Start SIP Registration(s) link.

    • dectphone2.png

       

  4. Log into Switchvox, select Server > Diagnostics > Connection Status > SIP Phones tab. Confirm extension Status. After only a few seconds, Switchvox should show the extension as Registered. 

    •  

If the extension shows as Registered, then you've passed the sanity check. Congratulations, you did a great job configuring Switchvox and Sangoma Portal. NOTE: If you do not see the extension and handset listed in the base station, review all prior steps. Also, check to confirm Switchvox is not blocking the base station's IP address, under Server > Networking > Blocked IPs.

 
Finally, let's activate the wireless handset

If the extension listed in the base station shows as registered in Switchvox, then our last task is to register the handset.

  1. Register the handset.

    • From the phone menu, select the Connectivity icon > Register > enter the 4-digit Handset Access Code > OK. NOTE: The handset configures to the extension associated with the handset's IPEI number, configured in the Switchvox configuration above. If your handset is running older firmware (pre-450), once configured it will update. This update takes about 10 minutes. When the update completes, the handset will restart.

  2. Repeat for additional handsets.

  3. If you encounter an issue, remove the battery for 60 seconds, and then try registering again.

 
*** CONGRATULATIONS. AT THIS POINT YOUR BASE STATION SHOULD SHOW AS A REGISTERED EXTENSION IN SWITCHVOX. ALSO THE WIRELESS HANDSET SHOULD BE REGISTERED TO THE BASE STATION. ****
 
Your wireless handset has many of the same features that are available on a Digium IP Phone; such as, Contacts, Central Directory, Message Waiting Indicator, Voicemail access, Call Log, Hold, Transfer, etc. But there are some features, on a Digium IP Phone, that aren't available on the wireless handset; such as, Switchvox Status (presence) and Parked Calls list. For more details about the handset, such as talk-time, standby time and range, see the data sheet. 
  

Recommended Base Station Security step

  • Change the admin login password, for the base station.

    • From a browser, enter the base station’s IP address. For example: http://192.168.42.165

    • When prompted for login credentials, for both the username and password, enter: admin  (default base station credentials)

    • Select the Security, to change the password. 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you are moving your base station to a different network, you may need to factory reset the device to clear the IP address. NOTE: Factory resetting the base station, while its MAC address is still active in the Sangoma portal, allows it to reload the wireless handset extensions listed in Switchvox. During the base station factory reset, the handset enters a deregistered state. After the base station fully restarts, you may be required to re-register the handset, as detailed above.

  • Factory reset using the reset button.

    • On the back, press and hold the reset button. The light immediately turns from green to orange. After 10 seconds, the light turns red. Release the reset button when the light turns red. This factory resets the device. NOTE: You must wait until the light turns red. After a base station factory resets, all wireless handsets are in a deregistered state.

  • Factory reset via the base station GUI. 

    • Login into the base station Web GUI. Select Management > Default Base Station > OK. The base station LED will flash orange for a few moments while it attempts to retrieve a new configuration. NOTE: Any handsets that are registered to the base station become deregistered, and will need to be registered again.

  • Restarting the base station. 

    • On the back, press and hold the reset button. Releasing the reset button when the light turns orange restart the device. 

  • The wireless handset.

    • Resetting the wireless handset.

      1. Open the main menu by pressing the select button.

      2. Navigate to Settings > Reset settings, and press the select button.

      3. Enter the handset Access Code you configured, and press the select button.

      4. The handset will register with the base station, if it was previously registered.

    • To locate the Handset Access Code

      • From the Switchvox admin select, Setup > Phones > Sangoma Wireless Phones. Locate the specific base station MAC address and the Handset Access Code appears to the right.

 

 

 

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