Configuring Cisco / Linksys SPA phones to support more than three callers in a conference

The Cisco / Linksys SPA phone models support 3-way calling, which allows up to three callers in a conference. In some cases, you may require more than three callers. In this scenario, administrators can configure conferences. To further simplify the workflow, you can adjust the conference button of Cisco / Linksys phones to utilize a pre-configured conference line. This allows the operator of the Cisco / Linksys phone to move callers into the conference, without requiring the caller to hang up and call back into the conference extension.

Configuring dedicated conference extensions

Each person who may need to incorporate this type of conferencing should be assigned their own static conference extension. For example, Alice may have extension 220, and Bob has extension 221. Their dedicated conference extensions may be 3220 (for Alice) and 3221 (for Bob).

Adjusting the phone's conference button

Access the phone's web administration by entering its IP address into a browser (from a computer on the same network). You can obtain the phone's IP address through the soft menu of the device, or from the 'Extensions' dialog in the Kerio Operator administration. After entering the phone's administration, follow these steps:

1. Click the Admin login link in the top right corner (If the phone is automatically provisioned, you may be prompted to login).
2. If you are required to login, the user is 'admin' and the password is the master password assigned in the Configuration > Provisioned Phones dialog (Additional information is available in Configuring automatic phone provisioning).
3. Click the advanced link.
4. Go to the Ext 1 tab.
5. Locate the Conference Bridge URLThe Uniform Resource Locator is the address of a web page on the world wide web. input field.

The value of the Conference Bridge URL is the extension of the conference at (@) the host / IP of Kerio Operator. For example, Alice's dedicated conference is 3220, so her conference bridge URL would be 3220@example.com (where example.com is the hostname of your Kerio Operator). After inputting the value, click Submit All Changes at the bottom of the page and allow the phone to reboot.

Operating conferences from the phone

By specifying a conference bridge URL, the action of the conference soft key will change, however the functional behavior remains the same. To place callers into the conference, follow these steps:

1. Press the conf soft key while on an active call (this will place the caller on hold)
2. Make a new outgoing call
3. Once connected to the new party, press the 'confLx' soft key. This will move all parties to the conference.
4. Repeat steps 1 - 3 for each additional caller.