Dual Homing

Dual Homing enables Mitel 6700 SIP / 6800 SIP phones to be operated redundantly on two communication servers. In normal operation, the phones are registered on the primary communication server. If this fails, then the phones are automatically registered on the backup communication server.

Basic mode of operation

Dual Homing offers security for Mitel 6700 SIP / 6800 SIP phones in the event of a hardware failure, IP network failure or maintenance work on the primary communication server.

As soon as a backup terminal looses its connection to a primary communication server it automatically registers with the backup communication server and can then be reached under the same call number straight away. Neither the phone nor the communication server has to be restarted. In this backup mode, which is shown in the terminal, basic functions such as ring, talk, enquiry, hold, conference etc. are guaranteed whereas other features (e g. configured function keys) are not available.

As soon as the connection can be restored to the primary communication server, the backup terminal automatically registers back with the primary communication server. Calls in progress can of course be completed beforehand with no interruptions.

Further features:

  • For the maximum number of backup servers, please refer to the system manual.

  • The primary communication server can also be used as a backup communication server for other primary communication servers.

  • The transport protocol TLS is not supported for backup terminals.

  • Dual Homing cannot be used for Free Seating terminals.

  • Dual Homing is also supported for SIP networking and in an Mitel Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN). In an AIN, we recommend using a separate backup communication server that is not part of the AIN.

  • The data for registering the backup terminals on the backup communication server are saved in the corresponding configuration file for every terminal and stored on the primary communication server in the tftp folder. No configuration files for the backup terminals are saved on the backup configuration server.

  • The backup communication server must have a Dual Homing licence for every backup terminal.

Backup communication server

You can define up to 10 backup communication servers for your own Mitel 6700 SIP / 6800 SIP phones here.

Table 1. Settings

Parameter

Description

Name

Name of the backup communication server

IP address/host name

Lets you enter the IP address or the host name of the backup communication server.

Port

Port on the backup communication server (default setting: 5060)

Synchronisation - Status

The status of the data synchronisation between the primary communication server and backup communication server is seen here.
Table 2. Actions

Button

Description

Set for all MitelSIP phones

Using this button, all Mitel SIP phones registered on the primary communication server can be assigned to the backup communication server.

Synchronize data

Using this button, a manual data synchronisation can be triggered.

Data synchronisation can be used to copy certain user and terminal data from the Mitel 6700 SIP / 6800 SIP phones to the backup communication server and define corresponding instances for backup users and backup terminals there. Standard values apply for all parameters not listed below.

The following user data will be copied:

  • Call number

  • Name

  • PIN/password

The following terminal data will be copied:

  • Type

  • SIP port

  • Terminal port

  • SIP user name

  • SIP password

  • Transport protocol

  • Language

Primary communication server

This setting is only relevant if the communication server is used as a backup communication server for Mitel 6700 SIP / 6800 SIP phones by other primary communication servers. You can define up to 10 primary communication servers on a backup communication server.

Table 3. Settings

Parameter

Description

Name

Name of the primary communication server

IP address/host name

Lets you enter the IP address or the host name of the primary communication server.

Configuration steps for Dual Homing

Proceed as follows to set up the Dual Homing for a backup terminal:

  1. Establish a connection to the backup communication server with WebAdmin.

  2. Under Dual Homing - Primary communication servers click New.

  3. Enter the IP address/domain name of the primary communication server and assign this a name.

  4. Click the Apply button.

  5. Establish a connection to the primary communication server with WebAdmin.

  6. Under Dual Homing - Backup communication servers click New.

  7. Enter the IP address/domain name of the backup communication server and assign this a name.

  8. Click Configure for all Mitel SIP phones.

  9. Click the Synchronize data button.

Note:
  • The users' call numbers to be synchronised should not yet be opened in the internal numbering plan of the backup communication server. Otherwise the synchronisation fails.
  • If you do not use the same backup communication server for all Mitel 6700 SIP / 6800 SIP phones you will have to assign the desired back communication servers individually in the terminal settings after defining the other backup communication servers.

This concludes the configuration. The terminal is now visible on the backup communication server under Backup terminals.

Debug Dual Homing configuration

Test the Dual Homing function by temporarily interrupting the LAN connection, e.g. at the primary communication server. The backup terminal should register with the backup communication terminal after a short time, though at the latest when an attempt is made to establish a connection. This is shown accordingly on the backup terminal and the status of the backup terminal on the backup communication server changes to Registered.

Parent topic: TDM-DECT
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