Using an ESI desktop IP phone remotely

Introduction

When used remotely (i.e., connecting to the ESI system over a WAN or the Internet rather than on a LAN), an ESI desktop IP phone will operate like a regular ESI desktop phone, with these important exceptions:

Mode display — The bottom section of the phone’s display will show RMT (short for remote) to indicate the phone’s current mode.
No 911/emergency calls — Because your phone isn’t connected directly to your local telephone network, you must use a regular phone connected locally, not the ESI desktop IP phone, to make 9 1 1 or other emergency calls. (For more information, see ESI document # 0450-0262, included with your ESI IP phone.)

Troubleshooting

Important:

The audio quality of an ESI IP phone is dependent on the quality of the connection between the phone and the IP PBX at the main office. High data traffic on a poor or overloaded connection will cause significant audio distortion, which may include pops and clicks, or warbling. In this case, contact your ESI Reseller or network administrator for assistance. The quality of your main office’s outside phone lines also can affect the phone’s audio quality. Due to the interface between advanced, packet-based phone systems and the traditional public telephone network, a poor-quality phone line can degrade audio quality, causing an echo on outside calls. An occasional echo isn’t unusual and doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem with your system or lines; however, if this problem occurs persistently, contact your ESI Reseller for assistance.

Condition	Procedure(s)
Phone display is blank	Check other phone functions. If you get dial tone when you lift the receiver and the display is blank, the phone is defective. Make sure the Ethernet cable is plugged into the phone’s NETWORK jack (and *not* the PC port). If no phone functions operate, check the phone power supply. It should be plugged into the phone and into an active AC outlet. If the display is still blank, the phone is defective. Contact your ESI Reseller if the phone is defective.
Phone display shows software version	The phone is faulty. Contact your ESI Reseller.
Phone connects but doesn’t operate correctly	The phone may be defective. Contact your ESI Reseller.
Phone won’t connect	Important: See the instructions on connecting your phone. Check the cable between the phone and network access device (router, hub or switch). This cable should be plugged into the NETWORK port on the bottom of the phone. Check that the link light for the port on the router is illuminated. If this light is not lit, check the power supply connection for the router. Check the cable between the network access device and the modem. The WAN port on a router should be plugged directly into the modem. If using a hub or switch, connect its UPLINK port to the modem. Check your IP connection by using your PC to access a site on the Internet (after accessing a Web page, press Ctrl R [for Refresh] to verify that your Web browser is displaying fresh data). Call the main office with a regular phone. Make sure the problem is not with the network or IP connection at the main office.
Phone works correctly but the audio quality is poor	The problem is probably with the connection between the phone and the IP PBX at the main office. Ask your Network Administrator or ESI Reseller to evaluate your connection to the main office using the appropriate ESI software.