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« on: February 12, 2022, 12:28:34 AM »
I've just gotten a job as a IT admin for a church. I am trying to do the best that I can just trying to find things out for myself. Doing as much research as I can, thanks to this forum. So here is my current situation.
About a month ago, had a massive snow storm that knocked out all power to our building. When the power came back I went around to check everything.
I believe I counted a total of 12+ dead phones. When I say dead, no life at all. Some even have electrical whining when plugged into a known good POE Mitel adapter or POE switch.
All of the dead phones are all Inter-tel branded 8622 models. We appear to have a mixture of 8622s branded as Mitel and Intertel, a handful of 8662s and a handful of 5320s and 5340s that are currently working.
So here is my dilemma, being a church our budgeting for tech is fairly small. I am unable to find any sizable amount of the 86xx phones. When I do come across them they are crazy expensive. 100-200+$ per phone. But I can find the 53xx series very easily, about 20-50$ depending on the exact model. I can afford the 53xx series, but not the 86xx series. I would rather not spend the money on the 86xx as I will be trying to get a newer phone system installed fairly soon. But I need something for them to use until I can budget the money for a VoIP overhaul.
Here is what I have figured out so far.
We have a Inter-Tel branded piece of rack equipment that I would obviously have to guess is the controller for all the phones.
I have the ability to log into the unit to change misc settings, add extensions, check active phones, licenses, etc.
The system reports it as a "5000 CP". I have no idea what version of software or firmware it is running. (If the information is needed I can find and post it.)
I was able to figure out that each phone requires a license. Here is our current break down of licenses.
Cat A: 49
Cat B: 0
Cat C: 2
Cat D: 12
Cat E: 48
Cat F: 1
From the information I have gathered each license is specific to a model of phone. I would have to guess that our 86xx are the Cat A or E, and the 53xx are the Cat D.
I can find new licenses for the Cat D but they are almost as expensive as the 86xx phones. 130$ a piece and I would need at least 15 of them.
Through looking at a few random forum posts, I get the impression that the 53xx phones can use any license? Or that there is a way to convert the licenses to be compatible.
So now to my questions.
1. What do each of the Categories mean? What phones fall into what category?
2. Is it actually possible to convert a preexisting license to a different category? EX E-D or A-D
3. What are some good retailers where I can find bulk of the 86xx phones? Or even the 53xx if I can get the license situation figured out. Or even licenses themselves if they are cheap enough.
4. Was there some kind of defect with the 86xx series where they die when powered back on?
5. If my controller can be updated, how would I do that?
Thanks
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