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Busy Lamp Field (BLF)

Updated: 4/19/2024 3:33 AM

Busy Lamp Field (BLF) lets you monitor the status of selected extensions on your phone's display. Status indicators show Available, Active Call, and so on. Only Super Users and Administrators can manage BLF.

  • Included with Vonage service for Unlimited and Metered Extensions. Does not support Virtual Extensions, Mobile App, Desktop App, and softphones.
  • Available for extensions used in Call Groups, Call Queues, Paging Groups, and the Virtual Receptionist.

    The direct extension of a feature (such as a Call Group) cannot be used.
  • Does not affect the behavior of On Demand Call Recording, Company Call Recording, and Call Monitoring.

IMPORTANT: Set up and manage BLF in the Admin Portal to avoid the display of incorrect information.

Supported Phone Models / Expansion Modules

Supported phone models and expansion modules include the following. To increase the number of extensions you can monitor, see Expansion Modules (Sidecars).

Phone ModelsPolycom VVX 250
Polycom VVX 350
Polycom VVX 450
Expansion ModulesPolycom VVX Expansion Module
Polycom VVX Colour Expansion Module 
Set Up Busy Lamp Field

To set up BLF:

  1. Sign in to the Admin Portal.
  2. Click Phone System, then click Line Appearance.
  3. Click Add Line Appearance, then select options:
     
    ExtensionSelect the extension that will monitor BLF.
    Line Appearance OptionsChoose Busy Lamp Field, which monitors status only. 

    NOTE: Shared Line Appearance (SLA) lets you monitor status as well as answer or place calls from the specified extensions. If SLA is enabled, you must remove it before you add BLF. 
    Select DeviceSelect a phone assigned to the extension to use for BLF.
    Display Line Appearance
    Base Unit Only, or Base Unit and Expansion ModuleDisplay selected extensions on your phone until all slots are used; overage is displayed on the expansion module.
    Expansion Module OnlyDisplay extensions on your expansion module only.
    Monitor ExtensionsSelect the extensions you want to monitor. Once selected, click and drag each in the order you want them to display.
  4. Click Save.
  5. Unplug the power cord from your phone and wait 10 seconds before plugging it back in. Your phone and/or expansion module now displays the extensions you chose to monitor.

    NOTE: You can monitor up to 100 extensions, however, the number of extensions your phone can monitor varies.
Manage Busy Lamp Field

Use these steps to modify an existing BLF or remove it from use completely.

  1. Sign in to the Admin Portal.
  2. Click Phone System, then click Line Appearance.
  3. Hover over the extension you want to manage, then select your option:
     
    EditClick the Pencil icon to adjust options.
    Remove
    1. Click the Trash icon.
    2. Unplug the power cord from your phone and wait 10 seconds before you plug it back in.
Busy Lamp Field Indicators

Line appearance indicators light up on your phone based on the manufacturer.

Polycom VXXSolid GreenActive call in progress
Flashing GreenCall on hold
Fast Flashing GreenIncoming Call
Solid RedAn outgoing call in progress or an active call
Troubleshoot Issues
Extensions Do Not Display CorrectlyConfirm your phone is auto-provisioned based on the manufacturer's instructions. See Polycom VVX for more details.

NOTE: Best practice is to set up and manage BLF in the Admin Portal instead of on the phone itself.
Status / Presence Does Not Display CorrectlyDisable SIP ALG on your router.

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