Hotline Functionality Using Cisco CUCM

[narshad36]

Hi 

I am working on a scenario, where I have requirement to configure Hotline Phones in a Point to Multipoint Configuration. One Hotline Phone in a central location and three remote hotline phones in three different locations having different extension numbers.

Is it possible to achieve this using PLAR feature in Cisco CUCM? Or only Point to Point Hotline Configuration is possible using PLAR.

Regards,

NA

[Maren Mahoney]

A simple search for CUCM PLAR will show you the guides. The ones I'm linking to here are for CUCM 15, but the instructions have not changed in a long while.

Feature Configuration Guide for CUCM, Release 15 and SUs - Chapter: Private Line Automatic Ringdown 

Feature Configuration Guide for CUCM, Release 15 and SUs - Chapter: Hotline 

The difference between the two is that a PLAR requires a button be pushed where a Hotline is activated when the receiver goes off hook.

And to your question about the 'best' Cisco solution... These are the two that exist and it will depend on your needs as to which one is better.

I hope this is helpful.

Maren

[konzolice-m-richardson-ctr]

Hi Maren,

Thank you for the excellent reply.  One major concern is the current "Crash Phone" solution that is being use interfaced/integrated with CMS.  Is this a "best" Cisco solution or option?  Which do you recommend for a Hotline Service supporting and Air Field?

Thanks again,

KMR

[Nithin Eluvathingal]

I assume you are using the Hotline phone to conduct a conference hosted through the CMS.
I don't see a reason to reconsider something.

[konzolice-m-richardson-ctr]

Nithin,

Thank you for your response.

To clarify - no, Sir - this pertains specifically to an emergency "crash phone" hotline requirement for an active airfield environment. At some point in the past, CMS was configured as the solution, but I am now evaluating alternatives to identify the most effective and compliant option.

My goal is to present the best available solution to leadership in a formal government document. If you have any relevant resources, documentation, or links that could assist in this review, I would greatly appreciate it.

Regards,

KMR

[Maren Mahoney]

What is 'best' will depend on the exact behavior you are looking for. Please  tell us more about the requirements for your Crash Phone...

Is the source physical device a dedicated one (in which I'd say Hotline) or will the device also host other lines (in which case PLAR)? Is the source physical device a VoIP phone or an analog one? Will there be more than one source device?

Where/what is the target of the call? Will it be another phone? A set of phones? An announcement system of some kind like a PA?

When 'answered' by the target of the call, is the call to remain point-to-point or will you need the call to automatically become a conference call? If a conference call, what is your conferencing system? If this is the case, as @Nithin Eluvathingal noted, you may already have the optimal solution.

These questions will help us advise your situation.

Maren

[konzolice-m-richardson-ctr]

Good morning.

I don't have any hardware equipment specifications available at this time.  Currently, this is my scenario requirements:

Background: A crash phone is a dedicated telephone line in the Air Traffic Control Tower used to alert the airport rescue and firefighting (ARFF) personnel.  Per FAA Advisory Circular 139, FAA certified airports must have procedures and equipment that alert ARFF, and a dedicated telephone line is an accepted method.

Crash Phone Requirements: Implemented via the Local session Controller as an automated ring down phone. 

• The system shall use automatic ring‐down technology (i.e. no dialing  is required)  
• The station equipment shall be red in color. 
• Transmission shall be via the installation voice network. 
• The crash phone shall have the highest class of service. 
• The system shall instantly bridge 2 to 30 stations together. 
• The system shall be present in the following locations:
  1. The FAA Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)
  2. All ARFF stations at the Installation 
  3. Airport Operations Center
  4. Installation Dispatch Center
  5. Installation ready rooms
• The stations shall have a unique ring.

Due to the fact that I am not as versed in Cisco as I am in Avaya - my goal is to get a Cisco SME advise for the best solution.

Greatly appreciated.

KMR