User`s guide

System Administrator’s Guide – Release 7.2.3.x
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Revised: September 1, 2010
Page 19
6 Internal Dial Plan and Extension Length
The server admin interface permits administrators to change the number of digits (i.e. length) and numeric
ranges of internal extensions.
The extension length setting configures extensions to be either three (3) digits or four (4) digits long. This
capability influences other server features and has some limitations that are discussed below.
The Internal Dial Plan specifies the first digit for user extensions and other PBX functions such as forwarding
calls and accessing outside lines. The dial plan can be configured to meet the needs of the customer by:
- Matching extensions to DID numbers
- Keeping extensions the same as they were prior to the introduction of the Allworx system
- Changing the PBX outside line access to a digit other than “9” to avoid accidental 911 calls
Both extension length and the internal dial plan affect many of the system’s features. For this reason, it is
recommended that these decisions be made and the options be configured early in the installation process.
6.1 3-Digit vs. 4-Digit Extensions
6.1.1 Setting Extension Length
New Allworx servers are factory-configured for 3-digit extensions. If 3-digit extensions are to be used, no
configuration change is required. If 4-digit extensions are to be used, it is recommended that the extension
length be changed to four digits before any Users, Handsets, or Extensions are defined. Change the
extension length using the following procedure:
1. Log into the server admin interface
2. Go to Phone System / Dial Plan
3. Under Internal Dialing Rules, choose the Modify
link for User and System Extensions are 3 digits in
length
4. Change the User and System Extensions to 4 digits in length
5. Click the Update
link
6. If any handsets have already been configured, reboot them
6.1.2 Extension Length Changes on Existing Systems
When an existing server with 3-digit extensions is switched to 4-digit extensions, the user and system
extensions will automatically change to four digits. The server will add a one (1) to the start of each
extension. For example, if a user had the extension x104, the extension will automatically be changed to
x1104. A system extension of x231 will be adjusted to x1231.
Switching back from 4-digit extensions to 3-digit extensions is not recommended. If the switch is made, all
extensions will be shortened to three digits by removing the first digit (e.g. an extension of x1205 will become
x205). However, this can lead to conflicts (e.g. x1100 and x2100 would shorten to the same 3-digit
extension). For this reason, switching from 4-digit extensions to 3-digit extensions will be prevented if there
are any extensions outside the range of x1100-x1299. For sites using a non-default internal dial plan, all
extensions must be in the range of x100 – x299. For example, if the site’s extensions are 4xxx – 5xxx, all
extensions must be in the range of 4100-4299, in order to switch to 3-digit extensions. If there are extensions