Features of Your Cisco Unified IP Conference Phone

Features Overview

The Cisco Unified IP Conference Phones 8831 and 8831NR are full-featured single line conference stations that provides voice communication over an IP network. It functions much like a digital business phone, allowing you to place and receive calls and to access features such as mute, hold, transfer, and call forward. In addition, because conference stations connect to your data network, they offer enhanced IP telephony features, including access to network information, network services, and customizable features and services.

The conference station provides a backlit LCD screen and a variety of other sophisticated functions. Optional microphone extension kits provide enhanced room coverage that can be further expanded by linking two units together.

The Cisco Unified IP Conference Phone 8831 supports wired and wireless microphones. The Cisco Unified IP Conference Phone 8831NR supports only wired microphones.

In addition to basic call-handling features, your conference station can provide enhanced productivity features that extend your call-handling capabilities. Depending on configuration, the conference station supports:

  • Access to network data, XML applications, and web-based services.

  • Online customizing of conference station features and services from Cisco Unified Communications Self Care Portal.

New and Changed Information

You can use the information in the following sections to understand what has changed in the document. Each section contains the major changes.

Buttons and Hardware

The Conference Phone has two primary components:

  • Display Control Unit (DCU)

  • Sound Base

In addition, the following optional extension kits can be added to or used with the conference phone:

  • Wired Microphone Extension Kit

  • Wireless Microphone Extension Kit and Charger

For your conference phone to work, it must be connected to the corporate IP telephony network.

LED State Definitions

LEDs on the Sound Base and DCU provide information about the state of the conference phone.

For example, green flashing lights on the Sound Base and on the DCU Call button indicate that there is an incoming call. If the conference phone is on mute, then an incoming call will still flash green on the Call button, but the LED for the DCU mute button is solid red, the sound base LEDs are solid red, and the mute button on the Sound Base is also solid red.

The following table is a guide to the behaviour of the LEDs on the sound base and the DCU.

Table 1. Conference Phone LED State Table

Media Path Status

Call on Focus

Sound Base

Display Control Unit (DCU)

Base LEDs (3)

Mute Button

DCU Call Button

DCU Mute Button

Off

No call

Off

No call, with VM

red

solid

Off

DND flash

green

flash

green

flash

Off

Incoming call

green

flash

green

flash

Off

Hold Revert Call

green

flash

green

flash

Off

Hold Call

green

pulse

green

pulse

Off

Hold Remote Call

red

pulse

Off

Remote in use Call

red

solid

Unmuted

Ringout/Connected Call

green

solid

green

solid

Unmuted

DNDFlash

green

solid

green

flash

Unmuted

Incoming Call

green

solid

green

flash

Unmuted

Hold Revert Call

green

solid

green

flash

Muted

Ringout/Connected

red

solid

red

solid

green

solid

red

solid

Muted

DND Flash

red

solid

red

solid

green

flash

red

solid

Muted

Incoming Call

red

solid

red

solid

green

flash

red

solid

Muted

Hold Revert Call

red

solid

red

solid

green

flash

red

solid

Deep Sleep Mode

Deep Sleep Mode

gray

solid

Display Control Unit

The Display Control Unit (DCU) is tethered to the Sound Base via a micro USB connector.

You can use the graphic and table below to identify buttons and hardware on the DCU.
DCU top view
Table 2. Display Control Unit Buttons and Softkeys
Item Description

1

Phone screen

LCD screen that displays conference phone menus and features.

2

Softkeys

Four programmable keys.

3

Navigation bar with Select key

2-way Navigation bar and Select key that allows you to scroll menus and select items on the display.

4

Call button

LED backlit call button.

Press this key to:

  • Go Off Hook

  • Answer an incoming call

  • Obtain a dial tone to initiate a call

  • Resume a call

  • Release a call

5

Keypad

Allows you to dial phone numbers and enter letters.

6

Mute button

Toggles the Mute feature. A red backlight indicates a call is on mute.

7

Volume rocker

2-way rocker switch that raises the volume of the speaker.


Note

For details on DCU LED behavior, see LED State Definitions.

Sound Base

The Sound Base provides 360 degree audio coverage via four built-in microphones and supports a full duplex speaker phone.

To provide enhanced room coverage, two sound base units can be linked together.

You can use the graphic and table below to identify buttons and connections on the Sound Base.
Sound Base top view
Table 3. Sound Base Buttons

Item

Description

1, 2, 3

LED indicators

Three LED indicators provide call status information. For details on LED behaviour, see LED State Definitions.

4

Mute button



Backlit mute button.

Wireless Extension Microphone and Charger Kit

The optional wireless extension microphone and charger kit unit contains two omni-directional wireless microphones, a charger unit, and two country-specific AC power clip adaptors for powering the charger unit. Connecting a microphone kit enhances the room coverage of the conference station.


Note

The Cisco Unified IP Conference Phone 8831NR does not support wireless microphones.




Table 4. Wireless Microphone and Charger Buttons and Features
Item Description

1

Omni-directional wireless microphones

2

LED charge status indicator

3

Charger tray

4

Mute button

5

Battery compartment

6

Charging contacts


Note

See the FCC ID approval number under the Battery Cover for CP-MIC-WRLS-S-US= Wireless Microphone. FCC ID: LDKMICWR0776


Note

See the Canada IC approval number under the Battery Cover for the CP-MIC-WRLS-S-US= Wireless Microphone. IC: 2461B-MICWR0776

Wireless Microphone LED

The Wireless Microphone has a single, tricolor LED.

Color

Meaning

Red

When the microphone is in the charger, the battery is charging.

Green, flashing

When the microphone is not in the charger, the microphone is paired with the base

Green, steady

When the microphone is in the charger, the battery is fully charged.

Red, amber, and green, flashing in sequence

The microphone is not paired with the base.

Wired Extension Microphone Kit

The optional wired extension microphone kit includes two wired omni-directional microphones. Connecting a microphone kit enhances the room coverage of the conference phone. The sound base has two wired microphone ports and you can connect one or both wired microphones.

If the conference phone is connected to another sound base in Linked Mode, the primary base station supports one or two wireless microphones, or it supports one wired microphone. The secondary unit supports only one wired microphone; a wireless microphone cannot be connected to a secondary Sound Base. You cannot mix microphone kits: if you plan to connect a microphone to both sound bases, they must both be wired microphones.


Note

Wired and wireless microphones cannot be used at the same time, and the wireless microphones have a higher priority. Attempting to connect a wired microphone to a conference phone that has paired or connected channels results in a warning to the user that the wired microphone is disabled. To solve this problem, unpair any paired or connected wireless microphones before connecting a wired microphone.



Table 5. Wired Microphone Buttons
Item Description

1

Mute button.

Phone Screen

The DCU contains the LCD phone screen. The idle or home screen displays information about the status of calls and features.

If the conference phone is in an offline state, the idle screen displays the message Phone is not registered and the Apps softkey remains available.

You can use the graphic and table below to identify the features and functions available on the screen.

Table 6. Phone Screen Layout.
Item Description

1

Header

Displays date, time, and current directory number. Displays menu name when applicable.

2

Line details and other phone information

Displays line label, call details, and status messages such as missed calls, message waiting, and line forwarding information.

3

Call State icon

Indicates the status of a call, such as ringing, hold, encrypted or connected call.

4

Softkey labels

Displays softkeys for currently available features or actions.

5, 6

Feature icons

These icons are displayed when an associated feature, such as extension microphones (5) or Link mode (6) is connected.

Phone Screen Icons

Table 7. Phone Screen Icons

Icon

Description

on hook

On hook

off hook

Off hook

call rining in

Ringing in

connected call

Connected

call on hold

Hold

shared line

Shared line

microphone connected

Microphone connected

Linked mode active

Linked mode

Locked icon

Encrypted

Phone Screen Cleaning


Caution

Use only a soft, dry cloth to wipe your conference station display screen. Do not use any liquids or powders on the phone, as they can contaminate phone components and cause failures.

Phone Connections

The Sound Base contains the network and power connection for the phone. The base also contains the mini-USB connection for the DCS, the wired microphone ports, and the daisy chain port for the Linked Mode feature.

You can use the graphic and table below to identify connections and ports on the Sound Base.
Sound Base bottom view
Table 8. Sound Base Connections and Ports
Item Description

1

Network port

Network port (10/100 SW) connection. IEEE 802.3af power enabled.

2

Wall power

Local power connection.

3

Mini USB port

Connects the base station to the DCU.

Attention 

When connecting the USB cable, firmly press down on the ferrite bead to ensure it seats correctly between the posts.

4

Wired microphone ports

Two RJ11 microphone ports. An optional wired microphone can be connected to each port.

5

Linked Mode daisy chain port

Supports the connection of two base stations in Linked Mode.

Connect Mini-USB Cable to DCU

The following images show how to install the USB cable.

Procedure

Step 1

Insert the mini-USB connector into the port on the base of the phone.

Step 2

Seat the ferrite bead between the posts and press the bead down firmly.

Step 3

Thread the cable in the cable channel. Make sure that you leave some slack in the cable.

Install Ferrite Bead on Network Cable

The following images show how to install the ferrite bead on the network cable.

Procedure

Step 1

Align the ferrite bead with the head of the network cable and move the ferrite bead along the cable until there is a gap of 1.0 mm +/- 0.3 mm between the bead and the connector.

Step 2

Place the cable into the ferrite bead channel and loop the cable around the ferrite bead so that the cable exits the bottom of the bead.

Step 3

Hold the cable in the ferrite bead channel and close the ferrite bead. Snap the latch closed.

Wireless Microphone Setup and Use

When you remove the wireless microphone from the charger, the microphone automatically turns on and tries to connect to the base. If the microphone is not paired, then pair it to the phone.

The Cisco Unified IP Conference Phone 8831NR does not supports wireless microphones.

When battery is removed from the microphone or the battery dies, the microphone unpairs from the phone. Pair it to the phone again.

You can only charge the wireless microphone battery in the charger. You cannot use the wireless microphone when it is in the charger.

LEDs on the wireless microphone base indicate the connection status of the microphone, and an icon will also be displayed on the conference phone screen. The LEDs and the display screen also indicate the mute status of the wireless microphone.

If the conference phone is connected to another sound base in Linked Mode, you can connect a single wireless microphone to the primary base. Only a single wired microphone can be connected to the secondary sound base.


Note

Wired and wireless microphones cannot be used at the same time, and the wireless microphones have a higher priority. Attempting to connect a wired microphone to a conference phone that has paired or connected channels results in a warning to the user that the wired microphone is disabled. To solve this problem, unpair any paired or connected wireless microphones before connecting a wired microphone.

Pair the Wireless Microphone

You must pair the wireless microphone with the base before it can be used.

Before you begin

The wireless microphone must be turned off. See Power Off the Wireless Microphone

Procedure

Step 1

On the base, press Apps.

Step 2

Select Admin Settings > Wireless Microphone and select Wireless Microphone 1 or Wireless Microphone 2.

Step 3

Press Pair.

Step 4

On the wireless microphone, hold the Mute button until the LED is solid red and then release the button.

The base pairs with the microphone and the result is displayed on the screen.

Set the Wireless Microphone range

You can change the baseband power and effective RF range of the wireless microphones. By default, the range is set to High.

Procedure

Step 1

On the base, press Apps.

Step 2

Select Admin Settings > Wireless Microphone > Wireless Microphone Range
Step 3

Select Low, Medium, or High
Step 4

Press Select.

Power Off the Wireless Microphone

You should turn off the wireless microphone when you do not need it, to preserve battery life.

Procedure

Step 1

Press and hold the Mute button for 10 seconds.

Step 2

Release the button when the LED turns red.

Recharge the Wireless Microphone Battery

You can only charge the wireless microphone battery in the charger. You cannot use the wireless microphone when it is in the charger.

While the battery is charging, the LED lights red. When the battery is fully charged, the LED lights green.

When you remove the wireless microphone from the charger, the microphone automatically turns on and tries to connect to the base. If the microphone is not paired, you need to pair the microphone.

Procedure

Place the microphone in the charger. The microphone automatically unlinks from the base and turns off.

General IP Phone Information

Power-Saving Mode

Your conference station supports the Cisco EnergyWise (EW) program. Your system administrator sets up sleep (power down) and wake (power up) times for your conference station to save energy. In the sleep state, the LED for the sound base Mute button becomes solid gray, and the DCU powers off.

Ten minutes before the scheduled sleep time, you receive a message that the conference station will power down at a specific time. If the power-saving mode is enabled by your system administrator, you hear your ringtone play. The ringtone plays according to the following schedule:

  • At 10 minutes before power down, the ringtone plays four times

  • At 7 minutes before power down, the ringtone plays four times

  • At 4 minutes before power down, the ringtone plays four times

  • At 30 seconds before power down, the ringtone plays 15 times or until the phone powers down

If your conference station is inactive (idle) at the sleep time, it powers down. If your conference station is active (for example, on a call), it waits until it has been inactive for a period of time before removing power.

After the conference station goes to sleep, press the Mute button on the sound base to wake the conference station up. You cannot wake the conference station using the DCU. After the conference station is inactive for a period of time, it goes back to sleep. At the set wake time, the conference station powers up.

Wake and sleep times are also linked to the configured days that you normally work. If your requirements change (for example, your work hours or work days change), contact your system administrator to have your conference station reconfigured.

For more information about EnergyWise and your conference station, contact your system administrator.

Feature Availability

Depending on the conference station system configuration, features included in this guide might not be available to you or might work differently on the conference station. For information, contact your system administrator.

Accessibility Features

The Cisco Unified IP Conference Phone 8831 and 8831NR provides accessibility features for the blind, and the visually, hearing, and mobility impaired. Because many of these features are standard, they can be used by users with disabilities without requiring any special configuration.

The term phone support pages refers to the web pages that users can access to set up certain features. For Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Release 10.0 and later), these pages are the Self Care Portal. For Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Release 9.1 and earlier), these pages are the User Options web pages.

Cisco is committed to designing and delivering accessible products and technologies to meet the needs of your organization. You can find more information about Cisco and its commitment to accessibility at this URL: http://www.cisco.com/go/accessibility

Hearing Impaired Accessibility Features

Your conference phone comes with standard accessibility features that require little or no setup.

Table 9. Hearing-Impaired Accessibility Features

Item

Accessibility Feature

Description

1

Visual message-waiting indicator

When you have a message, a message is displayed on the phone screen. Your phone also provides an audible message-waiting indicator.

To change the audible voice-message indicator, sign in to the Self Care portal and access the message-indicator settings. You can change each setting to on or off.

Your administrator can also change your settings.

2

Visual notification of phone state

The phone screen displays the current state and the LED bar displays:

  • Green, solid—Active call

  • Green, flashing—Incoming call

  • Green, pulsing—Held call

  • Red, solid—Muted call

3

Adjustable ringtone, pitch, and volume

  • Select Applications > Preferences to change the ringtone.

  • Adjust the volume level for the phone ring. When not in a call, press Volume to raise or lower the volume.

Your administrator can also change your settings.

Vision-Impaired and Blind Accessibility Features

Your phone comes with standard accessibility features that require little or no setup.

Table 10. Vision-Impaired and Blind Accessibility Features

Item

Accessibility Feature

Description

1, 11

High-contrast visual and audible alert of incoming call

Alerts you to an incoming call. The LED flashes during incoming calls.

Colors indicate your phone's status:

  • Green, solid—Active call

  • Green, flashing—Incoming call

  • Green, pulsing—Held call

  • Red, solid—Muted call

2, 8, 10

Mute button

Use the Mute button to toggle the microphone on or off. When the microphone is muted, the button lights red. When you turn on Mute, your phone beeps once; when you turn off Mute, your phone beeps twice.

3

Back-lit grayscale LCD screen with adjustable contrast on the Cisco IP Phone

Allows you to adjust your phone screen's contrast.

4

Softkeys

  • These are large buttons just below the LCD.

Provide access to special functions. The functions are displayed on the LCD.

5

Navigation Cluster (includes the Navigation bar and the Select button)

  • The Navigation cluster is located to the right of the keypad.

Use the Navigation bar to move up and down in the phone LCD. The Select button is in the center of the Navigation bar.

6

Standard 12-key layout

Allows you to use existing or familiar key positions. Key 5 has a nib.

7

Volume key

  • This key is located to the left of the keypad.

Allows you to increase or decrease the ring volume or the sound.

Press up on the rocker key to increase the volume. Press down on the rocker key to decrease the volume.

Mobility-Impaired Accessibility Features

Your conference phone comes with standard accessibility features that require little or no setup.

Table 11. Mobility-Impaired Accessibility Features

Item

Accessibility Feature

Description

1

LED

Indicates your phone's status:

  • Green, solid—Active call

  • Green, flashing—Incoming call

  • Green, pulsing—Held call

  • Red, solid—Muted call

2

Tactile-discernible buttons and functions, including a nib on Key 5

Allow you to easily locate your phone's keys. For example, Key 5 has a nib, which you can use to locate other key positions.

Cisco Unified Communications Manager Accessibility Features

The following table provides information on the Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Cisco Unified CM) accessibility features. For more information, see the user guide applicable to your phone.

Accessibility Feature

Description

Configuration Requirements

Programmable Line Key (PLK)

You can use the line buttons to initiate, answer, or switch to a call on a particular line. A limited number of features, such as speed dial, extension mobility, privacy, Busy Lamp Field (BLF) speed dial, Do Not Disturb (DND), and Service URLs, get assigned to these buttons.

The PLK feature expands the features that can be assigned to the line buttons to include those that softkeys normally control; for example New Call, Call Back, End Call, and Forward All. When these features are configured on the line buttons, they are always visible, so you can have a “hard” New Call key.

You can access features easily that may be assigned to softkeys normally, which can be too small and difficult to use.

Standard on all Cisco IP Phones; configuration is required.

Your administrator assigns PLKs to your phone.

Audible Message Waiting Indicator (AMWI)

Cisco Unified IP Phones can send a line-specific stutter dial tone when a voice message is waiting on the phone. You hear it only when using the line with the waiting messages. When you go off hook (on the line for which a voice message has been left), the stutter dial tone is heard.

You can change the audible voice-message indicator setting by logging in to your phone support pages, and changing the audible message-indicator setting to On or Off.

Standard on all Cisco IP Phones.

Configuration is required:

  • administrator

  • phone support pages

Do Not Disturb (Alert and Reject)

Your administrator configures the phone to turn on all audible and visual notifications, turn on ringer only, or to choose the type of alert a phone should play for incoming calls.

Standard on all Cisco IP Phones; configuration is required.

Busy Lamp Field

You can use the Busy Lamp Field (BLF) feature to monitor the call state of a directory number (DN) associated with a speed-dial button, call log, or directory listing on the phone.

In addition, you can use BLF pickup to monitor incoming calls on a directory number.

When the DN receives an incoming call, the system alerts the you so that you can then pick up the call.

Standard on all Cisco IP Phones; configuration is required.

Phone support pages:

  • User Options web pages (Cisco Unified CM 9.1 and earlier)

  • Self Care Portal (Cisco Unified CM 10.0 and later)

The Cisco IP Phone is a network device that enables you to do the following actions:

  • Share information with other network devices in your company, including your personal computer.

  • Use your computer to log in to your phone support pages, where you can subscribe to services, set up speed dial and call forwarding numbers, configure ring settings, and create a personal address book.

Standard on all Cisco IP Phones; configuration is required.

Additional Options

Your system administrator can configure your Cisco Unified IP Conference Phone 8831 and 8831NR to use specific button and softkey templates along with special services and features, if appropriate. This table provides an overview of some configuration options that you might want to discuss with your administrator based on your calling needs and work environment.

If You...

Then...

For More Information...

Need to handle more calls on the conference station line

Ask your administrator to configure your line to support more calls.

Note 
Your conference station supports a maximum of 6 calls.

Contact your administrator or phone support team.

Want to use one extension for several phones

Request a shared line. This allows you, for example, to use one extension for your desk phone and lab phone.

See Shared Lines

Share conference stations or office space with coworkers

Consider using:

  • Call Park to store and retrieve calls without using the transfer feature.

  • Call Pickup to answer calls ringing on another phone.

  • A shared line to view or join coworkers' calls.

  • Cisco Extension Mobility to apply the conference station number and user profile to a shared conference station.

Contact your administrator about these features and see the following:

Want to temporarily apply the conference station number and settings to a shared conference station

Ask your administrator about the Cisco Extension Mobility Service.

See Cisco Extension Mobility

Want to extend the area covered by audio

Ask your administrator about:

  • Linking to another Conference Station sound base

  • Adding a Wireless Extension Microphone Kit

  • Adding a Wired Extension Microphone Kit

Note 

The Cisco Unified IP Conference Phone 8831NR does not support wireless microphones.
See