Account Mode vs Line Mode on Grandstream GXP21XX Series IP Phones

Account Mode vs Line Mode on Grandstream GXP21XX Series IP Phones

Description

This article explains the differences between Account Mode and Line Mode in the Grandstream High-end Color GXP21XX IP Phones, particularly regarding the Virtual Multi-Purpose Keys (VMPK) settings.

When the phone is in Line Mode

Dynamic Key Switching: If a line button is assigned only to Account 1, pressing the Account 2 key will dynamically switch the Account 1 line key to Account 2 during an active call.

Line Key Requirement: Each call appearance requires a separate line button. This setup allows for more flexibility during calls.

When the phone is in Account Mode

In Account Mode, none of the VMPK settings for Account 2 will function unless a line key for Account 2 is added. This includes Voicemail and Busy Lamp Field (BLF) keys.

The design of Account Mode is to keep accounts separate. Therefore, you may not want to allocate multiple buttons for multiple accounts, which can lead to inefficient use of key slots.

In Account Mode, all call appearances are stacked on a single line button. For example, if you want the Account 2 voicemail to work, you must add a line button specifically for Account 2. This is not necessary in Line Mode.

Additional Considerations

  • Monitoring Group Mailboxes: There is no capability to monitor a group or Ring Group mailbox without using a dummy extension for voicemail, which can lead to complications in managing calls to the main office number.
  • Attended Transfers: If you encounter a ‘No Line Available’ error when attempting to transfer a call, it may be necessary to switch the Key Mode to Account Mode. This mode requires a second line to successfully perform an attended transfer.