Multi-line network wiring

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 19, 2010 Posts: 2

This issue is abit complex for me to get my head around since this is my first Vonage configuration. I've been searching the forums for a while but nothing solves my problem directly. I have:

(4) RCA 25413re3 four line phones (1+2, 3+4 & Data port on the back)
(2) Vonage VDV21-VD adapters
(4) Separate lines through Vonage (2 lines per adapter)

What I am trying to do is have all 4 RCA phones be able to answer all four Vonage lines. Basically, a phone network. Not sure if I will need something complex like a PBX but I'd rather not since this is a small business. Currently only two phones can be hooked up per adapter so phones hooked up for lines 1&2 can answer lines 3&4 and vice versa.

I called Vonage and RCA...they were clueless.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Posts: 227 · Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 7:28 pm Post subject:

Your Vonage VDV21-VD adapter delivers both lines to its jack labeled Phone-1 (and also delivers the second line to Phone-2). Use 4-conductor modular phone cords. Connect the Phone-1 jack on the first VDV21-VD to the L1+L2 jack on your RCA 4-line phone. Connect the Phone-1 jack on the second VDV-21-VD to the L3+L4 jack on your RCA phone. Leave the Phone-2 jacks on your VDV21-VD adapters empty. Verify that the RCA phone can now access all four lines.

To connect the other three RCA 4-line phones, get a three pairs of 4-conductor modular Y-adapters, and six 4-conductor modular cords long enough to daisy-chain the remaining three RCA phones. At each of the first three phones in the chain, plug a Y-adapter into each of the jacks on the back of the phone. At the first phone, plug each of the cords from the two VDV21-VD's into one of the outlets on each of the two Y-adapters. Then plug an additional modular cord into the other outlet on each of the Y-adapters, and connect these to each of the two Y-adapters on the second phone. Continue this until all four phones are connected (no Y-adapters needed on the last phone in the chain).

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

Alternately, you could do a custom wiring job on your building wiring if there are enough pairs. But I'd still use Dave's way for an initial checkout.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 19, 2010 Posts: 2

Thank you for your help. The phones came with 4-pin phone lines...would these be the 4-conductor modular cords you are referring to? Also, i assume you're talking about these: http://www.twacomm.com/catalog/model_SE-450B.htm and i'd need 6 of them correct?

Posts: 227 · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 12:02 am Post subject:

ds_asst wrote:

Thank you for your help. The phones came with 4-pin phone lines...would these be the 4-conductor modular cords you are referring to? Also, i assume you're talking about these: http://www.twacomm.com/catalog/model_SE-450B.htm and i'd need 6 of them correct?

I think your terminology is confusing you. Phones come with cords. The cords plug into jacks. Phones do not come with lines; they plug into lines which are provided by the jacks.

The adapter you describe is not the one you want. That one separates the two lines in one cord into two cords. You want one which simply provides two female 4-pin jacks internally connected to one 4-pin male plug.