How to Register a SIP Client with the Phone.Systems PBX

To register a SIP client (desk phone or softphone) with our service, you need three things:

1. Username: An identifier for the device. Each phone needs its own username, which you generate in the Phone.Systems PBX.
2. Password: An alphanumeric string used to protect and authenticate the username with our service.
3. Server: Also referred to as a domain or registrar, this is the address where we host the PBX.

This tutorial explains where to find the details above, known as SIP credentials, and what to do with them. For demonstration purposes, we use the softphone ZoIPER.

Step One: Opening the Phone System

Firstly, launch your VPBX from within the user panel. It will greet you with a brief tutorial that we recommend you take. It introduces the features and objects you need to configure your call flow.

For registering a SIP client, you will use the “Person” object. Drag it from the features list onto the workspace, then click the cog to begin.

Step Two: Generating the SIP Credentials

The first thing you must do is enter a name for your “Person” object. Afterwards, click the checkmark to continue. If necessary, you can edit this name later.

The next screen prompts you to select one of three contact methods. For SIP clients, always choose “VoIP.”

1. Landline: A landline destination to which your DID number will forward.
2. Mobile: A mobile phone to which your DID number will forward.
3. VoIP: A SIP client or external PBX with which your DID will register.

Because there are three different contact options, the PBX will ask you to name the selected one. Once done, press the arrow to continue.

The next screen is the last set of options from which you must choose. For regular SIP clients, select “Device.”

1. Custom SIP: An external PBX system for receiving calls.
2. ITSP: Another PBX provider towards which you point the number.
3. Device: A VoIP desk phone or softphone.

The final window in the “Person” object configuration deals with the device registration details. Note that you must acknowledge “No E-911 Service” before creating your SIP credentials. Here, you should also specify an outbound caller ID and/or an internal caller ID. Toggle to the “Permissions” tab for enabling outbound call recording.

Once created, you will see your username, password, and server address. Click on the fields to copy them to your clipboard. Doing so ensures you do not make typos when pasting into your SIP client.

Step Three: Setting up Your Phone

For ZoIPER, open the application on your desktop. This process is the same for smartphones and other softphones. If you wish to configure a desk phone, open its settings in your browser. You can do this by looking up its IP address.

Within ZoIPER, click “Settings” in the top toolbar, then “Create New Account.” Our service uses SIP, so please make sure this is the option you choose next.

After pressing continue, you will find three input fields for your SIP credentials. Copy and paste them here.

Once inputted, click next to complete your registration. ZOIPER will ask if you want to auto-detect settings: please disable this feature.

After a few seconds, your SIP client will register. If not, please verify the details entered before proceeding to our troubleshooting steps below.

Step Four: Troubleshooting your SIP Client

If your phone does not register, there are a few steps that you can take to identify the problem. As mentioned above, confirm that the SIP credentials are correct. Not only will typos prevent you from connecting, but they may also cause an IP ban.

An IP ban happens when our servers detect an unauthorized device and block it as a precaution. To check if your IP address has been banned, please follow the steps below:

1. Open “Command Prompt” (Windows) or “Terminal” (Mac);
2. Type “ping” followed by a space and the server details provided in the Phone. SysTems;
3. Look for “request timed out” or “unreachable” errors.

If your IP is banned, please report it to our customer service department. Be sure to specify your IP address in the support ticket. Otherwise, try reinstalling the software or factory resetting your device.

Note: For IP phones, always check for firmware updates, too. To ensure the issue is not network-related, try disabling your firewall before re-registering. While this is a temporary solution, it is a test that can reveal where the registration issue exists.