VPK (Virtual Multi-Purpose Keys) Guide

  • Updated on November 2, 2023

Grandstream GXP21XX and GXP17XX IP phones have introduced a new VPK (“Virtual Multi-Purpose Keys”) feature to add more flexibility and provide better user experience using Multi-Purpose Keys modes.

With the new VPK feature design, line keys can be assigned with multiple functions. Users have also the ability to add more VPKs which will be displayed on different screens. The screens are dynamically added to match the extra VPKs, and incrementally indexed on the top of the main screen (1 to 4) until reaching the maximum number of supported VPKs.

Using VPK, users will be able to monitor extensions, use speed dial numbers, send DTMF during calls and more from their phone screens directly; switching between screens will show configured VPK and bring more flexibility to user’s experience.

If using standard MPK on a GXP2160 IP phone, for instance, which supports 6 line keys, customers can use 1 LINE key for the main SIP accounts and the 5 others (not including built-in MPKs) can be used for monitoring/speed dial or any other available features using that account. While using VPK feature on the same GXP2160, customers can configure the same LINE key with up to 4 features virtually mapped on different screens, as an example, Line 1 key can be configured as LINE on the first screen, BLF on screen 2, Speed Dial on screen 3 and Call Park on screen 4.

Below screenshot shows the 4 screen pages of the GXP2160.

C:\Users\Soukaina\Desktop\sc1.png
Figure 1: VPK Pages

FIXED AND DYNAMIC VPK

Fixed VPK

Fixed VPKs are the hard line keys on each phone model; their default mode is “Line” and support all other modes (BLF, Speed Dial…).

Each phone model has a specific number of hardline keys limiting the number of supported Fixed VPK. For instance, GXP2170 has 12 Line keys allowing to support 12 Fixed VPKs

Dynamic VPK

Dynamic VPK are virtual keys that can be added by users.

Each phone model has a specific number of allowed Dynamic VPK, depending on number of hard line keys and screens. For instance, GXP2170 has 12 hard keys, number of supported VPKs (Fixed and Dynamic) is 48 VPK = 12 (Fixed VPK) x 4 (screens), available Dynamic VPKs is 36 VPK = 48 VPK – 12 hard keys.

The screens are dynamically added to match the extra VPKs, and incrementally indexed on the top of the main screen (1 to 4) until reaching the maximum number of supported VPKs.

Dynamic VPKs support all available modes (BLF, Speed Dial, Call Park, transfer…) except LINE, Shared Line and NONE modes.

Fixed/Dynamic VPK per Phone Model

The table below shows how many Fixed/Dynamic VPKs each GXP model support.

GXP2130

GXP2140

GXP2160

GXP2135

GXP2170

Fixed VPK

3

4

6

8

12

Dynamic VPK

9

12

18

24

36

Total VPK

12

16

24

32

48

Table 1: Fixed/Dynamic VPK per Phone Model for GXP21xx

GXP1760

GXP1760w

GXP1780

GXP1782

Fixed VPK

6

6

8

8

Dynamic VPK

18

18

24

24

Total VPK

24

24

32

32

Table 2: Fixed/Dynamic VPK per Phone Model for GXP17xx

Even if a fixed VPK has mode set to “None”, the number of allowed Dynamic VPKs will not change.

VPK CONFIGURATION

To configure/add/edit or delete VPK, follow below steps:

  1. Access Web GUI of GXP phone.
  2. Go to Settings 🡪 Programmable Keys 🡪 Virtual Multi-Purpose Keys.
C:\Users\GS-LAB4\Desktop\screen1.PNG
Figure 2: Virtual Multi-Purpose Keys page
  1. Configure Fixed or Dynamic VPKs as follow:
  • Fixed VPK:
  • Press Edit VPK button
  • Select mode to use from Mode dropdown list.
  • Select Account# from Accounts dropdown list.
  • Enter a description text in Description field (optional).
  • Enter the value sequence for each mode in Value field if required.
  • Press Save button to save your configuration (Reset button allows to reset all fields to default values).
  • Press Save VPK to apply changes to VPK.

Fixed VPKs can only be edited. Adding or deleting Fixed VPK is not allowed.

Figure 3: Fixed VPK – Edit

Example:

Customer’s GXP2170 has a SIP account registered on Account 1 and needs to monitor extension 1000.

Below values needs to be used:

  • Mode: Busy Lamp Field (BLF)
  • Accounts: Account 1 (selected)
  • Description: BLF_1000 (optional)
  • Value: 1000
  • Dynamic VPK
  • Press Add VPK to create a new Dynamic VPK.
Figure 4: Add VPK
  • Select mode to use from Mode dropdown list.
  • Select Account# from Accounts dropdown list.
  • Enter a description text in Description field (optional).
  • Enter the value sequence for each mode in Value field if required.
  • Press Save button to save your configuration (Reset button allows to reset the VPK to default value).
  • Press Save VPK to apply changes to VPK.

Once added and saved, Edit VPK and Delete VPK buttons will appear. Customers can press Edit VPK button to edit or Delete VPK to remove selected VPK.

Figure 5: Dynamic VPK

Example:

Customer’s GXP2170 has a SIP account registered on Account 1 and wants to add a Speed Dial for extension 1001.

Below values needs to be used:

  • Mode: Speed Dial
  • Accounts: Account 1 (selected)
  • Description: SP_1001 (optional)
  • Value: 1001

VPK MODES AND INDICATION FOR GXP21XX

Fixed VPK support all available modes (20 modes), while Dynamic VPK doesn’t support Line, Shared Line and None modes (17 modes). The following table provides a description of each mode as well as state, icon, and LED status.

VPK Mode

Description

State

Icon

LED Status

Speed Dial

Speed Dial mode allows to set a key for one touch
dialing; configured number will be dialed once VPK is
pressed.


Select the Account to dial from and enter the Speed Dial
number to be dialed in the Value field or enter the IP
address to set the Direct IP call as Speed Dial.

Account Unregistered

OFF

Account Registered

ON

Busy Lamp Field (BLF)

Busy Lamp Field (BLF) mode allows to monitor status
(available, ringing, busy) of an extension.

Select the Account to monitor the BLF status. Enter the
extension number in the Value field to be monitored.

Offline, Unknown

OFF

Terminated

GREEN

Proceeding

RED

Ringing (Early)

Flashing RED

Trying

Flashing RED

Confirmed

RED

Speed Dial via Active Account

Speed Dial via active account mode allows to set a key
for one touch dialing; configured number will be dialed
once VPK is pressed using specified account if available,
otherwise, first available account will be used to dial out.
Select the Account to dial from and enter the Speed Dial
number to be dialed in the Value field or enter the IP
address to set the Direct IP call as Speed Dial.

No state changes

OFF

Dial DTMF

Dial DTMF allows customers to send digits while in communication, for instance, when dialing to an IVR, users can set Dial DTMF Key to send digits to the IVR. Enter a series of DTMF digits in the Value field to be dialed during the call.

No state changes

OFF

Voicemail

Allows access to user’s voice mail by pressing
configured VPK. Select Account and enter the Voice Mail access number in the Value field.


Account not registered

OFF

Account Registered (No new voicemail)

OFF

Account Registered (Voicemail available)

OFF

Call Return

Allows users to dial last answered call by pressing configured VPK.

 The Value field should be left blank. 

 This option is not binding to the account and the call will be returned based on the account with the last answered call. 


No state changes

OFF

Transfer

Allows to set a destination number to transfer calls to it
(blind transfer) by pressing configured VPK.


Select Account, and enter the number in the Value field
to be transferred during the call.

Account Unregistered

OFF

Account Registered

OFF

Call Park

This feature allows to park/pick up the call, and can be
also used to monitor parking lots via VPK button’s LED.
Select Account, and enter the call park extension in the
Value field to park/pick up the call.
Notes:
• If Value field has leading star code like *xx, the
phone will not send SUBSCRIBE to the server, and
VPK will be used to only park/retrieve calls;
• If Value field is set with parking lots (for example:
701, 702…), VPK will be used as Monitored Call
Park; the phone will send SUBSCRIBE to monitor
configured parking lots and park/retrieve calls.

Account Unregistered

OFF

Account Registered

OFF

Intercom

Allows to set a VPK as intercom button to a specific
destination with auto-answer instruction.
When the call is initiated, SIP INVITE sent towards
destination extension (via SIP server) will include Alertinfo header with Auto-answer=0 parameter.
Select Account, and enter the extension number in the
Value field to do the intercom

Account Unregistered

OFF

Account Registered

OFF

LDAP Search

This option is to narrow the LDAP search scope.
• Enter the LDAP search base in the Description
field. It could be the same or different from the Base
in LDAP configuration under Advanced Settings.
The Base in LDAP configuration will be used if the
Description field is left blank.
• Enter the LDAP Name/Number filter in the Value
field.
For example: If users set VPK as “LDAP Search” for
“Account 1”, and set filters:
Description -> ou=video,ou=SZ,dc=grandstream,dc=com Value ->
sn=Li
Since the Base for LDAP server configuration is
“dc=grandstream,dc=com”, “ou=video,ou=SZ” is added
to narrow the LDAP search scope. “sn=Li” is the
example to filter the last name.

No State

OFF

Multicast Paging

Multicast paging is a feature that allows the user to make
calls to a group of phones listening to the same Paging
IP address.


Multicast paging calls will be automatically answered on
listening phones and conversation will be in one-way
audio path (originator can speak, while listening phones
will be able to hear only).


Enter Line key description in Description field and
multicast sending address in Value field.

No State

OFF

Record

Allows users to record ongoing calls. Recording needs
to be supported on the server to use this feature

Idle

OFF

Recording

Flashing

Call Log

This Key is a shortcut to Call History

No state

OFF

Menu

This Key is a shortcut to the Menu button

No state

OFF

Presence Watcher

Presence watcher allows to monitor presence /
registration status of an extension. this feature needs to
be supported by SIP server to use it.


Select the Account to monitor the presence status.
Enter the extension number in the Value field to be
monitored.

Offline, Unknown

OFF

Available

GREEN

Monitored Call Park

This feature allows to park/pick up the call, and monitor
the parked call via VPK button’s LED.


Select account from Account field, and enter the call
park extension in the Value field.


Note: The phone sends SUBSCRIBE to the server to
retrieve status of monitored parking lot

Offline, Unknow

OFF

Available

GREEN

Call Parked

RED

Eventlist BLF

Eventlist BLF allows to monitor a list of extension similar
to BLF, administrator needs to configure Eventlist BLF on
server side and provide Eventlist BLF URI on the phone.
Select the Account to monitor the Eventlist BLF status.
Enter the extension number in the Value field to be
monitored and make sure to specify “Eventlist BLF URI”
(Account X → SIP Settings → Advanced Features).

Offline, Unknown

OFF

Terminated

GREEN

Proceeding

RED

Ringing (Early)

Flashing RED

Trying

Flashing RED

Confirmed

RED

Line

Regular line key to open up a line and switch line.


The Description and Value fields can be left blank.


Note: Line mode is supported on Fixed VPK only.

Unregistered
(No IM, Voice mail,
No Call Forward)

OFF

Registered + Idle
(No IM, Voice mail,
No Call Forward)

OFF

Unregistered + IM +
Voice mail

OFF

Registered + IM +
Voice mail

OFF

Unregistered + IM
(No Voice mail)

OFF

Registered + IM (No
Voice mail)

OFF

Unregistered + Voice
Mail (No IM)

OFF

Registered + Voice
Mail (No IM)

OFF

Unregistered + Call
Forward All
(No IM, No Voice
Mail)

OFF

Registered + Call
Forward All
(No IM, No Voice
Mail)

OFF

Unregistered + Call
Forward Delay + Call
Forward Busy
(No IM, No Voice
Mail)

OFF

Registered + Call
Forward Delay + Call
Forward Busy
(No IM, No Voice
Mail)

OFF

Unregistered + Call
Forward Delay
(No IM, No Voice
Mail, No Call Forward
Busy)

OFF

Registered + Call
Forward Delay
(No IM, No Voice
Mail, No Call Forward
Busy)

OFF

Unregistered + Call
Forward Busy
(No IM, No Voice
Mail, No Call Forward
Delay)

OFF

Registered + Call
Forward Busy
(No IM, No Voice
Mail, No Call Forward
Delay)

OFF

Registered + Ringing

Flashing RED

Registered + On
Hold 

Flashing GREEN

Registered +
Connected +
Incoming Call

GREEN

Registered +
Connected +
Outgoing Cal

GREEN

Shared Line

Share line for Shared Line Appearance feature. Select
the Account registered as Shared line for the line key.


The Description and Value fields can be left blank.

Unregistered

OFF

Registered + Not
support SCA Call-info
header

OFF

Registered + Not
support SCA or SCA
Failed

OFF

Registered + Idle

OFF

Registered + Seized

RED (Alternate DUT)

Registered +
Processing

Flashing GREEN (Alternate DUT)

Registered + Alert

Flashing RED

Registered + Hold by
user

Flashing GREEN

Registered + Hold by
the other party

Flashing RED

Registered +
Connected

GREEN

Table 3: VPK Modes and Indications for the GXP21xx

SCREEN EXAMPLES FOR GXP2170

The following screenshots show the GXP2170 screen’s first two pages:

http://192.168.5.138/export/screen/20160530-121026.png
Figure 6: Screen Example – Page 1

http://192.168.5.138/export/screen/20160531-061111.png
Figure 7: Screen Example – Page 2

VPK MODES AND INDICATION FOR GXP17XX

Fixed VPK support all available modes (20 modes), while Dynamic VPK doesn’t support Line, Shared Line and None modes (17 modes). The following table provides a description of each mode as well as state, icon, and LED status.

VPK Mode

Description

State

Icon

LED Status

Speed Dial

Speed Dial mode allows to set a key for one touch
dialing; configured number will be dialed once VPK is
pressed.


Select the Account to dial from and enter the Speed
Dial number to be dialed in the Value field or enter the
IP address to set the Direct IP call as Speed Dial.

Account Unregistered

OFF

Account Registered

ON

Busy Lamp Field (BLF)

Busy Lamp Field (BLF) mode allows to monitor status
(available, ringing, busy) of an extension.


Select the Account to monitor the BLF status. Enter the
extension number in the Value field to be monitored.

Offline, Unknown

OFF

Terminated

GREEN

Ringing (Early)

Flashing RED

Trying

Flashing RED

Confirmed

RED

Speed Dial via Active Account

Speed Dial via active account mode allows to set a key
for one touch dialing; configured number will be dialed
once VPK is pressed using specified account if
available, otherwise, first available account will be used
to dial out.


Select the Account to dial from and enter the Speed
Dial number to be dialed in the Value field or enter the
IP address to set the Direct IP call as Speed Dial.

No state changes

OFF

Dial DTMF

Dial DTMF allows customers to send digits while in
communication, for instance, when dialing to an IVR,
users can set Dial DTMF Key to send digits to the IVR.
Enter a series of DTMF digits in the Value field to be
dialed during the call.

No state changes

OFF

Voicemail

Allows access to user’s voice mail by pressing
configured VPK.


Select Account and enter the Voice Mail access number
in the Value field.

Account Registered (No new voicemail)

OFF

Account Registered (voicemail available)


OFF 



Blinking Green light

Call Return

Allows users to dial last answered call by pressing
configured VPK.


The Value field should be left blank.


This option is not binding to the account and the call will
be returned based on the account with the last answered
call.

No state changes

OFF

Transfer

Allows to set a destination number to transfer calls to it
(blind transfer) by pressing configured VPK.


Select Account, and enter the number in the Value field
to be transferred during the call.

Account Unregistered

OFF

Account Registered

OFF

Call Park

This feature allows to park/pick up the call, and can be
also used to monitor parking lots via VPK button’s LED.


Select Account, and enter the call park extension in the
Value field to park/pick up the call.


Notes:
• If Value field has leading star code like *xx, the
phone will not send SUBSCRIBE to the server, and
VPK will be used to only park/retrieve calls;
• If Value field is set with parking lots (for example:
701, 702…), VPK will be used as Monitored Call
Park; the phone will send SUBSCRIBE to monitor
configured parking lots and park/retrieve calls.

Account Unregistered

OFF

Account Registered

OFF

Intercom

Allows to set a VPK as intercom button to a specific
destination with auto-answer instruction.


When the call is initiated, SIP INVITE sent towards
destination extension (via SIP server) will include Alert-info header with Auto-answer=0 parameter.


Select Account, and enter the extension number in the
Value field to do the intercom

Account Unregistered

OFF

Account Registered

OFF

LDAP Search

This option is to narrow the LDAP search scope.


• Enter the LDAP search base in the Description
field. It could be the same or different from the
Base in LDAP configuration under Advanced
Settings. The Base in LDAP configuration will be
used if the Description field is left blank.


• Enter the LDAP Name/Number filter in the Value
field.


For example: If users set VPK as “LDAP Search” for
“Account 1”, and set filters:
Description ->
ou=video,ou=SZ,dc=grandstream,dc=com Value ->
sn=Li

Since the Base for LDAP server configuration is
“dc=grandstream,dc=com”, “ou=video,ou=SZ” is added
to narrow the LDAP search scope. “sn=Li” is the
example to filter the last name.

No State

OFF

Multicast Paging

Multicast paging is a feature that allows the user to make
calls to a group of phones listening to the same Paging
IP address.


Multicast paging calls will be automatically answered on
listening phones and conversation will be in one-way
audio path (originator can speak, while listening phones
will be able to hear only).


Enter Line key description in Description field and
multicast sending address in Value field.

No state

OFF

Record

Allows users to record ongoing calls. Recording needs
to be supported on the server to use this feature.

Idle

OFF

Recording

Flashing

Call Log

This Key is a shortcut to Call History. 

No state

OFF

Menu

This Key is a shortcut to the Menu button.

No state

OFF

Information

This Key will display General information (IPv4,
Software version, MAC address .. )

No state

OFF

Presence Watcher

Presence watcher allows to monitor presence /
registration status of an extension. this feature needs to
be supported by SIP server to use it.


Select the Account to monitor the presence status.
Enter the extension number in the Value field to be
monitored.

Offline, Unknown

OFF

Available

GREEN

Monitored Call Park

This feature allows to park/pick up the call, and monitor
the parked call via VPK button’s LED.


Select account from Account field, and enter the call
park extension in the Value field.


Note: The phone sends SUBSCRIBE to the server to
retrieve status of monitored parking lot.

Offline, Unknown

OFF

Available

GREEN

Call Parked

Flashing RED

Eventlist BLF

Eventlist BLF allows to monitor a list of extension similar
to BLF, administrator needs to configure Eventlist BLF
on server side and provide Eventlist BLF URI on the
phone.


Select the Account to monitor the Eventlist BLF status.
Enter the extension number in the Value field to be
monitored and make sure to specify “Eventlist BLF
URI” (Account X → SIP Settings → Advanced Features)

Offline, Unknown

OFF

Terminated

GREEN

Ringing (Early)

Flashing RED

Trying

Flashing RED

Confirmed

RED

Line

Regular line key to open up a line and switch line.


The Description and Value fields can be left blank.


Note: Line mode is supported on Fixed VPK only.

Unregistered

OFF

Registered + Idle

OFF

Registered + Dialing

GREEN

Registered + Connected + Incoming Call

Flashing RED

Registered + Connected + Outgoing Call

GREEN

Registered + Connected + Call Established

GREEN

Registered + Connected + On Hold

Flashing GREEN

Shared Line

Share line for Shared Line Appearance feature. Select
the Account registered as Shared line for the line key.


The Description and Value fields can be left blank.

Unregistered

OFF

Registered + Idle

OFF

Registered + Dialing

OFF

Table 4: VPK Modes and Indications for GXP17xx

SCREEN EXAMPLES FOR GXP1760

The following screenshots show the GXP1760 screen’s first two pages:

Figure 8: Screen Example – Page 1

Figure 9: Screen Example – Page 2

SUPPORTED DEVICES

Following table shows Grandstream products supporting VPK feature:

ModelSupportedFirmware

GXP2130

Yes

1.0.7.25 or higher

GXP2140

Yes

1.0.7.25 or higher

GXP2160

Yes

1.0.7.25 or higher

GXP2135

Yes

1.0.7.25 or higher

GXP2170

Yes

1.0.7.25 or higher

GXP1760

Yes

1.0.1.74 or higher

GXP1760W

Yes

1.0.1.74 or higher

GXP1780

Yes

1.0.1.74 or higher

GXP1782

Yes

1.0.1.74 or higher

Table 5: Grandstream products supporting VPK feature

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