Vertex VoIP Installation Guide

Pre-Installation Checklist

[ ] Verify VoIP provider uses unencrypted SIP (ask provider directly)
[ ] Confirm phones are VoIP (Ethernet connected), not analog
[ ] Identify network topology: router, switches, phone locations
[ ] Determine number of concurrent calls (for licensing)
[ ] Check if EdgeMarc eSBC is needed (for encrypted providers)

Encrypted VoIP Providers: RingCentral, many Microsoft Teams deployments, and other providers use TLS/SRTP encryption. The Vertex CANNOT monitor encrypted traffic. An EdgeMarc eSBC must be installed first to decrypt the traffic.

Vertex Ports

Port	Function	Connection
VoIP Bridge Port 1 (Toward Gateway)	Pass-through input	Connect FROM router/upstream
VoIP Bridge Port 2 (To Phones)	Pass-through output	Connect TO switch/phones
Management Port	Data output + config	Same network as POS software
Serial Port	Alternative data output	For serial connection software

Network Topology

Internet --> [Router] --> [VERTEX Bridge Ports] --> [Network Switch] --> [VoIP Phones]
                                      |
                              [Management Port]
                                      |
                                [POS Computer]

Key Principle: ALL VoIP phone traffic MUST flow through the Vertex Bridge Ports.

Wiring Steps

Identify the link between router and phone switch
Disconnect the existing Ethernet cable between them
Connect Bridge Port 1 (Toward Gateway) to router
Connect Bridge Port 2 (To Phones) to network switch
Connect Management Port to any port on the network switch
Connect power and wait for steady power LED
Verify phones work - make a test call

LED Verification

All 3 amber LEDs must be SOLID ON:

Power LED - Unit has power
VoIP Bridge 1 - Connected to gateway
VoIP Bridge 2 - Connected to phones

Green lights on each channel should FLASH (data packets detected).

Vertex Configuration (VCT)

Download Vertex Configuration Tool from VCT.CallerID.com
Connect computer to same network as Vertex Management Port
Run VCT - it will auto-discover Vertex units
Run Setup Wizard and follow all prompts
Configure data output format (Ethernet UDP or Serial)
Set destination IP/port for POS software

Vertex Quick Setup (EEE Switch on Phones)

Install a TP-Link "dumb" switch (TL-SG105, ~$14) between "TO PHONES" port and the managed switch to remove Energy Efficient Ethernet signal
On back of Vertex, set DIP Switches (#2 down, all others up)
Power or re-power the Vertex
POS should show: Number: 777-000-0000, Name: Setup Mode On
Call 777-602-0000 from a monitored phone (non-working number for setup tracing)
POS should show: Number: 777-602-0000, Name: Setup Updated
Set DIP switches back to original position (all down)
Re-power the Vertex - device is ready for use

Common Network Scenarios

Scenario A: Phones on Auxiliary Switch (Most Common)

ISP Modem --> Main Switch --> VERTEX --> Phone Switch --> VoIP Phones
                                   |
                             Management Port → POS System

Scenario B: Separate VoIP and Data Subnets

Gateway Router --> VERTEX --> Phone Network --> VoIP Phones
                        |
                  Management Port → Data Network (POS)

Scenario C: All on One Switch

ISP Modem --> VERTEX --> Single Switch --> VoIP Phones + POS

Note: Limits entire network to 100Mbps due to bridge port speed.

Important Notes

Vertex requires UNENCRYPTED SIP traffic
Bridge ports operate at 100BaseT maximum - will NOT pass Gigabit
SIP ALG must be DISABLED on all routers
Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) must be DISABLED on VoIP ports