NPS Phones

Norman Public Schools
Telephone Information Menu

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a means of transmitting telephone calls across data (computer) networks. You can think of our Cisco IP Phones as "network phones" that are capable of calling the same telephone numbers you call from other telephones. But this new IP phone system is more easily expanded and upgraded than other phone systems we have used in the district.

Requests for new telephone/fax lines
must be approved by the Superintendent's Cabinet.

IP Phones

Our district has decided to use the Cisco IP Phones listed in the table below. The Interactive Tutorials (in Adobe Flash format) offer excellent introductions to the many capabilities of the Cisco IP Phones and are appropriate for non-technical people. The IP Phone Briefs are copies of the mini-booklet* that we left with each new IP phone. The User Guides offer more in-depth details but are not for the faint of heart. The Briefs and Guides are both offered here in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).

  • You can view a listing of our 4-digit internal extensions - as well as some of our 7-digit public telephone numbers - in our NPS Phone Directory web page.
  • Headsets and other accessories are available from several of our technology vendors including Hello Direct.
  • If you have questions about or problems with your IP phone, please be sure to include your 4-digit extension number(s) in any emails, phone messages, or Technology Work Requests.
*The Briefs are designed to print on a single sheet of letter-sized (8.5\" x 11\") paper in 2-sided (duplex) tablet format (flipped on a shorter 8.5\" side) to make a folded 4-page 5.5\" x 8.5\" mini-booklet.

Picture Model
Number		 Highlights Brief*
Mini-Booklet
in PDF Format		 Interactive Tutorial
in Flash format 		User Guide
in PDF Format		 Product Information
Cisco Web Page
Cisco 7911 IP phone 7911
  • 1-Line
  • Group Listen
    		• Brief Interactive Tutorial
    requires Flash    		 User Guide
    80 Pages    		 Product Info
    Cisco 7941 IP phone 7941
  • 2-Line
  • Speakerphone
  • Headset capable
    		• Brief Interactive Tutorial
    requires Flash    		 User Guide
    90 Pages    		 Product Info
    Cisco 6941 IP phone 6941
  • 4-Line
  • Speakerphone
  • Headset capable
    		• NA Product Tour
    requires Java    		 User Guide
    120 Pages    		 Product Info
    Cisco 7961 IP phone 7961
  • 6-Line
  • Speakerphone
  • Headset capable
    		• Brief Interactive Tutorial
    requires Flash    		 User Guide
    90 Pages    		 Product Info
    Cisco 7937 IP phone 7937
  • 1-Line
  • Conference Phone
    		• NA NA User Guide
    70 Pages    		 Product Info

    Connection Diagram

    Voicemail

    Voicemail Messaging
  • Our district uses the Cisco Unity Messaging System for voicemail.
  • You can find basic voicemail instructions in the Phone Briefs above.
  • More comprehensive instructions are available in the User Guide for the Cisco Unity Phone Interface.

    • Cellular Phones

    Motorola Renegade V950
  • The District Computer Center does not service or support cellular telephones.
  • Please direct questions, concerns, and comments to the NPS Purchasing Department (447-6553).
  • Sprint is the current service provider for the district cellular telephones.
  • The telephone handset selected for district use is the Motorola Renegade V950 (PDF User Guide).

    • Mobile Hotspots

    Sprint Overdrive Pro Mobile Hotspot
  • The District Computer Center does not service or support mobile hotspot (aka "mobile broadband") devices.
  • Please direct questions, concerns, and comments to the NPS Purchasing Department (447-6553).
  • Sprint is the current service provider for the district mobile hotspots.
  • One device selected for district use is the Sierra Wireless Overdrive Pro (PDF Get Started Guide & User Guide).
  • Another device selected for district use is the Novatel Wireless MiFi 4082 (PDF User Guide).
  • These devices can interfere with our district wireless network. Mobile Hotspot devices should not be used in the district without prior approval from the DCC.

    • VoIP FAQ   Voice over Internet Protocol
    Frequently Asked Questions
    		  Question List / Contents  

  • How does Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) work?
  • Why is our district converting to IP phones?
  • Who can I call with my IP phone?
  • How can I obtain directory assistance?
  • Can I use my computer while I talk on the phone?
  • Can I use my phone while I work on the computer?
  • Does my computer need to be powered on for me to place and receive phone calls?
  • Does my phone need to be powered on for me to work on my computer?
  • If my building (wing, classroom, office, etc.) loses electrical power will my phone still work?
  • Can I relocate my IP phone?
  • How do I reconnect my IP phone?
  • How do I change my ring tone?
    		•   Q & A  

    Q: How do Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) phone services work?

    A:  IP phones convert your voice into a digital signal that travels over the network. If you are calling a regular, public utility phone number then the signal is converted to a regular telephone signal before it reaches the destination. VoIP can allow you to make a call directly from a computer, a special IP phone (aka VoIP phone), or a traditional phone connected to a special adapter.

    Q: Why is our district converting to IP phones?

    A: We had already reached (or exceeded) the maximum number of phones that the antequated individual phone systems in several of our schools were capable of managing. The new district IP phone system offers us many more options for expansion, location, and management of our growing phone network.

    Q: Who can I call with my IP phone?

    A: Our NPS IP phones operate very much like our previous Merlin and Plexar phones except they allow more options. The district now has the capability of granting or denying local and long distance calls on a phone-by-phone basis. Not all NPS IP phones will have the ability to place long distance calls. If you are calling someone who has a regular analog phone, that person does not need any special equipment to talk to you. Our IP phones even allow you to speak to more than one person at a time (conference call).

    Q: How can I obtain directory assistance?

    A: You can place a directory assistance call (9-1-411) from a public utility phone (non-IP phone) at your site. We generally leave an emergency contact "hotline" pubic utility telephone in the Principal's office - often through the Fax line. The elementary school kitchens/cafeterias usually have a public utility phone shared between the kitchen and the Community After School Program (CASP). We are working on a VoIP solution for in-phone directory assistance. In the meantime you still have access to numerous online tools such as:

    Q: Can I use my computer while I talk on the phone?

    A: Yes.

    Q: Can I use my phone while I work on the computer?

    A: Yes.

    Q: Does my computer need to be powered on for me to place and receive phone calls?

    A: No.

    Q: Does my phone need to be powered on for me to work on my computer?

    A: If the network cable for your computer is plugged into your phone then yes your phone must be powered on for your computer to have a network connection. Our new Cisco IP phones have a built-in network switch to which we can connect a computer. But the phone must have power for that switch to function. However, this should rarely be an issue as the phones do not have power switches so they should always remain powered on.

    Q: If my building (wing, classroom, office, etc.) loses electrical power will my phone still work?

    A: Maybe. The IP phones require power to work. We hope to provide limited reserve power for a limited number of phones per campus. That power reserve may last several minutes but probably not several hours. Our priority will be to protect primary office telephones. Each Site Principal should also have access to a public utility phone (a non-IP "hotline" phone) that may maintain function even during extended power outages. When power is restored it may take our network and our IP phone system a few minutes to ragain full connectivity and restore service to all phones.

    Q: Can I relocate my IP phone?

    A: If you have a black AC power adapter with your IP phone then you can relocate your phone to another network outlet within the NPS network. You will need (1) your IP phone, (2) your AC power adapter and cords, and (3) your network patch cable. You can not use your IP phone outside the NPS network. Some of our NPS IP phones receive power through their network cable rather than with an AC power adapter. These phones may not be relocated without assistance from the NPS District Computer Center.

    Q: How do I reconnect my IP phone?

    A: Keep in mind that our new network-based IP phones connect to the wall using a network patch cable rather than a telephone cable. The patch cable should connect the "10/100 SW" port (SW for switch) on the phone to an orange network jack on a wall or pole. Most of our IP phones require a power cord with an AC adapter - although a few are powered through their network patch cables. Our IP phones also have a second network outlet on the back labeled "10/100 PC" (PC for computer) which may be used to connect a computer to the network. You should never connect the 10/100 PC port on the phone to a wall or pole. Click here to see a diagram of the IP phone connections.

    Q: How do I change my ring tone?

    A: You can change the ring tone on a phone extension to suit your needs. If you have a multi-line phone you may set the ring tone to be different for each extension. We have three ring tones that are especially useful on multi-line phones. Silence makes no audible sound on that phone - although you may still see the blinking red handset indicator when you have an incoming call. Telstra and Tweedle are softer, less intrusive ring tones. To change your ring tone...
    1. Press the Settings button on your phone.
    2. Press the Select soft key to select User Preferences
    3. Press the Select soft key to select Rings
    4. Using the blue Navigation button, scroll down to the extension you want to change
    5. Press the Select soft key to select that extension
    6. Use the blue Navigation button and the Play soft key to find the ring tone you prefer
    7. Use the Select key to mark your preference
    8. Press the Save soft key
    9. Press the Settings button once (or the Exit soft key 3 times) to exit

     Back 

    		This page last updated 6-24-10. We have made every reasonable attempt to insure that our web pages are educationally sound and do not contain links to materials that violate the Norman Public School District's Policies on Internet and Internet Safety for the Computer Network. Opinions expressed on these web pages do not necessarily reflect those of the Norman Public School District. For more information concerning this site please email webmaster@norman.k12.ok.us.