Hunt Group restrictions on the ShoreTel Phone System

Issue: Hunt Groups Requirements and Restrictions with ShoreTel System

Scenario: What are the requirements and restrictions on the ShoreTel Phone System for Hunt Groups?

Resolution: First let's discuss what Hunt Groups are and how they can be used. Once you have an understanding of what they are and how to use them, the requirements will make more sense.

Hunt groups allow you to route calls to a list of extensions. Hunt groups can be accessed via an extension, DID, and/or DNIS mappings. Hunt groups are supported by ShoreGear switches and remain available when connectivity to the Headquarters server is lost. The hunt group can be used as the backup destination for a workgroup, so that some basic hunting can be done even when the workgroup server is not reachable. To maximize reliability, assign hunt groups to a switch close to the majority of the members and/or trunks associated with the hunt group.

NOTE: Hunt groups place a significantly heavier burden on the ShoreGear voice switch. For example, if you have a hunt group with 16 members, a single call into the hunt group will generate 16 simultaneous calls (assuming the feature is configured to simultaneously ring each hunt group member). To extend this example, assume that the call stack size for this hunt group is set to 16, and 16 calls arrived at the same time, this would be equivalent to 256 calls (16 x 16) simultaneous calls. The number of hunt group members (as well as the call stack depth) is a multiplying factor for the signaling load that would be generated - thus, you should closely engineer hunt groups to ensure that the voice switch is not overburdened in order to ensure optimal performance.

You can have 8 hunt groups on a switch BUT you are limited to 16 hunt group members total per switch.

What does this mean? The maximum number of members across all groups on the switch has to remain below 16. For instance, you could have one hunt group of 16 members or 2 hunt groups with 8 members each, 4 hunt groups with 4 members each and so on...MAXIMUM is 16 Members across all hunt groups on a switch.

How can Hunt Groups be used? Hunt group can be used as the backup destination for an operator or workgroup, so that basic hunting occurs even when the operator or workgroup is not reachable. To maximize reliability, assign hunt groups to a switch close to the majority of the members and/or trunks associated with the hunt group.

Hunt groups can be used for:

Backup Routing for a workgroup
Hunt groups can be used when the workgroup server is not reachable because of a
network outage or admission control. When the hunt group is set to offer each
member a single call at a time, then call offering is similar to a workgroup.
Hunt Group as a Call Forward Destination
In a small office where individuals generally receive calls directly, users may want
someone in the office to answer calls when they are unable to answer. Hunt groups
can provide alternate destinations in this case.
Distribution of Calls to Backup Operators
A hunt group can provide backup operators for the primary operator who handles
calls to a main company number.
Common Line Monitoring
A hunt group can be used for line monitoring. For example, several operators may
wish to monitor the same line and all have an opportunity to answer calls at the
same time.

*For more info on Hunt Groups, please refer to the ShoreTel Planning and Installation Guide at:

http://support.shoretel.com/products/ip_phone_system

Select the ShoreTel release you are running and select the Planning and Installation Guide. As of ShoreTel 10, Director will prompt you when you exceed the configuration limits of a Hunt Group.

Related Products

IP Phones
IP Phone System
ShoreGear 12
ShoreGear-120
ShoreGear-220E1
ShoreGear-220T1
ShoreGear-220T1A
ShoreGear 24
ShoreGear-24A
ShoreGear-30
ShoreGear-30BRI
ShoreGear-40
ShoreGear-50
ShoreGear-60
ShoreGear-90
ShoreGear-90BRI
ShoreGear IPBX 12