IP phones like the GXP-2000 have BLF buttons that indicate line status. I came up with the idea of translating this to 1A2 style phones. The BLF buttons on the IP phone are also "speed dial" as a push of the button calls the extension. I want to take an old Call Director, and wire it back to a panel that would be controlled by the IP phone's LED's. When a phone is in use, it's status button shows up as red, when not in use its green. I would use the red indication to trigger the line lamp steady. The red also flashes when ringing, I can use that pulse to trigger the incomming ring. Finally I can configure each button as a local extension on my Asterisk PBX and to autodial the remote extension. Hookflash can be my hold or I can rig something up with the original hold button. Should be interesting!

You can always tell when something is old if it says "Made in USA"