I am working on deploying an SL2100 and have found the limitation regarding department groups in that you cannot have any forwarding enabled for extensions that are a member of the department group. I was thinking I would just use a virtual extension key to get around the problem, but then I found that a virtual extension key cannot be assigned to a 3rd party SIP phone. Ideally I would like to find a method that would allow a pilot number to ring a group of Grandstream WP820's that are connected to the system, while retaining their ability to have individual mailboxes assigned to them. The WP820's are working well with our old DSX, but it's time to upgrade. I'm hoping there is a way to make it work, thank you!

Have you considered using virtual loobacks to bring the calls back in as incoming calls which can then just be directed to a normal incoming ring group?

Why not use a ring group?

I will certainly try the virtual loopback option, it looks like that should do what I need. I would just handle the calls with a ring group, but the calls will be handled by the receptionist and auto attendant first. I will post results when I’ve tested the programming. Thanks!

The virtual loopback worked like a charm, it’s a bit of pain to program, but does exactly what we need. Thanks again!