How do BLF panels work?

[Fugoo]

Hi,

I'm almost ashamed for asking and this question might strike most of you as being too basic, but I can't wrap my head around it.

How do BLF panels work in practice and how they can be provisioned by fusionpbx ?
Do they emulate a SIP device and shall they be added as an "extension" in freepbx or as a user device ?

And lastly, any suggestions for a good BLF panel (Snom or others) with 8+ keys?

Please don't laugh

 

[ad5ou]

Just about every “BLF panel” out there is specific to a set of phone models. Most have way more than 8 keys since the phone they connect to are usually a larger phone with several buttons already.
Many expansion modules plug in with a special 4-8 pin connector to back of the phone. Some newer models use a USB interface with the phone.
Most phone templates use the “EXP” key type in Fusionpbx to assign the buttons but all of the various button modules are programmed on the phone they connect to. They are not a standalone device with their own registration info.

 

[Fugoo]

Aaahhh.

This is eye opening. Thank you for your clear answer.