That’s my question really, why is failover not being handled internally using internal networking like SDWAN. The only real point of failure should be the load optimisers or firewall, everything else should be invisible to the trunk.

I can understand failure at the load optimisers or firewall level being a problem, but there’s always a single point of failure somewhere.

I don’t see how IP based authentication on a SBC/PBX has any issue at all really?

How often are you changing your SBC/PBX IP address? I would think hardly ever? Also, throw a load balancer in the mix as the authenticating IP and any change of IP address is resolved. However none of this affects where you are pushing calls from, as that is a question for the connection between your handsets and PBX/SBC. It should be invisible to the trunk as a geographical matter.

The issue of authenticating handsets in this way is kind of moot as I am never ever going to authenticate a trunk directly to a handset.

You have a PA1 which in of itself is an Amp, connecting to another Amp?

Shouldn’t it be volume speaker=100? I see you have it set to 8 there.

Try using the line out to connect directly to the speakers and see how loud it comes out, it might be your other amp at fault.

You are probably right, most testers can’t be arsed and will stick a sticker on a toaster sitting in a full bathtub if it means they get home quicker.

POE is a weird one when it comes to PAT testing. Because the phones can be powered by a plug in power adaptor they qualify for PAT testing and the devices that supply the power for the POE qualify for PAT testing so it often comes down to how your PAT tester wants to interpret it. Some take the whole chain from power socket to ethernet cabling while others just consider the devices themselves. If you get the former though, they will fail 2 pair (If it can even carry PoE).

Your absolutely best off using some of the flat/thin ethernet cord types that have been posted by others in this thread if space really does become an issue. You don’t want to be repurposing cabling that is not intended for PoE, especially if your a business. I note your in the UK as well, so you will fail PAT testing too using non certified cable for PoE.

You are going to have issues when it comes to power over ethernet, which pretty much all modern IP phones kind of expect to have as a default these days. Yeah you can use power adaptors, but that’s an even messier solution.

Besides most modern IP phones that are designed to be wall mounted account for the RJ45 jack in some way as they know it can’t and never will fit flush. What phone models are you using?