Setting Up a Behnke IP Intercom System for the First Time
This setup guide walks you through the first-time setup of a simple Behnke IP intercom system with one door station and one indoor station.
Once setup is complete, call button 1 on the door station can call the indoor station with intercom ID 1.
Note
This setup guide covers a minimal system. For information on the basic structure, intercom groups and intercom IDs, see the article: Structure and Function of an IP Intercom SystemThis page was last checked against version 6.56; the current version is 6.33. This notice is generated automatically and was not written by an editor..
Requirements
The following are required for the minimal system:
- 1 Behnke door station
- 1 Behnke indoor station
- 1 PoE or PoE+ switch
- 2 network cables
For a door station with a hearing loop, a PoE+ switch may be required, depending on the hardware used.
Both Behnke stations must be able to communicate with each other over the IP network.
The following configuration is used for this setup guide:
| Device | Intercom group | Intercom ID |
|---|---|---|
| Door station | 1 |
none |
| Indoor station | 1 |
1 |
Important
The administrator password is a global setting and must be identical on all devices of the IP intercom system.

1. Connecting the devices to the network
First, put the PoE or PoE+ switch into operation.
Then connect the door station and the indoor station to the switch, each with a network cable.
Außenstation
|
|
PoE-Switch
|
|
Innenstation
The devices start automatically once they are connected to the PoE supply.
The Behnke stations first try to obtain an IP address via DHCP. If no DHCP server is available, they use a self-assigned link-local address from the 169.254.0.0/16 network.
Note
For a simple minimal system, no special configuration of the switch is generally required.
2. Setting up the door station
The initial configuration of the door station can be performed using the configuration button.
The configuration button is located on the connection board of the door station.

* Configuration button
Press the configuration button once to start the initial configuration.
Then make the following settings:
-
Language: German
Press the configuration button2 times. -
Operating mode: Intercom mode
Press the configuration button4 times. -
Intercom group: Group
1
Press the configuration button1 time.
After the intercom group is selected, the configuration is saved.
This completes the basic setup of the door station.
Note
The operating mode and intercom group selected during the initial configuration can be changed later via the web interface or the configuration mode.
3. Setting up the indoor station
Connect the indoor station to the PoE switch and wait until the device has fully started.
For indoor stations, we recommend performing the initial configuration via the display.

During the initial configuration, select:
- Language: German
- Operating mode: Intercom mode
- Intercom group:
1 - Intercom ID:
1 - Name: for example
Reception
Afterwards, further settings offered, such as inside door, code lock and automatic preview, can be set according to the installation.
For basic communication between the door station and the indoor station, the decisive factors are in particular the same intercom group and the intercom ID of the indoor station.
4. Checking the function
After the initial configuration, the door station and the indoor station are basically ready for operation.
Since both devices are in intercom group 1 and the indoor station has ID 1, call button 1 of the door station is automatically assigned to this indoor station, as long as no other call number has been configured for the button.
Press call button 1 on the door station.
The indoor station should ring.
Außenstation
Taste 1
|
| Gruppe 1 / ID 1
v
Innenstation
ID 1
Answer the call at the indoor station and check the voice connection.
For a door station with a camera, the video transmission can also be checked.
5. Naming the door station
After the initial configuration, the door station initially uses its automatically assigned hostname.
For a clearer overview of the system, it is advisable to assign a meaningful name such as Main entrance, Entrance or Delivery.
The door station can be configured via the configuration mode of an indoor station.
Open the configuration mode of the indoor station and:
- Log in with the administrator password
- Select the door station

- Open
General - Select
Station name - Enter the desired name
- Save the configuration
After saving, the door station is displayed under the assigned name.
6. Result
The basic Behnke IP intercom system is set up.
The devices are in the same intercom group, and the indoor station can be addressed via its intercom ID.
The following applies to the minimal system used here:
Sprechanlagengruppe: 1
Außenstation
|
| Taste 1
v
Innenstation
Sprechanlagen-ID: 1
Further call buttons, indoor stations and intercom groups can then be set up according to the desired installation.
7. If the connection does not work
In particular, check the following:
- Are the door station and the indoor station in the same intercom group?
- Does the indoor station have the expected intercom ID?
- Can both devices reach each other over the IP network?
- Do all devices of the IP intercom system use the same administrator password?
- Do all devices use at least firmware version
5.85? - Has an individual call number already been configured for the call button?
For a call button that has not been individually configured, the following applies in intercom mode:
Taste 1 → ID 1
Taste 2 → ID 2
Taste 3 → ID 3
...
8. FAQ
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