# Upload a Template for a Custom Phone Model

Cloud Voice can configure supported desk phones for you automatically, a process called auto provisioning: instead of programming each handset by hand, the system pushes a configuration file to it. Out of the box, Cloud Voice recognizes a fixed list of phone models. If you have a handset from a vendor that Cloud Voice supports but whose exact model isn't on that list, you can add it yourself by uploading a custom template and giving the model your own name. Once the template exists, the phone becomes selectable during provisioning and Cloud Voice delivers your configuration file to it automatically.

:::note
A **template** tells Cloud Voice how to talk to a phone model. The **configuration file** inside it holds the actual settings the phone receives. The PBX (Private Branch Exchange) is the phone system that routes your organization's calls.
:::

## Before you begin

- Confirm your Cloud Voice system is running firmware **84.20.0.21** or later.
- Have the configuration file for the phone model ready. The file must be **5 MB or smaller**.

:::caution
Two things will stop this from working. Custom templates are only available on firmware **84.20.0.21** or later, so upgrade first if your system is older. Cloud Voice also rejects any configuration file larger than **5 MB**, so check the file size before you upload it.
:::

## Add the custom template

1. Sign in to the PBX web portal and open **Auto Provisioning > Resource Repository > Custom Templates**.
2. Click **Add**.
3. Fill in the fields in the **Basic** section.

   ![Custom template form with the basic template and model fields](/images/pbx/add-custom-model.png)

   - **Template Name**: A label that helps you recognize this template later.
   - **Source Default Template**: Choose an existing template that belongs to the same vendor as your phone. Cloud Voice reads the vendor and general settings from that source template so your custom model inherits the standard configuration.
   - **Template Type**: Set this to **Custom**.
   - **Remark**: Optional note for your own reference.
   - **Model**: Type the model name you want to use. Cloud Voice appends the suffix `_CUST` to it, marking it as a custom model.
   - **Configuration File**: Click **Browse** and pick the configuration file to upload.

   :::tip
   For **Source Default Template**, pick the template whose model is closest to your handset. Your custom model inherits that template's general settings, so a close match means less for you to adjust afterward.
   :::

   :::note
   You only type the base model name in the **Model** field. The `_CUST` suffix is added for you, so the finished model appears as something like `MyModel_CUST` in the phone list.
   :::
4. Click **Save**.

## Result

The new template appears in the **Custom Templates** list. When you add a phone, you can now select your custom model and its matching template, and Cloud Voice delivers the uploaded configuration file to the handset automatically.

![Custom template listed with edit and refresh controls](/images/pbx/custom-model-list.png)

![Selecting the custom phone model while adding a phone](/images/pbx/add-custom-phone-model-pce.png)

:::caution
The configuration file is pushed straight to the phone during provisioning and applies the settings it contains. A wrong or incomplete file can leave the handset misconfigured, so test with a single phone before you roll the model out to many.
:::

:::note
Changing a phone's configuration later is a two-step action. First, click the edit icon (![Edit](/images/pbx/edit.png)) next to the custom template and upload a replacement configuration file. Uploading only stores the new file: the phone keeps its old settings until you also click the refresh icon (![Refresh](/images/pbx/refresh-storage.png)), which pushes the updated configuration to the phone.
:::