# Configure a Shared Extension Mailbox

This capability allows multiple users who share a telephone extension to each have their own private mailbox.

To configure the shared-extension capability in a tree mailbox:

1. Configure a tree mailbox and assign a customized FCOS that includes the following feature bits:

   - All the feature bits typically required for a tree mailbox, as in FCOS 15 (Tree)

   - 229 (Play names of list 1 children)

   - 234 (Check message wait status of children)

2. Add the same GCOS to the tree mailbox that is assigned to its child mailboxes (the mailboxes that share the extension).

3. For each child mailbox:

   - Assign an FCOS that includes feature bit 134 (Broadcast message waiting status).

   - Assign the same GCOS that you assigned to the tree mailbox.

4. Create Distribution List 1 for the tree mailbox just configured, adding all the child mailboxes.

5. Create Distribution List 1 for each child mailbox. Make the tree mailbox the only member.

6. Record a greeting for the tree mailbox. For example, "Thank you for calling Redwood Realty." The server automatically supplements this greeting with directions for the caller to press a different number for each person sharing the tree mailbox (extension). For example, "To leave a message for John McSales, press 1, for Jane VanBroker, press 2, for Lee Smith, press 3."

7. Direct mailbox owners of the child mailboxes to record their own names and greetings in their respective mailboxes, if wanted.