A configurable, multi-function voice over internet protocol, VoIP, unit comprising: a VoIP control module for controlling VoIP operations of the VoIP unit with respect to other VoIP units in an Internet Protocol, IP, network, the VoIP control module being configured to operate the VoIP unit in a plurality of modes by selectively participating in at least one of point-to-point communication between the VoIP unit and another one of the VoIP units in the IP network and multicast communication between the VoIP unit and a plurality of the VoIP units depending on which of the plurality of modes the VoIP unit is currently operating in, the plurality of modes comprising at least two of a serverless page-party station mode, an access panel mode that provides alarm activation and public address emergency broadcasts to selected zones via an IP network, and a serverless point-to-point intercom mode; a speaker coupled to the VoIP control module and configured for audio output; a microphone coupled to the VoIP control module and configured to receive audio input; a touch screen display coupled to the VoIP control module and configured to operate a graphical user interface to generate display screens (20, 100) corresponding to the currently selected one of the plurality of modes and to receive user inputs via the display screens (20, 100), at least one of the display screens (20, 100) comprises operational mode selection buttons (102, 104, 110, 118, 126) corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of modes, the VoIP control module being configured to respond to activation of any of the operational mode selection buttons (102, 104, 110, 118, 126) by operating the VoIP unit in accordance with the corresponding one of plurality of modes; and an IP network interface module connected to the VoIP control module and the IP network and configured to exchange bi-directional Ethernet data between the IP network and the VoIP control module and to condition audio signals received the IP network for output via the speaker and to condition audio signals input via the microphone for transmission via the IP network. a VoIP control module for controlling VoIP operations of the VoIP unit with respect to other VoIP units in an Internet Protocol, IP, network, the VoIP control module being configured to operate the VoIP unit in a plurality of modes by selectively participating in at least one of point-to-point communication between the VoIP unit and another one of the VoIP units in the IP network and multicast communication between the VoIP unit and a plurality of the VoIP units depending on which of the plurality of modes the VoIP unit is currently operating in, the plurality of modes comprising at least two of a serverless page-party station mode, an access panel mode that provides alarm activation and public address emergency broadcasts to selected zones via an IP network, and a serverless point-to-point intercom mode; a speaker coupled to the VoIP control module and configured for audio output; a microphone coupled to the VoIP control module and configured to receive audio input; a touch screen display coupled to the VoIP control module and configured to operate a graphical user interface to generate display screens (20, 100) corresponding to the currently selected one of the plurality of modes and to receive user inputs via the display screens (20, 100), at least one of the display screens (20, 100) comprises operational mode selection buttons (102, 104, 110, 118, 126) corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of modes, the VoIP control module being configured to respond to activation of any of the operational mode selection buttons (102, 104, 110, 118, 126) by operating the VoIP unit in accordance with the corresponding one of plurality of modes; and an IP network interface module connected to the VoIP control module and the IP network and configured to exchange bi-directional Ethernet data between the IP network and the VoIP control module and to condition audio signals received the IP network for output via the speaker and to condition audio signals input via the microphone for transmission via the IP network.