Configuring CUCME from the Ground Up: Basic CUCME
Configuring CUCME is really, really easy. At least a really basic, phones register and can call each other, CUCME configuration is really, really easy. In this post I will help you get your phones registered to your CUCME router, and get their firmware updated to whatever release you downloaded.
What you will need:
A couple Cisco IP phones (IP Communicator or IP Blue will work just fine)
A router and switch with network connectivity between each other (see: CUCM Network Configuration)
A computer running a TFTP server, connected to the above router/switch
CUCME files (download here : You must have a Cisco CCO Account)
Configuring CUCME from the Ground Up: Network Configuration
I know that Cisco has a very nice SRND & Administration Guide for CUCME, but I have found at time searching through them can be a little challenging when you are just wanting to get your equipment up and running so your phones can register. I am not sure how many parts this series of posts will include, but I am planning on starting with a new router with no configuration and going from there.
Here is the equipment I will be using during this series of articles:
2811ISR router running IOS c2800nm-spservicesk9-mz.124-24.T2
Catalyst 3550 switch running IOS c3550-i5q3l2-mz.121-22.EA8
Cisco 7940 IP phone
Cisco 7912 IP phone
Cisco 7970 IP phone
Laptop for a TFTP server, also running Cisco IP Communicator
Half Way There
Well, it’s done. I have successfully passed the written portion of the CCIE Voice. Now for the long and expensive, did I mention long and expensive journey toward preparing for the lab portion. My plan is to schedule my first attempt in late November/early December of this year. I think this will give me more than enough time to adequately prepare. I don’t want to rush into anything, especially since $1400 is a lot to drop per attempt.
Another Crack Needed
Well, my first attempt at the Voice written exam was unsuccessful. I was very close, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand gernades.
The overall experience was positive. I now know that it will take me every second of the 120 minutes that you are alloted. With previous Cisco exams, I was normally out of the test center within 45 minutes of starting, not this time. It was definately a chanllenge to keep to a 1 question a minute average when you have to sift through QoS configs and manually calculate bandwidth requirements.
Progress Update – 12/18/09
So, I have not been keeping up my end of the bargain when it comes to posting interesting and relative articles in a timely fashion. 1 update a month? That is absolutely terrible and unacceptable. I don’t really have any excuses other than my laziness. Maybe its because I don’t think you want to hear me blather on, but maybe you do. From this moment on, I will assume that you do.
Now on to the reason for this post. I have been preparing to take my CCIE Voice written exam over the past few months. A week or so ago, I decided that I needed to have an end date, or I would never get serious about getting through the material. So, I have finally spent the $350 and scheduled the exam. I am locked in for 12/23/09 @ 12:45p.
Over the past month I have accumulated a few items that I think have been helpful in preparing me for the written exam, some more than others: