Cisco IOS version compatibility with latest CUCM

[Umer Javed]

hy guys,

some useful discussion about cisco ios licensing. there is a setup of 3825 router. Now it is running as CME with CUE module with IOS 12.4.i want to integrate existing infrastructure with some new configuration and adding CUCM 10.x on BE6K but when i see the compatibility matrix of CUCM 10.x it shows 3800 series router will work but with 15.x IOS . can anyone explain the difference of 12.4 and 15.x.

i read somewhere that there is difference of licensing scheme of 12.4 and 15.x. what will happen to the 12.4 IOS licenses is that will work on 15.x or i have to purchase new IOS image of 15.x with features. what about universal image? Kindly share any useful link and document thank you.

Regards,

Umer

[Aman Soi]

Hi Umer,

For the differences , u can refer to Release notes of IOS 15.x

Toll Fraud Prevention was introduced in 15.x

Yes, with 15.x, u require licenses on ISRG2 to be activated through PAK. For ISRG1 , u do not require any licenses to be loaded on router.

What I suppose , since u are already running 12.x image with Voice feature set[already purchased], u can upgrade to 15.x as long as the router is under support contract.

you can watch the video

http://www.cisco.com/assets/prod/ios-nxos/ios_sw_releases_15/index.html

you can have evaluation UC/Security license for testing functionality on ISRG2 for 60 days on IOS 15.x while in ISR G1 routers, it was to be purchased for 12.x /15.x

you can refer the link

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/ios-nx-os-software/ios-packaging/product_bulletin_c25-557281.html

Let others also share ideas for more clarity.

regds,

aman

[Umer Javed]

thank you very much for your quick response @aman

yes you are right that i have already running 12.x image with voice. actually i am trying to find if i will not change the IOS image which is 12.x.Is this fine or compatible with CUCM 10.x or i have to compulsory change to 15.x?

[Aman Soi]

my suggestion would be to upgrade to 15.x to avoid any incompatibility/support issues.

we have upgraded GW to latest compatible version with CUCM.

regds,

aman

[Umer Javed]

yes of course i will also prefer to change the IOS, But this is also a question that if i will not change the IOS as recommended by the Cisco. What would happen and what kind of issues i ll face, because i read the compatibility of CUCM 10.x but i haven't read anywhere that Cisco force us to change the IOS otherwise you will be facing these kinds of issues like some features will not working properly and some other issues

Regards,

Umer

[Jaime Valencia]

If you open a TAC, and the CSE believes the issue issue is due to a not compatible IOS release, he can ask you to upgrade before further troubleshooting is done. We do not test very single IOS with every single CUCM release, we also don't have any doc about what might fail with a certain combination 

[Aman Soi]

Hi Umer,

we were facing an issue of inbound/outbound calls not working between TDM[Siemens Exchange] and Cisco IP phone[CUCM 9.x]

Finally, we opened a tac case and came to know the GW IOS was the culprit. We upgraded IOS of GW and is working fine for than one year.

regds,

aman

[Umer Javed]

thank you and agree with you Jaime according to Cisco recommendation we have to change the IOS. Its also difficult to test every single IOS with every single CUCM Release and certain combination of servers

Thank you aman that is what i want to know because there must be something exist in compatibility matrix because of recommendation by Cisco with new release of CUCM although CUCM have many features but basic functionality is calling. if there is any issue with inbound or outbound calling we have to move forward

Regards,

Umer

[Umer Javed]

there is lil bit confusion for me guys
as i mention that 12.4t ios is running on 3825 router. i see compatibility tool on this link
http://tools.cisco.com/ITDIT/vtgsca/VTGServlet
there is recommendation of ios 15.1.4M7 when i see the 3800 series router with 15.x ios there is some hardware difference. it must be 512/128.
512mb ram and 128mb flash. what i found the sku of 512mb ram MEM3800-512D=
but there is no 128mb flash sku
MEM3800-256CF=
 there is only 256mb flash is it fine with 512mb ram ?

[Aman Soi]

Hi Umer,

you check with Cisco AM on this but 128MB flash should be fine since all images with 512MB DRAM under 15.1.4M7 require 128MB Flash as per IOS download  site.

regds,

aman

[Umer Javed]

here i found the compatibility of cucm 10.5

http://tools.cisco.com/ITDIT/vtgsca/VTGServlet

there is recommendation of ios 15.1.4M7 when i see the 3800 series router with 15.x ios there is some hardware difference. it must be 512/128. on this link

https://software.cisco.com/download/release.html?mdfid=279042640&softwareid=280805680&release=15.1.4M4

512mb ram and 128mb flash. what i found the sku of 512mb ram MEM3800-512D=
but there is no 128mb flash sku on ccw

which must be this one

MEM3800-128CF=

but i found only
MEM3800-256CF=

is there any suggestion or should i select the 256mb flash ?

[Aman Soi]

there is no harm even if u install 256MB Flash.

regds,

aman

[Umer Javed]

Thank you Aman

is there any service/support contract required from Cisco because it is already installed may be the customer's contract expires if there is any issue because i read that if the router is ISRG2 then there must be licenses otherwise not required

Regards,

Umer

[Aman Soi]

Hi Umer,

what best can be said is that if u are upgrading to higher IOS version say from 12 to 10 in same feature set , u do not require any contract .In case of any hardware issue, if u need to open tac case or do RMA , then, u need support contract for HW coverage.

same wud apply for ISR G2.

In ISRG2, if u are changing feature set like from voice shifting to security, then, u can get eval/temp license.

regds,

aman