help choosing call manager

[chris fricke]

Can you help me find the right hardware to support around 50 7941G IP Phones?

I'm considering the MCS 7816, but I"m confused on the different models/options (I3,H3,IPC...)

We already have the 7941 phones and just want basic business phone services to support

a single PRI, a few FXS ports, voicemail, autoattendent,

We also have a 2801 router with CME 3.3 loaded, but found that the 3.3 doesn't support

the 7941G phones, and also realized the 2801 hardware only supports about 24 phones.  So we're looking

for something that will support up to about 50 -60 phones.

Is the MCS7816 the best way to go?  What model/options?

Thanks

[paolo bevilacqua · Accepted solution]

You can use a 2821 or 2911 with CME for that.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/voicesw/ps6788/vcallcon/ps4625/data_sheet_c78-634095.html

Otherwise, an UC540, that come 3ith integrated Voice Mail and many nice features.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/prod/collateral/voicesw/ps6788/vcallcon/ps7293/reference_guide_c07-566560.html

Either are simple, cheaper and perfectly effective solution compared to CUCBE that uses a server.

In any case, you will need support from a reputable consultant or certified Cisco partner.

[Jaime Valencia]

The 7816 are for CUCMBE which could be an option since it includes CUCM and CUC.

Otherwise what you're looking for is a 7815.

You can only have another 7815 in the cluster to make a PUB/SUB deployment.

Supported Servers for Releases of Cisco Unified  Communications Manager, Cisco Intercompany Media Engine and Session  Manager Edition

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/prod/collateral/voicesw/ps6790/ps5748/ps378/prod_brochure0900aecd8062a4f9.html

For that number of phones you might want to look into CME instead.

Cisco Unified CME and Cisco IOS Software Version  Compatibility Matrix

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucme/requirements/guide/33matrix.htm

Click in the version you're interested and you'll find a table with ISR/ISR G2 models and how many phones they support.

If you only need 50 phones CME would be a better choice than CUCM, unless you need specific features only CUCM has.

HTH

java

If this helps, please rate

www.cisco.com/go/pdihelpdesk

[Jonathan Schulenberg]

Just to chime in quick: I would never recommend a MCS7816 for production due to the lack of RAID with a SATA drive. You're asking for an outage IMO.

As Paolo said, nothing wrong with CCME here; especially since you already understand it in principal. CUCM is an entirely different animal.

[chris fricke]

What are the main feature differences between the UC560 and the 2911 or 2821 w/CME8.5 (or the 2921/2851 for up to 100 phones)

Are there any other big differences we might run into?  Is there any difference between the 2900 series and the 2800 series?

It looks to me like the UC560 is packaged with everything we need, maybe just add the T1 card.

It looks like the 2800 or 2900's have more expandable routing capabilities, which we won't really need.

Thanks for the advice.

[paolo bevilacqua]

If you check, there is an UC560 that comes with T1/E1 already.

The difference from the ISR router, is that the router adopts new CME features earlier, and is as you noted, a general purpose router, not just a voice system..

The most important thing is that you locate experienced support unless you want to "reinvent the wheel" yourself  and risk user dissatisfaction.

In the meanwhile, please remember to rate useful posts clicking on the stars below.