Hooking up Cisco IP Phone 7942 to a Linksys router

[brobke001]

My Cisco IP Phone 7942 will not work when hooking up to my Linksys WRT1200AC router via an ethernet cable.  Help?

[Anthony Brandelli]

More details needed so we can help you. Are you using a wall wart to power the phone or some PoE injector since I don't think this router does PoE? EG: does the phone power on and finish booting?

[brobke001]

Hi Anthony,

Thank you for responding.  I have my IT person on the online right now and he is looking at the router and hook up for the phone.  Hopefully this will take care of the issue.  I believe that the phone may need to be configured as I upgraded to this new router whereas the previous switch and router worked well before.

Thanks again, appreciate the effort.

[Anthony Brandelli]

Sounds like this should be solved soon then! Let us know if something doesn't work out. 

[brobke001]

Well, no luck from my IT person.  Says I may need to buy a router which is compatible with the Cisco 7942 phone I have.  Or I should have my cable company visit the house,, but I am confident the cable company will ask "Does your cable work?,, if it does why would we need to come out?".  IT person has offered to check the phone at HQ with their router,,, but what good is that doing to do me with this new router.  Everything else in my house has linked up just fine, with increased speed.

Previously I had the Ethernet cable plugged into a Linksys switch which was between my cable modem and my Linksys wireless router.  Cisco phone took a bit to register (half hour +/-), but was working for 2.5 months.

I purchased this new Linksys WRT1200AC router with hopes I could eliminate the switch.  Primary goal was to speed up my wireless as the old router and switch were from 2004. 

I get the feeling that the Cisco 7942 phone needs to be configured so the new Linksys WRT1200AC will see it.

The phone powers up fine,,, but "Registering" is all that shows on the screen.

Any thoughts?

[Anthony Brandelli]

This phone sounds like it uses a VPN connection to connect back to an ASA at an office, which then links up to a UCM or CME system. I don't think calling your ISP will help, whoever your internal support staff are need to examine how this is configured and why the tunnel isn't coming up possibly. If the phone is able to register when it's at the office and not using the VPN tunnel, then they know where to focus their efforts. 

[brobke001]

Thank you again Anthony.

IT emailed and said I should connect the phone directly to the Charter modem and if it works,,,, than its the new router that is bad. Did this and the "VPN Authentication Failed" message appeared.  I am guessing that I just need IT to give me some TLC on this issue.  You have been very helpful and I appreciate your responding,,, gives me a little hope.