Looking for a test lab CUCM Server ... IBM x3250-M2

[mattsmith]

Hi,

I'm looking for a server to run CUCM 8.6 for a test lab.

This IBM x3250-M2 is on the Supported Servers List.

Has any loaded CUCM on this hardard?

Or can someone recommend a Hardware Plateform keeping the cost low?

Thanks

Matt

[Aaron Harrison]

Hi

Just get any old Intel 64 based hardware with at least two cores and as much memory/disk as you can find. Then use VMware.

Aaron

[mattsmith]

Hi Aaron,

Do you have a link to download the VM Software?

Is it free?

Thanks

Matt

[Aaron Harrison]

Hi Matt

You can get ESXi for free, also seems to be called vSphere Hypervisor now.. probably best you do some research into virtualisation in general if you aren't familiar with VMware.

Most new deployments I do of CUCM etc are based on VMware so it's useful to know.

Immediate benefits to you for a lab are that you can run multiple CUCMs, UCCX etc on a single piece of hardware, and it doesn't have to meet the exacting specs that Cisco provide (you create a virtual machine with a suitable spec and that's all the CUCM install 'sees'). It also means less problems in future when Cisco age out some hardware platforms; typically less of a problem on a virtualised setup,  and you can always replace your hardware with whatever is newer but still cheap.

Aaron

[Mark Pareja]

Also you will want to download the CUCM OVA VM templates, these will build the VM Guest that will pass CUCM HW checks.