System design, help - only analogue cabling

[carl_townshend]

Hi All

We have a site whereby it is impossible for us to install any new cabling, we can only use the analogue telephony cabling they have in place now, there are about 20 analogue phones on site, basic reception phone and voicemail only.

We need to replace the old analogue phone system with something else.

Knowing we cannot replace the cabling, what options do we have?

I was thinking maybe a cucme with a VG310?

Are these compatible? would I get enough functionality?

Cheers

[Chris Deren]

I've heard of some customers in similar situation successfully using the Phybridge switches.  I myself never deployed these, but supposedly they work as advertised:

https://marketplace.cisco.com/catalog/solution/90769?pid=95056

[Vaijanath Sonvane]

Hi,

VG 310 is supported with CUCME. Here is the compatibility guide:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucme/requirements/guide/cme126spc.html 

Regarding functionality, you need to check what features you are looking and what features are supported with CUCME and VG 310 integration. You can go through supplementary services features guide for FXS Ports:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios/voice/fxs/configuration/guide/15_1/fxs_15_1_cg_book.html 

The other option is to use Cisco 4000 Series Router with SM-X-24FXS/4FXO. SM-X-24FXS/4FXO is supported with CUCME. In this case you don't have to maintain two different equipment's. Below URL provides the list of supplementary analog features available on 4000 Series ISRs using FXS and FXO service modules:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/routers/4000-series-integrated-services-routers-isr/datasheet-c78-739991.html 

[Adam Pawlowski]

If your current phone system is digital it likely offers more functionality especially for the console station. Patton and other companies make devices to run Ethernet over single pair voice grade copper , coax , etc. Some phones like the 8861 also run over WiFi, and Jabber etc on a PC. I gather if you had the funding for that you’d upgrade the cable plant.

[Chris Deren]

This is where Phybridge comes into play, you can run POE over old analog/digital cables when re-wiring with CAT5/6 is not an option. 

[carl_townshend]

Hi There

So would I just plug the 21 from the patch panel into the phybridge unit, then plug the cucme into the network and the phones will register like a normal phone over ethernet etc?

[Chris Deren]

Correct, you can use Cisco IP Phones over insufficient cabling with the switch.

[Leo Laohoo]

Wireless handset.