UC 500 Software Packs - Page 12

Steven DiStefano · ‎09-15-2009

[toc:faq]

General Information

The UC 500 Software Packs bundle all the necessary files for the UC 500 Series platform. The files include UC 500 IOS image, voicemail and automated attendant CUE software, IP Phone firmware files, and multiple TAR/archive files for various components of the UC 500 (for example vlan information, default configuration files for each product SKU, ringer files for IP Phones, music-on-hold files, background images for colored IP Phones, etc.). The UC 500 Software Packs are thoroughly tested with CCA releases and are pre-installed on UC 500 shipped from Cisco.

For any questions relating to the UC 500 Software Packs please email uc500-swp@cisco.com.

To download the latest UC 500 Series software go here:

https://supportforums.cisco.com/docs/DOC-9829/

For the latest CCA software go here:

http://www.cisco.com/go/configassist

For the latest OM software go here:

http://www.cisco.com/go/officemanager

Software Pack Roadmap

Note: Timelines & Releases are tentative and are subjected to change

Software Pack	Release Timeframe	IOS	CME	CUE	Compatible CCA
8.6.2	2013-JUL	15.1(4)M6	8.6	8.6.5	3.2.3
8.6.1	2012-NOV	15.1(4)M5	8.6	8.6.5	3.2.2
8.6.0	2012-JUN	15.1(4)M4	8.6	8.6.3	3.2.1
8.2.0	2011-JUL	15.1(2)T4	8.1	8.0.6	3.1
8.1.0	2010-DEC	15.1(2)T2	8.1	8.0.3	3.0
8.0.5	2010-NOV	15.0(1)XA3a	8.0	8.0.3	2.2.6
8.0.4	2010-AUG	15.0(1)XA3a	8.0	8.0.2	2.2.5
8.0.3	BETA¹	15.0(1)XA3a	8.0	8.0.2	2.2.5 (Beta)
8.0.2	2010-MAR	15.0(1)XA2	8.0	7.1.3	2.2.2
8.0.1	2010-FEB	15.0(1)XA1a	8.0	7.1.3	2.2.2
8.0.0	2009-NOV	15.0(1)XA	8.0	7.1.3	2.2
7.0.4	2009-OCT	12.4(20)T4	7.0	7.0.3	2.1.1
7.1.3	2009-SEP	12.4(24)SB	7.1	7.0.3	2.1

1. Software Pack 8.0.3 was only released as a BETA release.

2. Software Pack 8.0.5 was an unplanned release in response to CSCti85760

Phone Firmware Matrix

Software Pack	SPA-525G	SPA-50X SPA-30X	SPA 51x	7914	7915 7916	7921 7925	7936	7937	7940 7960	79XX	6901 6911	6921 6941 6961	8961 9951 9971
8.6.2	7.5.2c	7.5.2c	7.5.2d	5.0.4	1.0.4	1.4.1SR1	3.3.21	1.4.4	8.1.2	9.1.1	9.1.1	9.1.1	9.2.2
8.6.1	7.5.2a	7.5.2b	7.5.2b	5.0.4	1.0.4	1.4.1SR1	3.3.21	1.4.4	8.1.2	9.1.1	9.1.1	9.1.1	9.2.2
8.6.0	7.4.9c	7.4.9c		5.0.4	1.0.4	1.4.1SR1	3.3.21	1.4.4	8.1.2	9.1.1	9.1.1	9.1.1	9.2.2
8.2.0	7.4.8a	7.4.8a		5.0.4	1.0.4	1.3.4SR1	3.3.20	1.3.4	8.1.2	8.5.4S	9.0.2	8.5.4	--
8.1.0	7.4.6	7.4.6		5.0.4	1.0.4	1.3.4SR1	3.3.20	1.3.4	8.1.2	8.5.4S	9.0.2	8.5.4	--
8.0.5	7.4.4	7.4.4		5.0.4	1.0.4	1.3.4SR1	3.3.20	1.3.4	8.1.2	8.5.3S	--	--	--
8.0.4	7.4.4	7.4.4		5.0.4	1.0.4	1.3.4SR1	3.3.20	1.3.4	8.1.2	8.5.3S	--	--	--
8.0.3	7.4.4	7.4.4		5.0.4	1.0.4	1.3.3	3.3.20	1.3.4	8.1.2	8.5.3S	--	--	--
8.0.2	7.4.3	7.4.3		5.0.4	1.0.4	1.3.3	3.3.20	1.3.4	8.1.2	8.5.3S	--	--	--
8.0.1	7.4.3	7.4.3		5.0.4	1.0.4	1.3.3	3.3.20	1.3.4	8.1.2	8.5.3S	--	--	--
8.0.0	7.4.2	7.4.2		5.0.4	1.0.4	1.3.3	3.3.20	1.3.4	8.1.2	8.5.3S	--	--	--
7.0.4	7.1.9	7.1.3c		5.0.3	1.0.3	1.2.1 / 1.3.1	3.3.16	1.3.2	8.0.1	8.4.2S	--	--	--
7.1.3	7.1.9	7.1.3c		5.0.3	1.0.3	1.2.1 / 1.3.1	3.3.16	1.3.2	8.0.1	8.4.2S	--	--	--

Firmware version 8.1.17 will be the last release for the CP-52X model phones bundled with the Software Packs.

MD5 Checksum

A UC 500 Software Pack contains a bundle of various software components resulting to a large zip file - E.g. 300MB. To validate the integrity of the Software Pack before use with CCA the checksum of the Software Pack can be compared to the MD5 checksum posted here. A program like FSUM can be used to compute the checksum-

http://www.slavasoft.com/fsum/

C:\SWP\8.0.5>fsum UC5*

SlavaSoft Optimizing Checksum Utility - fsum 2.52.00337
Implemented using SlavaSoft QuickHash Library <www.slavasoft.com>
Copyright (C) SlavaSoft Inc. 1999-2007. All rights reserved.

; SlavaSoft Optimizing Checksum Utility - fsum 2.52.00337 <www.slavasoft.com>
;
; Generated on 11/30/10 at 17:26:58
;
0a3f57b0a86e31b79cfe44e9503fb376 *UC520_8.0.5.zip
335b94e433d26f2c792e46072000122f *UC540_8.0.5.zip
f49be072816f67e92d3c45aca89a5215 *UC560_8.0.5.zip

C:\SWP\8.0.5>

Software

Pack

UC520

UC540

UC560

8.1.0

6daf84694817c48d137dda9581f13df2

a8daf57fbc3345c08a7f9a3e54a5aa29

e0e116d1de929bb9f6bf4815ccbad873

8.0.5

0a3f57b0a86e31b79cfe44e9503fb376

335b94e433d26f2c792e46072000122f

f49be072816f67e92d3c45aca89a5215

8.0.4

262e48b32d94bc281885c763fd62e570

bce30391a3278c782230defe3b3820bc

454296bd0024d6b4bc5f005d9f9b357c

General Announcements

12-20-2010 - Software Pack 8.1.0 and the corresponding Locale Packs have been posted on the Support Community and CCO.
11-30-2010 - Software Pack 8.0.5 and the corresponding CUE localization files have been posted on the Support Community and CCO. SWP 8.0.2 and 8.0.4 along with the corresponding localization files will be removed from the Support Community on 12-3-2010. If these files are needed after their removal they can still be downloaded from CCO, or email uc500-swp@cisco.com to request the specific files needed.

Ian Freely - Shared Account · ‎11-29-2012

Hi Guys

When is 8.8, 9.0 and 9.1 being released for UC500. We seem to be a fair way behind CME these days.

Cheers

dwrice000 · ‎11-29-2012

I've heard rumors they are going to do away with the UC500 series. Lead times on CCW configurations have increased while the numbers stocked by distributors have dwindled. They went a long time past their original estimated release date with the previous major software pack release and now they don't even provide an estimate for the next software pack release (if there's gonna be one).

The UC500 has been great for my customers but Cisco must be thinking of going a different direction.

Ian Freely - Shared Account · ‎11-29-2012

That would be a shame, I sell these hand over fist. but if we have to start selling CME, that's what we'll do.

IS there an official response to this from a Cisco representative?

Scott Pettit · ‎11-29-2012

CME is going end of life next year, which means the UC500 will go end of life too.

The CUCM Business Edition boxes are replacing CME - these are a similar price point but it's full Call Manager rather than IOS based.

The IOS based CME I believe is going to live on mainly as a CUBE/remote site applications but won't be a full system.

Ian Freely - Shared Account · ‎11-29-2012

"CME is going end of life next year, which means the UC500 will go end of life too.

The CUCM Business Edition boxes are replacing CME - these are a similar price point but it's full Call Manager rather than IOS based.

The IOS based CME I believe is going to live on mainly as a CUBE/remote site applications but won't be a full system."

I see it taking a lot longer than that to EOL CME. CUCM BE3000 (only CME replacement really) has such a huge lacking of features it is beyond rediculous.

Just see all the threads on it, the list is very long.

They are way to premature to think you can put a BE in a small business

Scott Martin · ‎11-29-2012

Far from being partner-led, Cisco have decided to ignore partners and customers.

Customers want distributed call processing and flexible multi-site configurations, BE3000 only offers centralised.

SMB customers want an all-in-one device with data, voice and video, BE3000 is voice/video only with no routing.

SMB customers have invested in the SPA5xx series handsets, which are unsupported on BE3000.

SMB customers have invested in the UC500 series, now with withdrawal of CLI support and a continually eroding feature set, those customers are being left high and dry as the product goes EOL.

SMB customers do not have T1/E1 PRI (or ISDN10/20/30 in our market), BE3000 only has T1/E1 PRI onboard. You will need a router and WIC if you want BRI.

Many Cisco IP endpoints on existing customers sites are not compatible with BE3000.

The solution is also not well priced for the SMB market, and frankly 300 seats is overkill for most.

Our position is that we have lost confidence in Cisco UC in the SMB space, and are now moving to other vendors.

Ian Freely - Shared Account · ‎11-29-2012

I've been on the horn with our partner account manager, there is no EOS or EOL posted for UC500 or CME.

Looks like their just being slow

rick.mancinelli · ‎11-29-2012

Ian-

Your PAM is not being frank with you. While there is no official EOS or EOL posted yet, the internal decision has already been made. Ask around. Some of us have known this for a long while already!

BE3000 is the future, but it is a total dud right now. Cisco, in trying to protect their CUCM franchise has, IMO, sawed off their own noses by releasing 3000 in an all but useless form.

We, too, have moved on to other solutions.

Rick

Ian Freely - Shared Account · ‎11-29-2012

That's interesting, I have spoken to several people on the inside, and they have heard no rumor or seen any internal communication. I will keep my ear on the issue and see what crops up. I've placed a request to get an updated road map and see what they come back with.

Scott Martin · ‎11-29-2012

It's the worst kept secret. Talk to the product team.

I wouldn't build your business around it like we have to the past 5 years, if I were you.

Let's just say after our investment on this product line, we are severely disappointed with Cisco as a vendor, and I would recommend any new partner steer clear of the UC500 line entirely.

ai.solutions · ‎11-29-2012

Look at it logically. Considering the UC500 is tied to CME, and the new CME versions only run on the ISR G2 platforms. As UC500 is based on an ISR G1 platform, a hardware refresh would be required in the UC500 series.

So either a hardware refresh would happen (unlikely) or, the product line will go EOL.

Very disappointed with Cisco also!

Scott Pettit · ‎11-29-2012

The UC500 isn't really behind as far as software releases go. CME 8.6 would be considered stable now, CME 9 is still very buggy, we deploy both CME on the ISR's and on the UC500 and I have 10 outstanding bugs on CME 9 and we are not deploying it for customers. All the UC500 is doing is tracking CME releases as they become "stable".

The UC500 has been out for a long time now and CME has reached a point where Cisco can't really add more features to it while it's embedded into IOS. We are currently evaluating the BE6000 (very similar price to BE3000) as our replacement for the UC500.

We have found with the ISR's is that WAN speeds are dramatically increasing, so a single router running voice starts to get too slow. The UC560's get pegged at 100% CPU once you push more than 25-30Mbps while trying to run voice, even the new ISR 2900's suffer from this once you hit 40-50Mbps with voice etc too.

My view is for the forseeable future until the hardware catches up, voice needs to be deployed on a separate box if you are going to support fibre to the premises at 100Mbps.

I think the logical replacements are either to shift to embedded CUCM boxes like the BE3k/6k or Cisco could consider shifting CUCM on to a service module so that it can run independently of IOS. That would enable a single box scenario that does routing/voice etc.

Regardless for now the UC500 is still the best SME option until the BE3k/6k are developed enough to be deployed.

paolo bevilacqua · ‎11-30-2012

ai.solutions wrote:

Look at it logically. Considering the UC500 is tied to CME, and the new CME versions only run on the ISR G2 platforms. As UC500 is based on an ISR G1 platform, a hardware refresh would be required in the UC500 series.

So either a hardware refresh would happen (unlikely) or, the product line will go EOL.

Very disappointed with Cisco also!

Technically, there is nothing that prevents newer IOS to run on UC540/560. The ISR1 were made EoS because they had reached technological obsolescence, and a replacement was available. Then, logically, the software development for these was discontinued. That is not the case with UC500.

Above, Scott reports that he had meet many bugs with CME 9 (Scott if you could share the IDs I'd be extremely grateful). I can imagine his customer do things that mine don't, but I have multiple multi-hundred phones installation with CME 9, and all is fine. I only have meet a Sev .1 bug for which the TAC provided a fixed image within 48 hrs.

Goes without saying the the decision of ending UC500, and (heaven forbid) CME, is simply idiotic, and will impact much negatively on the revenues for partners, and cost/features value for customers.

Alberto Montilla · ‎11-30-2012

Dear partners;

UC500 is a solution that has been available for several years, considered stable and mature from IOS perspective. There are many partners doing a successful business practice with the solution. Partners can continue doing business with the UC500 solution as per today.

As you know, Cisco general policy for these products is to announce End of Sale 6 months before the actual end of sale date, as well as committed to support the product for 3 years after end of Sale (note this is a generic rule, which may have exceptions). There is no End of Sale announcement issued for the UC500.

The goal in UC500 engineering is to focus on quality of the product; there are no plans to upgrade the solution to newer CME versions, but staying on the 8.6 release. For several years we have decoupled CME roadmap from UC500 roadmap, and have been selective about which and when we incorporate the new CME releases based on the need of the Small Business market and UC500 partners and customers. We just released 8.6.1 release which added SPA51X Gigabit ethernet phones, plus resolution of several defects. We will continue looking at quality.

Regards;

Alberto

dwrice000 · ‎12-02-2012

If/when the UC500 series is EOS'd, what will be the phone system options for Select Certified / SMB Specialized partners? Similarly, is there any documentation that states, if you have Specialization X, here is the set of products for which you are authorized to sell?

Thanks!