Cisco UC 500 phones v Cisco 7900 Series phones

[edorling]

Hi

Can anyone tell me what the main differences are between Cisco 500 and Cisco 7900 series phones?

I know that the 500 series is specifically designed for SMBs, but I am not sure if there is a comparison document available or what the main differences are?

Is it just purely scalability?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks

Ed

[John Platts · Accepted solution]

Here are differences between Cisco CP-500 and SPA500 series phones and Cisco 7900 series phones:

• CP-500 and SPA500 phones do not currently have octo line support, whereas most 7900 series phone models that are currently in production support octo lines.
• CP-500 and SPA500 phones support SPCP, which is the UC500-only version of SCCP, whereas the 7900 series phones support standard SCCP, which is also supported in CME on ISR platform, SRST, CMBE, and CUCM platforms.
• SPA500 phones also have support for third-party SIP systems, whereas no official third-party SIP support exists on the 7900 series phones, with the exception of the 7940 and 7960 phones. In addition, there is currently no official support or CCA configurability for SIP on SPA500 and 7900 series phones with the UC520, UC540, and UC560. The UC500 software packs only contain SCCP phone loads for 7900 series phones.
  
• SPA500 series phones are classified as Cisco Small Business Pro products and Cisco Small Business Pro service is sold on the SPA500 phones, whereas CP-500 and 7900 series phones are classified as traditional Cisco products and SMARTnet service is sold on CP-500 and 7900 series phones.
• The SPA500 phones support the SPA500S expansion module. The 7960, 7961, 7970, and 7971 phones support only the 7914 expansion module, which has been discontinued, and not the newer 7915 or 7916 expansion modules. The 7962, 7965, and 7975 phones support both the older 7914 expansion module, which has been discontinued, and the newer 7915 and 7916 expansion modules. The CP-500 phones and the other 7900 series phones do not have support for expansion modules.
• Gigabit Ethernet is available on the 7941G-GE, 7945, 7961G-GE, 7965, 7971, and 7975 phones, whereas the other 7900 series phones, the SPA500 phones, or CP-500 phones only have 10/100 Ethernet.
• The SPA525G phone has wireless, and the 792x phones (the 7920, 7921, and 7925 phones) are the only 7900 series phones with wireless capability.
• The SPA525G can be connected to a UC500 unit over a SSL VPN connection, whereas the 7900 series phones do not yet support SSL VPN connections to a UC500. The 7942G, 7945G, 7962G, 7965G, and 7975G phones have recently had SSL VPN capabilities added, but this capability is not yet supported with the UC500.
• The SPA525G has support for video surveillance, but the CP-500 and 7900 series phones do not support video surveillance.

[Steven DiStefano · Accepted solution]

Add one more bullet:

SPA5xx phones dont support point to point video telephony, where as Cisco IP 79xx phones do (with CUVA).

[edorling]

Thanks for your feedback guys, very helpful.

Ed

[lawrence.david]

There also seem to be a difference on which phones support an Electronic Handset Switch (EHS).  Reviewing the Platronics and Jabra sites, the SPA500 series seems to require a lifter while many of the 7900 series phones seem to be able to have the headset go off hook without one (though they may require a special cable).  If a customer wants to use a wireless headset and be able to go off hook while away from the phone, this might reduce the cost difference between the two different types of phones.

Anyone know about the need for lifters with different phones?

[Steven Smith]

The SPA525 phone can use a bluetooth headset.  It does not require a lifter for this to work.

[stacy.thompson]

Will the SPA5xx phones ever support video with a CUVA? is it on the roadmap at all?

and with a 79xx and a CUVA, do you have to be running in-line for video to work with that phone?

Stacy

[Marcos Hernandez]

Yes to both questions Stacy. No ETA on implementation dates though.

Thanks,

Marcos

[stacy.thompson]

I'm not trying to be a pain, just clarifying so I have my facts straight.

Yes, SPA5xx will eventually work with CUVA and video.

Yes it's on the roadmap, but no ETA.

Yes, the 79xx has to be running inline for video and cuva to work.

:)

[Steven DiStefano]

You are not a pain.

You are a successful partner who asks good questions.

The current SPA5xx phone wont support video I am told.  I would expect a new version of HW honestly, but not sure at this point since I am closer to you (field) than the BU.  But I dont think it would be firmware.

The CUVA camera plugs into your PC with a USB.  Your PC connects to the switchport of the phone.  Then video will work.

Or, put the PC on the switchport of the UC500 and run CIPC on the PC (that works too).

Steve

[Mario Garcia]

Any news if the new 7.4.5 or the 7.4.6 will support CUVA on the SPA phones?  I know back in April there was still no ETA.

Is there a comparison chart that explains what you features are supported on a UC with SPA phones and 7900 series phones?

Thanks,
Mario

[Steven DiStefano]

I have followed up and thanks for reminding us of the open question.  The SPA500 phones do not support CUVA or Octal line and there are no plans to add it at this time.  The SPA525G2 has new HW, but doesnt change the offering on Octal or CUVA.

Steve

[Mario Garcia]

Thanks for the reply Steve.

What about a comparison chart between features that are limited to only 7900 series phones on UC520s, UC540s, UC560s?

For example, I know cbarge requires octo line therefore a 7900 series phone is needed.

I am basically looking for some documentation that I can provide to my sales staff the lists the UC features that require 7900 series phones.

I am going through and creating one for internal use, but if Cisco had one that would save me the time.

Thanks,
Mario

[glanders]

Remember too Mario, 79xx series behave differently on UCCME, BE and CM as well. So be careful on any matrix you get/create...

[Steven DiStefano]

Cisco UC 500 phones v Cisco 7900 Series phones

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/voicesw/ps6788/phones/ps10499/IPPhoneSlick.pdf

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/voicesw/ps6788/phones/ps10326/IP_Phones_Positioning_External_December2009.pdf