Table Of Contents

An Overview of the Cisco IP Phone

Understanding the Cisco IP Phone Models 7960 and 7940

Understanding the Cisco IP Phone 7910

What Networking Protocols Are Used?

What Features are Supported on the Cisco IP Phone?

Configuring Features Using the IP Phone

Configuring Features Using Cisco CallManager Administration

Using Cisco CallManager Administration Help

Providing Users with Feature Information

What Types of Connections are Available?

Connecting to the Network

Using the Network Port

Using the Access Port

Providing Power to the Cisco IP Phone from Multiple Sources

Power Source Design

Redundancy Feature

How to Use a Headset with a Cisco IP Phone

Using a Headset with a Cisco IP Phone Model 7960 or 7940

Using a Headset with a Cisco IP Phone 7910

How to Disable the Speakerphone Feature

An Overview of the Cisco IP Phone

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The Cisco IP Phone provides functionality similar to that of a traditional analog phone, but must be configured and managed like other network devices.

You can choose among three models of Cisco IP Phones—Cisco IP Phone 7960, Cisco IP Phone 7940, and Cisco IP Phone 7910. Each Cisco IP Phone supports G.711 and G.729a audio compression.

This section covers the following topics:

•Understanding the Cisco IP Phone Models 7960 and 7940

•Understanding the Cisco IP Phone 7910

•What Networking Protocols Are Used?

•What Features are Supported on the Cisco IP Phone?

•What Types of Connections are Available?

•How to Use a Headset with a Cisco IP Phone

•How to Disable the Speakerphone Feature

Understanding the Cisco IP Phone Models 7960 and 7940

The Cisco IP Phone models 7960 and 7940 are full-featured, multiline telephones that provide voice communication over an IP network. These phones function as managerial-level office telephones, replacing traditional analog telephones in an IP telephony network.

The Cisco IP Phone model 7960 and 7940 differ only in the number of available line or speed dial buttons. The Cisco IP Phone 7940 has two lines, and the 7960 has six lines.

The main components of both models are illustrated in and Figure 1-1 and Figure 1-2, and defined in the table that follows.

Figure 1-1 Cisco IP Phone 7960

Figure 1-2 Cisco IP Phone 7940

1	Handset with indicator light	Functions like a traditional handset. The light strip at the top of the handset blinks when the phone rings and remains lit to indicate a new voice mail message.
2	LCD screen	Displays features such as the time, date, phone number, caller ID, line/call status and soft key tabs.
3	Cisco IP Phone model type	Indicates Cisco IP Phone model.
4	Line or speed dial button	Opens a new line, speed dials the number on the LCD screen, or ends a call. The Cisco IP Phone 7960 has six line or speed dial buttons and the 7940 has two.
5	Footstand adjustment	Allows you to adjust the angle of the phone base.
6	Directories button	Provides access to call histories and directories.
7	i button	Displays help on LCD screen for a phone button or function.
8	Settings button	Provides access to phone settings such as contrast and ring sound, network configuration, and status information.
9	Speaker button	Toggles the speaker on or off.
10	Mute button	Toggles the mute on or off.
11	Headset button	Toggles the headset on or off.
12	Volume button	Increases or decreases volume for the handset, headset, or speakerphone (depending upon which is currently active). Also controls the ringer volume (if on-hook), and the LCD contrast.
13	Services button	Provides access to phone services (if available).
14	Messages button	Provides access to a message system (if available).
15	Navigation button	Enables you to scroll through text and select features displayed on the LCD screen.
16	Dial pad	Works exactly like the dial pad on a traditional telephone.
17	Soft keys	Enable you to engage any of the functions displayed on the corresponding LCD tabs. Soft keys point to feature options displayed along the bottom of the LCD screen. Soft keys change depending on the status of the phone.

Understanding the Cisco IP Phone 7910

The Cisco IP Phone 7910 is designed primarily for common-use areas that require basic features, such as lobbies, break rooms, and hallways.

The Cisco IP Phone 7910 is available in two configurations:

•Cisco IP Phone 7910—includes a single 10-BaseT connection

•Cisco IP Phone 7910+SW—includes an optional internal 3-port switch that allows a 100-Mbps connection

The main components of the Cisco IP Phone 7910 are illustrated in Figure 1-3 and defined in the table that follows.

Figure 1-3 Cisco IP Phone 7910 Features

1	Handset with indicator light	Functions like a traditional handset.
2	LCD screen	Displays features such as time, date, directory number, caller ID, and line/call status.
3	Line button	Opens a new line.
4	Hold button	Puts a current call on hold or takes a call off hold.
5	Transfer button	Transfers the current caller to a different phone number.
6	Settings button	Adjust handset, speaker, and ringer volume, the ringer type, and contrast on the LCD screen.
7	Footstand adjustment	Allows you to adjust the angle of the phone base.
8	Messages button	Programmable with Cisco CallManager to suit the needs of your company. See the "Modifying Phone Button Templates" section on page 6-2 for additional information. The default setting for this button allows you to access voice mail message.
9	Conference button	Programmable with Cisco CallManager to suit the needs of your company. See the "Modifying Phone Button Templates" section on page 6-2 for additional information. The default setting for this button allows you to initiate a conference call.
10	Forward button	Programmable with Cisco CallManager to suit the needs of your company. See the "Modifying Phone Button Templates" section on page 6-2 for additional information. The default setting for this button allows you to redirect calls to another number.
11	Redial button	Programmable with Cisco CallManager to suit the needs of your company. See the "Modifying Phone Button Templates" section on page 6-2 for additional information. The default setting for this button allows you to dial the last number called.
12	Speaker button	Toggles the speaker on or off.
13	Mute button	Toggles the Mute on or off.
14	Volume button	Increases or decreases the volume for the handset or speaker. Also controls the ringer volume and the LCD contrast.
15	Speed dials	Programmable with Cisco CallManager to suit the needs of your company. See the "Modifying Phone Button Templates" section on page 6-2 for additional information. The default setting for this button allows you to quickly call a frequently dialed number.
16	Dialing pad	Functions like a traditional telephone dialing pad.

What Networking Protocols Are Used?

Cisco IP Phones support several industry-standard and Cisco networking protocols required for voice communication. See Table 1-1 for an overview of the supported networking protocols.

Table 1-1 Supported Networking Protocols on the Cisco IP Phone 

Networking Protocol	Purpose	Usage Notes
Voice over IP Protocol (VoIP)	VoIP enables you to transfer voice communications over a data network using the Internet Protocol.	Cisco IP Phones connect to the PSTN through a VoIP gateway.
Bootstrap Protocol (BootP)	BootP enables a network device such as the Cisco IP Phone to discover certain startup information, such as its IP address.	If you are using BootP to assign IP addresses to the Cisco IP Phone, this is displayed in the network configuration settings on the phone.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)	DHCP dynamically allocates and assigns an IP address to network devices. DHCP enables you to connect the IP phone into the network and become operational without manually assigning an IP address or configuring additional required network parameters.	DHCP is enabled by default. If disabled, you must manually configure the IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and an TFTP server on each phone locally.
Internet Protocol (IP)	IP is a messaging protocol that addresses and sends packets across the network.	To communicate using IP, network devices must have an assigned IP address, subnet, and gateway. IP addresses, subnets, and gateways identifications are automatically assigned if you are using the Cisco IP Phone with Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). If you are not using DHCP, you must manually assign these properties to each phone locally.
Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP)	TFTP allows you to transfer files over the network. On the Cisco IP Phone, TFTP enables you to obtain a configuration file specific to the phone type.	TFTP requires a TFTP server in your network, which can be automatically identified from the DHCP server. If more than one TFTP server is running in your network, you must manually assign a TFTP server to each phone locally.
Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP)	CDP is a device-discovery protocol that runs on all Cisco-manufactured equipment. Using CDP, a device can advertise its existence to other devices and receive information about other devices in the network.	The Cisco IP Phone uses CDP to communicate information such as auxiliary VLAN ID, per port power management details, and Quality of Service (QoS) configuration information with the Cisco Catalyst switch.
Real-Time Transport (RTP)	RTP is a standard for transporting real-time data, such as interactive voice and video over data networks.	Cisco IP Phones can collect and process RTP traffic from routers, hubs, and switches.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)	TCP is a a connection-oriented transport protocol.	Cisco IP Phones use TCP to connect to Cisco CallManager.
User Datagram Protocol (UDP)	UDP is a connectionless messaging protocol for delivery of data packets.	Cisco IP Phones receive and process UDP messages.

What Features are Supported on the Cisco IP Phone?

The Cisco IP Phone functions much like a traditional analog phone, allowing you to place and receive telephone calls. The phone also supports features such as call forwarding and transferring, redialing, speed dialing, conference calling, and voice mail access.

In addition to these traditional telephony features, the Cisco IP Phone includes features that enable you to administer and monitor the phone as an IP networking device.

This section covers the following topics:

•Configuring Features Using the IP Phone

•Configuring Features Using Cisco CallManager Administration

•Providing Users with Feature Information

Configuring Features Using the IP Phone

You can locally configure features such as DHCP, TFTP, and IP settings on the phone, itself. You can also obtain statistics about a current call or firmware versions on the phone. For more information about configuring features and viewing statistics from the phone, see "Configuring and Verifying Network Settings on the Cisco IP Phone."

Configuring Features Using Cisco CallManager Administration

You can modify additional settings from the Cisco CallManager Administration application. Use this web-based application to set up phone registration criteria and calling search spaces, configure corporate directories and services, and modify phone button templates, among other tasks.

For procedural information, see the "Using Cisco CallManager Administration Help" section.

Using Cisco CallManager Administration Help

If you are not familiar with the Cisco CallManager Administration application, use the context-sensitive help available within the application for guidance. You can access context-sensitive help by choosing Help > For this screen from the main menu bar.

This guide provides partial instructions for procedures that involve Cisco CallManager Administration. These instructions are intended to point you to the appropriate window in the Cisco CallManager application and to provide some initial guidance.

For complete instructions and conceptual information, refer to the Cisco CallManager Administration Guide and the Cisco CallManager System Guide.

Providing Users with Feature Information

If you are a system administrator, you are likely the primary source of information for Cisco IP Phone users in your network or company. To ensure that you distribute the most current feature and procedural information, familiarize yourself with Cisco IP Phone documentation. Be sure to visit the Cisco IP Phone web site:

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/voice/c_ipphon/index.htm.

From this site, you can view and order various user guides, including wallet cards. For complete ordering information, see the "Obtaining Documentation" section.

In addition to providing documentation, it is important to inform users of available Cisco IP Phone features—including those specific to your company or network—and how to access and customize those features, if appropriate.

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Tip For a summary of some of the key information that phone users need their system administrators to provide, see the "System Administrator Checklist" section on page 6-6.

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What Types of Connections are Available?

The Cisco IP Phone includes ports for connecting to the network, a power source, and a headset.

This section covers the following topics:

•Connecting to the Network

•Providing Power to the Cisco IP Phone from Multiple Sources

Connecting to the Network

The Cisco IP Phones have two RJ-45 ports labelled "network" and "access." Each supports 10/100 Mbps half- or full-duplex connections to external devices. You can use either Category 3 or 5 cabling for 10-Mbps connections, but you must use Category 5 for 100 Mbps connections. On both the network port and access port, use full-duplex mode to avoid collisions.

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Note The Cisco IP Phone 7910 does not have an access port. If you require an access port on this phone model, use the Cisco IP Phone 7910+SW instead.

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Refer to Figure 3-1 and Figure 3-2 to see the connection ports available on the back of the Cisco IP Phone models 7960/7940 and 7910.

Using the Network Port

Use the network port to connect the phone to the network. You must use a straight-through cable on this port. The phone can also obtain inline power from the Cisco Catalyst switch over this connection. See the "Providing Power to the Cisco IP Phone from Multiple Sources" section for details.

Using the Access Port

Use the access port to connect a network device, such as a computer, to the phone. You must use a straight-through cable on this port.

Providing Power to the Cisco IP Phone from Multiple Sources

You can power a Cisco IP Phone from an external power supply, from a switch port, or from a power source between the phone and the switch.

The Cisco IP Phone can be powered by the following sources:

•External power source—optional Cisco AC adapter and power cord for connecting to a standard wall receptacle.

•WS-X6348-RJ45V 10/100 switching module—inline power provider to the Cisco IP Phone when connected to a Catalyst 3500, 4000, or 6000 family 10/100BaseTX switching module.

This module sends power on pins 1 & 2 and 3 & 6, which are also used to transmit Ethernet signals. Before the switch sends power, it tests for the presence of a Cisco IP Phone, avoiding damage to other Ethernet devices.

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Note Only the network port supports inline power from the Cisco Catalyst switches.

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•WS-PWR-PANEL—power patch panel that allows the Cisco IP Phone to be connected to existing Catalyst 4000, 5000, and 6000 family 10/100BaseTX switching modules.

This module sends power on pins 4, 5, 7, & 8, which are not used for Ethernet signaling. Like the inline power, the power patch panel also attempts to verify that the attached device is a Cisco IP Phone before providing power.

Power Source Design

The phone and switch automatically determine which power source the phone uses. If the power has to be switched to a different source, the phone user will experience different results based on which power source is being used by the phone.

•If you plug a phone into the optional power supply before plugging it into the network, the phone is powered by the power supply.

•If you then unplug the phone from the power supply, the phone resets. If the switch port is configured for 10/100 Mbps, the switch recognizes the loss of power and brings the phone back up.

•If the switch port is configured for 10 Mbps only, then you must unplug the network connection and replug it into the phone for the switch to recognize the phone's loss of power.

•If, however, you plugged the network connection into the phone before you plugged in the power cord, the phone receives power through the switch, and unplugging the power cord will not bring down the phone. If the switch reboots, the phone will then be powered by the power cord.

Redundancy Feature

For redundancy, you can use the Cisco AC adapter even if you are using inline power from the Cisco Catalyst switches. The Cisco IP Phone can share the power load being used from the inline power and external power source. If either the inline power or the external power goes down, the phone can switch entirely to the other power source.

To use this redundancy feature:

1. Set the inline power mode to auto on the Cisco Catalyst switch.

2. Connect the unpowered Cisco IP Phone to the network.

3. Connect the external power supply to the phone after the phone powers up.

How to Use a Headset with a Cisco IP Phone

You can use a headset with any Cisco IP Phone. These sections help you determine the headset supported by a particular Cisco IP Phone:

•Using a Headset with a Cisco IP Phone Model 7960 or 7940

•Using a Headset with a Cisco IP Phone 7910

Using a Headset with a Cisco IP Phone Model 7960 or 7940

To place and answer calls using a headset, plug an approved headset into the back of the phone base and press the Headset button on the front of your phone.

You can use the headset in conjunction with all of the features on your Cisco IP Phone, including the Volume and Mute buttons. Use these buttons to adjust the ear piece volume and to mute the speech path from the headset microphone.

The Cisco IP Phone models 7960 and 7940 support four- or six-wire headset jacks. For information on the exact models supported, see the following URLs:

•http://cisco.getheadsets.com

•http://vxicorp.com/cisco

Using a Headset with a Cisco IP Phone 7910

The Cisco IP Phone 7910 does not have a separate headset jack. However, you can use a headset in place of the handset. You can use industry-standard headsets, such as Plantronics M-12 amplified headsets or other headsets that provide switch capability between the headset and handset.

How to Disable the Speakerphone Feature

You can disable the speakerphone on Cisco IP Phone models 7960 and 7940.

To do so, open the Phone Configuration page in the Cisco CallManager Administration application. Check the Disable Speakerphone check box to disable the speakerphone for the phone you have selected.