Cisco Call Manager 1

[riteeh]

Hello,

We are looking at installing and configuring a Cisco Call Manager lab PBX. I'm very familiar with Nortel but Cisco not so much. I am trying to gather a list of the basic hardware I would require to accomplish this. I want to have both a Windows based Call Manager (4.x) and Linux based Call Manager (5.x) for testing in addition to several IP phones (that I will connect to the Call Manager I'm working on). I would also like to interface the Call Manager with the PSTN via an analog trunk port so the IP phones can place and receive calls.

As I mentioned this is a lab PBX so costs are a concern for us. This system will never be used in a live environment to expensive redundant servers, routers, etc. will hopefully be unnecessary.

From my understanding the Call Manager software could be purchased from somewhere and loaded on a non-Cisco server. Is this correct? If so I'm only left with the issue of the IP phones (I presume they are PoE only?) and the PSTN interface.

Any suggestions or guidance would be much appreciated.

 

[AJ1982]

Lab kit...

Servers
===

Go for the cheapest MCS, think its the 7805. One for each implementation I would say.

If servers are too expensive, you can run a demo call manager of a Pentium3. However, you get NO support from Cisco if it goes wrong, tho as its a lab, this may be a bonus. In which case, enjoy the countless threads on installing on Non Cisco HW.

Switches
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If you want to be playing around with QoS & VLANS, Cisco switches are obv the way to go. If this isnt important, again you can get away with running off a cheap home switch.

Routers
===

You will need a router to interface to PSTN, firstly find out what card you need to interface. You dont say where u are from or what you plan to do, i assume you are just going for a simple analogue line or two tho. An FXO card will solve this, dont know the exact one though, a dealer will help you out here tho.

Phones
===

Up to you what ones you want here, for basic functionality I would reccommend at least a 7912G. 7941's are the next level up. Anything below a 7912G you loose POE. If you buy a POE switch, no need to buy a power cube. Though you do have the powercube option if you didnt go for the POE switch.

Software
===

CCM, the licensings a pain here, coz u used to be able to get a per user with the ealirer versions, now its all per server.

Hope this is enough info. I used to work as a Lab Techie in a Uni, we used an MSC7805 with 4 x 7940 phones (3 years ago now), worked a treat. Got sep installs running off PC's, saved a bunch on hardware. Think I did the whole thing inside UK £5,000

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AJ - (Formerly FatmanSuperstar)

 

[riteeh]

AJ1982,

Thanks for the reply! That's more than enough information to get me started.

 

[AJ1982]

No problem, enjoy it, and dont forget to take advantage of the free time with the kit... helped me soo much in later life.

AJ

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AJ - (Formerly FatmanSuperstar)