CS 1000 compatible IP Phones? 1

[imunbob]

Hi,

I've been doing some searching for information about CS 1000 compatible phones but haven't found any, so I turn to you...

We're currently using IP Phone 2004 and IP Phone 1140E but have now come to the conclusion that we could probably do with simpler/cheaper phones in the future.

Does anyone know of some kind of compatibility list showing CS 1000 compatible phones?
I'm pretty new to this so a couple of stupid questions follows...
Can I only use Nortel phones with a Nortel PBX?
Take this as an example:
I assume the Nortel IP Phone 1110 would work, but what about a Cisco SPA922? Probably not?

Before I started this search I was under the impression that an IP phone was an IP phone and as long as they was using the same protocols they should work regardless of manufacturer, but now I think that it's not that simple

Version info if that matters:
CALL SERVER/MAIN CAB
VERSION 2121
RELEASE 4
ISSUE 00 T +

--
unbob

 

[gwebster]

To paraphrase you, an IP Phone is not an IP Phone. The key point is the "protocol" statement. There are a number of protocols used depending upon the manufacturer and historically most of them are proprietary. Nortel uses UNIStim, Cisco uses SCCP (often referred to as skinny), Avaya uses a highly modified version of H323,.. You will also see reference to SIP as a common protocol but even then be aware that SIP itself is an umbrella term for a huge number of standards most of which have optional implementations. So even a SIP phone that works on one platform is not guaranteed to work on another platform.

 

[imunbob]

That's what I feared... so basically Nortel PBX requires Nortel phones? They haven't allowed any other phone manufacturers develop "UNIStim capable" phones?

 

[allenmac]

In release 6.0 you can run SIP Line gateway, and use 3rd party SIP phones.

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to the 1140e, then check out the 1200 series IP phones.

 

[imunbob]

From our supplier my only Nortel options are 1110, 1120 and 1140, so I'm probably going with the 1110...

 

[gwebster]

You would need to upgrade to take advantage of 1200 series. You would also need to upgrade to use 3rd-party SIP phones.

 

[allenmac]

Who is your supplier? The 1200 series phones are significantly less expensive than the 1100 series.

You can buy them online from cdw.com, among other places.

 

[gwebster]

You need to be on CS 1000 5.5 or later to use 1200 series. imunbob is using earlier version so cannot use those IP Phones.

 

[imunbob]

I'm from Norway and it doesn't seem to be that many models on the market here; and if they require an upgrade that pretty much rules them out altogether.

 

[allenmac]

Ok. Looks like at your level of software, you are locked into the i2000 and 1100 series phones.

 

[imunbob]

Thanks a lot everyone for your replies; I think I've got a better understanding of how stuff works now.

Probably not an option for us ATM, but I've had a look at the 1200 series... they seem very similar to the 1100 series to me.
What's the reason they are so much cheaper than the 1100 series?

 

[gwebster]

Lower functionality typically equals lower price. No GigE in 1200-series (so no full speed passthru to a GigE PC). No Graphical displays (limits languages). No USB ports (so can't use USB headset, mouse, keyboard). No Bluetooth. Only two position footstand....