Tag Archives: Phone

How to Upgrade the Firmware on a Polycom Phone

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Polycom PhoneOften the first steps to troubleshooting a Polycom IP phone is to make sure you have an up-to-date or the correct firmware loaded.  If you are trying to upgrade the firmware or factory default one or two Polycom phones, then the easiest way is to use Polycom’s provisioning server:

  1. Go to http://voipt2.polycom.com and follow their directions.

If you are working with multiple phones or need more control over the config files, the easiest  to  way upgrade is through a local TFTP server:

  1. First off you need a TFTP server, also known as, Trivial FTP server. You can find many programs on the internet but the one that we use in house PumKIN (PumpKIN Can be downloaded at: http://kin.klever.net/pumpkin/ )

    pumpkin-1

  2. The next step would be to gather all of the files you need to update your Polycom device.  You can check the compatibility of the firmware to your device and also download most releases at the Polycom SIP Software Compatibility Matrix.  Some of the latest firmware will only be available through us directly.  Please email support@thetelecomspot.com with your order number to receive the instructions for downloads.
  3. Create a folder called TFTP and place it on your C: Drive.  Unzip the downloaded files into this directory making sure the bootrom and sip files are listed in root of the C:\TFTP directory
  4. Open PumpKIN up and click on Options.  Under the Server tab, change the TFTP file-system root to C:\TFTP and Read Request Behavior to Give all Files.  Press OK and make sure all software firewalls are turned off or configured to allow access to PumpKIN on the host computer.

    pumpkin-2

Now that your TFTP server is running, we need to make sure the Polycom Unit is set up to search for TFTP updates.  On the unit itself (This process might be slightly different depending on the phone):

  1. Make sure the phone is connected to the same network as the TFTP server.
  2. Power on the phone and press the SETUP button when prompted.
  3. Enter the password of 456
  4. Scroll down to Server Menu and select
  5. Change the server type to Trivial FTP
  6. Change server address to the IP Address of TFTP Server you created (the IP Address of the PC running PumpKIN)
  7. Exit the menu, and the phone will prompt you to Save and Reboot, select OK.

Upon reboot, the phone will go through the boot process and display Uploading Bootrom on the screen.  It will reboot a couple of times after updating the rest of the files.  When the phone completes the process, it will display a welcome screen, which shows the current firmware version loaded.

Avaya IP Office Wireless Phone Options

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Ever since Avaya discontinued their popular Avaya 3810 wireless phone, customers have been asking us: “what wireless phone options are available for my IP Office System?”

This has been a hard question to answer since most customers do not need the robust features and range that the Avaya IP-DECT and Avaya WiFi solutions carry.  While many have been wishing for an Avaya 3820 wireless phone, currently nothing is being developed yet.  Update (2/2013):  Avaya has released a new wireless phone option D100/D160

For a quick look, consider some of these wireless options currently available for your Avaya IP Office System:

  1. Avaya 3920 Cordless Phone: This can be used only on an IP Office running exclusively in “Partner” mode and requires a ETR-6 station card.
  2. Avaya/Nortel T7406e Cordless Phone: This can be used on the IP Office running both “IP Office” and “Partner” modes and requires a TCM-8 station card or expansion module. The features on the T7406e are great, but the phone requires a TCM station port, which most systems are not pre-configured with.
  3. Regular Analog Cordless Phone:  This can be used on the IP Office running both “IP Office” and “Partner” modes and requires an analog/combo station card or expansion module.   This is by far the most cost effective solution, however the feature set is minimal and the phone will act as a single line station.
  4. Avaya IP-DECT Solution (Avaya 3720, Avaya 3725, Avaya 3740, Avaya 3749): This can be used on the IP Office running in “IP Office” mode only and requires IP resources as well as appropriate licenses.  This solution is feature rich and very expandable; however, it is fairly pricey and requires some infrastructure.
  5. Avaya WiFi Phone Solution (Avaya 3641, Avaya 3645): This can be used on the IP Office running exclusively in “IP Office” mode and requires IP resources as well as appropriate licenses.  This solution is feature rich, can utilize existing WiFi networks, and is very expandable; however, is also fairly pricey and requires some infrastructure.

We know there are a great number of choices and things to consider, and we hope the recommendations listed above will help you get started.  If you have any questions or wish to go into further details regarding your specific system, please don’t hesitate to contact us at The Telecom Spot or leave a comment below.

New Line of Digium Phones (D40, D50, D70) are Now Available to Ship!

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These new phones from Digium designed exclusively for Asterisk are in high-demand, so get yours before they’re sold out!

Digium Phones

Highlights: 

  •              Easy to Install, Integrate, and Provision
  •              Fully Compatiable with Asterisk & Switchvox
  •              Built-In & Custom Applications
  •              Crystal Clear HDVoice
  •              And Great Value!

Digium D40 – Entry-level HD IP Phone with 2-line keys – Digium’s best value phone designed for any employee.
Digium D50 – Mid-level HD IP phone with 4-line keys and 10 rapid dial buttons with busy lamp field indicators for most important contacts. Perfect for heavy users.
Digium D70 – Executive-level HD IP PHone with 6-line keys, 10 digital rapid dial buttons with real-time status information and busy lamp field indicators for 100 contacts. Top-of-line features ideal for administrators and/or executives.