Troubleshooting SIP Issues on Cisco IP Phone Models 7941G and 7961G
Cmterm 7941 7961 Sip 8 5 4 Zip: A Guide for Cisco IP Phone Users
If you are using Cisco IP phones, you may have heard of Cmterm 7941 7961 Sip 8 5 4 Zip. This is a firmware package that supports the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for the Cisco IP Phone models 7941G and 7961G. In this article, we will explain what this firmware is, why you need to install it on your phones, and how to do it step by step. We will also show you how to use the SIP features on your phones, such as making and receiving calls, using intercom, conference, transfer, hold, and mute functions, accessing your call logs and voicemail, and more. By the end of this article, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of SIP communication on your Cisco IP phones.
Cmterm 7941 7961 Sip 8 5 4 Zip
What is Cmterm 7941 7961 Sip 8 5 4 Zip?
Cmterm 7941 7961 Sip 8 5 4 Zip is a firmware package that contains the software image for the Cisco IP Phone models 7941G and 7961G. This firmware supports the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), which is a signaling protocol used for initiating, maintaining, and terminating communication sessions that include voice, video, and messaging applications.
SIP allows users to communicate over the Internet using their computers and mobile devices. It is an important part of Internet telephony and allows users to harness the benefits of voice over IP (VoIP), providing a rich communication experience. The most interesting benefit of SIP is how it cuts down on communication costs. Calls (voice or video) between SIP users are free, worldwide. There are no boundaries and no restrictive laws or charges. Even the SIP apps and SIP addresses are obtained free.
SIP as a protocol is also powerful and efficient. Many organizations use SIP for their internal and external communication, centered around a private branch exchange (PBX). A PBX is a system that connects multiple phone lines within an organization and allows users to make calls within or outside the network. A PBX can be hosted on-premise or in the cloud. A SIP-based PBX offers more flexibility, scalability, functionality, and security than a traditional PBX.
Why do you need to install Cmterm 7941 7961 Sip 8 5 4 Zip on your Cisco IP phones?
If you want to use SIP features on your Cisco IP phones, you need to install Cmterm 7941 7961 Sip 8 5 4 Zip on them. This firmware package enables your phones to support SIP protocol and communicate with other SIP devices or services. Without this firmware, your phones will only support Skinny Client Control Protocol (SCCP), which is a proprietary protocol developed by Cisco for voice and video communication. SCCP is limited in its functionality and compatibility compared to SIP. For example, SCCP does not support video calls, intercom, conference, transfer, hold, and mute functions, call logs, voicemail, and other features that SIP does.
Therefore, if you want to enjoy the full potential of your Cisco IP phones, you need to install Cmterm 7941 7961 Sip 8 5 4 Zip on them. This firmware will allow you to use SIP features on your phones and connect them to a SIP-based PBX or a SIP service provider. You will be able to make and receive free or low-cost calls over the Internet, use advanced call functions, access your call history and messages, and more.
How to install Cmterm 7941 7961 Sip 8 5 4 Zip on your Cisco IP phones
Installing Cmterm 7941 7961 Sip 8 5 4 Zip on your Cisco IP phones is not a difficult task. You just need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Download the latest firmware from Cisco website
The first step is to download the latest firmware package from the Cisco website. You can find it here: [Cmterm 7941 7961 Sip 8 5 4 Zip]. You will need a Cisco account to access this page. If you don't have one, you can create one for free here: [Cisco Registration].
Once you have logged in, you will see a list of files that are part of the firmware package. You need to download all of them to your computer. The files are:
apps41.8-5-4-0.sbn
cnu41.8-5-4-0.sbn
cvm41sccp.8-5-4-0.sbn
dsp41.8-5-4-0.sbn
jar41sccp.8-5-4-0.sbn
SCCP41.8-5-4S.loads
SIP41.8-5-4S.loads
term41.default.loads
term61.default.loads
Make sure you save these files in a folder that is easy to access and remember.
Step 2: Determine the model and version of your phone
The next step is to determine the model and version of your phone. This is important because you need to know if your phone is compatible with the firmware package and if it needs any additional steps before upgrading.
To find out the model and version of your phone, you can do one of the following:
Look at the label on the back of your phone. It should have a model number and a serial number.
Press the Settings button on your phone and select Model Information. You will see the model number and the firmware version.
Press the Settings button on your phone and select Status. You will see the serial number and the firmware version.
The model number should be either CP-7941G or CP-7961G. The firmware version should start with SCCP41 or SIP41, followed by some numbers.
If your phone is not one of these models, or if it has a different firmware version, you may need to check the compatibility and requirements on the Cisco website: [Cisco IP Phone Firmware Compatibility Matrix].
Step 3: Upgrade the firmware using the web browser command or the upgrade rule
The third step is to upgrade the firmware on your phone using one of two methods: the web browser command or the upgrade rule.
The web browser command is a simple and quick way to upgrade the firmware on a single phone. You just need to enter a URL in your web browser that contains the IP address of your phone and the name of the firmware file that you want to install.
The upgrade rule is a more advanced and flexible way to upgrade the firmware on multiple phones at once. You need to create a configuration file that specifies the rules for upgrading different models and versions of phones. You also need to set up a TFTP server that hosts the firmware files and the configuration file.
Using the web browser command
To use the web browser command, you need to do the following:
Connect your phone to your computer using an Ethernet cable or a wireless network.
Find out the IP address of your phone. You can do this by pressing the Settings button on your phone and selecting Network Configuration. You will see the IP address under IPv4 Address or IPv6 Address.
Open your web browser and enter the following URL: http:///CGI/Execute. Replace with the actual IP address of your phone.
You will see a web page that allows you to enter commands to your phone. Enter the following command: Upgrade: SIP41.8-5-4S. This command will tell your phone to upgrade to the SIP firmware version 8.5.4S.
Click Execute. You will see a confirmation message that says "Command executed successfully". Your phone will start downloading the firmware file from the Cisco website and installing it on your phone.
Wait for the process to complete. It may take several minutes. Do not disconnect or power off your phone during this time.
Using the upgrade rule
To use the upgrade rule, you need to do the following:
Create a configuration file that contains the upgrade rules for different models and versions of phones. The configuration file should have a .xml extension and follow the format specified by Cisco: [Cisco IP Phone Firmware Upgrade Rules]. You can use a text editor or an XML editor to create the file.
Save the configuration file in the same folder where you saved the firmware files that you downloaded from the Cisco website.
Set up a TFTP server on your computer or network that can host the firmware files and the configuration file. You can use any TFTP server software that you prefer, such as SolarWinds TFTP Server, TFTPD32, or Cisco TFTP Server.
Configure your phone to use the TFTP server as its primary source of firmware and configuration files. You can do this by pressing the Settings button on your phone and selecting Network Configuration. You will see an option for TFTP Server 1. Enter the IP address or hostname of your TFTP server and press Save.
Reboot your phone by pressing # and 6 at the same time. Your phone will start downloading the configuration file from the TFTP server and applying the upgrade rules based on its model and version. Your phone will then download and install the appropriate firmware file from the TFTP server.
Wait for the process to complete. It may take several minutes. Do not disconnect or power off your phone during this time.
How to use SIP features on your Cisco IP phones
After you have installed Cmterm 7941 7961 Sip 8 5 4 Zip on your Cisco IP phones, you can start using SIP features on them. Here are some of the things you can do:
How to register your phone with a SIP account and provider
To use SIP features on your phone, you need to have a SIP account and a SIP provider. A SIP account is a unique identifier that allows you to make and receive calls over the Internet using SIP protocol. A SIP provider is a service that offers SIP accounts and connects them to other SIP users or traditional phone networks.
There are many SIP providers available, such as Google Voice, Skype, Vonage, RingCentral, etc. You can choose one that suits your needs and budget. Some of them offer free or low-cost plans, while others offer more features and support for a higher price.
To register your phone with a SIP account and provider, you need to do the following:
Create a SIP account with your chosen provider. You will need to provide some information, such as your name, email address, password, etc. You will also receive a SIP address, which is similar to an email address and consists of a username and a domain name, such as john@provider.com.
Configure your phone to use your SIP account and provider. You can do this by pressing the Settings button on your phone and selecting Device Configuration. You will see an option for SIP Configuration. Enter the following information:
SIP Proxy: This is the IP address or hostname of your SIP provider's server that handles your calls.
SIP Port: This is the port number that your SIP provider's server uses to communicate with your phone. The default value is 5060.
SIP User ID: This is your username that you created with your SIP provider.
SIP Password: This is your password that you created with your SIP provider.
SIP Auth Name: This is your authentication name that your SIP provider uses to verify your identity. It may be the same as your username or different.
SIP Display Name: This is the name that you want to display on your phone and on the caller ID of the person you are calling.
SIP Line Number: This is the number that you want to assign to your SIP account on your phone. You can have up to six SIP lines on your phone, each with a different SIP account and provider. The default value is 1.
Press Save and exit the Settings menu. Your phone will register with your SIP provider and display a message that says "Registered" on the screen. You can also check the status of your registration by pressing the Settings button and selecting Status. You will see an option for SIP Status. You will see the SIP address, proxy, port, user ID, auth name, display name, and line number of your SIP account.
How to make and receive SIP calls
To make and receive SIP calls on your phone, you need to do the following:
To make a SIP call, you can either dial the phone number or the SIP address of the person you want to call. For example, you can dial 555-1234 or john@provider.com. You can also use the Contacts or Call History menus to select a number or address from your stored list.
To receive a SIP call, you just need to answer the phone when it rings. You will see the caller ID of the person who is calling you on the screen. You can also use the soft keys to perform actions such as answer, reject, divert, or ignore the call.
How to use intercom, conference, transfer, hold, and mute functions
To use intercom, conference, transfer, hold, and mute functions on your phone, you need to do the following:
To use intercom, you can press the Intercom button on your phone and dial the extension number of another phone that supports intercom. You will be able to talk to the person without them having to answer the phone. You can also press the Intercom button again to end the intercom session.
To use conference, you can press the Conference button on your phone after making or receiving a call. You will hear a dial tone and you can dial another number or address to add to the conference. You can repeat this process to add up to six participants to the conference. You can also press the Conference button again to end the conference.
To use transfer, you can press the Transfer button on your phone after making or receiving a call. You will hear a dial tone and you can dial another number or address to transfer the call to. You can either wait for the person to answer and announce the transfer, or hang up immediately to complete the transfer.
To use hold, you can press the Hold button on your phone during a call. The call will be put on hold and you will hear a music or tone. You can press the Resume button to resume the call.
To use mute, you can press the Mute button on your phone during a call. The microphone will be muted and you will not be heard by the other party. You can press the Mute button again to unmute the microphone.
How to access your call logs and voicemail
To access your call logs and voicemail on your phone, you need to do the following:
To access your call logs, you can press the Call History button on your phone. You will see a list of your missed, received, and placed calls. You can use the navigation keys to scroll through the list and select a call. You can also use the soft keys to perform actions such as dial, delete, or edit the call.
To access your voicemail, you can press the Messages button on your phone. You will be prompted to enter your voicemail password and then access your voicemail box. You can listen to your messages, delete them, save them, or forward them to another number or address. You can also change your voicemail settings and greetings.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained what Cmterm 7941 7961 Sip 8 5 4 Zip is, why you need to install it on your Cisco IP phones, and how to do it step by step. We have also shown you how to use SIP features on your phones, such as making and receiving calls, using intercom, conference, transfer, hold, and mute functions, accessing your call logs and voicemail, and more.
We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you.
If you want to learn more about SIP protocol and Cisco IP phones, we recommend you to check out these resources:
[Cisco IP Phone 7941G and 7961G User Guide]
[Cisco IP Phone Firmware Download]
[Cisco IP Phone Firmware Upgrade Rules]
[Cisco IP Phone Firmware Compatibility Matrix]
[SIP Tutorial]
[SIP Providers]
FAQs
What are the differences between SCCP and SIP protocols?
SCCP and SIP are two different protocols that are used for voice and video communication. SCCP stands for Skinny Client Control Protocol and is a proprietary protocol developed by Cisco. SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol and is a standard protocol that is widely used by many devices and services.
The main differences between SCCP and SIP are:
SCCPSIP
Limited in functionality and compatibilityRich in functionality and compatibility
Does not support video calls, intercom, conference, transfer, hold, mute, call logs, voicemail, etc.Supports video calls, intercom, conference, transfer, hold, mute, call logs, voicemail, etc.
Depends on a central server for call controlAllows peer-to-peer communication without a central server
Uses binary encoding for messagesUses text-based encoding for messages
Uses TCP as the transport layer protocolUses UDP or TCP as the transport layer protocol
Uses port 2000 by defaultUses port 5060 by default
Less secure and reliableMore secure and reliable
How can I troubleshoot SIP issues on my phone?
If you encounter any problems with SIP communication on your phone, such as registration failure, call failure, poor quality, or other issues, you can try the following steps to troubleshoot them:
Check your network connection and make sure it is stable and fast enough for SIP communication.
Check your SIP account and provider settings and make sure they are correct and up to date.
Check your phone settings and make sure they are compatible with your SIP account and provider.
Check your firewall and router settings and make sure they are not blocking or interfering with SIP traffic.
Check your phone logs and status and look for any error messages or codes that indicate the cause of the problem.
Restart your phone and try again.
Contact your SIP provider or Cisco support for further assistance.
How can I secure my SIP communication?
SIP communication can be vulnerable to various security threats, such as eavesdropping, spoofing, tampering, denial of service, etc. To protect your SIP communication from these threats, you can do the following:
Use strong passwords and encryption for your SIP account and provider.
Use secure transport protocols, such as TLS or SRTP, for your SIP messages and media streams.
Use certificates and authentication mechanisms to verify the identity of your SIP peers and servers.
Use firewalls and VPNs to filter and encrypt your SIP traffic.
Use anti-virus and anti-malware software to scan and remove any malicious software from your phone or computer.
Use reputable and trustworthy SIP providers and services.
What are some of the best SIP clients and providers?
There are many SIP clients and providers available in the market, each with its own features, advantages, and disadvantages. Some of the best ones are:
SIP ClientsSIP Providers
Zoiper: A free and cross-platform SIP client that supports voice, video, instant messaging, fax, presence, and more.Google Voice: A free SIP provider that offers a phone number, voicemail, call forwarding, call screening, call blocking, conference calling, text messaging, and more.
X-Lite: A free and easy-to-use SIP client that supports voice, video, instant messaging, presence, contact management, call history, voicemail, and more.Skype: A popular SIP provider that offers voice, video, instant messaging, file sharing, screen sharing, group calling, voicemail, call forwarding, call