Chapter 55 Configuring a VoIP Network

Using SmartPorts

When you execute the ciscoipphone keyword on a port, in addition to the previous features, these features are also implemented:

•The specified auxiliary VLAN is associated with the port.

•The inline power is enabled.

•CDP is enabled globally and on the port.

•CDP is configured to version v2.

•The port-based automatic QoS command for the Cisco IP phone is executed.

When you execute the ciscosoftphone keyword on a port, in addition to the previous features, these features are also implemented:

•The auxiliary VLAN for the port is set to “none.”

•The port-based automatic QoS command for the Cisco SoftPhone is executed.

SmartPorts—Cisco IP Phone

In most configurations, the Cisco IP Phone 79xx is connected directly to the Catalyst switch port. Optionally, you can attach a PC to the phone and use the phone as a hop to the switch.

Typically, the traffic that comes from the phone and enters the switch is marked with a tag using the 802.1Q/p header. The header contains the VLAN information and the CoS 3-bit field. The CoS determines the priority of the packet. The switch uses the CoS field to distinguish the PC traffic from the phone traffic. The switch can also use the DSCP field for the same purpose.

In most Cisco IP Phone 79xx configurations, the traffic that comes from the phone and enters the switch is trusted. You set the port trust to trust-cos to properly prioritize the voice traffic over other types of traffic in the network.

The Cisco IP Phone 79xx has a built-in switch that mixes the traffic that comes from the PC, the phone, and the switch port. The Cisco IP Phone 79xx has the trust and classification capabilities that you need to configure.

The ports that connect the IP phones need to have several features enabled or disabled. SmartPorts ensures that the necessary features are enabled. Most of these features are implemented when you execute the set port host command (such as disabling channels, enabling PortFast, and so on). A VLAN and an auxiliary VLAN must be configured on the port for QoS to work. The inline power needs to be enabled (if available), and CDP must be enabled for the trusted boundary feature to work. QoS configuration is handled by the automatic QoS feature (see Chapter 52, “Using Automatic QoS”).

SmartPorts—Cisco Softphone

The Cisco SoftPhone is a software product that runs on a standard PC and emulates an IP phone. The main difference between the Cisco SoftPhone and the Cisco IP Phone 79xx is that the Cisco SoftPhone marks its voice traffic through a DSCP, while the Cisco IP Phone 79xx marks its traffic through a CoS. The QoS settings on the switch accommodate this behavior by trusting the Layer 3 marking of the traffic entering the port. All other behavior is similar to the Cisco IP Phone 79xx. Some features, such as CDP, do not need to be enabled because the trusted boundary does not support Cisco SoftPhone.

 

 

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OL-8978-02 specifications

Cisco Systems OL-8978-02 is a comprehensive training curriculum designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of network professionals seeking to advance their careers in network management and security. This curriculum offers a significant focus on Cisco networking technologies and concepts, ensuring that learners are well-equipped to handle the intricacies of modern network environments.

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