Difference in Models – UC520, UC540 & UC560

The Cisco UC500 series comes in three different models, the UC520, UC540 and UC560. Inside, each of them is basically a Cisco router with voice modules running Cisco’s IOS software and Cisco CallManager Express (CME).

We’ll examine the main differences between the three different models:

Series	Cisco Product	Cisco Small Business Pro Series	Cisco Small Business Pro Series
Model	Cisco Unified Communications 520	Cisco Unified Communications 540	Cisco Unified Communications 560
Feature Highlights	Eight to 64 IP phone station support Four to 8 analog trunks or two to 4 BRI digital trunks Optional single T1/E1 voice interface (PRI and CAS) Integrated voicemail 16 hours voicemail storage Automated attendant Integrated business productivity applications Integrated security Music on hold Optional on board wireless access Simple system configuration and management	Eight to 32 phone station support Four to 8 analog trunks or two to 4 BRI digital trunks Optional single T1/E1 voice interface (PRI and CAS) Integrated voicemail 32 hours voicemail storage Automated attendant Integrated business productivity applications Integrated security Music on hold On board wireless included Simple system configuration and management	16 to 104 phone station support Four to 12 analog trunks or two to 6 BRI digital trunks Optional one or two T1/E1 voice interface (PRI and CAS) Integrated voicemail 32 or 64 hours voicemail storage Automated attendant Integrated business productivity applications Integrated security Music on hold Wireless support with the Cisco AP 500 Series Wireless Access Point Simple system configuration and management
Service and Support	Cisco SMARTnet Service	Cisco Small Business Pro Service	Cisco Small Business Pro Service

As you can see from the table above, the UC520 and UC540 are actually very similar in capacity, whereas the UC560 is designed for larger installations or sites that need the capacity for future growth.

The UC520 is the original UC500 series system, and is supported via the more conventional Cisco SMARTnet service agreement rather than Cisco’s new 3-year Small Business Pro Support and has slightly less “horsepower” than the newer UC540.  For these reasons, we recommend the UC540 for new installations.

Each of the UC500 series systems come in a variety of models based on the type of PSTN connectivity you require.

Cisco UC520 Models

FXO Port Models:

• Cisco UC520-8U-4FXO-K9 — 4 FXO Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 8 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch
• Cisco UC520W-8U-4FXO-K9 — 4 FXO Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 8 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch, Integrated Wireless
• Cisco UC520-16U-4FXO-K9 — 4 FXO Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 16 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch
• Cisco UC520W-16U-4FXO-K9 — 4 FXO Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 16 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch, Integrated Wireless
• Cisco UC520-24U-8FXO-K9 — 8 FXO Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 24 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch
• Cisco UC520-32U-8FXO-K9 — 8 FXO Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 32 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch
• Cisco UC520-48U-12FXO-K9 — 12 FXO Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 48 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch

Basic Rate ISDN (BRI) Models

• Cisco UC520-8U-2BRI-K9 — 2 BRI Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 8 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch
• Cisco UC520W-8U-2BRI-K9 — 2 BRI Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 8 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch, Integrated Wireless
• Cisco UC520-16U-2BRI-K9 — 2 BRI Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 16 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch
• Cisco UC520W-16U-2BRI-K9 — 2 BRI Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 16 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch, Integrated Wireless
• Cisco UC520-24U-4BRI-K9 — 4 BRI Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 24 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch
• Cisco UC520-32U-4BRI-K9 — 4 BRI Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 32 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch

T1/E1 Primary Rate ISDN (PRI) Models:

• Cisco UC520-48U-T/E/B-K9 — 1 T1/E1/PRI Port, 2 BRI Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 48 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch
• Cisco UC520-48U-T/E/F-K9 — 1 T1/E1/PRI Port, 4 FXO Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 48 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch

Cisco UC540 Models

All models of the UC540 come with integrated 802.11b/g wireless access point, a single 10/100Mbps Etherent WAN uplink port, 8 port 10/100 Ethernet switch with 802.3af Power over Ethernet to provide power and network connectivity to your phones and support for up to 32 users (with 8 user licenses included). Each model has one free slot for additional PSTN connectivity. The UC540 supports up to 10 concurrent VPN sessions for remote teleworkers.

• Cisco UC540W-BRI-K9 — 2 BRI Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 8 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch, Integrated Wireless
• Cisco UC540W-FXO-K9 — 4 FXO Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 8 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 8 Port PoE Switch, Integrated Wireless

Cisco UC560 Models

The UC560 forgoes the Power over Ethernet switch and integrated wireless access point found in the UC520 and UC540 range, but adds an additional VIC slot for installation of additional PSTN connectivity modules as well as support for expanded voicemail storage via an upgradable Compact Flash card and support for up to 104 users (16 users included).  Network connectivity is provided by 4x 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet ports (3x LAN, 1x WAN). The UC560 supports up to 20 concurrent VPN sessions for remote teleworkers.

• Cisco UC560-T1E1-K9 — 1 T1/E1/PRI Port, 4 FXO Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 16 User Licenses, 1 Free Slot, 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports
• Cisco UC560-BRI-K9 — 2 BRI Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 2 Free Slots, 16 User Licenses, 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports
• Cisco UC560-FXO-K9 — 4 FXO Ports, 4 FXS Ports, 2 Free Slot, 16 User Licenses, 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports

Expansion Slot Options

Each model of the UC500 series has at least one free “VIC” slot, allowing you to install an additional module for connecting more analog lines (FXO), analog telephones and fax machines (FXS) or even up to two T1/E1/PRI circuits.

We stock a full range of Cisco VIC modules suitable for the UC500 series.

Choosing A System

So which system is right for you?  In spite of the myriad of different models of the UC500 platform, the choice comes down to three simple questions:

• What PSTN connectivity do I need?
• How many users do I need to support?
• What room for future growth do I need?

If you have less than 32 employees and don’t plan on expanding beyond that number, the UC540 is the ideal choice.  If you currently have more than 32 employees or plan on breaking this number, the UC560 is for you.

In our next installment in this series, we’ll examine some example configurations for common types of business, including full parts lists and recommendations.

Telephonyware offers the full range of Cisco Small Business Communications System products and can help you to customize a Cisco voice and data solution to your exact requirements and budget. Contact Telephonyware today for advice.

Although a relatively late entrant into the small business PBX market, Cisco has developed a complete “small business in a box” style approach to both voice and data.  The Cisco Smart Business Communication System, or SBCS, is a group of Cisco products that are tightly integrated to create a unified communications system for your small business.

The Cisco SBCS range consists of the UC500 unified communications appliance, a range of high quality managed network switches, the widest range of IP telephones of any manufacturer, network routers and a host of integrated software applications.

Overview of the SBCS Components

Cisco UC500 Series

The Cisco UC500 series appliance is the “heart” of the Cisco Small Business Communications System.  It provides the Unified Communications system, with direct connection to the telephone network and SIP trunking. It’s a smart little box, with the following features:

• Multiple PSTN connectivity options:
  • Up to 12 analog FXO ports for connecting to regular telephone lines
  • Up to 6 BRI ISDN ports
  • Up to 2 T1/E1 ports (either PRI or CAS)
  • Expansion (VWIC) module allows you to add more ports later
• Built-in 8-Port 802.3af Power over Ethernet switch to power your IP phones (UC520/UC540 only)
• 802.11b/g wireless networking (Some UC520 models and all UC540 models)
• Expandable as your business grows:
  • 8 to 48 users (UC520)
  • 8 to 32 users (UC540)
  • 16 to 104 users (UC560)

In later articles in this series, we will cover more of the features available in the UC500 range.

You can see all the UC500 series appliances on our website.

Cisco ESW500 Series Network Switches

Cisco has developed a specialized range of network switches for the SBCS with many of the features found in much higher end switches.  The whole range is managed from inside the Cisco Configuration Assistant (more about this later), making management of things like Quality of Service very easy.

The ESW500 series has many different models depending on your requirements. The available configurations include switches with 8, 24 and 48 ports of 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet with two 10/10/1000 Gigabit uplink ports as well as 8, 24 and 48 port 10/100/1000 Gigabit switches, also with two 10/100/1000 Gigabit uplink ports. The 8 and 24 port models all have the option of 802.3af Power over Ethernet support, which is perfect for powering your Cisco IP phones.

The option to be administer by the Cisco Configuration Assistant makes the ESW Series the best choice for SBCS deployments. The numerous models and differences will be covered in more detail later in our SBCS series.

Cisco 500 Series Secure Router

The Cisco SR500 series offer a firewall, an intrusion prevention system (IPS), content filter, VPN (both IPSec and SSL) and a 4-port 10/100 switch.  If you need a router or firewall or have been thinking of adding IPS or VPN features to your network, the 500 Series Secure Routers are the ideal option.  Cisco’s credential for solid security systems aside, simplify your life configuring and managing your new system using one feature-full console in CCA.

Cisco offers the 500 Series Secure Router with WAN connectivity via Fast Ethernet, ADSL and ADSL over ISDN, each with an optional 802.11b/g wireless access point.

Cisco AP 500 Series Wireless Access Points

If you need to add basic 802.11b/g wireless networking to your SBCS network with a single access point, you’ve got the option of adding it to either the UC500 or the Secure Router. If you need the newer 802.11n, or to add several access points for coverage or throughput or need advanced access point features, then the Cisco AP 541N is the only choice.

The AP 541N makes it easy to set up and maintain multiple wireless access points without the need to invest in an expensive wireless controller, making it ideal for growing small businesses that have high bandwidth wireless needs and large coverage areas.

Like the other parts of the Cisco SBCS, the AP541N is designed for combined voice and data, with seamless roaming between access points and automated quality of service features.

Like it’s SBCS sister products, the AP 500 Series can be configured with CCA.

Cisco SPA500 Series Phones

These low-cost SIP phones are the evolution of the very solid Linksys SPA line. They build upon the success of the SPA900 series phones, adding wideband audio codec support and a higher quality speakerphone, among other features.

There are 7 models of SPA 500 and one attendant console, all are an ideal fit for the small business budget.  In a later article in this series, we’ll take you through the whole range and explain the differences between the models as well as the feature set of this range.

You can view the full range of Cisco SPA500 phones on our website.

Cisco 7900 Series Unified IP Phones

The Cisco 7900 Series are the long-running series of mid to high-end IP phones with an incredible depth in make and function.

In addition to several desktop IP phone models in this range, there are also two 802.11g wireless models, the 7921G and 7925G as well as two conference phones, the IP Conference Station 7936 and the 7937G.

The 7900 series also has two attendant consoles, the 7915 and 7916.

Cisco Configuration Assistant (CCA)

One feature all of the above products share is the ability to be configured and maintained using a single desktop application, the Cisco Configuration Assistant (CCA).

Cisco boasts that the CCA allows a user to get a fully functioning UC500 system up and operating in under 30 minutes. In addition to configuration of SBCS components, the CCA features a dashboard with an incredible number of features including, but certainly not limited to, monitoring SBCS devices, managing add-on software, system updates and detailed use reporting. The CCA is a free download for registered Cisco.com users.

Cisco Office Manager

Cisco Office Manager is a software application designed for the site administrator of a SBCS. This software offers management of user settings, phone system features, viewing status info and even viewing video from one of the Cisco IP surveillance cameras, the Cisco PVC 2300 and the WVC 2300.  The Cisco Office Manager is also a free download for registered Cisco.com users.

Putting It All Together

Among the components listed above, a UC500 system, IP phones and a Small Business Pro Support (or SmartNet) contract are all that is needed to get up and running.

A sample minimal configuration could be a UC540, 8 SPA 502Gs and add to that the Cisco 3-Year Small Business Pro Support and you have an 8-user, Cisco phone system for less than $4,000.00.    It is difficult to get away with paying less than that for most other popular brands.  Not only will you not get fired for buying Cisco, you’ll save your company money in the process.

Telephonyware offers the full range of Cisco Small Business Communications System products and can help you to customize a Cisco voice and data solution to your exact requirements and budget.

Be sure to check out the next article in our Cisco SBCS Series, Choosing the Right UC500 System.

Well, wireless IP phones have come a long way from the early days.  Huge improvements in both the technologies involved and the actual implementations have resulted in some really great options for wireless SIP deployments.

First, lets take a look at the two major wireless technologies used with wireless IP phones.

WiFi / 802.11g

Utilizing the same WiFi technology found in your laptop and other consumer electronics gear, WiFI phones connect to your existing WiFi access points around your home or office, as well as some publicly accessible “hot spots”.  The phone itself is a SIP client and 802.11g network point combined, and the stationary “base” for the phone is nothing more than a charger.

Pros:

• Uses existing 802.11g wireless access points for connectivity.
• Roaming on the same network, through the use of multiple access points.
• Roaming “off net” at free WiFi hotspots.

Cons:

• Battery life – like almost all devices incorporating 802.11g, battery life still leaves a lot to be desired.  You can realistically expect about 2 hours of talk-time, and a day or two of standby time from most current WiFi phones.
• Range – your average consumer/SOHO grade wireless access point with standard antennas provides about 120ft (32m) of coverage in ideal conditions.  You may find that places where you want to wander with your phone have patchy wireless coverage.
• Congestion – network quality of service must be very carefully managed, especially with larger installations to avoid voice quality issues.

DECT

DECT (short for Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications), despite being widely used throughout Europe and the rest of the world for more than 10 years, is a relative newcomer to wireless telephony in the United States.  With the advent of “DECT 6.0″, these devices can now be used with the FCC’s blessing in the US.

DECT operates at frequencies between 1.8GHz and 1.9GHz and different handsets and base stations from different manufacturers are interoperable with each other.  IP phones utilizing DECT technology consist of a base station which bridges the DECT handsets to the SIP world, and allows you to register usually multiple handsets with a single base station.

Higher end SIP-DECT gateways, such as the Polycom KIRK Wireless Server 300 and 600V3 allow upwards of a dozen concurrent calls using a single SIP-DECT base station and multiple DECT handsets.

Pros:

• Wider coverage than 802.11g, with up to 600ft (200m) indoors, and several miles outdoors or indoors using inexpensive DECT repeaters.
• Great battery life – the same kind of battery life you’ve come to expect from regular cordless phones.
• Reliability – by using a separate 1.9GHz frequency which is used only for voice, there is no competition for quality of service or problems with network congestion that exists when sharing a WiFi network with other devices.
• Durability – DECT phones tend to be more durable than their WiFi counterparts.

Cons:

• No ability to leverage existing WiFi installation for coverage.
• No “off net” roaming ability when you’re away from your office.

Conclusions

When we look at the pros and cons of both solutions, it becomes clear that DECT is a clear winner for most applications.  With its larger range, significantly increased battery life and increased expandability, DECT should be your choice for wireless IP phones.

Visit Telephonyware for a wide range of both DECT IP Phones and WiFi IP Phones.