Cisco SPA525G2 with 32 button sidecar

One of the best selling phones for the small and medium business (SMB) market is the Cisco SPA525G2 phone. The entire series of SPA phones are affordable, reliable and well suited to SMB use, but the 525 G2 is the current big daddy with its color display, ability to play MP3s from a memory stick, sync to your cell phone via bluetooth, built-in bluetooth for wireless headset usage and so much more.

On every system we sell that includes the SPA 525, we get a few questions like, ‘How do you answer another extension?”, and of course we answer it, but, with such a long list of these “star codes”, I can’t remember them myself.

Cisco Star Codes for SPA525G2 Phones:

• Call Return (*69)—Calls the last caller, regardless which extension.
• Blind Transfer (*98)—Allows the user to transfer a call to another number  without waiting for the other party to pick up.
• Call Back Act (*66)—Periodically redials the last busy number (every 30  seconds by default) until it rings or until the attempt expires (30 min by default), regardless which extension. Only one call back operation can be ordered at a time. A new order automatically cancels the previous order.
• Call Back Deact (*86)—Cancels the last call back operation.
• Call Forward All Act (*72)—Call forwards all inbound calls. Applies to primary extension only.
• Call Forward All Deact (*73)—Cancels call forward all. Applies to primary extension only.
• Call Forward Busy Act (*90)—Call forwards on busy. Applies to primary extension only.
• Call Forward Busy Deact (*91)—Cancels call forward on busy. Applies to primary extension only.
• Call Forward No Answer Act (*92)—Call forwards if no answer. Applies to primary extension only.
• Call Forward No Answer Deact (*93)—Cancels call forward no answer. Applies to primary extension only.
• CW Act (*56)—Enables call waiting. For example, if call waiting is turned off globally, this star code will turn on call waiting until the CW Deact code is entered.
• CW Deact (*57)—Deactivates call waiting. For example, if call waiting is turned on globally, this star code deactivates call waiting until the CW Act code is entered.
• CW Per Call Act (*71)—Enables call waiting for a single call. For example, if  call waiting is turned off globally, this star code will turn on call waiting for that call.
• CW Per Call Deact (*70)—Deactivates call waiting for a single call. For example, if call waiting is turned on globally, this star code deactivates call waiting for that call.
• Block CID Act (*67)—Blocks caller ID on all outbound calls. Applies to all extensions.
• Block CID Deact (*68)—Deactivates caller ID blocking on outbound calls. Applies to all extensions.
• Block CID Per Call (*81)—Blocks caller ID on the next outbound call (on the current call appearance only).
• Block CID Per Call Deact (*82)—Deactivates caller ID blocking on the next outbound call (on the current call appearance only).
• Block ANC Act—Blocks anonymous calls. Applies to all extensions.
• Block ANC Deact—Deactivates anonymous call blocking. Applies to all  extensions.
• DND Act (*78)—Activates Do Not Disturb. Applies to all extensions.
• DND Deact (*79)—Deactivates Do Not Disturb. Applies to all extensions.
• Secure All Call Act (*16)—Defaults to prefer to use encrypted media (voice codecs).
• Secure No Call Act (*17)—Defaults to prefer to use unencrypted media for all outbound calls. Applies to all extensions.
• Secure One Call Act (*18)—Prefers to use encrypted media for the outbound call (on this call appearance only).
• Secure One Call Deact (*19)—Prefers to use unencrypted media for the outbound call (on this call appearance only).
• Paging (*96)—Pages the number called.
• Call Park (*38)—Parks a call on an entered line number.
• Call UnPark Code (*39)—Retrieves a call from an entered line number.
• Call Pickup (*36)—Picks up a call at an entered extension.
• Group Call Pickup (*37)—Picks up a ringing call at a group of extensions.
• Media Loopback Code (*03)—A service provider can set up a test call from an IP media loopback server (the source) to a subscriber’s VoIP device (the mirror). The test call provides statistical reporting on network performance  and audio quality.

Depending on the source’s capabilities, the SP can see packet jitter, loss, and delay (although Media Loopback cannot identify an offending hop). This helps the SP identify an offending hop that could be causing issues in VoIP calls to a subscriber. The test results can also provide audio quality scoring, which lets a SP better understand the subscriber’s experience.

Referral Services Codes—One or more * codes can be configured into this parameter, such as *98, or *97|*98|*123, and so on. The maximum total length is 79 characters.
This parameter applies when the user places the current call on hold (by Hook Flash) and is listening to second dial tone. Each * code (and the following valid target number according to current dial plan) entered on the second dial-tone triggers the Cisco IP phone to perform a blind transfer to a target number that is prepended by the service * code. For example:
a. After the user dials *98, the Cisco IP phone plays a special prompt tone while waiting for the user the enter a target number (which is validated according to the dial plan as in normal dialing).
b. When a complete number is entered, the Cisco IP phone sends a blind REFER  to the holding party with the Refer-To target equals to *98 target_number. This  feature allows the Cisco IP phone to hand off a call to an application server to perform further processing, such as call park. The * codes should not conflict with any of the other vertical service codes internally processed by the Cisco IP phone. You can delete any * code that you do  not want the call server to process.

Feature Dial Services Codes: Tells the Cisco IP phone what to do when the user is  listening to the first or second dial tone.
You can configure one or more * codes into this parameter, such as *72, or *72|*74|*67|*82, and so on. The maximum total length is 79 characters. When the user has a dial tone (first or second dial tone), they can enter a * code (and the  following target number according to current dial plan) to trigger the Cisco IP phone to call the target number prepended by the * code. For example:
a. After the user dials *72, the Cisco IP phone plays a special prompt tone while waiting for the user the enter a target number (which is validated according to the dial plan as in normal dialing).
b. When a complete number is entered, the Cisco IP phone sends an INVITE to *72 target_number as in a normal call. This feature allows the proxy to process features such as call forward (*72) or BLock Caller ID (*67).
You can add a parameter to each * code in Features Dial Services Codes to indicate what tone to play after the * code is entered, such as *72‘c‘|*67‘p‘.

Following is a list of allowed dial tone parameters (note the use of back quotes surrounding the parameter without spaces).

•  ‘c‘ = Cfwd dial tone
•  ‘d‘ = Dial tone
•  ‘m‘ = MWI dial tone
•  ‘o‘ = Outside dial tone
•  ‘p‘ = Prompt dial tone
•  ‘s‘ = Second dial tone
•  ‘x‘ = No tones are place, x is any digit not used above

If no tone parameter is specified, the Cisco IP phone plays the prompt tone by default.
If the * code is not to be followed by a phone number, such as *73 to cancel call forwarding, do not include it in this parameter. In that case, add that * code in the dial plan.

Homeland Secure IT is happy to be a Cisco SMB Select Partner! If we can provide your business VoIP support in the Greenville / Upstate, SC area, please call upon us at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com

So you have been cruising along at your business for years and all has been great, but now, out of the blue, people on your network are having trouble viewing websites.

You found that if you reboot that firewall (pull the plug on the thing since there is no power supply) that YOU get back online right away, but then later that day, someone else on the network is now having trouble accessing websites so you reboot the firewall and all is well, for a while.

What could it be? It MUST be the firewall going bad since that fixes it.

Before jumping to that conclusion and just replacing the device, think back. Has your company grown? Maybe you have added a few new employees, or, maybe you have added tablets or other connected devices.

What could be happening here is that you have added one too many devices to your network and exceeded the number of seats that your firewall appliance supports. When you originally purchased that device, a technician counted the number of computers, servers and connected devices and said “You need a 25 user firewall and it will cost $xxx.xx”, to which you agreed and promptly forgot about.

Now, flash forward to today and your 12 users and a server have grown to 15 users, two servers and many people have iPads or Android tablets or phones, taking you past the 25 user limit.  The last person to connect once you go over the limit will generally be denied access to websites by the firewall, as a warning that you have exceeded the license terms, and it probably won’t “reset” just by turning that computer off, you will have to reboot the firewall to free unused seats up.

So what are you going to do about it? I guess you could tell the employees to stop connecting their personal phones to your network, or you could replace the firewall with a cheap router that has no limitations.

Both will work, but are bad ideas.

The real solution is to correct the licensing issue. Determine how many connected devices you have within your network, and estimate how many you will need for the next year, then talk to a vendor who can provide the proper licenses and apply those for you. Don’t forget to include VoIP and security systems, even copiers and connected printers, as they may require a seat too.

If you are experiencing rapid growth, consider upgrading to an unlimited license.

Just a note – If you have an old device, say 4-5 years old, now may be the time to consider upgrading the entire device to the latest technology at the same time you correct the user limitation!

Should you require help with this, Homeland Secure IT offers sales and support of most major brands of firewalls. We partner with Cisco, WatchGuard, SonicWALL, TrendNet, D-Link, NetGear and more! Call us for more information in the Greenville / Upstate SC area – 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com

Homeland SECURE IT Achieves Select Certification from Cisco

Greenville, SC, November 1, 2011:  Homeland Secure IT announced today that it has achieved Select Certification from Cisco. The Select Certification recognizes Cisco® resale channel partners that focus on meeting the technology and service needs of small businesses.

Cisco’s portfolio of both Small Business and Small Business Professional Series products directly complement and enhance Homeland Secure IT’s Systems Design, Sales, Installation and Support of end-to-end communications and physical networks.

Cisco Select Certified

“The Cisco Select Certification was created in response to customer demand for channel partners capable of designing and implementing Cisco solutions purpose-built for small businesses,” said Andrew Sage, vice president of Worldwide Small Business Sales at Cisco. “With the Select Certification, Homeland Secure IT has made an investment in obtaining the training, skills and knowledge necessary to play a pivotal role in meeting this growing demand.”

To earn Select Certification, Homeland Secure IT fulfilled the training and exam requirements for the Cisco Small Business Specialization.  Homeland Secure IT also met the personnel, training and post-sales support requirements set forth by Cisco.

The Cisco Resale Channel Program provides a framework for channel partners to build the sales, technical and Cisco Lifecycle Services skills required to deliver Cisco solutions to end customers. Through the program’s specializations and certifications, Cisco recognizes a channel partner’s expertise in deploying solutions based on Cisco advanced technologies and services. Using a third-party audit process, the program validates channel partner qualifications such as technology skills, business best practices, customer satisfaction, and presales and post-sales support capabilities — critical factors for customers choosing a trusted channel partner.

About Homeland Secure IT

Homeland Secure IT is headquartered in Greenville, SC, and serves Greenville and the Upstate of South Carolina.  Our goal is to deliver seamless design, implementation, and support to customers requiring both simple and sophisticated communications solutions.

• Unified Communications (VoIP)
• Wireless (WLAN)
• Video Surveillance
• Storage Solutions (NAS, SAN)
• Backup and Disaster Recovery
• Security (Firewall, A/V)
• Switching

For more information about this topic or to schedule meeting with our design and engineering team, please call 864-990-4748 or visit our website at http://www.HomelandSecureIT.com

Do you have a unified threat management or spam protection device that is not from WatchGuard?

If so, and you would like to upgrade to the WatchGuard XTM or XCS series UTMs, then through December 2011 you can take advantage of their offer to allow trade-ins of competitor’s appliances for a three-year XTM Security Bundle on selected models or a three-year XCS Email Security Bundle and pay ONLY for the services.

You get the box for free!

Some of the brands that are acceptable trade-ins are:

• Aastaro
• Barracuda
• Cisco
• Clearswift
• Fortigate
• IronPort
• Juniper
• M86 MailMarshal
• McAfee Email Gateway
• ProofPoint
• SonicWall
• St. Bernard
• Symantec
• Trend Micro

For more information, please contact your WatchGuard reseller, or if you’re in the Greenville / Upstate SC area, please call Homeland Secure IT at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com

If you are attempting to log into the administration and Configuration Utility on your Cisco UC320W and find you get a beautiful blue screen, but it goes no further, then chances are that you have Adobe Flash Player 11 installed and a the UC320W has a firmware revision of 2.1.1 (7) or lower loaded on it.

Today, Cisco released 2.1.2 to the cloud for update which addresses that specific issue!

But wait, if you can’t log into the thing, how do you update your firmware so you can log into it?

First, you will need to downgrade your Flash Player to version 10.

To determine which version you are currently using visit here: http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/

To download earlier versions of Adobe Flash visit here: http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/142/tn_14266.html#main_Archived_versions

Once you have downgraded your browser to Adobe Flash Player 10 you will be able to log into UC320W Configuration Utility to perform the upgrade, and once complete can reinstall Adobe Flash Player v11.

The 2.1.2 firmware does not correct any other issues or add any features. If you are not experiencing login issues, you may want to hold off until 2.1.3 is released which does add some new functionality, or so we have heard!

Should you require assistance in updating or configuring your Cisco UC devices in the Greenville or Upstate, SC area, please give us a call at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com – We are a Cisco SMB partner!

Large businesses have full-time IT staff or fully outsourced IT support that provide monitoring of their infrastructure and keep them up to date and now small & medium (SMB) businesses can have the same level of support when it comes to devices on their network.

Cisco OnPlus works by allowing Homeland Secure IT or your Cisco SMB service provider to place a Cisco OnPlus Network Agent at your location and configure it for reporting.  The Cisco SMB specialist will be able to monitor your site from remote on a variety of devices, from handheld to tablets, to desktops and take action when needed.

OnPlus is the latest tool in the Managed Service Provider’s arsenal. Using it, Cisco products can be backed up, restored and fully managed remotely. Other devices are supported as well!

As always with Cisco, security is the name of the game and OnPlus provides a secure environment for your IT service provider to manage your network. Your data is safe from prying eyes, only the devices themselves can be managed and use of this system does not permit access to data outside of configuration and management.

If you would like your business to have monitoring, alerting, reporting and managing capabilities, then ask your Cisco SMB provider about this exciting offering. No need to wait for a service or repair technician to visit your location, management is handled in real-time, remotely! This service is one of the most affordable methods for managing your firewalls and security appliances, IP surveillance systems, switches, routers, VoIP phone systems and more.

Homeland Secure IT provides Cisco SMB sales and support in the Greenville & Upstate SC area. Call us today at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com.

We don't just sell D-Link products, we know how to make them work within your environment!

Everyone is familiar with Cisco products, but not everyone may realize there are alternatives which can affect your bottom line drastically while providing an identical feature set and experience.

D-Link is a leader in the field and their products can often times go head-to-head with Cisco.

D-Link offers:

• Wireless network equipment, like access points, managed wireless switches for large scale deployments, and cloud managed systems. D-Link offers a solution for your small office or your large university campus and everything in between. Need wireless roaming of VoIP systems or to connect buildings and networks together wirelessly? They’ve got that covered.
• SAN – Network storage systems that can use your existing LAN infrastructure and compete nicely with NAS (Network Attached Storage). These work with VMWare and other virtual environments, as well as with applications like ProTools!
• Firewalls and routers, for the small or medium business to the large enterprise.
• Switches, from a single inexpensive switch to managed to stackable for your enterprise that can have a master replaced without taking the entire stack down. 10/100, gigabit, even 10GBE.

Take Basic Connectivity to a New Level

The Cisco® RV 120W Wireless-N VPN Firewall combines highly secure connectivity – to the Internet as well as from other locations and remote workers – with a high-speed, 802.11n wireless access point, a 4-port switch, an intuitive, browser-based device manager, and support for the Cisco FindIT Network Discovery Utility, all at a very affordable price. Its combination of high performance, business-class features and top-quality user experience takes basic connectivity to a new level.

 Cisco RV 120W Wireless-N VPN Firewall

Product Overview

• High-speed, standards-based 802.11n wireless connectivity to help employees stay productive while away from their desks

• Integrated 4-port 10/100 switch with quality of service (QoS) support for enhanced voice, video and data traffic

• Support for separate “virtual” networks enables you to control access to sensitive information and to set up highly secure wireless guest access

• IP Security (IPsec) VPN support with hardware acceleration to deliver highly secure, high-performance connections to multiple locations and traveling employees

• Support for static routing, Routing Information Protocol (RIP) versions 1 and 2, and inter-VLAN routing to enable flexible connection sharing

• Proven stateful packet inspection (SPI) firewall, plus advanced wireless security to help keep business assets safe

• Simplified configuration through an intuitive, browser-based device manager

• Support for the Cisco FindIT Network Discovery Utility

Figure 2. Back Panel of the Cisco RV 120W

Figure 3. Typical Configuration

Product Specifications

Table 1 gives the product specifications for the Cisco RV 120W.

Table 1. Product Specifications

Feature	Description
Routing	• Static routing • RIP v1 and v2 • Inter-VLAN routing
Layer 2	• 802.1q -based VLANs • 4 active VLANs (1 to 4094 range)
Network	• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, DHCP relay agent • Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE), Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) • DNS Proxy • IGMP Proxy and multicast forwarding • Dynamic Domain Name System (DynDNS, TZO) • Network Address Translation (NAT), Port Address Translation (PAT), Network Address Port Translation (NAPT), Session Initiation Protocol Application Layer Gateway (SIP ALG), NAT traversal, one-to-one NAT • Multiple DHCP pools • Port Management
IPv6	• Dual-stack IPv4 and IPv6 • Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) for IPv6 (RFC2710) • Stateless address auto-configuration • DHCP v6 • Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) v6
Security	Access control:  • IP access control lists (ACLs) • MAC-based wireless access control Firewall: • SPI firewall • Port forwarding and triggering • DoS prevention • Software based DMZ Content filtering: • Static URL blocking or keyword blocking Secure management: • HTTPS • Username/password 802.1X • Port-based RADIUS authentication (Extensible Authentication Protocol [EAP], Protected EAP [PEAP]) Certificate management • X.509 v3 certificates • Certificate upload using PEM format
VPN	• 10 QuickVPN tunnels for remote client access • 10 IPsec site-to-site tunnels for branch office connectivity • Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES), Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption • Message Digest Algorithm 5 (MD5)/Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA1) authentication • Dead Peer Detection (DPD) • IPsec NAT traversal • VPN pass-through of PPTP, L2TP, IPsec
Quality of Service	• 802.1p port-based priority on LAN port, application-based priority on WAN port • 4 queues • DiffServ support • Traffic Metering
Management	• Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) versions 1, 2c and v3 • Event logging: local, syslog, email alerts • Firmware upgradable through web browser; imported/exported configuration in text format • Simple browser-based configuration (HTTP/HTTPS) • UPnP, Bonjour • Network diagnostics with packet captures
Performance	• NAT throughput: 95 Mbps • 1000 concurrent sessions • VPN throughput: 25 Mbps

nexVortex SIP Trunking for Business

If you are currently using a SIP trunking provider for your business, have a look at what nexVortex has to offer. Compare it to your current provider and see how they stack up!

Homeland Secure IT became a partner with nexVortex after researching many other providers… We needed a reliable provider who could offer the features our clients needed at a price they could afford. We found that the quality of service and the feature set offered by nexVortex fit the bill, as did their pricing!

For instance, the nexVortex Business Elite Plan offers unlimited concurrent calls, 5000 minutes of outbound (US continental & Canada), 5 DID telephone numbers, E911 and disaster recovery for only $100/month. That is everything most of the businesses we work with require, though they do have a Business Pro Plan that is even less expensive at $40/month, and that has 2000 minutes of outbound calls, unlimited concurrent calls, E911 and one telephone number.

Need 50 DIDs? How about 100, or 1000?  nexVortex can provide that too, saving you lots of money in the process in many cases!

If you would like more information in the Greenville or Upstate, SC area, please call 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com. If you are outside of our area, that’s okay, click on the nexVortex logo and you can find everything you need on their website.

Unable to use SIP trunking due to an old phone system? We can help with that! We are have a solution that is right for your business!  Please call or email today!

Pardon the pun with the “dollars & sense” thing, but really that is what it comes down to, whether it makes sense, not just the dollar amount.

In my previous post, we looked at a company we will call “Business One”, a local small business using PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) with their old key phone system and asked the question “Are you paying too much for your business phone service?”…

Obviously, there was money to be saved by simply changing how they have always done things, however, there was expense involved, which came in the form of the need for a new phone system. Let’s look at what is involved to move “Business One” from an aging key phone system to a new VoIP (Voice over IP) system.

First, let’s see what the current system comprised of:

• 8 total extensions
• 3 outside phone lines
• Paging to a speaker (broken)
• Paging to phones
• NO music on hold option
• NO Automated Attendant capability
• NO voice mail (Simple answering machine turned on manually)
• NO voice mail going to email
• NO Caller ID display

We’re talking a very basic digital key system. It has accomplished what they needed, and nothing more.

So what would we be putting in place?

Cisco’s new UC320W Unified Communications system, which is one unit that controls the local VoIP system, provides a security router, gigabit switch, wireless 802.11n and more.  This is the baby brother to the UC540 system, and it supports up to 24 extensions, 4 copper phone lines, and a fax/phone/credit card machine port.

With additional modules, it can support even more phone lines, at the expense of losing one extension for each additional outside line over 4.   (If you had 8 phone lines, you could only have 20 extensions).

For desk sets, Business One has determined they need only the basics, no color display, bluetooth or MP3 player needed here.

We opted for the Cisco SPA504G, a 4 line display phone with outstanding audio quality, crystal clear speakerphone, dedicated headset port, message waiting indicator and an AUX port to connect the optional 32 button sidecar which allows the programming of single button speeddials, transfers, etc. These phones also have a network passthru for the connected PCs and Power Over Ethernet (POE).

To enable the two people who answer phone the most there the ability to easily transfer calls to other worker voice mail and extensions, we added two of the 32 button sidecars (SPA500S). They can tell if someone is using their extension at a glance, and transfer a call they answered easily to another extension, or send it straight to that extension’s voice mail with the push of one button.

The old phone system does not use CAT5 wiring, so new wiring was required to several extensions, and since there are no power outlets in some of those locations, a Cisco ESW-520-8p switch was in order. This switch provides 8 ports of 10/100 ethernet WITH Power Over Ethernet (Meaning, all 8 extensions would not require to have a power adapter plugged into the wall)

The client had an existing 10/100/1000 (gigabit) network for their computers, but it was decided that keeping the networks isolated would be desirable. That fact, combined with the desire to have Power Over Ethernet and long runs of cabling that were required to the warehouse area made for a more costly solution than may be necessary in many cases. However, the complete, turn-key solution rang in at about $4500 dollars. By turn-key, we mean, start to finish: Consultation, installation, configuration & training.

By switching to to this VoIP solution and to the SIP trunks as outlined in the previous post, in less than 2.5 years, the new VoIP system will pay for itself, while providing many features this client has never enjoyed!

New features that Business One can enjoy:

• Automated Attendant (Many calls are handled by the phone system)
• Voice Mail for each extension (will replace a single answering machine)
• Night Attendant will provide different greeting/functions after hours
• Music on Hold
• Voice mail is sent to their email to listen to on a smartphone
• Caller ID so they can screen those salespeople!
• Display phones loaded with features
• Ability to transfer a call to their cell phones, or even forward all calls
• Full call logging, see at a glance every incoming/outgoing call
• 8 Simultaneous calls through SIP (instead of the 3 they had before)
• Ability to use inexpensive SIP trunks for service!

That’s just the tip of the iceberg! Their old system has seen better days, so switching to a full fledged VoIP solution and taking advantage of a decrease in service will pay for itself…

Now, if they would just consider the Cisco SPA525G2 phone, with its beautiful color display, built-in MP3 player, bluetooth connectivity to headsets and cellphones, then they would be stylin!

If you would like to talk about how a system like this could be implemented at your business, please call us at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com. We are your Greenville / Upstate SC Cisco SMB Select Partner!