Cisco IP Telephony
Phone Firmware
The recommended phone firmware is dependent upon the version of CME or CUCM you are attempting to connect to. The tables below indicate the suggested phone firmware versions and filenames for the various CME and CUCM versions we use in the labs. Note that sometimes you need to "step up" to the suggested firmware version by loading some number of intermediate firmwares. These step up procedures can be difficult to find information on and so common ones have been documented below.
For CME 7.1
| Device Model | Firmware Version | Firmware Files |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco Unified IP Phone 7940G and 7960G | SCCP v8.0(5) | P00308000500.loads*
P00308000500.sb2 P00308000500.sbn |
| Cisco Unified IP Phone 7941G and 7941G-GE | SCCP v8.4(2) | apps41.8-4-1-23.sbn
cnu41.8-4-1-23.sbn cvm41sccp.8-4-1-23.sbn dsp41.8-4-1-23.sbn jar41sccp.8-4-1-23.sbn SCCP41.8-4-2S.loads* term41.default.loads term61.default.loads |
| Cisco Unified IP Phone 7942G and 7962G | SCCP v8.4(2) | jar42sccp.8-4-1-23.sbn
apps42.8-4-1-23.sbn SCCP42.8-4-2S.loads* cnu42.8-4-1-23.sbn cvm42sccp.8-4-1-23.sbn dsp42.8-4-1-23.sbn term42.default.loads term62.default.loads |
When configuring CME for the firmware for use with each device the load command should use the file indicated by the asterisk (*) in each list of files.
For CUCM 8.6
| Device Model | Firmware Version | Firmware Files |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco Unified IP Phone 7940G and 7960G | Signed SCCP v8.1(2) | cmterm-7940_7960-sccp.8.1.2.cop.sgn |
| Cisco Unified IP Phone 7941G and 7941G-GE | Signed SCCP v9.2(1) | cmterm-7941_7961-sccp.9-2-1.cop.sgn |
| Cisco Unified IP Phone 7942G and 7962G | Signed SCCP v9.2(1) | cmterm-7942_7962-sccp.9-2-1.cop.sgn |
Note that CUCM 8.6 uses certificate signed firmware files (*.sgn)
SCCP Firmware Step Up Procedures by Model
7940/7960
7941/7961
If your phone currently has firmware older than SCCP v6.0(2):
You must upgrade to 7.0(x) before upgrading any further. Cisco suggests upgrading to 7.0(3) as that will provide a faster upgrade to 8.x(x) than an older 7.0(x) would but any 7.0(x) will work. Once you have 7.0(3) loaded skip down to the section for phones with 7.0(3) below.
If your phone currently has firmware between 6.0(2) and 7.0(2):
You can upgrade directly to 8.5(2) but be aware that the upgrade will take about twice as long as usual.
If your phone currently has firmware between 7.0(3) and 8.3(2):
Cisco changed the signing certificate on the firmware, before you can load newer versions you need to upgrade your phone to at least 8.3(3) but it is suggested that you upgrade to 8.5(2). Once you have something between 8.3(3) and 8.5(2) loaded you will be able to continue upgrading to the latest version.
7942/7962
If your phone currently has firmware older than SCCP v6.0(2):
You must upgrade to 7.0(x) before upgrading any further. Cisco suggests upgrading to 7.0(3) as that will provide a faster upgrade to 8.x(x) than an older 7.0(x) would but any 7.0(x) will work. Once you have 7.0(3) loaded skip down to the section for phones with 7.0(3) below.
If your phone currently has firmware between 6.0(2) and 7.0(2):
You can upgrade directly to 8.5(2) but be aware that the upgrade will take about twice as long as usual.
If your phone currently has firmware between 7.0(3) and 8.3(2):
Cisco changed the signing certificate on the firmware, before you can load newer versions you need to upgrade your phone to at least 8.3(3) but it is suggested that you upgrade to 8.5(2). Once you have something between 8.3(3) and 8.5(2) loaded you will be able to continue upgrading to the latest version.
Useful References
- Cisco 7940 and 7960 IP Phones Firmware Upgrade Matrix - This page includes instructions for changing between the various firmwares on the Cisco 7940 and 7960 IP Phones. Note that some change require server "stepped" or "intermediate" firmwares.
- Cisco Unified CME and Cisco IOS Software Version Compatibility Matrix - This page includes a chart to identify the suggested version of CME to be running for a particular router IOS version.
- Cisco Unified CME 7.1 Supported Firmware, Platforms, Memory, and Voice Products - This page includes information about what firmware version is recommended for each device type to be compatible with CUCME 7.1 (the recommended CME version for 12.4(24)T IOS based routers.
- Cisco Unified Communications Manager Software Compatibility Matrix - This document includes information about what firmware version is recommended for each device type to be compatible with CUCM 8.6 (see the equipment default loads section).
- Cisco Unified IP Phone Release Notes for Firmware Release 8.5(2)SR1 (SCCP and SIP) 7975G, 7971G-GE, 7970G, 7965G, 7962G, 7961G-GE, 7961G, 7945G, 7942G, 7941G-GE, 7941G, 7931G, 7911G, and 7906G - This page includes information about the upgrade procedures for 7941/7961 and 7942/7962 phones including required intermediate firmware versions required.