Solved Super Confused about Polycom Phones...

[TheQuank]

Howdy all, I have a few older Polycom VVX501s I'm trying to configure. I've followed the instructions as described here: Set Up VVX Series for 3CX but to no avail. In googling around, I see a number of articles stating that Polycom only supports DHCP Option 66 configuring, but then I can't find any official documentation with instructions on how that works. The phones certainly are looking for TFTP on boot so this would make since, but then why no instructions on how to set it up? Any guidance would be much appreciated!

 

[JohnS_3CX]

Hi there,

These models support PnP provisioning, as included in the guide.

You need to get them on the right firmware first (6.3.0.14929) and the guide includes some steps to do that.

Where is your PBX installed and where are the phones located in relation to it?

 

[TheQuank]

PBX is at HQ and we're at a VPN connected branch office with a local SBC installed. I did try PnP, though will double check that I have that exact firmware installed.

 

[Saqqara]

All the info in setting up the phones is in the url that you have posted - https://www.3cx.com/sip-phones/polycom-vvx/

Please provide more on your setup as per https://www.3cx.com/community/threads/information-to-provide-when-requesting-help.67558/

Have you done Step 1, and 2

 

[Saqqara]

As you have a site to site vpn, you need to configure the devices as local lan. Follow the steps for 'remote Phones (Direct sip) ; manual provisioning but select lan as the provisioning method - https://www.3cx.com/sip-phones/polycom-vvx/

SBC is used when you want traffic to go out over the internet and not normally down a vpn.

 

[TheQuank]

Hi Saqqara, my (albeit limited) understanding of option 66 is that all phones must be identical, correct? In my case they are not so I've tried to stay away from that... Unless they don't need to be, then I can give it a try.

 

[TheQuank]

I'm reading through the documentation here: How to auto-provision IP phones with DHCP "Option 66” (3cx.com) and am a bit stuck with this part:

HTTP Phones​

HTTP phones are capable of downloading the configuration from the web server directly however does not support PnP. In this case it is required to obtain the http URL from the 3CX Phone System installation. Navigate within the 3CX Management console to the “System Status” and take a copy of the “For local provisioning enter this link” URL.

I'm unable to find the "For local provisioning enter this link" link. Nor do I see an option for System Status outside the graph on the dashboard.

 

[Saqqara]

I changed my post while you where reading it, please read it again as it has different steps

 

[TheQuank]

I changed my post while you where reading it, please read it again as it has different steps

As I mentioned in my opening post, I've already tried those methods without success. Where can I find this provisioning link for Option 66?

 

[ChrisC_3CX]

Just to avoid any confusion, let's please take this from the top.

Check the steps below, confirm every step and let us know at which step you get stuck and why:

1. Since you are using a site-to-site VPN and local routing exists between the IP Phones and the 3CX PBX, completely remove the 3CX SBC.

2. Make sure that the devices are running the 3CX Supported firmware version and that they have been factory reset. Confirm that you are now running firmware version 6.3.0.14929.

3. Access the Management Console, go to Extensions, Edit an Extension and go to Phone Provisioning. Add the Polycom device from the list along with its MAC address(just the 12 characters) and then make sure that the Local Lan provisioning method is selected. Click OK on the top.

4. Go back and copy the Provisioning link from the Phone Provisioning tab of the extension and then access the Device's Web UI using it's local IP in a Web Browser. (Make sure that the provisioning link you copied contains 3CXs local ip address and not the FQDN)

5. Navigate to Settings >> Provisioning Server, select HTTP where it says "Server Type" and then paste the provisioning link you copied in the "Server Address" field. Clear the "Server User" and "Server Password" fields and save.

6. The IP Phone should now reprovision, if it does not after a while(2-3 minutes) reboot it and check again.

 

[TheQuank]

Just to avoid any confusion, let's please take this from the top.

Check the steps below, confirm every step and let us know at which step you get stuck and why:

1. Since you are using a site-to-site VPN and local routing exists between the IP Phones and the 3CX PBX, completely remove the 3CX SBC.

2. Make sure that the devices are running the 3CX Supported firmware version and that they have been factory reset. Confirm that you are now running firmware version 6.3.0.14929.

3. Access the Management Console, go to Extensions, Edit an Extension and go to Phone Provisioning. Add the Polycom device from the list along with its MAC address(just the 12 characters) and then make sure that the Local Lan provisioning method is selected. Click OK on the top.

4. Go back and copy the Provisioning link from the Phone Provisioning tab of the extension and then access the Device's Web UI using it's local IP in a Web Browser. (Make sure that the provisioning link you copied contains 3CXs local ip address and not the FQDN)

5. Navigate to Settings >> Provisioning Server, select HTTP where it says "Server Type" and then paste the provisioning link you copied in the "Server Address" field. Clear the "Server User" and "Server Password" fields and save.

6. The IP Phone should now reprovision, if it does not after a while(2-3 minutes) reboot it and check again.

Thanks Chris!

Here are the answers:

1. Done.

2. This is a bit confusing, when you say 3CX Supported Firmware, are you referring to the firmware available for download here: Download the latest IP Phone firmware for use with the 3CX or the Polycom Official firmware, just revision 6.3.0.14929. The documentation isn't clear as to a custom firmware (inferred by the download link to a 3CX server) or the official firmware as referenced here: Manually Upgrade the Firmware of your Polycom VVX IP Phone (3cx.com). As there is not an easy way to load a custom firmware on the phone, I'll assume the latter, but the documentation could updated to make that more clear. Firmware is now Polycom Official Version 6.3.0.14929

3. Done

4. Link acquired, it would be nice for the page to better explain what the phone ID and Password are for. It's not a huge leap to assume these are needed for provisioning.

5. This step is also confusing as the documentation here: Set Up VVX Series for 3CX doesn't mention to clear out the default username and password nor not to use the ones provide on the provisioning page.

6. Provision complete! Hopefully the documentation feedback will help clarify the steps for future setups. Thanks for your help!