Cisco 7940G Review

Like many of the major PBX manufacturers, Cisco has firmly embraced SIP, it is currently supported on 4 of their IP phone models, here we review their 7940G SIP phone.

Models

The current model is the 7940G, the key changes from the 7940 is that it is made for the Global market, with symbols instead of 'English' labels on the function keys, with overlays for each region. The other importance change is that the Power over Ethernet is now standards (IEEE 802.3af) compliant, whereas on the 7940 is it was proprietary.

Cost

Anything from £70 to £300 depending if you buy new or used, shop around for the best deal.

SIP

From the factory, the phone is supplied with SCCP firmware, as are almost all used ones recovered from offices etc. Converting them from SCCP to SIP can be achieved, and can require a full set Cisco SIP firmware, depending on the SCCP version already loaded, occasionally things can go wrong and the phone can become locked in a loop.

Power over Ethernet (PoE)

The phone supports Power over Ethernet, but beware! The earlier non 'G' models don't comply to international PoE standards (IEEE 802.3af), and connection of a standards based PoE injector or powered switch can damage the phone. You can also construct your own PoE injector.

PoE is certainly the way to go at home - no need to worry about mains connections next to the phone or having two leads trailing from the phone, just one patch lead carrying the power and data.

Benefits

Like any hardphone, its key advantages over a softphone, is that you're not dependant on a PC for telephony, so no issues with applications and handsets/headsets/mics & earpieces, or leaving the PC switched on, with the application running to receive calls. You can have one in every room that you currently have an analogue phone, with just a Cat 3 or better data cable.

The audio quality is exceptional, with no detectable difference between it and a traditional phone. You have easy access to traditional telephony features (hold, transfer, shortcodes, call log, CLI etc), new ones like xml features such as web based directories, information etc, you can store them on a central server for access by the phones from any location.

Touch & Feel

The build quality is excellent, solid, stylish, well thought out, a quality item, a vast improvement on the first generation Cisco phones.

Features

Large LCD display, local directories, local call log (missed calls, made calls, received calls), call hold, call transfer (blind or attended), adjustable ringer, microphone mute, monitor speaker and handset audio, message waiting indicator. On-board Ethernet switch, to connect your PC and phone via a single LAN port.

Excellent handsfree mode, line selective intercom (auto answer), adjustable back-stand, xml services, direct message retrieval button, headset socket, 2 line buttons, user installable ring tones, you chose it, convert it and the phone will ring it.

Set-up

Once running SIP firmware, they are easy to configure and can be configured from the phone itself, or via configuration files and a TFTP server.

Support

This is a tricky one, officially you need to pay for support from Cisco to obtain product info, support and firmware updates, it was designed to be deployed in large corporations not for single home users, but look around
the Internet.

Conclusion

Very nice phone, if a little on the expensive side, but, unlike some hardphones, you won't be disappointed.

Added:  Friday, April 29, 2005
Reviewer:  dboyce
Score:
hits: 15589
Language: eng

  

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Posted by middletn on May 19, 2006 - 11:40 PM Your rating: You'd of thought that for the price, the display would be backlit. It's not, and it's difficult to see in low light. Good phone non the less, but the voice quality lacks any bass.

Posted by themgt on Aug 21, 2005 - 08:16 PM Your rating: According to this page on Cisco's site the 7940G does not support the IEEE 802.3af PoE standard.

Posted by rgower on Jul 21, 2005 - 04:50 PM Your rating: Worth noting that before you can get the time of day from Cisco, let alone firmware to upgrade to SIP, you must have a support contract.

Posted by dankers on Jun 04, 2005 - 01:27 PM Your rating: For all you guys that can't afford the 7940, the 7912 is also a nice phone, smaller footprint than the 7940 but is the same build quality, the SIP firmware works well and offers all the standard features. It only has single line apperance and doesn't do any of the niffty XML stuff that the 7940 does but as a SIP desk phone it's great. There are some known issues with the 7912 & call manager when running SCCP hence this phone should be real cheap now.