VMware Deploy OVF from datastore URL

VMware Deploy OVF from datastore URL

When building new servers on Cisco UCS BE6K / BE7K chassis, you likely have all the OVAs you need already on the datastore(s). My problem is I never remember the HTP URL syntax to use to point the "Deploy OVF Template" dialog back to the datastore.  I typically end up downloading the OVA to my loccal PC and then uploading it again via the dialog because you can simply browse file your file share for the file.  You can enter a URL instead to save the hassle but what is it?

I don't know.

Here's a nice VMware document on the syntax but in the time it takes to figure it out, you could have been down my silly upload / download way: https://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-55/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.vmware.wssdk.pg.doc%2FPG_Appx_Http_Access.21.3.html

Try this instead:

• Open a browser and navigate to http://your_ESXi_interface/folder. 
• You'll be challenged for a user that has access to the ESXi environment.
• Enter the credentials and you should be able to drill down to the file you are looking for, right in your browser.
• When you find the one you want, right click and Copy Link Location (in Firefox, or the equivalent in your browser).
• Return to the "Deploy OVF Template" dialog box and paste.

Yeah. Easy giant URL.

Basic Cisco 1252 AP WPA2 Personal AES CCMP Least Congested Channel Sample

After a lightning strike at the house, I've been running a SOHO Linksys WiFi router for some time.  I'm giving up on it and converting back to some more "enterprise-y" network hardware.  Here's a quick Cisco 1252 AP configuration. This is similar to a post of mine from a year or two ago, but now includes the option for the AP to pick the least congested channel from 1, 6 or 11.

ap#
ap#sh run
Building configuration...

Current configuration : 1318 bytes
!
version 12.4
no service pad
service timestamps debug datetime msec
service timestamps log datetime msec
service password-encryption
!
hostname ap
!
enable secret 5 $1$cHI9$4dS0I6b8A3Rp3ecMQ2H6i1
!
no aaa new-model
!
!
!
dot11 ssid LauraAndRay
   authentication open
   authentication key-management wpa version 2
   guest-mode
   mbssid guest-mode
   wpa-psk ascii 7 1403170F070B30222A3B383C73
!
power inline negotiation prestandard source
!
!
username Cisco password 7 062506324F41
!
bridge irb
!
!
interface Dot11Radio0
 no ip address
 no ip route-cache
 !
 encryption mode ciphers aes-ccm
 !
 ssid LauraAndRay
 !
 channel least-congested 2412 2437 2462
 station-role root
 bridge-group 1
 bridge-group 1 subscriber-loop-control
 bridge-group 1 block-unknown-source
 no bridge-group 1 source-learning
 no bridge-group 1 unicast-flooding
 bridge-group 1 spanning-disabled
!
interface GigabitEthernet0
 no ip address
 no ip route-cache
 duplex auto
 speed auto
 bridge-group 1
 no bridge-group 1 source-learning
 bridge-group 1 spanning-disabled
!
interface BVI1
 ip address 192.168.10.253 255.255.255.0
 no ip route-cache
!
ip http server
no ip http secure-server
ip http help-path http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/779/smbiz/prodconfig/help/eag
bridge 1 route ip
!
!
!
line con 0
line vty 0 4
 login local
!
end

Excel functions for CUCM BAT

I'm just going to put MS Excel functions here that I use when creating CUCM and Unity Connection BAT files. Thanks for stopping by..


Show everything in A1 to the left of a space (or other delimiter)
=LEFT(A1,FIND(" ",A1)-1) 

Show everything in A1 to the right of a space (or other delimiter)
=MID(A1,FIND(" ",A1)+1,255) 
 

Cisco 8845 Intelligent Proximity Bluetooth Mobile Voice

An introduction to the intelligent proximity feature on the Cisco 8845 phone:

For reference, during this video I’m using a Cisco 8845 phone running firmware version 10-3-2-16, the latest available at this time.  The device is registered to a Cisco Unified Communications Manager running 10.5.2.10000-5.  There is a Cisco Expressway Edge and Core server between the phone and Communications Manager, a deployment model commonly referred to as Mobile Remote Access.  I’ll also be using an Apple iPhone 5S with no special apps or configuration.

From a Communications Manager administrative perspective, the setup is simple and the two required variables are normally already set by default. On the the 8845 device, first find the “Bluetooth” setting and confirm it’s enabled.  Then just a bit below that, verify “Allow Bluetooth Mobile Handsfree Mode” is enabled as well.

CUCM version 10.5.2.10000-5

CP-8845 firmware 10-3-2-16

CP-8845 Bluetooth settings

From a user perspective, you’ll be required to pair the iPhone with the Cisco 8845 phone. 

On the iPhone, select your settings app, then Bluetooth and if it’s not already on, turn it on now.

On the Cisco 8845 phone, select the application button, and scroll over or press the digit 3 to the select the Bluetooth menu.  First highlight “Bluetooth” and turn it on, then select “Hands-free 2-way Audio” and turn that on.  The pairing communication should begin at this time.  Finally, on the Cisco 8845, select “Add Bluetooth device”.  You should see a splash screen that says “Make sure your device is discoverable”.  Wait a few moments while the devices communicate.

Once communication is established between the Cisco 8845 and the cell phone, you will see the name of your mobile phone in the 8845 display. Select the “Pair” option. 

If successful, you’ll receive a toast message on the 8845 with a Bluetooth verification code.  You’ll also receive a “Bluetooth Pairing Request” message on the iPhone.  Press “Yes” on the 8845 and “Pair” on the iPhone.

CP-8845 with Bluetooth On and paired iPhone

Next, on the 8845 you will be given the option to save your mobile phone contacts on your deskphone.  Choosing “Yes” here imports the contacts from your iPhone for use on your 8845 desk phone.

When complete, press “Exit” on the 8845 until you are returned to the idle display.

On the Cisco phone, you should now see a new line label with the name of your iPhone. Selecting the new line changes your “External Phone Number Mask” to that of your iPhone number and provides the iPhone battery status and cell coverage as well. Note that this pairing and line appearance does not display on the Device in the Communications Manager administrative interface.

Making calls from your iPhone:

While your phones are paired, when calling from your cell phone, you will now be presented with the option to use the “CP-8845”, the “iPhone” or the “Speaker”.  The “iPhone” and “Speaker” options represent standard iPhone functions where you are selecting whether to send and receive audio through the standard iPhone ear and mouthpiece or via the iPhone speakerphone.  Choosing the “CP-8845” option though now allows you to place the call over the iPhone cellular network but use your CP-8845 phone as the audio device.  You can use the 8845 handset, a headset if equipped, or the built in speakerphone.

iPhone making call with audio over CP-8845 speakerphone

Making calls from your 8845 phone:

While your phones are paired, when calling from your desk phone, you now have the option to dial from the 8845 phone and use the handset, headset or speakerphone there, but to place the call over your iPhone and it’s cellular network.  Simply first select the new iPhone line on the 8845 and then dial your number as if you are dialing on your iPhone.

If the call was placed via the 8845 over the cellular network, once the call is in progress, pressing the “Move Audio” button changes the audio sending and receiving from the 8845 phone back to the iPhone handset.  Conversely, while the call is in progress on the iPhone, pressing “Move Audio” on the 8845 phone makes the 8845 handset, headset or speakerphone the active audio device.

CP-8845 call over iPhone with Move Audio button

Using the iPhone directory:

You can now scroll through and dial iPhone contacts form you 8845 phone. If during the pairing process you chose to save your mobile phone contacts on your deskphone, you will have a new directory option there.  On the 8845 phone, press the Directories button, scroll to and select the new directory with the name of your iPhone.  You will be presented with a list of your iPhone contacts, can scroll through and call any of them using the “Call” softkey.

CP-8845 with iPhone contacts directory

Receiving calls from your iPhone:

While your phones are paired, when receiving calls on your iPhone, your iPhone still rings and presents information like normal.  Now though, the incoming call information on your iPhone will be presented on your 8845 phone display as well, associated with the new iPhone line created during the pairing.  You can answer the incoming call to the iPhone on the 8845 using the normal Cisco “Answer” softkey, the 8845 speaker button or of course by lifting the handset.

Once the call is answered and in progress on the 8845 phone, pressing the “Move Audio” button changes the audio sending and receiving from the 8845 phone back to the iPhone handset.  Conversely, while the call is in progress on the iPhone, pressing “Move Audio” on the 8845 phone makes the 8845 handset, headset or speakerphone the active audio device.

Takeaways:

• System Administration requires two settings per device, likely already set by default.
• User administration requires pairing your iPhone or other device with the 8845.
• Incoming calls to your cell phone can now be answered on your 8845 phone.
• Outgoing calls on your 8845 phone can be sent over the iPhone cellular network if desired.
• Once calls are in progress over the cellular network, you can toggle which device to use for audio by pressing the “Move Audio” softkey.
• Your iPhone contacts can be accessed and dialed from your 8845 deskphone.

Additional references:

Cisco Intelligent Proximity
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collaboration-endpoints/intelligent-proximity.html

Cisco IP Phone 8800 Series User Guide
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/cuipph/8800-series/english/userguide/P881_BK_CC6C5F2C_00_cisco-ip-phone-8800_series.html

Cisco IP Phone 8800 Series Administration Guide
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/cuipph/8800-series/english/adminguide/P881_BK_C136782F_00_cisco-ip-phone-8800_series.html

VG224 VG310 VG320 SCCP configuration

I've been asked a couple time lately about SCCP on analog gateways.

On the CUCM side:

First, add the gateway in CUCM and pick the SCCP protocol.  Then, much like the host name is critical in MGCP setups, you'll need to identify it with the last 10 digits of the gateways interface MAC address.  Then, still in CUCM, add however many sub-units are in your gateways so you have ports to configure.

On the gateway side:

After you get basic network connectivity and access, the basic critical SCCP related commands are:
!
!
stcapp ccm-group 1
stcapp
!
! loopbacks are generally preferred here, but the physical interfaces will work
sccp local GigabitEthernet0/0
! 7.0+ is basically standard now but check your version here against your CUCM
sccp ccm <ip address of a CUCM,  subscriber if you have one> identifier 10 priority 1 version 7.0+
!
sccp ccm <ip address of another CUCM subscriber, if you have another in a CUCM group> identifier 20 priority 2 version 7.0+
!
sccp
!
sccp ccm group 1
 ! again, loopbacks are generally preferred here
 ! keep it consistent
 bind interface GigabitEthernet0/0
 associate ccm 10 priority 1
 associate ccm 20 priority 2
!
dial-peer group 1 pots
 service stcapp
 port all
!
! check if it's working
!
show sccp
show stcapp device summary