How to upgrade Cisco IP Phone 7945G to SIP Firmware using Linux Box

Items you will be needing:

    - Linux Box with Ubuntu 

    - Cisco POE Switch

    - Cisco IP Phones

    - Ethernet cords

Download the files at https://software.cisco.com/download/home/281346594/type/282074289/release/9.3(1) and download 7945 and 7965 IP Firmware Files Only - Compatible CUCM Versions: 7.1(5)+

 

Install the DHCP Server by opening the Terminal and typing in sudo apt install isc-dhcp-server, then 

type in /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf in the terminal, press y, and paste in: 

option domain-name "example.org";

option domain-name-servers 8.8.8.8;

option tftpserver code 150 = array of ip-address;

default-lease-time 600;

max-lease-time 7200;

authoritative;

subnet 192.168.199.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {

range 192.168.199.10 192.168.199.240;

option routers 192.168.199.254;

option subnet-mask 255.255.255.0;

option broadcast-address 192.168.199.255;

option tftpserver 192.168.199.2;

}

Then follow this guide online to install the TFTP server at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/TFTP

Here is a diagram of the Linux Box, POE switch, and the IP Phones.

How to upgrade Cisco IP Phone 7945G to SIP Firmware

                                    How to upgrade Cisco IP Phone 7945G to SIP Firmware

    Items you will need:
        - Cisco IP Phone 7945G
        - Cisco Switch with POE Ports
        - Any PC that can download software and change Firewall settings

        - At least 2 Ethernet Cords

    Preparations:

        PC:

            1. Download the IPSwitch TFTP Server at https://www.whatsupgold.com/free-network-monitoring-tools/free-tftp-server, then install it, open the program by pressing the Windows key, and typing in "IPSwitch TFTP Server".

            2. Press the Windows key, Type: "Windows Defender Firewall" and open it, Click Advanced Settings on the sidebar, then click Inbound Rules, and click new rule. Make sure the type of rule is on Program, and click next. Click "This Program Path" and fill in the path for where your IPSwitch TFTP Server program is. It should be in C:\Program Files (x86)\Ipswitch\TFTP Server. Make sure to click TFTPWindowsService.exe and not the program itself. Click next and click "Allow the connection", next again, and checkmark everything, then add a name to it. It doesn't matter what the name is, then click finish.

            3. Click the New Rule again to add a new rule, but this time for the rule type you need to click "Custom". Then press next twice, click the Protocol Type where it says "Any" and click ICMPv4. Again, click next until you need to give it a name, and again, it doesn't matter what the name is.

            4. Download the files at https://software.cisco.com/download/home/281346594/type/282074289/release/9.3(1) and download 7945 and 7965 IP Firmware Files Only - Compatible CUCM Versions: 7.1(5)+

    How to Upgrade the Phone Firmware

        1. Setup the DHCP Server on the switch.

            Connect your PC to the Console port and set up the DHCP Server.

            The configuration should be set to:
ip excluded-address 192.168.2.1 192.168.2.50
ip dhcp pool VOIP
network 192.168.2.0 255.255.255.0
default-router 192.168.2.1
dns-server 192.168.1.1
option 150 ip 192.168.2.51                       

        2. Connecting the Phone to the switch.

            Connect the Cisco IP Phone to the switch with an ethernet cable. It should cycle through a few different screens, but make sure it's upgrading. If it isn't, unplug the cable and plug it back in while holding the pound sign (#) until the two buttons on the right side of the screen blink a red color. Then press 123456789*0# which will soft reset the phone. It should then turn back on with the looping screen.

        3. Configuring the TFTP Server.

            Open the IPSwitch TFTP Server program, go to options, set your root folder to your directory where your firmware folder is, go to security and allow downloads and uploads, then click OK. Once the TFTP Server starts, the phone should start upgrading.