Using the Load Server Option for IP Phone Firmware Distribution: Facts and Benefits

Load Server Option for IP Phone Firmware Distribution

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Question

Which two statements about using the Load Server option for IP phone firmware distribution are true? (Choose two.)

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Explanations

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A. B. C. D. E. F.

CF.

Choosing the Right Distribution Method Which of the three different image-distribution methods discussed so far is the best for a customer deployment? Each method has advantages and disadvantages, and they are summarized in Table 1

Table 1

Summary of Distribution Models.

Advantages Disadvantages Peer Firmware Load Server Traditional TETP Sharing + Hierarchy is + Has same download time + Proven distribution automatic as LAN image distribution + Default behavior + One download per + Distributes TFTP load phone model ona over multiple TFTP subnet servers +Uses TCP + Fails back to TFTP + Speeds up LAN upgrades + Reduces TFTP CPU load during upgrade + Must be enabled on + IP must be setoneach + High-bandwidth each phone phone requirements + Hierarchy is formed + Administrator must + Multiple requests for each phone manually file copy to for same file model load server + High CPU usage + Hierarchy is limited +No failback to TFTP on on TFTP server to subnet error + More prone to user error

References: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/voicesw/ps6882/ps6884/white_paper_c11-583891.pdf.

The Load Server option for IP phone firmware distribution is used to distribute firmware to IP phones on the network. This option allows for firmware to be distributed from a central location rather than having to copy the firmware to each individual phone. Below are the correct statements about using the Load Server option for IP phone firmware distribution:

A. This option must be enabled on at least two servers in a Cisco Unified Communications Manager cluster.

  • This statement is true. In order to use the Load Server option, it must be enabled on at least two servers in a Cisco Unified Communications Manager cluster. This is to ensure redundancy in case one server goes down or becomes unavailable.

B. This option must be enabled on Cisco Unified Communications Manager service parameters for Cisco TFTP.

  • This statement is also true. The Load Server option must be enabled on the Cisco Unified Communications Manager service parameters for Cisco TFTP in order to use it for firmware distribution.

C. Phone firmware must be manually copied to any applicable load servers.

  • This statement is false. The Load Server option allows for firmware to be distributed from a central location without having to manually copy it to each applicable load server.

D. The load server will not function if its IP address is not in the same subnet as the IP phones.

  • This statement is false. The Load Server option can function even if the IP address of the load server is not in the same subnet as the IP phones.

E. This option is only available for newer IP phone models.

  • This statement is false. The Load Server option is available for all IP phone models.

F. This option does not accommodate falling back to Cisco TFTP on error.

  • This statement is false. The Load Server option does accommodate falling back to Cisco TFTP on error if the firmware cannot be obtained from the Load Server.

In summary, the Load Server option must be enabled on at least two servers in a Cisco Unified Communications Manager cluster and on the Cisco Unified Communications Manager service parameters for Cisco TFTP. It does not require manual copying of firmware to applicable load servers, and it can function even if the IP address of the load server is not in the same subnet as the IP phones. It is available for all IP phone models and does accommodate falling back to Cisco TFTP on error.

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