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Cisco Unified Wireless IP Phone 7925G Administration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager 7.0(1)
OL-15984-01
Chapter 2      Overview of the VoIP Wireless Network
Components of the VoIP Wireless Network
Related Topics
  • Understanding the Phone Startup Process, page 3-17
  • Components of the VoIP Wireless Network, page 2-9
  • Configuring DHCP Settings, page 5-6
Interacting with Cisco Unified Wireless APs 
Wireless IP phones use the same APs as wireless data devices. However, voice traffic over a WLAN 
requires different equipment configurations and layouts than a WLAN that is used exclusively for data 
traffic. Data transmission can tolerate a higher level of RF noise, packet loss, and channel contention 
than voice transmission. Packet loss during voice transmission can cause choppy or broken audio and 
make the phone call inaudible.
Wireless IP Phones users are mobile and often roam across a campus or between floors in a building 
while connected to a call. In contrast, data users remain in one place or occasionally move to another 
location. The ability to roam while maintaining a call is one of the advantages of wireless voice so RF 
coverage needs to include stairwells, elevators, quiet corners outside conference rooms, and passage 
ways.
To ensure good voice quality and optimal RF signal coverage, you must perform a site survey. The site 
survey will determine settings suitable to wireless voice and assist in the design and layout of the 
WLAN; for example AP placement, power levels, and channel assignments.
After deploying and using wireless voice, you should continue to perform post installation site surveys. 
When you add a group of new users, install more equipment, or stack large amounts of inventory, you 
are changing the wireless environment. A post installation survey will verify that the AP coverage is still 
adequate for optimal voice communications. See the 
“Site Survey Verification” section on page 2-22 for 
more information.
TCP Connection-oriented transport 
protocol.
Cisco Unified IP Phones use TCP to 
connect to Cisco 
Unified
 Communications Manager 
and to access XML services.
TFTP Method for transferring files over the 
network. 
On the Cisco Unified IP Phone, 
TFTP enables you to obtain a 
configuration file specific to the 
phone type.
You must have a TFTP server in your 
network that the DHCP server 
automatically identifies. If more than 
one TFTP server is running in your 
network, you must manually assign a 
TFTP server to each phone.
TLS TLS is a standard protocol for 
securing and authenticating 
communications.
When security is implemented, Cisco 
Unified
 IP Phones use the TLS 
protocol when securely registering 
with Cisco Unified
 Communications 
Manager.
User Datagram Protocol 
(UDP)
Connectionless messaging protocol 
for delivery of data packets.
Cisco Unified IP Phones receive and 
process UDP messages. RTP voice 
traffic runs over UDP.
Table 2-4 Supported Networking Protocols (continued)
Networking Protocol Purpose Usage Notes