Reflash your Cisco 7940, 7941, 7960 or 7961 phone to SIP
- Cisco 7960
We now sell the SmartNET Service Agreements for these phones! (Necessary to get Firmware)
Use our web form to transmit your device information.
This guide applies to the Cisco 7940, 7940G, 7941G, 7960, 7960G and 7961G. These phones are the real work horses of the IP Telephony industry. They’re sturdy, configurable and when used with Call Manager very robust. However you’re not here to learn how to use these phones with CallManager you’re hear to use reflash them to SIP, because you want to use them with Asterisk, PiaF, Trixbox, or any other SIP based PBX. This process is not that difficult but it can be frustrating without the right instructions, which is why I’m here to help.
Firstly, I’m not a big fan of these phones in a SIP atmosphere, I have one on my desk so they’re by no means terrible, but realistically Cisco’s SIP firmwares are much more limited than their SCCP firmwares. If you haven’t yet bought your phone, I’d recommend you buy a phone from Linksys. They’re made of virtually the same parts, except designed for the Small Business and SIP customers.
Let me explain more or less what you are doing, you are taking whatever firmware is on your phone and you will be reflashing it to the latest SIP firmware. Typically these phones come from Cisco with the SCCP, often called “Skinny” protocol. This protocol only works with the proprietary Cisco CallManager platform or with special asterisk modules. Although it is very rare to ‘brick’ these phones, it is possible. It is very important that you are patient with each step as well as careful that all of your connections are solid.
Alright, to reflash this phone you’re going to need:
- DHCP Server
- TFTP Server
- P0S3-07-5-00.zip (For the 7940/7960)
- cmterm-7940-7960-8.11.00-sip.cop (7940/7960) or cmterm-7941_7961-sip.8-5-2.cop (7941/7961)
- XMLDefault.cnf.xml configured correctly for your firmware. (Right Click Save As, or your browser might try to parse the XML) SERIOUSLY FOLLOW THOSE INSTRUCTIONS, THAT’S THE BIGGEST MISTAKE PEOPLE MAKE, MOST MODERN BROWSERS WILL PARSE XML.
If you have a Cisco Smartnet Contract already you can get the firmwares for the 7940/7960 here and for the 7941 and 7961 here. If you don’t have a Smartnet Contract I recommend you buy one from CDW. You can chance it on the internet trying to find a good Samaritan who has uploaded the firmwares for you but it’s seriously worth the 8$/year to have access to firmware updates.
Now the unusual part about reflashing the 7940 and 7960 generation of phones is that to get them to the most recent firmware often times they will have to be flashed twice. This is because sometime around the 7.5 firmware Cisco changed what I believe was the phone’s bootloader. For this reason it is necessary to take the phones directly from SCCP to P0S3-07-5-00 then to 8-11. Technically some phones may be able to go directly to the latest version from Cisco, but because it seems like the vast majority of phones with the SCCP firmware on them require this process, I now just assume that it will need to be done to streamline the process.
I’m going to steal a few bits from my Cisco 7970G Guide you can always use whatever TFTP server and DHCP server you like as long as you have the ability to set the DHCP options manually. Here we are going to use tftpd32, it has both a tftp and dhcp server inside.
To start make a folder on the desktop, I named mine CP-7940.
If you have a 7940 or 7960 extract the contents of P0S3-07-5-00.zip and cmterm-7940-7960-8.11.00-sip.cop with 7zip or WinRAR. The 7941 or 7961 will require you to extract the cmterm-7941_7961-sip.8-5-2.cop. If the archiver doesn’t automatically detect it’s extractable when you right click. Add a .gz to the end, it’ll figure it out. Then move the XMLDefault.cnf.xml that you downloaded from me into the same folder.
Now if you’re flashing a 7940 or 7960, you should have this in your directory.
- cmterm-7940-7960-8.11.00-sip.cop
- copstart.sh
- OS79XX.TXT
- P003-07-5-00.bin
- P003-07-5-00.sbn
- P003-08-11-00.bin
- P003-08-11-00.sbn
- P0S3-07-5-00.bin
- P0S3-07-5-00.loads
- P0S3-07-5-00.sb2
- P0S3-08-11-00.loads
- P0S3-08-11-00.sb2
- sip_load7.txt
- sip_load8.txt
- XMLDefault.cnf.xml
The P003-* files are SCCP files, but they are used by the SIP. SIP firmwares are typically labeled P0S3-*. You want to make sure the P0S3*.loads file is referenced in your XMLDefault, but the P003 files still need to be available.
or for the 7941/7961
- apps41.8-5-2TH1-9.sbn
- cnu41.8-5-2TH1-9.sbn
- copstart.py
- copstart.sh
- cvm41sip.8-5-2TH1-9.sbn
- dsp41.8-5-2TH1-9.sbn
- jar41sip.8-5-2TH1-9.sbn
- load115.txt
- load30018.txt
- load308.txt
- load309.txt
- SIP41.8-5-2S.loads
- term41.default.loads
- term61.default.loads
Now we have to modify our XMLDefault.cnf.xml file to reflect our intent to reflash the phone. Either download my starter file from above or add these line to your XMLDefault.cnf.xml. Here I’ve included the settings for both the 7940 as well as 7960 generation of phones.
<loadInformation8 model="CP-7940">P003-08-8-00</loadInformation8>
<loadInformation115 model="CP-7941">SIP41.8-5-2S</loadInformation115>
<loadInformation309 model="Cisco 7941G-GE">SIP41.8-5-2S</loadInformation309>
<loadInformation7 model="CP-7960">P003-08-8-00</loadInformation7>
<loadInformation30018 model="CP-7961">SIP41.8-5-2S</loadInformation30018>
<loadInformation308 model="Cisco 7961G-GE">SIP41.8-5-2S</loadInformation308>
If you need any other phones check out my post on XMLDefault.cnf.xml loadInformation tags.
Next let’s configure TFTPd32
Firstly, determine how you are going to connect your 7940/60 to your DHCP/TFTP server. You’re going to need to make sure that there is no other routers on the network that could send competing DHCP broadcasts. I recommend one of two scenarios.
- Connecting the Phone and Computer directly with a Crossover cable.
- Connecting the Phone and Computer together on a network switch with no other devices. Notice I say SWITCH not a ROUTER. You could use a router if you configured it properly, but that’s another story.
The switch option works better because it prevents the computer’s LAN interface from going up and down depending on if the phone is plugged in or not.
Next you are going to need to get a copy of tftpd32:
Now that you have tftpd32 open and running, we need to configure it:
Open up the settings box
Enable DHCP Server, TFTP Server, and Log Viewer, all others can be unchecked.
Make sure that you have set the directory into the same directory as your Cisco Firmware Files.
Make sure you have the correct configuration files in the directory including a XMLDefault.cnf.xml that at least partially resembles this one: (right click save as)
Set TFTP Security to STANDARD, in the image it says None. It should not be set to none it should be set to STANDARD.
Make certain that the bind address is set to the correct interface.
When done go to the DHCP tab
Make sure a DHCP and DNS server are set. Under additional options set “69″ and make the IP the same as your TFTP server. Do not use these IP settings, they just server as a rough guide. The IP Pool starting address being out of the subnet is not intentional. Also under additional options the 19 was cut off by the size of the box. If you have problems with option 150, try option 66.
Check for any settings that I may have missed and double check that everything is correct.
Now it’s time to boot up the phone. If the phone is already on, a quick way to reboot it is by holding down the * key, the six key, and the settings key simultaneously. As the phone boots up watch the logs. With any luck it should boot up, and try to pull the SEPMAC.cnf then give up and move on to XMLDefault.cnf.xml. When it sees that file it should start downloading the firmware files and reboot. If after rebooting you see the phone look for a SIPMAC.cnf file then SIPDefault.cnf, your phone is successfully reflashed.
The 7941/7961 seems to reboot twice grabbing different files each time.
If the phone isn’t reflashing, double check your TFTP settings and make sure the phone is detecting your TFTP server. You may have to go into Network Settings and enable alternate TFTP server. Typically you can do this by moving to the option then pressing **# **to unlock it or going to setting then option 9. The default password is “cisco”. Then go to Network Configuration (Option 3) Then enable “Alternate TFTP Server” (Option 32) then type in the TFTP server address. The most common problem though is an error in the XMLDefault.cnf.xml file. I find myself having to do this very often on many networks.
Once you see the Sip logo in the upper right corner you are now safely flashed to 7.5. You’ll need to perform this process one more time to bring the phone up to the latest firmware. At the time of this writing that was 8.11. Open up your XMLDefault.cnf.xml file and replace the previous lines with
<loadInformation8 model=”IP Phone 7940″>P0S3-08-11-00</loadInformation8>
<loadInformation7 model=”IP Phone 7960″> P0S3-08-11-00</loadInformation7>
Reboot the phone again and it should update to the latest firmware.
This will get the phone reflashed, from here on you’ll need a configuration file to register the phone to a PBX. We have one already made for the Cisco 7941 / 7961 over here.
Fort Myers Business VoIP Phone Service
62 Comments for this entry
David
Hi, the fireware download says it is for 7940/7960 phones:
P0S3-08-11-00.zip
Release Date: 09/Feb/2009
SIP Flash Image for 7940/7960 IP Phone v8.11(0) – Non-Cisco Unified Communications Manager
Size: 669.35 KB (685408 bytes)
How is it possible and what is necessary to upgrade a 7941 model?
Thanks for any help.
David
Paul
The 7941 uses the same firmware as the 7940. The only real difference is the 7941 uses 802.3af (PoE Standard) instead of Cisco Pre-Standard PoE. Check out my post breaking down the differences model by model.
David
Do you know what the load information details are for flashing the 7941G?
Paul
Found the correct answer check my post labelled “XMLDefault.cnf.xml” I have all of the loadinformation numbers listed.
Jong
Can someone point me to a site other than Cisco where I can download the latest SIP software and firmware for 7940g (PO3-8-12-00.zip and cmterm-7940-7960-8.12.00-sip.cop.sgn)?
Thanks.
Paul
Unfortunately that would be software Piracy. I’d have to remove any such posts from this site out of fear of retribution from Cisco.
dave
Hi,
I have just setup a trixbox and bought two 7941′s to test adn use with it.
Trying to flash the firmware I have Pos3-07-05 and pos3-08-7.
I cannot seem to get it to work.
Can I please ask you these questions:
In your descriptions above you show the ip 192.168.1.10. Is this the ip of your windows machine?
Also in the additional options picture you show 150 and 2.168.1.10
Should the 150 be 69?
Also what should the 2.168.1.10 address be? You say the tftp server but how do I find out what that is?
Sorry but new to all of this and its driving me mad.
thanks, Dave.
Paul
192.168.1.10 in this case is the interface on the TFTP Server, which in this case is a windows machine running the above software.
The additional option I set was 150. Both 150 and 69 are valid DHCP Options for TFTP. However Cisco seems to prefer 150.
Replace 192.168.1.10 with whatever interface your TFTP server is set to listen on.
If you are having problems accessing the TFTP server using the DHCP Option I recommend that you manually set the “Alternate TFTP Server” setting in the phone, it’s a lot quicker than troubleshooting DHCP issues.
If you are using trixbox you can use the built-in endpoint manager instead of doing everything by hand. This requires a knowledge of the CentOS CLI.
Dave
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the reply.
Still cannot get it to work.
My 79421 is cycling between the upgrade page and the CISCO boot screen.
I have set my computers IP to be the same as yours above 192.168.1.10 and copied all the settings above.
Still no go.
I do get an error in the log where it appears to phones is trying to request an ip of 10.0.0.114 which is the address it grabbed off our network before I tried upgrading.
Any ideas as to what to do next.
Many thanks, DAve
Dave
Can I ask if my computers ip is fixed to 10.0.0.117 what settings I would use in the tftpd?
Atleast then the phone appears to be wanting to use 10.0.0.114 so if I set it up on the same ip range it may work.
Paul
The IP Address in TFTP is just your ethernet interface IP. You will need to set the phone and the computer to be on the same subnet.
If you’re having IP issues, you can statically set the IP of the phone then statically set the Alternate TFTP server to the computer.
If you are connecting the TFTP machine with DHCP enabled directly into your normal network it will cause an abundance of problems as you would then have two DHCP servers on the same network.
dave
Thanks Paul,
I will give it ago when I’m back at work tomorrow. I’m in the Uk so theres a bit of time difference.
You say I can manually set the ip in the phone. I cant seem to get it out of the cycle where its alternating between the cisco boot screen and the upgrade screen.
Is there a secret to doing this?
Paul
That usually happens when the firmware you have written in xmldefault.cnf.xml or sipdefault doesn’t exist or doesn’t have the right files associated with it. If you’re at that point, chances are all the IP data is fine, you just need to make sure all of your config files are setup correctly.
dave
It cycles even when its not connected to anything.
Would you mind if I send you the directory I created with the files in just to look over it and see if I have that bit right?
dave
Just like to say a big Thank you to Paul for spending his time sorting out the reflashing of my phones.
I would never have got there and he kindly remoted in and sorted it out for me.
***** Stars for a very helpful, Knowledgable and friendly guy.
Keith
A Big thank you! I have been trying to get my 7941G converted to SIP
and have tried 8-10 methods that were found on the web. Finally I found one that worked! Thank you so much!
andrew riddell
Thanks VERY much. I put your XMLDefault.cnf.xml into the appropriate directory of my TFTP server, and unzipped the Cisco SIP release into there, and then it all JUST WORKED.
It is so nice when that happens.
Thanks.
bcs_infosys
Hi,
I have a Cisco 7940 phone which I cant do a factory reset. I’ve tried holding the # key during boot up, but never got the screen that says reset sequence detected. I read somewhere that there are phones that can never be reset to factory defaults.
I was wondering if these phones can be flashed?
Paul
You can factory reset these phones. Here is how: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/phones/ps379/products_tech_note09186a00800941bb.shtml#pass
Mike Jefferson
Hi,
I have a 7961G, having several problems with the phone, tried to send the sip image and then it stated unprovisioned. now ive tried to do a factory reset it just goes in a loop saying upgrading term61.default. could someone kindly assit
Many Thanks
Mike
Paul
Unprovisioned means that you need to configure the phone. I would verify you have the correct load for the 7961 and start over.
Mike Jefferson
Hi Paul,
Only issue is that now the phone has decided to go within a loop with just saying upgrading, error then term61.default and then recycles itself.
How can I force it to pick up a image
Many Thanks
Mike
Mike Jefferson
Hi Mike,
Would it possible to remotely dial in have a look if that would be possible
Many Thanks
Mike
Mike Jefferson
Sorry Apologies
I ment Paul. just copy and pasting postings
Kind apologies
Mike
Paul
yeah, no problem. Go ahead and email me at paulATgreenwireit.com and we can setup an appointment.
Mike Jefferson
Hi Paul,
What time zone are you in so I can arrange something that is feasible.
Regards
Mike
Mike Jefferson
Hi Paul,
Just sent you a mail at the required email address
regards
Mike
Ahmadiyyat
Guys,
I just upgraded mines to P0S3-08-9-00. It was smooth upgrade from SCCP to SIP. Now my phone is looking for a SIPXXXXXXXXX.cnf file. Any good place to get it for a 7960?
Marco
Hi, Paul
thank you for your help with this guide, I am trying flash a 7940g, I connected phone with croos cable and it worked, but i get from Universal Application Loader: “Protocol Apllication Invalid” maybe some files are incorrect? files on folder are:
cmterm-7940-7960-8-2-00-sip.cop
copstart.sh
os79xx.txt
POS3-08-2-00.loads
POS3-08-2-00.sb2
POS3-08-2-00.bin
POS3-08-2-00.sbn
sip_load7.txt
sip_load8.txt
XMLDefault.cnf.xml
do you have any idea?
MArco
Paul
Hmm, if you used my XMLDefault.cnf.xml i’d double check that the browser didn’t mangle the formatting. that seems to be a common problem.
Marco
This is the content of xml as I get it:
2000
2427
2428
P003-08-2-00
Marco
Paul
That might be your problem 
Marco, sono d’origine italiano, se vuole puo’ scrivere in italiano e posso capire.
Marco
Sorry, I forgot that is a XML file……
I tryied using your default as it is on web site after that I edited It only removing the line that are N/A for me, but not worked neither
Marco
Marco
Ciao Paul,
grazie!
si provo a scrivere in italiano, per me è meglio..
dalla tua pagina ho fatto right click e salvato il file, ho trovato gli altri file in “giro” e sono di una versione precedente ma ho cambiato il nome del file nel XML in modo che coincida, pensi possa essere un problema il fatto che cerchi di aggiornare direttamente alla versione 8.2?
Marco
PS: da dove scrivi?
Paul
Sorry for the long delay. I was in Colombia for two weeks. Did you get your problem fixed? I’m noticed most of the comments on this post have been caused by browser’s corrupting the XML file or parsing the data instead of just displaying it raw. Also you will have to make sure that the versions in the XMLDefault file match all of the devices/firmware versions that you actually using.
I’m writing from the US, Florida specifically.
Mike Jefferson
Hi Paul,
Been a while,Been on holiday to Japan . I have the 7961 with the sip firmware, what do i need to do now, The phone states unprovisoned. you mentioned config the last time I spoke.
How do i compose the file, I wish to use it over the net making calls. may want to recieve call also but not my main focus.
Many Thanks
Mike
Jay
I performed a factory reset on a 7941 and now it is stuck on the upgrading splash screen. Does anyone know how to get it out of this loop? None of the buttons will work to view anything, all i can do is reset it after removing the power and reseting the phone.
Tamir Nergui
Hi,
I’ve done everything in here and my 7940 is up and running. i can get a call but when i answer it no sound. nothing. when i make a call out, it says sessionprogress 183 and no sound, again… any idea? please help me out here. i’d really appreciate if u’d direct me to the answers….
Tnx
TMR
Paul
Sounds like a NAT problem. Play with the NAT settings in the configuration file, or forward the ports on your router. The Cisco 79xx are very bad with NAT.
Tamir Nergui
Hi, Paul.
I’ve spent a whole day on this NAT thing. still no sound. i guess i just keep working on it. otherwise, everything went smooth. had little hard time to edit sipxxxxxxx.cnf but all worked… many tnx
Tamir Nergui
Hi, Paul.
I think I really need a help with this 7940 phone. I did everything i could possibly do with NAT and other stuff. still no audio. sip version 7.5 had a ringing sound but can’t hear anything when it’s picked up. all other versions don’t even have a ringing sound. any idea? please help me, Paul.
Paul
This phones are notoriously bad at NAT Transversal. In fact SIP is not very good at NAT Transversal.
Tamir Nergui
Yeah, i guess it’s just not for me…
But i even tried bypassing my router, still no audio. i just gave up…
Thanks, Paul.
cvoicenewbie
I have a couple of 7961G phone that power on and then just go to a blank screen. I have tried loading the firmware through TFTP on a windows machine, it picks up and IP from the DHCP server however, doesn’t go any further. Any idea what could be done to get this phone working?
Thanks,
Tamir
Did you try connecting your phone to your computer straight using crossover cable? and use this tftp32. it worked on me real good…
andy9
Hi,
I have a 7941 phone. It has stuck at upgrde screen after factory reset. My network do not have a DHCP server & I unable to configure IP settings on phone manually. Will using TFTP32 as DHCP server and connecting it phone via PC port on phone at the same time connecting CCM via SW port on phone work?
Shakil Patel
Hi Paul,
I have a Cisco 7961 IP phone, I have managed to put on a SIP firmware on to the unit. It now boots and works with the new image, how do I go about using this over the internet to make calls. What would you advise. Do I need to choose a provider. How do I enter the SIP crediantials.
Reggie
Paul I was looking into buying the $9 support but CDW has a bunch of different ones the one that looks like it might be it is this one http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1244750 can you email me or list it here for others like me who want to make sure to purchase the correct support plan. I only have 1 phone I use for myself here in Afghanistan to call back home it has skinny on it now wanted to make it a sip so I can change providers. Thanks I will check back on which one you say to buy.
Paul
I actually have an article on how to get the smartnet contract for the 7970 here: http://www.greenwireit.com/blog/2008/11/smartnet-contract-for-cisco-7970g/ Since the correct SmartNET contract for that phone is Mfg. Part: CON-SNT-CP7970, I’m assuming it’s the same with your model number for your phone.
naxxfish
You missed an important part out that prevented us from gettting our 7941G’s working. From http://danielaliaman.com/blog///index.php/2009/09/03/cisco-79xx-update-to-sip-firmware?blog=2
“So now, it is time to reboot the phone and flash to the new SIP firmware. First, power off the phone. Before inserting the power, press the # button. Keep on pressing the # button while you insert the power, either by POE or the main power adaptor. Once the line button is flashing, release # button and the press 123456789*0# and then wait.”
Paul
123456789*0# is really helpful for stubborn phones, but it is not necessary in the majority of cases. Once you have a working configuration typically the phones will see the config files and just reboot. But 123456789*0# is a GREAT tool for when the phones are not taking the files. We use it in on our 7970 guide.
Roderick
You have several files on 7961 SIP that I’m haven’t seen of:
# copstart.py
# copstart.sh
# load115.txt
# load30018.txt
# load308.txt
# load309.txt
Where to get these files, or what should be in them?
(I’m trying to switch between SCCP and SIP on 7945, 7961, 7962, and 7945).
I have a 2801 basic router, and try to add files to make it a CME. I got the IOS, the CME full tar, and firmwares. But many files and folders are simply not there, such as folder ‘its’ and file ‘XMLDefault7961.cnf.xml’.
Fantinatti
Dears,
My phone was ok until I reset it to factory default with a total hard reset.
#Total Hard Reset
The code for the total hard reset is: 3491672850*#
A total hard reset formats /flash0 blowing away everything except CNU. All settings and personalization of the phone is removed.
Now the problem is:
When I power on the phone, the speaker LED glows once and the line 1 button glows red one and then the phone doesnt do anything else. Looks it is powered off (but I know it isn´t).
Any clues???
Orlando
I’m have the exact same problems as Fantinatt. Please help.
Marco Buonomo
Hi,
I got the contract and so the files and performed each step, but always get: “Load ID incorrect” on my 7940G, using first 7.5 version, I have in my folder:
XMLDefault.cnf
P003-07-5-00.bin
P003-07-5-00.sbn
P0S3-07-5-00.bin
P0S3-07-5-00.sb2
P0S3-07-5-00.loads
what’s wrong?
thanks
Clemo
The XMLDefault.cnf.xml appears to be missing, where can I get this file from?
Thanks
Clemo
Adner
I bought a cisco ip 7945g phone from a guy and this is the first phone I ever had like this how do I get it to work cause it keeps showing (registering) on the screen of the phone but nothing is happening..What can I do to make it work?
Viv
Where can i find the cmterm-7941_7961-sip.8-5-2.cop file to download and how do i create the xml file with that.
Viv
Where can i download the cmterm-7941_7961-sip.8-5-2.cop file and how do i proceed with the upgrade
3 Trackbacks / Pingbacks for this entry
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