[Asterisk-Users] Do you need a licence to connect a Ciscohardphone to Asterisk ?

[Florian Overkamp]

Cory Andrews wrote:
> In my interpretation of the oft confusing Cisco licensing structure for 
> phones, the license was originally created to function much like a COA 
> with a piece of Microsoft software.  When adding a client phone to a 
> CallManager or CallManager Express network, the user is required to have 
> a license for the client phone.  Cisco phones are sold pre-bundled with 
> a license in their "CH1" form.  If there is a "CH1" or "CCME" attached 
> to the part number, it is a licensed bundle.
>  
> Cisco also offers "spare" versions of their phones, which do not have 
> the "CH1" or "CCME" annotation to the part number.  These are unlicensed 
> phones.
>  
> Cisco phones do not currently ship with SIP firmware loaded.  In order 
> to register your phone with Cisco and obtain a login for their TAC and 
> access firmware downloads, you must have a licensed phone.  "Spare" 
> versions do not allow you registration with Cisco for access to firmware.

Point is, you do not really need a CH1 or CCME license, you are free to 
combine the Spare phone with a separate SIP license - the price is 
identical. It is NOT OK however to use a Spare phone without any 
license, as far as I am aware.

Florian