System information

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Chapter 1: Getting Started
This partner solution guide explains how to integrate Polycom UC products into Cisco
environments. Each chapter focuses on a different architecture, so each chapter will contain a
list of the Cisco and Polycom products tested against that architecture. This partner solution
guide is intended for administrators integrating Cisco with Polycom products and for support
personnel working with customers to set up the solution described in this guide.
The integrations in this partner solution guide center around various Cisco call control
infrastructure. Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) is Cisco’s UC platform which
provides IP Telephony and advanced features. It is a multiprotocol capable platform that has
been migrating towards SIP, specifically, for endpoint connectivity. Cisco Video
Communications Server (VCS) was inherited via Cisco’s acquisition of Tandberg, and has
historically served as H.323 and SIP call control for video endpoints. CUCM appears to be the
main focus for Cisco moving forward; however integrations in this guide also address existing
deployments of VCS. Lastly, Cisco IOS (router and switch software) is also capable of providing
H.323 Gatekeeper functionality.
Polycom’s integrated suite of hardware devices and software applications allows you to
integrate best of breed video and audio communications across Cisco platforms. This provides
Polycom customers with new deployment opportunities as well as investment protection for
existing deployments.
Required Skills
Integrating Polycom infrastructure and endpoints with in the Cisco Unified Communications
Manager environments requires planning and elementary knowledge of Polycom video
conferencing and video conferencing administration.
Polycom assumes the readers of this guide have a basic understanding of H.323, SIP, TIP, as
well as Cisco and Polycom component base functions. It is advantageous for users to be
comfortable with navigating and configuring Cisco components such as CUCM, VCS and other
infrastructure components, but in scenarios where expertise is lacking, it will be vital to include
the administrators of those systems in planning, implementation, and on-going support phases.
Users should have knowledge of the following third-party products:
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM)
• Cisco Video Communications Server (VCS)
• Cisco video and voice endpoints
• Cisco IOS Gatekeeper