Discovery 7: Configure Cisco Unity Express
Introduction
Cisco Unity Express Virtual software supports voicemail, auto-attendant, and IVR features. You will perform initial
configuration of Cisco Unity Express, which includes integration with Cisco Unified Communications Manager,
configuration of system settings and users, and implementation of call routing with the auto-attendant.
The lab topology consists of Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express (Cisco Unified CME; CUCME in the
topology diagram), which will be integrated with Cisco Unity Express Virtual (vCUE). WIN-SERVER01 acts as a
DNS server. PC-1 and PC-2 host Cisco IP Communicators that will register with Cisco Unified Communications
Manager Express.
This lab will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
Topology
Job Aid
Device Information
Device Description IP Address Credentials
PC-1 Jump Host 1 10.1.5.200 Student, C0ll@B
PC-2 Jump Host 2 10.1.5.201 Student, C0ll@B
CUCME Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express 10.1.5.252 Administrator, C0ll@B
vCUE Cisco Unity Express Virtual 10.1.5.251 Administrator, C0ll@B1!
Command List
The table describes the commands that are used in this activity. The commands are listed in alphabetical order so
that you can easily locate the information that you need. Refer to this list if you need configuration command
assistance during the lab activity.
Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express Commands
Command Description
This command enables call forwarding for a SIP B2BUA so that incoming calls to
call-forward b2bua noan directory-number timeout
an extension that does not answer after a configured amount of time are
seconds
forwarded to another extension.
This command enables call forwarding for a SIP B2BUA so that incoming calls to
call-forward b2bua busy directory-number
a busy extension are forwarded to another extension.
codec { g711alaw | g711ulaw | g722r64 | g729r8 | ilbc This command selects a preferred codec for Cisco Unified CME to use when
} configuring calls for a phone.
This command generates the configuration profile files that are required for SIP
create profile
phones.
This command specifies the list of DTMF relay methods that can be used to relay
dtmf-relay [cisco-rtp] [rtp-nte] [sip-notify] [sip-kpml]
DTMF audio tones between SIP endpoints.
This command enables a specific Cisco IP phone extension (DN) associated with
mwi
a SIP phone to receive message-waiting indication (MWI) notification.
Command Description
mwi-server {ipv4: destination-address | dns: host-
name} [expires seconds] [port port] [transport {tcp | This command configures voice-mail server settings on a voice gateway or UA.
udp}] [unsolicited]
This command performs a complete reboot of all phones connected to this router
reset that are running SIP, including contacting the DHCP and TFTP servers for the
latest configuration information.
show running-config This command displays running configuration.
This command enters the SIP user agent (sip-ua) configuration mode to configure
sip-ua
SIP-UA related commands.
This command enters voice register dn configuration mode to define an extension
voice register dn dn-tag
for a phone line, intercom line, voice-mail port, or an MWI.
This command enters voice register global configuration mode to set global
voice register global parameters for all supported Cisco SIP IP phones in a Cisco Unified CME or
Cisco Unified SRST SIP environment.
This command enters voice register pool configuration mode and creates a pool
voice register pool pool-tag configuration for a SIP IP phone in Cisco Unified CME or for a set of SIP phones
in Cisco Unified SRST.
This command defines the telephone number that is speed-dialed when the
voicemail phone-number
Messages button on a Cisco IP phone is pressed.
Cisco Unity Express Virtual commands
Command Description
ccn subsystem sip This command enters SIP configuration mode.
dtmf-relay {rtp-nte | sub-notify | info | sip-notify} This command sets the SIP DTMF relay mechanism.
gateway address ip-address This command configures the IP address of the SIP proxy server.
show ccn subsystem sip This command displays the SIP subsystem parameters.
show license [all | status | summary | techsupport | udi |
This command displays licensing information.
usage]
show software {directory | download server | licenses |
This command displays the characteristics of the installed software.
packages | versions}
This command displays the versions of the Cisco Unity Express hardware
show version
components.
This command is run in EXEC mode and is used to erase, copy, or display
write
the running configuration.
Task 1: Prepare for the Discovery
You will perform preparation steps for discovery, including registering Cisco IP Communicator on PCs with Cisco
Unified Communications Manager Express and configuring sound devices.
Activity
Step 1
Connect to PC-1, wait until you see the network connection notification (blue panel on right side) Click
No button to cancel network discovery. If you do not see the blue network notificaton wait for a while for
the lab automation system to finish configuring PC-1.
Step 2
From PC-1 use Putty to connect to CUCME with IP address 10.1.5.252 using SSH. Login with username
Administrator and password C0ll@B. Then enter to global configuration mode using configure terminal
command. Create phone configuration files with the following commans.
CUCME(config)#voice register global
CUCME(config-register-global)#create profile
Step 3
Connect to PC-1 and register Cisco IP Communicator with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. PC-1 uses
DN 11001 on its first line. We will call this phone HQ Phone 1 throughout this discovery.
Device Name: SEP111111111111
TFTP: 10.1.5.252
Step 4
Connect to PC-2 and register Cisco IP Communicator with Cisco Unified CM. PC-2 uses DN 11002 on its first
line. You will call this phone HQ Phone 2 throughout the discovery.
Device Name: SEP222222222222
TFTP: 10.1.5.252
Task 2: Integrate Cisco Unity Connection Express with Cisco Unified
Communications Manager Express
You will integrate Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express with Cisco Unity Express and test MWI
functionality.
Activity
Set Up Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express
Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express is already preconfigured so that both of your Cisco IP
Communicators are registered using SIP. You will need to enable Call Forward Busy and Call Forward No Answer
to voicemail using DN 18200. Make sure that the DTMF tones are sent correctly.
Step 1
Using PuTTY on PC-1, connect to CUCME and check the current configuration of your Cisco Unified
Communications Manager Express. CUCME is running on Router 1 at IP address 10.1.5.252
CUCME#show running-config
Building configuration...
Current configuration : 5791 bytes
<output omitted>
voice service voip
allow-connections sip to sip
fax protocol t38 version 0 ls-redundancy 0 hs-redundancy 0 fallback none
sip
registrar server
!
!
!
!
!
voice register global
mode cme
source-address 10.1.5.252 port 5060
max-dn 2
max-pool 2
tftp-path flash:
create profile sync 0000605044034309
auto-register
!
!
voice register dn 1
number 11001
name John Doe
label John Doe - 11001
!
voice register dn 2
number 11002
name Jane White
label Jane White - 11002
!
voice register pool 1
id device-id-name SEP111111111111
type 7970
number 1 dn 1
!
voice register pool 2
id device-id-name SEP222222222222
type 7970
number 1 dn 2
<output omitted>
Step 2
Add DN 18200 as the global voicemail number.
CUCME(config)#voice register global
CUCME(config-register-global)#voicemail 18200
Step 3
On the DNs of both of your phones, enable Call Forward Busy and Call Forward No Answer to voicemail using
the DN 18200. Use a timeout of 10 seconds for the Call Forward No Answer feature.
CUCME(config)#voice register dn 1
CUCME(config-register-dn)#call-forward b2bua busy 18200
CUCME(config-register-dn)#call-forward b2bua noan 18200 timeout 10
CUCME(config-register-dn)#exit
CUCME(config)#voice register dn 2
CUCME(config-register-dn)#call-forward b2bua busy 18200
CUCME(config-register-dn)#call-forward b2bua noan 18200 timeout 10
Step 4
Enable MWI functionality on the DNs of both phones.
CUCME(config)#voice register dn 1
CUCME(config-register-dn)#mwi
CUCME(config-register-dn)#exit
CUCME(config)#voice register dn 2
CUCME(config-register-dn)#mwi
Step 5
For both Cisco IP Communicators, enable dtmf-relay rtp-nte and use codec G.711.
It is important to configure the dtmf-relay command. If this command is not configured, you cannot send
DTMF tones to Cisco Unity Express and, therefore, you can't log in to your mailbox.
Cisco recommends that you do not use transcoders, so you need to hardcode the codec to G.711.
CUCME(config)#voice register pool 1
CUCME(config-register-pool)#dtmf-relay rtp-nte
CUCME(config-register-pool)#codec g711ulaw
CUCME(config-register-pool)#exit
CUCME(config)#voice register pool 2
CUCME(config-register-pool)#dtmf-relay rtp-nte
CUCME(config-register-pool)#codec g711ulaw
Step 6
Re-create a profile for the SIP phones so that your configuration will be applied. Then reset the phones so they
can download the configuration.
CUCME(config)#voice register global
CUCME(config-register-global)#create profile
CUCME(config-register-global)#reset
Step 7
Press the Messages button on any of the IP phones. You should see that the phone tries to call voicemail.
However, you will hear a reorder tone, because no dial peer has been configured.
Step 8
Configure the SIP server so that configured DNs can subscribe to MWI notifications using the Unsolicited Notify
method.
CUCME(config)#sip-ua
CUCME(config-sip-ua)#mwi-server ipv4:10.1.5.251 unsolicited
Step 9
Configure a dial peer to Cisco Unity Express. Use the following parameters:
dial-peer number: 18000
destination-pattern: 18…
session-protocol: SIPv2
session-target: ipv4:10.1.5.251
dtmf-relay: sip-notify
codec: G.711ulaw
vad: disable
For the auto-attendant and other features such as AvT, simply route all calls that start with the digits 18
to the Cisco Unity Express module to save configuration effort. You will configure the trigger number on
Cisco Unity Express later on. If there is no trigger number, Cisco Unity Express will not accept the call.
CUCME(config)#dial-peer voice 18000 voip
CUCME(config-dial-peer)#destination-pattern 18...
CUCME(config-dial-peer)#session protocol sipv2
CUCME(config-dial-peer)#session target ipv4:10.1.5.251
CUCME(config-dial-peer)#dtmf-relay sip-notify
CUCME(config-dial-peer)#codec g711ulaw
CUCME(config-dial-peer)#no vad
Set Up Cisco Unity Express
You will configure Cisco Unity Express to integrate with Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express. You will
also create a user to test the MWI functionality by using the SIP Notify method.
Step 10
Browse to the Cisco Unity Express module at http://10.1.5.251. The message “System is not initialized. Only
Administrator logins are allowed” is displayed.
Step 11
Log in using the credentials from the Job Aids to administer the system.
Step 12
Check that the phone system is set to Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express. If not, change the
phone system parameter in the Call Agent Integration drop-down menu, which automatically reloads the VM.
Step 13
Click Skip Initialization Wizard and Log off (experts only). You will configure Cisco Unity Express step by step
using the GUI. Log in again.
Step 14
Choose System > Call-in Numbers and add the 18200 call-in number with the following settings:
Application: voicemail
Call-in Number: 18200
Maximum Sessions: 2
Step 15
Choose Voice Mail > Message Waiting Indicators > Settings and check the Unsolicited Notify check box as
the SIP MWI Notification Mechanism. Click Apply.
You will see that the Outcalling method is automatically unchecked when you check the Unsolicited
Notify check box. This result occurs because Outcall and Unsolicited Notify configurations are not
supported at the same time.
Step 16
Open the PuTTY application and establish an SSH connection to the Cisco Unity Express CLI. Log in using the
credentials from the Job Aids. You will need to configure the SIP subsystem.
The Cisco Unity Express CLI allows you to configure all settings. Only a subset of the settings is
available in the GUI.
Step 17
Evaluate the Cisco Unity Express system using the following commands:
show running-config
show version
show software packages
show software versions
show license all
show license status
Step 18
Check configuration of the SIP subsystem using the show ccn subsystem sip command. Pay attention to the
gateway address and DTMF relay settings.
vCUE# show ccn subsystem sip
SIP Gateway: 10.1.5.254
SIP Port Number: 5060
DTMF Relay: sip-notify,sub-notify
MWI Notification: unsolicited
MWI Envelope Info: disabled
Transfer Mode: bye-also
Transfer Timeout: 6
SIP RFC Compliance: Pre-RFC3261
Step 19
Configure the SIP subsystem for MWI using the gateway address 10.1.5.252 and the dtmf-relay sip-notify
command.
The dtmf-relay parameter must match the configuration on the dial peer in Cisco Unified
Communications Manager Express.
vCUE(config)# ccn subsystem sip
vCUE(config-sip)# gateway address "10.1.5.252"
vCUE(config-sip)# dtmf-relay sip-notify
Step 20
Press the Messages button on any of the IP phones. Cisco Unity Express will answer the call and ask you for an
ID. You can also make a direct call from any of the IP phones to 18200. Cisco Unity Express will answer the call.
Step 21
Return back to Cisco Unity Express administration, choose Configure > Users, and click Add to add a new user
with the following settings:
User ID: jdoe
First Name: John
Last Name: Doe
Primary Extension: 11001
Password Options: Password specified below
Password: C0ll@B1!
PIN Options: PIN specified below
PIN: 123
Create Mailbox: Check the box
Step 22
After you click Add to add the user, the Add a New Mailbox menu opens automatically. Review the settings and
disable the self-enrollment (set Play Tutorial to No). Click Add again to add the mailbox.
Step 23
On PC-2, use Firefox to browse to http://10.1.5.100/Sample Voicemail.mp4. This sample voice message will
be used for testing purposes.
Step 24
Make a call from 11002 (HQ Phone 2) to 11001 (HQ Phone 1) and do not pick up. After 10 seconds, the call will
be forwarded to Cisco Unity Connection due to the CFNA option. When you are asked to leave a message, go to
PC-2 and click the Play button to play the sample voice message, then hang up.
If MWI is not turned on on the HQ Phone 1, go back to vCUE CLI and issue the write command in
EXEC mode to save the configuration file. After that, return to vCUE administration GUI and choose
Voice Mail > Message Waiting Indicators > Refresh and refresh MWIs. Your problem should be fixed
now.
Step 25
On HQ Phone 1 (11001), press the Messages button and log in with the PIN 123. If Cisco Unity Express does
not recognize the DTMF tones, check the DTMF configuration. Listen to the announcements (a message from an
unknown caller) and message. Then delete the message. The MWI should be turned off.
Task 3: Configure Cisco Unity Express System Settings and Users
You will configure the Cisco Unity Express system settings, add users with mailboxes, and enable features for the
users.
Activity
Verify and Adjust the System Settings
Step 1
Verify the following system settings and familiarize yourself with the following submenus under System:
Business Hours Settings: Create a schedule with the open hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (0800 to
1700) from Monday through Friday. When you modify the schedule, you can use the Copy Schedule button
to speed up the administration. If you have problems saving the changes, make sure that you click the
Schedule field (not the Copy Schedule button) as your last modification before applying the settings.
Holiday Settings: Create a holiday for December 25. Then copy all holidays to the next year.
Call-In Numbers: Verify the settings that you configured earlier. You should see the call-in number 18200
with two ports (in the Maximum Sessions field).
Language Settings: Only US English is available by default.
Domain Name Settings: If the setting is not done during the initialization, change the hostname to vCUE and
add the DNS server 10.1.5.100.
Network Time: Configure the NTP to 10.1.5.1. Observe the country and time zoneconfigured.
Login Banner: Add the following message: “This is Cisco Collaboration training. Unauthorized Access
Prohibited.”
Step 2
Log out and refresh the login page at http://10.1.5.251/. The banner should be shown on the Cisco Unity
Express main page. Make sure that you are using the initial URL to access the page. You should use the
http://10.1.5.251/admin/ and not the “after logout” URL: http://10.1.5.251/admin/Common/Logout.do.
Distribution Lists
Cisco Unity Express supports the use of distribution lists as follows:
The public and private distribution list function of Cisco Unity Express allows callers to address a voicemail
message to a list of predefined recipients, which saves time and minimizes keying errors.
Cisco Unity Express includes an All Users public distribution list and the capability for a privileged user to define
up to 25 other public lists.
Cisco Unity Express administrators and end users can configure distribution lists to include nonsubscriber numbers
and subscriber numbers. When sending a message to a distribution list that contains nonsubscriber numbers,
Cisco Unity Express delivers the message directly to the mailboxes of subscribers and calls the nonsubscriber
numbers and plays the message.
Broadcast messages, like distribution lists, deliver messages to multiple recipients. Broadcast messages can also
be assigned a priority. The top priority can be assigned to important communications in the voice-message queue.
These special messages are played before any other messages and will remain in the mailbox until the messages
are completely retrieved or have expired, helping ensure that essential communications are received.
Create a Distribution List
Step 3
In Cisco Unity Express, create a new user and mailbox for Jane White (jwhite) with the extension 11002. Use the
password C0ll@B1! and the PIN 123. Disable the tutorial. With this step, you will make Jane White a Cisco Unity
Express user, so you can log in and send messages to other users or lists.
Step 4
In the Cisco Unity Express Administration GUI, choose Voice Mail > Distribution Lists > Public Lists and
review the existing default list parameters. The existing default list, which is called everyone, includes all Cisco
Unity Express users and cannot be modified. The list is reachable by the extension 9999. By now, the Member
Count should show 3, which is the number of users in the system including the administrator.
Step 5
Create a new public list that is called Sales with the extension 18333. Add both users as members.
Step 6
From 11001, call 18200 and send a message to 18333. To send a message, press 2. Press the pound sign twice
() to enter a number instead of a name. Enter 18333 to choose the list. Press to confirm the selection. Press to
record the message. Press when you are done recording the message and press again to send the recorded
message.
Step 7
Both phones should show an envelope icon, after the recording is sent. Do not delete these messages.
Reporting and Other Settings
Step 8
Choose the Reports menu and generate reports for the following:
Mailboxes: You should see one message for jwhite and one for jdoe.
Voice Mail: The total number of messages is one. A message to a list is counted once and is only stored
once.
Backup History and Restore History: There will be no backup or restore history found.
Network Time Protocol: Check the time difference and the Jitter Time offsets.
Real Time Reports: Call into Cisco Unity Express and monitor the various available real-time reports.
Real Time Reports run inside a Java applet, so you must use a browser version that supports Java.
Note that most browsers have deprecated Java support since 2015.
Step 9
Delete the messages for both users.
Step 10
Choose Voice Mail > VM Configuration and familiarize yourself with the available options. Notice that the MWI
can be enabled for broadcast messages, for example.
Step 11
Choose Voice Mail > Call Handling and set the Call-in Number in the Administration via Telephone Settings
section to 18210.
Step 12
Call from 11001 to 18210, and log in with the ID 11001. You will hear a message that you are not authorized to
use the AvT system.
Step 13
Assign the correct capabilities for using the AvT system to the user John Doe. Choose Configure > Groups and
create a group that is named AvT and assign the ManagePrompts capabilities to the group. Then add John Doe
to the AvT group as a member.
Step 14
Try to call 18210 again. Log in as John Doe (11001). Listen to the prompts and familiarize yourself with the
available options.
Message Notification
You will configure message notification for John Doe. When a message arrives, send a notification to the mobile
number 11002.
Step 17
Go back to the Cisco Unity Express Administration GUI. Choose Voice Mail > Message Notification >
Notification Administration and enable systemwide notification for all messages. Check the box for the
parameter Allow user to login to voicemail box to retrieve voicemail when phone notification device is
notified.
Click OK when getting any warning message. You will not enable email or text pager notifications in this
lab.
Step 18
Under Subscriber Notification Management, choose the user jdoe and enable message notification on the
same page by clicking the Enable Notification button.
Step 19
Choose the user jdoe. In the Configure Notification Device – Cell Phone section, check the Enable
notification to this device check box. Add the 11002 number for all messages. Normally, you would configure
the PSTN number, but in this lab you will use Jane White’s phone number (11002). Enable all hours in the
Notification Schedule to prevent issues with the time that was set up in the classroom to prevent outgoing calls.
Step 20
Call from 11002 to 11001 and do not pick up. Leave a message for 11001 and hang up. You will immediately see
an incoming call to 11002. Listen to the prompts and then hangup.
Step 21
Disable the cell phone as a notification device for John Doe. This feature will distract you if you test further
features in the lab.
Task 4: Implement Call Routing with the Cisco Unity Express AutoAttendant
You will configure the Cisco Unity Express AutoAttendant with Editor Express. You will also review and modify
scripts with the script editor.
Activity
Enable the Standard Auto-Attendant
You will enable the standard auto-attendant with the trigger number 18555 and two sessions. Set the operator to
extension 11002. Write down and test all of the available script options.
Step 1
In Cisco Unity Express Administration, choose System > Call-in Numbers and add and enable the standard
auto-attendant call-in number 18555 with two sessions.
Step 2
Choose Voice Mail > Auto Attendant and configure additional auto-attendant script parameters. From the
overview, choose autoattendant and review the available script parameters. Change the Maximum Sessions to
2 and set the operator extension (operExtn) to 11002. The operExtn number is dialed when an auto-attendant
caller presses 0 for the operator.
Step 3
Dial from 11001 to the auto-attendant number 18555. The auto-attendant script should play the welcome prompt
“Welcome to the automated attendant.” Listen to the prompt and write down the available options.
Step 4
From 11001, call 18555 again. Press 1 to dial an extension. Enter the extension 11002. Answer the call on
11002.
Step 5
From 11001, call 18555 again. Press 2 to dial by name. Enter 944 (WHI) for Jane White. Answer the call on
11002.
The auto-attendant will prompt for the last name, followed by the first name. The complete name is not
required to find a match. If multiple matches are found, the auto-attendant will prompt for the caller to
select the desired person from the matched list.
Step 6
From 11001, call 18555 again. Press 0 for the operator and verify that the extension 11002 is ringing.
Create a Script with Editor Express
You will create an auto-attendant script with Editor Express. Configure a new script with the following user input
actions:
Input 0 for operator (11001)
Input 1 for dial-by-name
Input 2 for dial-by-extension
Input 3 for this submenu:
Input 31 to transfer to 11001
Input 32 to transfer to the mailbox 11002
Input 4 to transfer to sales group 18222
Input 9 to disconnect the call
The auto-attendant number is 18556.
Step 7
Choose System > Scripts and create a new auto-attendant with the following settings:
Welcome prompt: AAWelcome.wav
Holiday prompt: AAHolidayPrompt.wav
Business schedule: systemschedule
Business open prompt: AABusinessOpen.wav
Business closed prompt: AABusinessClosed.wav
Step 8
Choose None in the Good bye prompt drop-down list.
Step 9
In the main menu, add an action for user input so that the call is transferred to the operator extension (11001)
when the user presses 0.
Step 10
Add an action for user input so that the caller can dial by name when pressing 1. The search should use the last
name first.
Step 11
Add an action for user input so that the caller can dial by extension when pressing 2.
Step 12
Create a new submenu for users that can be accessed when the user presses 3.
Step 13
In the submenu, add an action so the call will be transferred to the extension 11001 when pressing 1 in the
submenu.
Step 14
In the submenu, add an action to transfer the call to the mailbox 11002 when pressing 2 in the submenu.
Step 15
Back in the main menu, add an action to connect the call to the sales group number 18222 when pressing 4.
Step 16
Add an action to disconnect the call when pressing 9.
Step 17
Save the script with the name training. The extension .aef is added automatically.
Step 18
Choose Voice Mail > Auto Attendant and create a new auto-attendant that is called customaa for calls to the
DN 18556 and trigger the new script that is named training.aef.
Step 19
Verify the auto-attendant operation by calling the DN 18556. You should hear “Welcome to the automated
attendant.” At this point, you can press any of the numbers for which you defined actions. However, you will not
hear any audio instructions to assist you in the selection. Test the following actions:
Input Action
0 Transfer to 11001
1 Dial by Name (for example, DOE)
2 Dial by Extension (for example, 11002)
31 Submenu transfer to 11001
32 Submenu transfer to mailbox 11002
4 Transfer to sales group (11001, 11002)
9 Call disconnect
