Cisco IP Communicator User manual

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Cisco IP Communicator
User Guide
Version 1.1
Customer Order Number:
Text Part Number: OL-5051-01

Cisco IP Communicator User Guide iii
Contents
Getting Started with Cisco IP Communicator 1
What is Cisco IP Communicator? 1
Hardware and Platform Requirements 2
Quick Start Checklist 2
Installing Audio Devices 3
Installing and Launching Cisco IP Communicator 4
Installing Cisco IP Communicator on Your Computer 4
Launching Cisco IP Communicator 5
Using the Audio Tuning Wizard 6
Configuration and Registration Tasks 8
Testing Cisco IP Communicator 9
An Overview of Cisco IP Communicator 10
Cisco IP Communicator Features 10
Using the Cisco IP Communicator Interface 10
Phone Screen Features 14
Call-Handling and Navigation Tips 15
Using Keyboard Shortcuts 15
Using the Right-Click Menu 16
Closing and Minimizing Cisco IP Communicator 17
Understanding Lines vs. Calls 17
Going On-Hook and Off-Hook 18
Using Online Help 18
Understanding Feature Availability 18
Using Cisco IP Communicator to Handle Calls 19
Basic Call Handling 19
Placing a Call 20

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Answering a Call 22
Ending a Call 23
Using Hold and Resume 24
Using Mute 24
Transferring a Connected Call 25
Switching Between Calls 25
Starting or Joining a Standard Conference Call 26
Forwarding Your Calls to Another Number 27
Advanced Call Handling 28
Storing and Retrieving Parked Calls 28
Redirecting a Ringing Call to Cisco IP Communicator 29
Starting or Joining a Meet-Me Conference Call 29
Understanding Shared Lines 30
Adding Yourself to a Shared-Line Call 30
Customizing Cisco IP Communicator Settings 31
An Overview of Settings 31
Adjusting the Volume for a Call 31
Customizing Rings and Message Indicators 32
Customizing the Phone Screen 33
Setting Up Speed Dial Buttons 33
Viewing and Customizing Preferences 34
User Settings 34
Network Settings 36
Audio Settings 38
Understanding Audio Modes 39
Network Audio Settings 42
Advanced Audio Settings 43
Directories Settings 45
Using Headsets and Other Audio Devices 46
Using a Headset 46
Using Your Computer as a Speakerphone 48
Using a USB Handset 49
Removing and Re-Installing Audio Devices 50

Cisco IP Communicator User Guide v
Obtaining Audio Devices 50
Using Voice Messaging, Call Logs, and Directories 51
Using a Voice Message Service 51
Searching Your Call Logs and Directories 52
Using the Quick Search Feature 53
Entering Password Information for Quick Search 53
Accessing Your User Options Web Pages 55
Logging In to the User Options Web Pages 55
Subscribing to Phone Services 56
Troubleshooting Cisco IP Communicator 57
General Troubleshooting Issues 57
Voice Quality Issues 60

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Cisco IP Communicator User Guide 1
Getting Started with Cisco IP Communicator
These sections give you the basic information you need to start using your new
CiscoIPCommunicator.
•What is Cisco IP Communicator?, page 1
•Hardware and Platform Requirements, page 2
•Quick Start Checklist, page 2
•Installing Audio Devices, page 3
•Installing and Launching Cisco IP Communicator, page 4
•Using the Audio Tuning Wizard, page 6
•Configuration and Registration Tasks, page 8
•Testing Cisco IP Communicator, page 9
What is Cisco IP Communicator?
Cisco IP Communicator is a desktop application that turns your computer into a full-featured
Cisco IP Phone, allowing you to place, receive, and otherwise handle calls. If you install
Cisco IP Communicator on a laptop or portable computer, you can use Cisco IP Communicator (and
all of your phone services and settings) from any location where you can connect to the corporate
network. For example, if you are on a business trip you can use Cisco IP Communicator to receive calls
and check voice messages while online. Or, if you are working from home, co-workers can reach you
by dialing your work number.
To get started installing and using Cisco IP Communicator, see the “Quick Start Checklist” section on
page 2.
For an introduction to Cisco IP Communicator features, see the “An Overview of
Cisco IP Communicator” section on page 10.

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Hardware and Platform Requirements
To use Cisco IP Communicator, you need a computer with a sound card and/or USB audio device. The
table that follows shows the minimum and recommended requirements for the computer and operating
system on which Cisco IP Communicator runs. Providing a faster CPU and additional RAM
(recommended configuration) allows Cisco IP Communicator to be more responsive and launch faster.
In addition to requirements outlined in the table above, Cisco IP Communicator requires the
following:
•A minimum of 100 MB free disk space
•A non-ISA full-duplex sound card or USB audio headset or handset
•A 10/100 Mbit Ethernet network interface card
•SVGA video card
To get started installing and using Cisco IP Communicator, see the “Quick Start Checklist” section on
page 2.
Quick Start Checklist
Follow the checklist below to get Cisco IP Communicator set up on your desktop so that you can start
making calls. The checklist provides pointers to sections in this User Guide where you can find details.
Requirements Operating System Minimum CPU
Minimum
RAM
Screen
Resolution
Minimum
Configuration
•Windows 2000 Professional with
service pack 3.0 or later
•Windows XP Professional with
service pack 1.0 or later
450 MHz
Pentium III or
equivalent
128 MB 800 x 600
Recommended
Configuration
•Windows 2000 Professional with
service pack 3.0 or later
•Windows XP Professional with
service pack 1.0 or later
733 MHz
Pentium III or
equivalent
192 MB 1.024 x 768
Quick Start task For more information, see...
1. Install any sound cards or USB audio devices that
you want to use, including a USB headset or handset.
Installing Audio Devices, page 3
2. Install the Cisco IP Communicator application. Installing Cisco IP Communicator on Your
Computer, page 4
3. Launch Cisco IP Communicator. Launching Cisco IP Communicator, page 5

Getting Started with Cisco IP Communicator
Cisco IP Communicator User Guide 3
Installing Audio Devices
You can install audio devices any time, but the ideal time to do this is before you install and launch
Cisco IP Communicator.
What kind of audio devices can I use?
You can use several audio devices with Cisco IP Communicator. The table below provides an
overview. If you want a list of specific brand-name audio devices that you can use with
Cisco IP Communicator, ask your system administrator.
4. Use the Audio Tuning Wizard to select audio
modes and tune audio devices.
•Using the Audio Tuning Wizard, page 6
•Understanding Audio Modes, page 39
5. Accomplish network configuration or registration
steps required by your system administrator.
Configuration and Registration Tasks,
page 8
6. Place test calls. Testing Cisco IP Communicator, page 9
Audio device Description Notes
USB devices:
•a USB handset
•a USB headset
USB devices require device
driver software and have
rectangular plugs.
Follow the device manufacturer’s instructions
to install USB devices. If prompted, complete
the Microsoft Windows Found New Hardware
Wizard.
External analog
devices:
•an analog
headset
•external speakers
or microphones
Analog audio devices do not
require software. They
work as extensions of your
computer’s sound card.
Plug analog devices into audio jacks on your
computer.
Cisco IP Communicator recognizes analog
devices as extensions of your sound card;
choose your sound card when you want to
modify or view settings for analog devices.
Internal audio
devices:
•built-in
microphone
•built-in speakers
These audio devices are
internal to your computer
and work with your
computer’s sound card.
Internal audio devices only work when you do
not have external audio devices plugged into
the audio jacks on your computer; otherwise,
sound will be routed to the external devices.
Quick Start task For more information, see...

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Note If you install or insert an audio device that requires a driver (a USB handset, USB headset, or
sound card) after launching Cisco IP Communicator, you will need to close and relaunch the
application before Cisco IP Communicator will recognize the device.
The next step
After installing audio devices, you are ready to install and launch Cisco IP Communicator. The Audio
Tuning Wizard will recognize your installed audio devices and give you the opportunity to select and
tune them. See the “Installing and Launching Cisco IP Communicator” section on page 4.
Related topics
•Using Headsets and Other Audio Devices, page 46
•Removing and Re-Installing Audio Devices, page 50
Installing and Launching Cisco IP Communicator
This section covers these topics:
•Installing Cisco IP Communicator on Your Computer, page 4
•Launching Cisco IP Communicator, page 5
Installing Cisco IP Communicator on Your Computer
Your system administrator will provide you with an executable file or an installation link. Follow the
procedure below to install the Cisco IP Communicator software on your computer.
Note If you use a laptop computer, be sure that you are not connected to a docking station when
launching Cisco IP Communicator for the first time after installation.
Procedure
Step 1 Open CiscoIPCommunicatorSetup.exe by double-clicking on this file or on the installation
link provided by your system administrator.
The InstallShield wizard opens and begins preparing for installation.
Step 2 When prompted, click Next to initiate the InstallShield wizard.
Step 3 Read the license agreement carefully, then click “I accept” and Next.
Step 4 Enter data in the Customer Information window and click Next. If you think other people
need to use Cisco IP Communicator on this computer, select yes.