Cisco Deploying, Administering, and Troubleshooting Cisco WEBEX Calling for Government v4.0 (WEBEX-CALL-GOV)

Agenda

1. Webex Overview:

• Students will discuss the Webex platform and understand the suite of communication and collaboration tools for facilitating video conferencing, meetings, calling, webinars, and real-time messaging among users. The platform aims to enhance productivity and connectivity in government organizations. It supports seamless collaboration across different devices and operating systems, offering features such as high-definition video and audio conferencing, screen sharing, file sharing, and interactive whiteboards.

2. Webex Calling Network Assessment and Planning:

• A crucial task that provides a comprehensive approach to assessing current network infrastructure, identifying potential bottlenecks, and planning for scalability to support advanced Webex services. This module covers techniques for evaluating network readiness, including bandwidth capacity, latency issues, and reliability.
• Participants will learn how to create a detailed network design that accommodates Webex Calling, ensuring a high-quality Calling experience. The focus will be on practical strategies for implementing network upgrades, quality of service (QoS) settings, and ensuring secure, resilient connectivity for all Webex communications.

3. Webex Control Hub Management:

• Participants will learn to provision and manage the Webex Control Hub, an administration tool for configuring Webex services, ensuring they can effectively oversee and adjust the platform according to organizational needs.
• Participants will learn to configure Directory Synchronization and Single Sign-On (SSO) functionalities within the Webex ecosystem, particularly emphasizing their importance in streamlining user management and enhancing security across governmental organizations. Directory Synchronization is highlighted as a critical feature for automatically updating and maintaining user information in Webex, directly mirroring changes made in the organization\'s on-premises Active Directory or cloud-based directories. This synchronization ensures that user accounts and groups are consistently aligned with the organization’s current structure, facilitating easier user management and access control.

4. Adding and Configuring Webex Calling Phones:

• Participants will learn to add and configure phones within the WebEx Calling platform, a fundamental skill for administrators tasked with optimizing the communication infrastructure of their organizations. The content is meticulously crafted to guide learners through the step-by-step process of integrating various phone models into the WebEx environment, beginning with selecting compatible devices that best fit organizational needs and user preferences. It then progresses to detailed instructions on adding these devices to the WebEx Calling system, including entering device information, assigning lines, and customizing settings to align with specific operational requirements. The module also covers advanced configuration techniques, such as setting up features like voicemail, call forwarding, and do not disturb, to enhance user experience and productivity

5. Migrating Cisco Phone to Webex and Migration Overview:

• Student Learn how to migrate enterprise phone systems from Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) to WebEx Calling, highlighting the strategic steps in transitioning to Multiplatform Phones (MPP). Designed for IT professionals and decision-makers in organizations, the content guides readers through the intricacies of the migration journey, outlining the preparation, execution, and post-migration phases.

6. Webex Calling Settings and Features:

• Participants will learn to configure WebEx Calling settings and features tailored for administrators and IT professionals responsible for managing and optimizing cloud-based communication systems. It commences with a comprehensive introduction to the WebEx Calling dashboard, guiding learners through its layout and the plethora of settings available for customization. The focus then shifts to detailed instruction on configuring essential calling features such as call forwarding, voicemail settings, call waiting, and auto-attendant functionalities, ensuring that participants understand how to tailor these features to meet the specific needs of their organization. Additionally, the module delves into the setup of advanced features like call queues and hunt groups, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of call handling.

7. Webex Phones, Devices, and Accessories for Webex Calling:

• This module provides detailed information on WebEx Phones, Devices, and Accessories for WebEx Calling. Students learn the variety of WebEx-compatible phones, including desk, conference, and wireless phones, learners will discover the specific features and benefits that each type offers to meet different organizational needs. The module further explores additional devices and accessories, such as headsets and cameras, designed to complement WebEx Calling, ensuring high-quality audio and video communication. Special attention is given to setup procedures, configuration settings, and best practices for maintaining and troubleshooting these hardware components to maximize their functionality and lifespan.

8. Webex Directory Synchronization and Single Sign-On:

• Participants will learn to configure Directory Synchronization and Single Sign-On (SSO) functionalities within the Webex ecosystem, particularly emphasizing their importance in streamlining user management and enhancing security across governmental organizations. Directory Synchronization is highlighted as a critical feature for automatically updating and maintaining user information in Webex, directly mirroring changes made in the organization\'s on-premises Active Directory or cloud-based directories. This synchronization ensures that user accounts and groups are consistently aligned with the organization’s current structure, facilitating easier user management and access control.

9. Configuring Webex Calling Premise-Based PSTN Gateways:

• Participants will learn to configure key Webex Calling components, a crucial skill for successful deployment within government contexts. It begins with an instructive overview of the Webex Control Hub, highlighting its role as the pivotal platform for managing and configuring Webex Calling services. Participants will delve into configuring locations, which is essential for establishing call routing and policy enforcement within the network\'s architecture. The module also covers the setup of trunks, which are vital for linking the Webex Calling environment with external networks, including the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Attendees will learn about creating route groups to efficiently organize trunks and optimizing call routing based on business logic, capacity, and geographical considerations. The crafting of dial plans is also a key focus aimed at facilitating organizational calling patterns while adhering to regulatory requirements. Lastly, the module provides hands-on experience deploying Premise-Based PSTN Gateways, focusing on integrating with the Webex Calling Gov Cloud to ensure secure and reliable communication. Through practical exercises and detailed instruction, this module ensures participants are well-equipped with the necessary skills to effectively configure these critical components, preparing them for real-world Webex Calling deployments.

10. Webex Calling Dial plans, Route Groups, and Trunks:

• In this module, participants will gain the expertise to set up and implement Webex Calling\'s dial plans, route groups, and trunks, enabling efficient interaction with both on-premises PSTN gateways and Cisco Unified Communications Manager. This comprehensive training will cover the strategies and technical know-how needed to create dial plans that facilitate PSTN access, ensuring a seamless integration of on-premises telephony infrastructure with Webex\'s cloud-based calling platform. Learners will delve into the nuances of configuring route groups, which are crucial in directing calls through the most effective paths, whether within the organization\'s network or to external numbers. This includes understanding how to prioritize routes based on criteria such as cost, quality, and availability to optimize communication strategies.

11. Webex Calling Integration with Microsoft Teams:

• Participants will Learn the process of integrating Webex Calling with Microsoft Teams. This collaboration marries the robust, enterprise-grade telephony capabilities of Webex with the comprehensive communication and teamwork features of Microsoft Teams. This Integration allows users to make and receive calls directly from the Microsoft Teams interface, leveraging Webex\'s powerful calling infrastructure. The course will guide learners through the initial setup and configuration steps necessary to bridge Webex Calling with Microsoft Teams, emphasizing the setup of the Webex Call app within Teams and the configuration of user settings for optimal performance.

12. Monitoring Webex Calling:

• Monitoring of Webex Calling encompasses a range of activities, from real-time monitoring of call quality and system performance to analyzing historical data for identifying trends and potential problems. Students will learn how to utilize the Webex Control Hub, which offers comprehensive tools for monitoring call quality metrics, system usage, and performance indicators. Key metrics such as call success rates, latency, jitter, and packet loss can be reviewed to assess the quality of voice and video communications. The section will emphasize the importance of setting up alerts and notifications within the Webex Control Hub. These alerts can notify IT staff of critical issues, such as system outages, degraded call quality, or security breaches. By configuring thresholds for performance metrics, agencies can ensure they are immediately aware of potential problems, allowing for swift action to mitigate issues before they impact users significantly.

13. Troubleshooting Webex Calling Components:

• Participants will learn to troubleshoot Webex Calling deployments, focusing on scenarios relevant to government settings. It begins with an overview of monitoring strategies, highlighting the importance of proactive surveillance to identify potential issues before they escalate into significant problems. Attendees will learn to leverage the diagnostic tools and logging capabilities integrated into the Webex Control Hub and associated systems, enabling them to efficiently gather and analyze data pertinent to Webex Calling operations. This module delves into troubleshooting practices tailored to each critical component of Webex Calling. Participants will explore common challenges associated with Locations, such as call routing discrepancies and policy enforcement anomalies, moving on to address connectivity and signal path issues in Trunks. The module also covers troubleshooting techniques for Route Groups, focusing on resolving call distribution and redundancy configuration issues that affect call routing efficiency. Dial Plan misconfigurations, which can lead to call failures or compliance lapses, are another key focus, alongside diagnosing and rectifying integration and performance issues with Premise-Based PSTN Gateways.

14. Webex Calling API Overview:

• This module is specifically designed for IT professionals and developers interested in leveraging Webex\'s programmable interfaces to integrate custom applications, automate workflows, and enhance the functionality of their Webex environment, particularly within government and enterprise settings where tailored solutions are often required. Participants will be introduced to the breadth and depth of Webex APIs, including those for meetings, messaging, calling, and team collaboration. This section will explain how these APIs can be utilized to create bespoke solutions that align with organizational needs, such as automating meeting scheduling, customizing user interfaces, or integrating Webex functionalities into existing enterprise applications and services.