Cisco CallManager System Guide, Release 4.1(2)
Cisco ATA 186 and Cisco ATA 188

Table Of Contents

Cisco ATA 186 and Cisco ATA 188

Cisco ATA 186 and Cisco ATA 188 Features

Connecting with Cisco CallManager

Configuration Checklist

Where to Find More Information


Cisco ATA 186 and Cisco ATA 188


The Cisco ATA 186 and Cisco ATA 188 Analog Telephone Adaptors function as an analog telephone adapter that interfaces regular analog telephones to IP-based telephony networks. The Cisco ATA converts any regular analog telephone into an Internet telephone. Customers install the Cisco ATA at their premises. Each adapter supports two voice ports, each with its own telephone number.


Note The term Cisco ATA that is used throughout this chapter refers to both the Cisco ATA 186 and Cisco ATA 188, unless differences between Cisco ATA 186 and Cisco ATA 188 are explicitly stated.


This section covers the following topics:

Cisco ATA 186 and Cisco ATA 188 Features

Connecting with Cisco CallManager

Configuration Checklist

Where to Find More Information

Cisco ATA 186 and Cisco ATA 188 Features

The following list describes the Cisco ATA:

Contains a single 10 BaseT RJ-45 port and two RJ-11 FXS standard analog telephone ports

Supports G.711 alaw, G.711 mulaw, and G.723 and G.729a voice codecs

Uses the Skinny Client Control Protocol

Converts voice into IP data packets that are sent over a network

Supports redial, speed dial, call forwarding, call waiting, call hold, transfer, conference, voice messaging, message-waiting indication, off-hook ringing, caller-ID, callee-ID, and call waiting caller-ID

Connecting with Cisco CallManager

Like other IP devices, the Cisco ATA receives its configuration file and list of Cisco CallManagers from the TFTP server. If the TFTP server does not have a configuration file, the Cisco ATA uses the TFTP server name or IP address and port number as the primary Cisco CallManager name or IP address and port number.

After the Cisco ATA initializes, both ports on the Cisco ATA (skinny clients) attempt to connect with the primary Cisco CallManager. If the connection or registration fails, the Cisco ATA skinny clients attempt to register with the next Cisco CallManager in the Cisco CallManager list. If that connection fails, the Cisco ATA skinny clients attempt to register with the last Cisco CallManager in the list. If all attempts to connect and register with a Cisco CallManager fail, the client attempts to connect at a later time.

Upon successful registration, the Cisco ATA client requests the Cisco CallManager software version, current time and date, line status, and call forward status from the Cisco CallManager. If the Cisco ATA loses connection to the active Cisco CallManager, it attempts to connect to a backup Cisco CallManager in the Cisco CallManager list. When the primary Cisco CallManager comes back online, the Cisco ATA attempts to reconnect to it.

Configuration Checklist

Table 43-1 provides steps to configure the Cisco ATA.

Table 43-1 Cisco ATA 186 Configuration Checklist 

Configuration Steps
Procedures and Related Topics

Step 1 

Configure the Cisco ATA in Cisco CallManager Administration.

Adding a Phone, Cisco CallManager Administration Guide

Step 2 

Install the Cisco ATA.

Refer to the administration guide that is provided with the product.

Step 3 

Make a call.

Refer to the documentation that is provided with the product.

Where to Find More Information

Related Topics

System-Level Configuration Settings

Adding a Phone, Cisco CallManager Administration Guide