The Cisco telephone system is a VoIP (Voice over IP) telephone system that is used for communication at RWTH Aachen University and with external customers.
It is the Cisco Unified Communications Manager, CUCM for short, whereby classic telephone functionalities are combined with cloud-based video and chat options.

• All data streams between the components of the telephone system are encrypted using state-of-the-art technology.
• All centrally managed end devices are fully functional in pure IPv6 networks.
• Phone numbers are assigned to persons, which enables, among other things, registration on any Cisco registration phone.
• The link to the Cisco Webex software enables the use of a softphone (software telephone) mode as well as video and chat communication.

The Cisco telephone system largely replaced the Alcatel telephone system at RWTH in 2021. Background information can be found here.
As part of the network renewal, all authorized organizations at RWTH will be given access to the new Cisco telephone system.

Who can use the Cisco telephone system?

The following groups of people can use the Cisco telephone system:

• Persons with the status of RWTH employee
• Persons with the status Employee UKA / Member FB10 in the context of the University Hospital, provided that the RWTH telephone system and end devices are used.
• RWTH employees with alternative status can also receive a Cisco registration after verification.

Organizations at the RWTH also have the option and obligation to assign the Telephony Administration role to at least one person at the organization.
Persons with this role have access to the administration of telephone numbers, telephones and registrations at their own organization.

How can I access the Cisco telephone system?

To be able to make calls via the Cisco telephone system, you first need a Cisco registration. If you have authorized access status, you can apply for this registration yourself via an electronic telephone application.
However, please contact the (telephone or) IT administrators of your organization beforehand. Depending on the organization, Cisco registration is ordered centrally and may already have been initiated.
If you do not know who is responsible for this, please contact your organization's role management.

As soon as you have completed the registration, you will be assigned a phone number. You can then make additional settings for your telephone in the TK-portal. You can also activate your Webex account here.

People with the Telephony administration role can view and edit their own organization's telephone numbers, telephones and registrations here.