Best Practices When Performing IP Phone Firmware Upgrades
Firmware updates are a specific type or subset of software that is designed to act as an intermediary between the software of the device and the hardware.
Firmware provides the blueprint to help the hardware run effectively, especially after a reboot. It also communicates with other devices and performs input/output type tasks. As such, deploying the most current firmware on IP phones is essential to maintaining a high level of operating efficiently and doing so securely.
We always recommend contacting a certified telecommunications company (like ACC Telecom) to perform firmware updates to ensure proper protocol is being followed. However, if you have a knowledgeable IT staff handling the upgrades, then be sure to follow these best practices when performing IP phone firmware upgrades.
Perform Firmware Updates After-hours
To ensure the least amount of impact to business operations and your network, it is recommended to perform the upgrades after working hours. Updates traveling over the network can impact operations in a negative way, such as slowing down systems and even causing the phone itself to freeze.
Use a Test Phone for Each Firmware Version Update
Use one phone to test each firmware version update before deploying the update to the rest of the devices. This safe-guard technique will prevent negatively impacting multiple phones if there is an issue when performing the new version upgrade.
Do Not Perform Firmware Updates in Bulk
It is not recommended to perform bulk firmware updates across multiple phones at once. Not only can it brick multiple devices if there is an issue with the version update, but it can also cause problems with your network. For example, if you are trying to update 100 phones at once, your network will replicate the same file 100 times. This could result in major disruptions to your network and impact other devices and business processes. It is recommended to update no more than 3-4 phones at once.
Perform Firmware Updates Frequently
If you’ve ever tried to update your Microsoft Window’s software after weeks or even months of ignoring the updates, you’ll understand how difficult and frustrating of a task this is. Firmware updates are no different. Updating an old firmware to a new one (with several versions in between) can result in hours of downtime, or possibly crashing the phone altogether.
When a phone crashes (we call this ‘bricked’ in the telecom industry) it is equivalent to the ‘blue screen of death’ on a PC. Bricked phones will remain on the welcome screen and certain phone models will have to be replaced completely. Newer models have a default/recovery process to fix the issue though it can be time consuming and pricey.
Thankfully, firmware updates are released much less frequently than software updates, but it’s still important to contact your phone system provider about updates, or go to the manufacture’s website to verify firmware release dates.
ACC Telecom is a business telecommunications system provider and VoIP service carrier. ACC is a Premier-certified Yealink phone provider and has extensive knowledge of IP phones and firmware updates. Contact ACC today for more information on our products and services.