How To: Upload Firmware to a Polycom Unit

Note: Please click here to see an updated post

Today’s discussion will be on Polycom and how to upload the latest Firmware. For some of you this will be a repetitive read, if you have done this before, but for those just starting out in the industry, or just wanting to learn some new information on VoIP, then this is for you. It will just take a little time, some elbow grease and some hardware.

To start this off let’s begin with the brains behind it all: the TFTP server, also known as, Trivial FTP server. You can find tons of programs like this on the internet but the one that we use in our house is SolarWinds.

Then enter all the required information and then click “Download Software”.

Choose which method of download you prefer and install the software on your local Windows-based machine.

In your installation process, you will be prompted to download Microsoft.net 2.0 which can be downloaded here if not already installed: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=0856eacb-4362-4b0d-8edd-aab15c5e04f5&displaylang=en

Click download:

After you have downloaded the .net application, open or run the Solarwinds application on your desktop:

When opened it will look like this:

Next, you will want to download the Polycom Firmware and Bootrom Files from the VoIP Supply FTP website.

If you don’t have credentials, and you bought the end point from us, then give us a call or shoot us an email and we will be glad to grant you access.

Below is a picture of the site. Scroll down and you will find PDF files, BootRom Files and Firmware Release ZIP files.

Place and extract the ZIP files for both firmware and bootrom into one central folder. (I called it “Polycom Firmware”):

Create a folder called TFTP-Root and place it on your C: Drive.

Place the “Polycom Firmware Folder” inside the TFTP-Root Folder.

Go back to your TFTP Application which should be open on your desktop.

Click File, then configure and set the following:

After you have clicked OK, your TFTP Server application should look like this:

Now for the Polycom Phone fun!

1. Plug in your Polycom IP Phone and press the SETUP button to stop the auto-boot process when prompted.

2. Enter the password 456

3. Scroll down to the server menu and select.

4. Edit the server type to “Trivial FTP”

5. Edit the server address to the “IP Address of TFTP Server” (In my case 192.168.1.97) noted in the above screenshot.

6. Exit the server menu, and then exit the setup menu.

7. The phone will prompt you to save and reboot, select OK.

8. Upon reboot, the phone will go through its auto-boot process again, and then display Uploading Bootrom on the screen.

9. You will also see verification on the TFTP Server as the bootrom and firmware files are being uploaded to the phone.

10. When the phone completes its boot cycle, it will briefly display a welcome screen, which shows the current firmware version loaded.

11. If you see this version, you have successfully upgraded your polycom phone.

Special Notes

The Polycom Phone that you are upgrading must be on the same network as your TFTP server application (IE. TFTP Server address: 192.168.1.97, Polycom Phone address: 192.168.1.99). This is essential for the phone and the TFTP server to communicate with each other.

This process can be done on multiple Polycom units at the same time; there is no need to do one at a time if you have multiple units to upgrade.

In order to perform a correct upgrade with files with Polycom Factory Default settings, DO NOT MODIFY ANY FILES.

Garrett Smith

Garrett is the former VoIP Supply CMO.

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View Comments

michael graves says:

July 22, 2008 at 11:29 PM

Kyle,

Good post! I've done this myself many times.

I too thought that TFTP had to be on the same subnet, and was not routable. However, a couple of people who ought to know have corrected me on this recently. Are we sure that they absolutely must be on the same subnet?

Of course, when provisioning phones remotely you'd use FTP or HTTP over TFTP.
Brian says:

August 5, 2008 at 5:11 PM

TFTP - You can use IP HELPER to get across a router. It's much easier to bring the phone over to your physical network and then update it, versus getting network engineers to update routers - or carry your laptop to the network in need....

Please note: Same Physical network CAN FAIL - here's why:
Many people run these devices on different VLANs - which can be preconfigured on the unit, and you will not ever find your device simply because it woke up on VLAN2 when you are on VLAN1.
Riaz says:

September 2, 2008 at 11:48 AM

I have been trying to use your method to upload firmware on Polycom SoundPoint IP 501 but it has been unable to find MACaddress.cfg... Can someone please help? What should I do?
jonny says:

January 20, 2010 at 9:05 AM

i have a little problem... i hope that you can help me.
i follow all the steps to send the firmware, but t doesn't do anything.
other thing.. in the TFTP server ip address i get "any" instead of an ip (numeric).
i think thats why it doesn't work. can anyone help me out ?
thanks.
Rain says:

June 11, 2011 at 6:57 PM

I tried calling Polycom and was referred to the reseller of the device or else they are gonna charge me.

However I called my provider and was able to update it by using an ftp server.

Here's the link.
http://voipsetup.100webspace.net/ipphone.php?afiles=updatePolycomFirmware.php

If the page timed out , just refresh it

:))
mark walter says:

November 14, 2011 at 6:23 PM

If you could supply FTP connection info.. Thanks in advance

Next, you will want to download the Polycom Firmware and Bootrom Files from the VoIP Supply FTP website.

If you don’t have credentials, and you bought the end point from us, then give us a call or shoot us an email and we will be glad to grant you access.
dan says:

October 4, 2012 at 4:47 PM

Hi!

I have to upgrade our Polycom Soundstation IP3000 unit.
Didn't found anything on Polycom's website.

Is there a way to obtain those files?

regards,

Dan
Wade Latham says:

January 16, 2013 at 12:44 PM

Hello,
I have 10 Polycom 501SIP phones which have never been used. I was told that the firmware had to be updated before they could be used.
Is there a cost to update the firmware using the procedures listed above?
Greg says:

January 24, 2013 at 1:50 PM

http://voipt2.polycom.com/

Welcome to the Polycom VoIP Phone Provisioning Server

This is a publicly accessible server intended only for use of provisioning, upgrading, or downgrading the software of Polycom IP phones with stock Polycom software and configuration files.

Multiple 'stock' directories exist with different versions of SIP, UC, and BootROM software, and are named according to the SIP or UC software version contained within. These directories are completely stock; no changes should be made to any configuration files within.

Each directory contains an ABOUT.TXT to indicate which SIP and BootROM software versions exist within that directory.
To Provision Your Polycom VoIP Phone:

1. From the phone's local menu interface, press Menu > Settings > Advanced (default password: 456) > Administration Settings > Network Configuration > Server Menu.

2. Set Server Type to HTTP

3. Input Server Address as voipt2.polycom.com Example to load the latest SIP 4.03f = voipt2.polycom.com/403f

4. Unless otherwise instructed by VoIP Support, do not change Server User or Password.

(Optional): Specify a directory for the SIP or UC software version you wish the phone to provision, as listed below.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Using this server to provision your phone will erase all preferences and will restore all settings to their Factory Default Values! ALL SETTINGS WILL BE LOST!!
Available Software Directories:

Please click here for a current list of available software directories.
Additional Resources:

VoIP Product Support Page
VoIP Technical Bulletins
Knowledge Base
SIP 3.2.2 Admin Guide
UC 3.3.0 Admin Guide
SIP Downloads Matrix

Polycom VoIP Support Contact:

Web: Polycom Support Portal

Phone: (for Certified Resellers with a valid CPC code) 1-888-248-4143
Tony says:

January 6, 2018 at 10:13 AM

Thank you so much