11xx Series using ADAC on Nortel switch - Couldn't Identify Switch

[ansellrk]

Good morning all,

We are using ADAC on our Nortel switches now for our VOIP rollout and we have noticed that when it is enabled the phones display an error on bootup "Couldn't identify switch". Whilst this doesn't prevent the phone working, nor does it seem to have any affect on QOS or ADAC functionality I was wondering what it means and if we can remove it?!

Any ideas?

 

[biv343]

That is a LLDP message, meaning the phone is configured to send LLDP messages, but the data switch isn't configured to recognize them. LLDP can be configured to allow the phone to communicate with the switch to identify what type of device it is, how much power it requires, etc. ADAC uses the MAC address of the attached device to determine if it is a Nortel IP phone, and if it is, then switch the port to the voice VLAN.

You can uncheck 'enable LLDP' in the phone configuration if you're not using it. The only difference you'll see is the phone will boot a bit faster.

 

[ansellrk]

Yep, you are right! I just had an email from a Nortel engineer confirming the same, he reckons it can be turned off through DHCP... not sure how, but I have asked him to prove it. If I get a response I will post.

Thanks.

 

[DaddyOfThree]

In 5.1 software for the Ethernet Routing Switch 5500 Series ADAC no longer relies on the MAC address to determine if the device is an IP phone but instead actually uses the LLDP TLVs. Prior to v5.1 software you are correct that you must make sure that the proper MAC address ranges need to be programmed in the ERS 5500 switch.

Cheers!

 

[ansellrk]

Ah yes we have a selection of 4548, 5500, (which support LLDP) & 460's, 470's (which don't). We are actually using ADAC for some Siemens IP phones too by putting in the various MAC address ranges. We have been trying to get a full list of MAC addresses ranges from Nortel for the 11xx series phones (because there are so many)... I don't suppose anyone knows what these are?!

We use DHCP to deploy all the phones so the configuration on the sets is minimal (just enabling AUTO Voice VLAN).

 

[tnphoneman]

Try this link for your MAC addresses.

http://michaelfmcnamara.blogspot.com/2007/10/nortel-ers-5520-pwr-switch.html

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[ansellrk]

Had a look at the link... our 1140e & 1110 ranges are not listed within this document. It does appear that Nortel have shot themselves in the foot a bit here! If they new ADAC was on the horizon why not standardise on a MAC address range across the whole phone set? We have around 2000 handsets with a massive MAC address difference and they were bought all at the same time too. When I create our defined list I will post it here.