Can I Tag Phones to a VLAN w/o Access to the Switch?

MarcW
Here to help

Can I Tag Phones to a VLAN w/o Access to the Switch?

got a client asking me real-time to tag phones to a VLAN.  I have only ever tagged phones on the switch, not from the MX or any router.  If I can, how do I? 

3 Replies 3
BlakeRichardson
Kind of a big deal
Kind of a big deal

Most VOIP handsets support VLAN tagging on the phone itself so if the handset is connected to a trunk port and the appropriate VLAN is allowed on that trunk port then yes you can tag phones.

 

A bit more information on your network topology would help to give a fully accurate answer. 

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PhilipDAth
Kind of a big deal
Kind of a big deal

The most common widely accept approach is to use LLDP.  That is simply done on a Meraki switch by specify the voice VLAN.

https://documentation.meraki.com/MS/Port_and_VLAN_Configuration/Configuring_the_MS_Access_Switch_for...


 

Another approach, which I would only recommend if you are desperate, is to use SmartPorts, where the switch recognises the MAC address is a phone and applies a port config.

https://documentation.meraki.com/MS/Port_and_VLAN_Configuration/SmartPorts

PhilipDAth_1-1747341372917.png

 

 

This needs to be done at the point where the phone plugs into the network.  If the phone plugs into a switch - it needs to be done there.  It is too late by the time the traffic gets to the MX.

Mloraditch
Kind of a big deal

If you are saying the phones plug directly into a MX or some old switch without the proper LLDP support you will have to do what @BlakeRichardson said. The MXs do not support providing a voice vlan via LLDP. Some phones will learn a voice vlan via DHCP options. Avaya I know can do this, but I don't know any currently shipping system where LLDP is not the recommended method and should be done via the switchport config as @PhilipDAth explains

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