Enabling the GUI in the Cisco Unified CME

This post will explain how to enable the CUCME graphical user interface for administrators and users alike.  While a lot of network administrators cringe at the thought of using anything but the CLI, there is a definite benefit to giving a customer administrator and/or phone users access to make changes.

The Cisco Unified CME GUI provides a web-based interface to manage most system-level and phone-based features. In particular, the GUI facilitates the routine additions and changes associated with employee turnover, allowing these changes to be performed by nontechnical staff. The GUI provides three levels of access to support the following user classes:

• System administrator—Able to configure all system-level and phone-based features. This person is familiar with Cisco IOS software and VoIP network configuration.
• Customer administrator—Able to perform routine phone additions and changes without having access to system-level features. This person does not have to be familiar with Cisco IOS software.
• Phone user—Able to program a small set of features on his or her own phone and search the Cisco Unified CME directory. In Cisco Unified CME GUI 4.2.1 and later versions, phone users can use the GUI to set up personal speed dials for an Extension Mobility phone. The same credential for logging into an Extension Mobility phone can be used to log into the Cisco Unified CME GUI.

Prequisites

The CUCME GUI files must be on the router's flash already.  See this Cisco document for details if you have not done so already. 

To use a phone user account in the Cisco Unified CME GUI to configure speed dials on a phone that is enabled for Extension Mobility, Cisco Unified CME GUI 4.2.1 or a later version must be installed on the Cisco router.

GUI files are version-specific, they must match the version of Cisco Unified CME that is installed.

Sample Configuration to Enable CUCME GUI

conf t
!
ip http server
ip http path flash:
ip http authentication enable  (variety of auth options here)
!
telephony-service
  web admin system name cmeadmin 0 cmepasswd
  dn-webedit  (enables creation of DNs via the GUI)
  time-webedit  (only use this if network NTP source is not available)
  end
!

Accessing the CUCME

http://router_ip/ccme.html

For example: 
http://192.168.10.1/ccme.html

Note:  Only the Internet Explorer browser (version 5.5 and later) is supported

Enable GUI Access for Customer Administrators

Creating an account for customer administrators can be done via the GUI or CLI.  The CLI example is shown below.

conf t
!
telephony-service
  web admin customer name JoeCust password JCPwd
  end
!

Enable GUI Access for Phone Users

Creating an account for phone users can be done via the GUI or CLI.  The CLI example is shown below.  Keep in mind that the "JoeUser" account will only have access to modify aspects ephone 1001.

conf t
!
ephone 1001
  username JoeUser password JPswd
  end
!

More Information
Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express System Administrator's Guide