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Packet Tracer 8.1.1 Tutorial: IP Telephony & VoIP Basic Configuration

This Packet Tracer 8.1.1 tutorial shows how to set up basic IP telephony and voice over IP (VoIP) in a lab network. You will configure Call Manager Express (CME) on a Cisco 2811 ISR router, use DHCP for Cisco IP phones, set a voice VLAN on a switch, assign phone numbers with ephone-dn, and place a test call between two IP phones.

Packet Tracer VoIP IP Telephony Call Manager Express Cisco IP Phone Voice VLAN CCNA Lab
Packet Tracer 8.1.1 Tutorial: IP Telephony & VoIP Basic cheat sheet: use this quick map before reading the detailed sections.
Lesson overview

In This Lesson

Build a two-phone Cisco Packet Tracer voice lab from addressing to a completed call. Each configuration task includes the dependency that makes the next stage possible.

  1. What This Lab Covers
  2. Network Diagram
  3. Before You Start
  4. Task 1: Configure FastEthernet 0/0 and DHCP on RouterA
  5. Task 2: Configure Call Manager Express on RouterA
  6. Task 3: Configure Voice VLAN on SwitchA
  7. Task 4: Phone Directory for IP Phone 1
  8. Task 5: Verify IP Phone 1
From concept to practice

Quick Learning Map

Keep this three-step view in mind as you work through the detailed lesson.

1

Prepare data and voice access

Configure router addressing, DHCP, switch ports, and the voice VLAN.

2

Create telephony service

Define Call Manager Express, extensions, and phone assignments.

3

Register and test

Verify phone addresses and extensions, then place a call in both directions.

Fast orientation

Packet Tracer 8.1.1 Tutorial: IP Telephony & VoIP Basic Configuration at a Glance

Use this summary before moving into the detailed explanations, examples, commands, and checks.

Core focus

Build a two-phone Cisco Packet Tracer voice lab from addressing to a completed call.

Key connection

Prepare data and voice access → Create telephony service → Register and test

Practical outcome

Each configuration task includes the dependency that makes the next stage possible.

Packet Tracer 8.1.1 Tutorial: IP Telephony & VoIP: Quick Summary

Packet Tracer 8.1.1 includes VoIP features so you can practice IP telephony without real hardware. In this lab, RouterA (2811) acts as the Call Manager Express server and DHCP server. IP phones get an IP address and learn where the TFTP server is (DHCP option 150). The switch carries voice traffic on a voice VLAN. After you assign directory numbers, two Cisco IP phones can register and call each other.

1. What This Lab Covers

This tutorial is for anyone learning Cisco IP telephony, VoIP basics, or Packet Tracer voice labs. It uses simple steps and real IOS-style commands you can copy into Packet Tracer 8.1.1.

By the end, you will know how to:

  • Configure Call Manager Express (CME) on a Cisco 2811 ISR router.
  • Use telephony devices in Packet Tracer (Cisco IP phones and an analog phone).
  • Understand dial peers in context (this lab uses CME directory numbers instead of full dial-peer routing).
  • Connect and register Cisco IP phones and work with an analog phone on the same voice network.
  • Build a small VoIP lab with DHCP, TFTP (option 150), and a voice VLAN.
Tools needed: Cisco Packet Tracer 8.1.1 (or newer if it supports the same VoIP devices).

2. Network Diagram

The lab topology includes RouterA (2811 with CME), SwitchA, IP Phone 1, IP Phone 2, and optional analog phone equipment as shown in your Packet Tracer file.

Packet Tracer VoIP lab network diagram with RouterA, SwitchA, and Cisco IP phones

VoIP lab topology — RouterA, SwitchA, and IP telephony devices

3. Before You Start

Follow these rules so the lab works the first time:

  • Connect only IP Phone 1 at the start. Leave IP Phone 2 disconnected until Task 6.
  • Power on devices and wait a few seconds after each major config change.
  • Hover over an IP phone in Packet Tracer to see its IP address, TFTP server, and extension number.
Tip: DHCP option 150 tells the IP phone which TFTP server to use for its config file. In this lab, that address is the router itself (192.168.10.1).

4. Task 1: Configure FastEthernet 0/0 and DHCP on RouterA

RouterA needs a LAN interface for voice devices and a DHCP pool so each Cisco IP phone gets an IP address and the TFTP server location.

Step A — Set the LAN interface

Use 192.168.10.1/24 on FastEthernet 0/0. Do not forget no shutdown.

RouterA — Interface and DHCP

RouterA>enable
RouterA#configure terminal
RouterA(config)#interface FastEthernet0/0
RouterA(config-if)#ip address 192.168.10.1 255.255.255.0
RouterA(config-if)#no shutdown

Step B — Create the VOICE DHCP pool

The DHCP server gives phones an IP, a default gateway, and option 150 (TFTP server IP). Option 150 is required for VoIP and IP telephony in Cisco labs.

RouterA(config)#ip dhcp pool VOICE
RouterA(dhcp-config)#network 192.168.10.0 255.255.255.0
RouterA(dhcp-config)#default-router 192.168.10.1
RouterA(dhcp-config)#option 150 ip 192.168.10.1
Check: Wait a moment, then hover over IP Phone 1. You should see an IP address from the 192.168.10.0/24 range and TFTP pointing to 192.168.10.1.

5. Task 2: Configure Call Manager Express on RouterA

Call Manager Express (CME) turns the 2811 router into a small IP PBX for Packet Tracer. The telephony-service block enables VoIP on the network.

RouterA — telephony-service

RouterA(config)#telephony-service
RouterA(config-telephony)#max-dn 5
RouterA(config-telephony)#max-ephones 5
RouterA(config-telephony)#ip source-address 192.168.10.1 port 2000
RouterA(config-telephony)#auto assign 4 to 6
RouterA(config-telephony)#auto assign 1 to 5
  • max-dn — maximum directory numbers (extensions).
  • max-ephones — maximum IP phones that can register.
  • ip source-address — IP and port phones use to register to CME.
  • auto assign — maps line buttons to extension numbers automatically.

6. Task 3: Configure Voice VLAN on SwitchA

A voice VLAN separates voice traffic from data traffic on the switch. Data stays on the access VLAN; voice uses the voice VLAN you define.

SwitchA — access and voice VLAN

SwitchA(config)#interface range fa0/1 - 5
SwitchA(config-if-range)#switchport mode access
SwitchA(config-if-range)#switchport voice vlan 1

In Packet Tracer, voice VLAN 1 matches the lab design. On real networks you often use a dedicated voice VLAN ID (for example VLAN 150).

7. Task 4: Phone Directory for IP Phone 1

IP Phone 1 is on SwitchA, but it still needs a directory number (extension) from CME. Use ephone-dn to assign the phone number.

RouterA — extension 54001

RouterA(config)#ephone-dn 1
RouterA(config-ephone-dn)#number 54001

This is how CME links a logical line to extension 54001. Dial peers on larger VoIP networks route calls between sites; in this CME lab, directory numbers are enough for phone-to-phone calling.

8. Task 5: Verify IP Phone 1

Give the phone a short time to register. Then confirm:

  • IP Phone 1 has a DHCP IP address on 192.168.10.0/24.
  • Extension 54001 appears on the phone display or in the hover summary.
IP Phone 1 configured in Packet Tracer with IP address and extension 54001

IP Phone 1 — configured with IP address and phone number 54001 (front view)

9. Task 6: Phone Directory for IP Phone 2

Now connect IP Phone 2 to SwitchA. In the Physical tab, attach the power adapter and turn the phone on.

RouterA — extension 54002

RouterA(config)#ephone-dn 2
RouterA(config-ephone-dn)#number 54002

10. Task 7: Verify IP Phone 2 and Test a Call

Use the same checks as Task 5 for IP Phone 2:

  • Valid IP address from DHCP.
  • Extension 54002 assigned by RouterA CME.

From IP Phone 2, dial 54001 and confirm IP Phone 1 rings and can answer. This proves your VoIP, CME, and IP telephony setup works end to end.

Troubleshooting: If a phone has no IP, check the cable, DHCP pool, and that FastEthernet 0/0 is up. If there is no extension, check telephony-service and ephone-dn config. Wait 10–20 seconds and check again.

Packet Tracer 8.1.1 Tutorial: IP Telephony & VoIP: Tags and Keywords

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