Overview

This guide converts Avaya J‑Series J159/J169/J179/J189 phones from SIP to H.323 for use as XSTIM endpoints on E‑MetroTel UCX.

Refer to Avaya – Deploying H.323 as XSTIM phones on UCX for supported models and firmware.

Prerequisites

• Correct H.323 firmware packages for your phone model
• HTTP/HTTPS server hosting H.323 firmware files (Recommend using UCX)

UCX hosting

• Place firmware files on UCX in the following location: /avh323
• Phone options should reference:
  HTTPSRVR = <UCX_IP>
  HTTPDIR = avh323

DHCP options for auto‑provisioning

• Option 242 string or Option 176
• MCIPADD: IP address of the UCX.
• MCPORT: 1719 (the H.323 gatekeeper port)
• HTTPSRVR = IP address of the server hosting H.323 firmware files (UCX IP if UCX is hosting the files)
• HTTPDIR = The directory path on the server where the firmware files are located (avh323 if UCX is hosting the files)
• SIG=1 (Value of 1 implies H.323 when converting from SIP)

Examples

The examples below are using UCX IP address 192.168.10.200 and Option 242 string.

• Example1: dnsmasq/DD‑WRT:
  dhcp-option=242,MCIPADD=192.168.10.200,MCPORT=1719,HTTPSRVR=192.168.10.200,HTTPDIR=avh323,SIG=1
• Example 2: Windows DHCP:
  MCIPADD=192.168.10.200,MCPORT=1719,HTTPSRVR=192.168.10.200,HTTPDIR=avh323,SIG=1

Install Firmware

Ensure the model‑appropriate H.323 firmware files are available on the server designated by HTTPSRVR and HTTPDIR.

Method A – Manual

• Power on the phone; during boot, press Admin and enter the administration password (default 27238)
• Navigate to Signaling and change signaling to H.323 and Save;
• The phone will reboot.

Method B – DHCP option string

• Configure Option 242 (or 176) to include SIG=1 along with MCIPADD/MCPORT/HTTPSRVR/HTTPDIR.
• Reboot the phone.

Method C – 46xxsettings.txt

• Host 46xxsettings.txt on your server and include:
  SET SIG 1
• Reboot the phone.

Verify the result

This steps are performed on the phone.

• Mute → admin password → # → View → Release shows H.323 6.8.5.1 (or similar 6.8.5.x build)
• Or Menu → About Avaya IP Deskphone → Release shows 6.8.5.1 (or similar)

Register Phone

See Avaya – Deploying H.323 as XSTIM phones on UCX.

Troubleshooting

Known behaviours

• Some J‑Series may initially present as 9611 until fully provisioned; you can select the correct model in UCX admin.
• Color/monochrome behavior varies by model and firmware.

Issues

• Phone stays on SIP:
  Confirm SIG=1 via DHCP or 46xxsettings.txt, or set via Admin menu.
• Firmware/Upgrade message:
  Ensure HTTPDIR is set to avh323 and files are present on the server.
• No dialtone or one‑way audio after moving networks:
  Restart UCX telephony services or reboot UCX to clear stale state.