With cloud-managed software upgrades, your Webex Edge for Devices linked devices get upgraded automatically when a new RoomOS software version is available.

The devices with cloud-managed software upgrades enabled receive new Stable builds roughly once a month, and new Beta builds roughly every other week. The available channels are the same as those for cloud registered devices, and the releases are updated at the same time.

With cloud software upgrade, you get the latest updates and bug fixes faster without having to upgrade the device manually. Cloud software upgrade is required to enable Webex optimized experience.

This feature is off by default. Once you have enabled cloud-managed software upgrade, you can choose a software channel from the Workspace’s channel selection menu. By default, devices use Stable channel.

Devices linked with Webex Edge for Devices get the full optimized Webex Meetings experience when connecting to Webex meetings. The devices continue to use SIP for internal dialing and when connecting to external services.

What’s available when Webex optimized experience is enabled

• Two-way whiteboarding in Webex Meetings

• Media through Webex Video Platform 2.0, including Hybrid Video nodes

• Advanced Mute

  • Mute on entry

  • Unmute all

  • Allow attendees to unmute

• Cohost

  • Device gets a cohost role when the paired device joins

  • Certain host actions are available

• Transfer Host and Leave

• Lock Meeting

  • The host can lock a Personal Room or scheduled meeting

• Notifications that attendees are in the lobby and the ability to admit attendees to a meeting from the device

• Record a meeting

• Send reactions in a meeting, either from call controls or by using gestures

• Webex Assistant for Devices

  • The host can enable and disable Webex Assistant in a meeting

• Face Recognition

Call routing

Webex optimized meetings call routing is used in the following cases. In all other cases, the device uses SIP call routing.

• When a meeting is joined using the Join Webex button. This always uses Webex when the configuration Webex Meetings JoinProtocol is set to Webex.

• When a Personal Room meeting is joined using Webex Assistant. This always uses Webex, similarly to the Join Webex button.

• When a meeting is joined from the Call menu with a Webex SIP URI. The device automatically detects Webex meetings from the SIP URI and connects natively to them.

• When a call is started using xCommand Dial, and the Number parameter matches a Webex site. If the configuration Webex Meetings JoinProtocol is set to Webex, the device automatically detects Webex meetings by examining the number, and connects natively to them. (If Protocol field is specified, that is used regardless of the number format.)

• Calls from connected Cisco Proximity and Webex apps are routed according to the type of meeting is started or joined. (On-premises connectivity needs to be enabled.)

Recommendations

• Bandwidth recommendation

• Bandwidth management architecture

Requirements

To enable Webex optimized experience, the device must be:

• Linked with Webex Edge for Devices

• Enabled for Cloud-managed software upgrade

• Enabled for Configuration Management from Control Hub for Webex Edge for Devices

You also need to enable the same firewall configurations that apply for fully cloud-registered devices. Read more about media and network requirements in the Network Requirements for Webex Services article.

Limitations

• Direct inbound calling from Webex app to the device is not supported.

• Multipoint Mode should be set to Auto. If the device is running RoomOS version 10.9.1.1 and later, Multipoint mode can be set to either Cisco Unified CM ad-hoc conferencing or MultiSite and still have Join protocol set to Webex. Adding participants works the same way as for cloud-registered devices.

• Out-of-call whiteboard strokes are treated the same way as out-of-call strokes on a Webex registered device. Some of the stroke information is sent to the Board service in the Cisco Webex cloud.

• Room Panorama devices are currently not supported.

Enable Webex optimized experience

Personal mode for Webex Edge for Devices allows for Webex devices that are registered to Unified CM (Webex Room, Desk, or Board series devices) to be assigned with a user in Control Hub.

This brings many benefits to the user such as:

• A user's personal meetings display approx. 5 minutes before the start, allowing the user to tap the start or join button or ask the Webex Assistant for Devices to start the meeting.

• Start a Webex Personal room meeting directly from the device.

• Whiteboarding and share in a Webex space (Webex Desk, Desk Pro, Desk Mini, and Webex Board only)

Devices registered with Personal mode for Webex Edge for Devices share the line that is assigned to the end user account in Unified CM.

Deploying Personal mode for Webex Edge for Devices will in effect personalize a device and assign it to an end user already configured in Control Hub

This process or personalization will:

• Require the use of Webex APIs

• Assign the Webex device to an end user

• Move the Webex device from a Workspace into Personal mode. The Workspace that was previously configured as part of the linking process is automatically hidden and no longer be accessible.

Limitations:

• Opening Webex spaces is not supported on Desk Series devices in personal mode when linked with Webex Edge for Devices.