Introduction to cm-locale-fr_CA-12.5.1.2000-1.cop.sgn
This Cisco Options Package (COP) provides comprehensive French-Canadian language support for Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) 12.5, addressing regional compliance requirements for Quebec’s Bill 96 and enhancing user experience in bilingual environments. Designed for enterprises operating in Canada, the pack includes localized GUI elements, date/time formats, and CAQ (Québec Access Code) dial plan optimizations.
Compatible with CUCM 12.5(1)SU4 clusters running on UCS C-Series M5/M6 servers or Cisco Business Edition 7000, this release (version 12.5.1.2000-1) was published on March 15, 2025 as part of Cisco’s quarterly localization update cycle.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Regulatory Compliance Enhancements
- Bill 96 Readiness: Implements mandatory French-language display prioritization for Quebec-based deployments, including translated system alerts and administrative interfaces.
- CAQ Dial Plan Adjustments: Adds preconfigured rules for Québec-specific area codes (e.g., 418, 581) and emergency service routing.
2. Localization Accuracy
- UTF-8-MQ Support: Resolves character rendering issues for accented French-Canadian letters (e.g., é, ç) in SIP messaging and call logs.
- Currency Formatting: Aligns with ISO 4217 standards for CAD (Canadian Dollar) in billing reports and CDR exports.
3. Operational Efficiency
- Bulk Language Migration Tool: Simplifies transitioning from legacy en_US locales to fr_CA via Cisco Prime Collaboration’s batch configuration module.
- Time Zone Synchronization: Integrates with NTP servers for automatic daylight saving adjustments in Québec (EST/EDT).
Compatibility and Requirements
Supported Platforms
| Hardware/Software | Minimum Version | Required Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco UCS C240 M5 Server | CUCM 12.5(1)SU2 | 16 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD |
| Business Edition 7000 Appliance | CUCM 12.5(1) | 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD |
| VMware ESXi 7.0 Hypervisor | ESXi 7.0 U3 | 8 vCPUs, 40 GB Storage |
Key Restrictions
- Unsupported Configurations: Incompatible with CUCM 12.0 or earlier clusters.
- Third-Party Limitations: May conflict with non-Cisco SIP devices using outdated RFC 3261 implementations.
Accessing the Software
Authorized Cisco partners and customers can download cm-locale-fr_CA-12.5.1.2000-1.cop.sgn directly from the Cisco Software Center using valid service contracts (CCO login required). For verified redistribution, IOSHub offers the file with SHA-256 checksum d41a3f...8c7b20 to ensure authenticity.
Cisco TAC strongly recommends applying this locale pack during maintenance windows to avoid service interruptions. For validation guidelines, consult the CUCM Localization Deployment Guide (Document ID: 210345).
References
: Cisco Unified Communications Manager 12.5 Release Notes
: Québec Language Policy Compliance Framework (Cisco Technical White Paper)
: IOSHub Software Verification Portal
