hi Rich, Thank you - that's definitely good information. Unfortunate about the Mediatrix non-free firmware, SNMP configs with tied config tool, and (in)security. Certainly not a show stopper, but as this is my first real Asterisk deployment, I think I'll avoid the Mediatrix for now.
The SPA-3000 does look appealing for the E911 / loss-of-power factors. I've been playing with a 3000, and despite the lack of outgoing PSTN call progress, it is a very nice device. SO perhaps three SPA-3000's (three PSTN and three phones) and two more FXS ports (perhaps via a Sipura 2200) to give us our fourth and fifth phone, is what we'll go with. Thanks - ivan. On Thu, 2 Jun 2005, Rich Adamson wrote: > > I'm looking to connect Asterisk with three (four in the future) PSTN > > lines, and would like to get some opinions on the TDM400 Digium card, vs. > > sip gateways like the Mediatrix 1204, vs. other hardware solutions I'm not > > yet aware of. > > > > I need the ability to prioritize which PSTN lines are used for outgoing > > calls (I understand this can be done with the Mediatrix -- > > http://lists.digium.com/pipermail/asterisk-users/2004-February/035926.html), > > and only answer two of the three lines (the third line will be answered by > > a directly connected FAX machine, but we can use that line for outgoing > > calls if the first two PSTNs are in use). > > > > Does the higher cost of something like the Mediatrix ($634) bring > > advantages to the table over the TDM04b ($337)? Does the TDM card provide > > functionality which the sip gateways do not (e.g. incoming / outgoing call > > progress)? > > > > I appreciate hearing from folks who have experience with both methods of > > connectivity, > > I wrote the posting referred to above and its been a while since I've > touched the 1204, but here are a couple of comments based on the > firmware that was available at that time. > > Mediatrix 1204: > - box was designed to work with the 1104 as a toll-bypass solution, > therefore it does not implement many sip protocol functions > - it functioned very well, good echo cancellation, audio quality, etc. > - can only be configured via snmp (no telnet, no web). Their configuration > tool _must_ match the version of firmware, therefore for each firmware > upgrade you have to remove and reinstall a new config tool (Win32 based) > - their snmp implementation had no security, therefore one should not > expose the box to the internet (eg, hacking) > - each firmware upgrade is a chargable item (not free) and support is > basically limited to whatever the reseller can provide (usually not > much help). Very limited help on this list as there aren't very many > of these implemented with asterisk. > - it does not implement the sip "register" function, therefore no way > to know when the box might be unreachable (for whatever reason) > - documentation sucks unless you are very familiar with reading snmp > mib variables, translating their language into telephony and * words, > etc. Very steap learning curve, but once working, pretty solid box. > - a little company research (in 2004) suggested the company was having > financial problems, therefore the only valid assumption one can make > is they may not be around in the long run. > - I never did test modem use through the 1204, so no idea if faxing or > point-of-sale devices will work (or how well). > > Digium TDM card: > - works fairly well for pure voice use, but quality of echo cancellation > and audio is below that of the Mediatrix (and most other comparable > fxo devices) > - don't even think about using spandsp or any other modem-based audio > through the TDM > - the latest TDM card revision is rev H. Ensure that is the _only_ > revision shipped to you (many resellers have earlier revisions in > their stock and most of those are prone to failing every week or > two requiring a reboot or driver reload) > - software support for the TDM is almost non-existant from digium and > from the various * lists (there are only a very small number of > technical people that understand the drivers, etc, and most won't > touch them.) > > Sipura spa3000: > - slightly more costly then the TDM card > - audio quality and echo cancellation about the same as the TDM card > but below that of the 1204 > - somewhat difficult to configure as there are tons of options that > are not very well documented, and some options are not fully > implemented > - highly flexible in exactly how you want the fxo and fxs ports to > be configured and inter-operate with asterisk (most generally > limited by your understanding, skills, and the amount of time > available to experiment) > - historically, more stable then the TDM card > - if you think through the US E911 and legal issues associated with > liability for comm failures, the spa3000 will likely win over > any fxo device on the market today for soho environments. > - much easier to diagnose pstn line problems if you have the skills > and background to understand what its telling you > - support sucks and is limited to the reseller (or voxilla.com forum > users) > - if you've been around Cisco's internal agendas, there is a high > probability the sipura devices will improve over time. > - early boxes seemed to have power issues (high heat generation, > early failures, wall-wort issues, etc). Later versions seem to > be fine. > - fairly good international support (eg, tones, ringing, supervision) > but probably still needs more work for some country standards. > - I haven't spent any time testing modem use through the box, so > no idea how well it might function. > > The voip market-space is not well covered in the one-to-five pstn > (fxo) line areana. Above approximately four lines, a channel bank > (with T1 card) is likely to be more cost effective when ongoing > client support and satisfaction is factored into overall costs. > > Hope that helps.... > > Rich > > > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > _______________________________________________ Asterisk-Users mailing list [email protected] http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
