[Asterisk-Users] Review: Packet8's DTA310

[Eric Wieling]

I've not tried to get Asterisk to talk directly to Packet8.net. 
My DTA310 is on loan to a client for testing.  Once I get it
back I'll configure it to talk to Packet8 and see what packets
are sent back and forth, then I'll see if I can get Asterisk to
talk to Packet8.  I'll post a review of the actual Packet8
service at that time.

On Sun, Mar 30, 2003 at 08:06:08PM -0500, Jim Flagg wrote:
> Have you tried getting Asterisk to connect with Packet8 directly
> such as:
> 
> Packet8 <--> internet <--> Asterisk <--> DTA
> 
> If so, did you get it to work?
> 
> Thanks for the review.
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Eric Wieling" <eric at fnords.org>
> To: <asterisk-users at lists.digium.com>
> Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 12:42 PM
> Subject: [Asterisk-Users] Review: Packet8's DTA310
> 
> 
> > **** DRAFT **** DRAFT **** DRAFT **** DRAFT ****
> > 
> > I've been using the DTA310 from Packet8.net for a couple of
> > weeks.  The DTA310 is about $130 without the Packet8.net VoIP
> > service.  It only supports SIP.
> > 
> > On the back of the DTA310 is a power connector (power supply is
> > provided with the product), a 10/100 Ethernet port, an FXS port,
> > and a reset button.  The front of the device has LEDs for Power,
> > Link, Phone, and Message.  The unit I received has a minor
> > defect where the power connector is a little flaky, but I doubt
> > that it's a general problem.  There is no POTS line pass-thru
> > port on the device.
> > 
> > The unit supports static IP and DHCP configuration and has a
> > decent web based interface for configuration.  It also supports
> > VLAN tags for QoS type of configurations.  It supports simple
> > dial plan configurations so you don't have to wait for a timeout
> > or press # before the call is sent to Asterisk.  I like this
> > feature a lot.  It supports Inband and RFC2833 signaling and
> > allows you to squelch inband DTMF.  It also allows you to
> > suppress voice packets during RFC3288 events (I have no idea what
> > this would be useful for).  I have found no real documentation
> > for the device.  I was hoping for at least documentation for the
> > wild-card characters in the dial-plan configuration.
> > 
> > The unit supports G711 ulaw, G711 alaw, G723 (the default
> > codec), G726, and G729.  I have only use the G711 ulaw codecs
> > with Asterisk.  Others may work.  It supports SNMP, a password
> > for access to the web interface (no password by default) and
> > time-zone configuration and NTP.
> > 
> > The device supports Caller-ID.
> > 
> > The only minor problems I've had with the device is that when I
> > hang up from an inbound call sometimes Asterisk calls the device
> > for some reason.  It rings twice and then stops.  Also the
> > message waiting light doesn't work with Asterisk.  I have a
> > cordless analog phone plugged into the device and the message
> > waiting light on the doesn't work either.  If the device can't
> > register with the SIP server you won't get a dial-tone and you
> > can't seem to access the web based interface.  Also if you do a
> > factory reset (hold down the reset button while powering up the
> > unit) all the codecs seems to be disabled.
> > 
> > Using the web interface you can upgrade the firmware on the
> > device via TFTP.  I've not tried using the device with a NAT
> > firewall between it and the Asterisk server.
> > 
> > Packet8.net does NOT officially support the device except for
> > connecting to their VoIP service.  When I contacted them for
> > help in getting the device to work with the Packet8 service when
> > I moved it behind a firewall they were VERY, VERY helpful and
> > responsive.  They even asked for a copy of the config of my
> > Cisco router (the device doing the NAT).  The only time they
> > didn't want to help is when I was trying to connect the device
> > to my local Asterisk server.  I can't really fault them for
> > that.
> > 
> > I've had no problems with the sound quality.
> > 
> > Overall I'm quite happy with the device.
> > 
> > --Eric Wieling
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Asterisk-Users at lists.digium.com
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