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Model | FXS Ports | Layer 3 | PSTN pass-through | Firmware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | no | no | 1.0.6.7 | |
2 | no | yes | 1.0.2.16 | |
1 | yes | yes | 1.0.6.7 | |
1 | yes |
| 1.0.2.16 | |
2 | yes | no | 1.0.2.16 |
Models HT-286 and HT-486 use the same firmware as the BT-101/102 BudgeTone phones, while the new models HT-386, HT-488, and HT-496 use a different firmware.
The Grandstream HandyTone terminal adaptors (FXS gateways) are solid products. They work well in a SIP environment and support many important features. Especially the number of codecs supported is impressive.
The Grandstream downloads page offers links to the respective user manuals for the different models.
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| Note |
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By default the HandyTone terminal adaptors are configured to receive firmware upgrades from Grandstream's HTTP server at fm.grandstream.com/gs. This means that when you first plug in your new HandyTone TA and there is connectivity to the Internet, it will upgrade its firmware if a newer version is available. Do not disconnect power until completed. |
Status for Different Models of the HandyTone TA
The vast majority of features are common between the different models of the HandyTone terminal adaptor as well as the Budgetone phone. All these common parameters can be configured using the sipX sipXecs Configuration Server release 3.0. Some additional parameters are specific to the model and they are discussed below:
Model | Release 3.0 | Dev Release 3.1/3.2 |
|---|---|---|
HandyTone HT-286 | Fully supported | All features fully supported |
HandyTone HT-386 | First analog line is supported (FXS1); | All features fully supported |
HandyTone HT-486 | Fully supported with the exception of the parameters for the LAN port | All features fully supported |
HandyTone HT-488 | TBD (I don't have one of these to test) | All features fully supported |
HandyTone HT-496 | TBD (I don't have one of these to test | All features fully supported |
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All HandyTone models: TFTP server needs to be set manually first time or after reset to factory defaults as DHCP option 66 does not work. Manually configure the IP address of the |
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sipXecs TFTP server into the field Config Server Path. |
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The HT-486 has both a LAN and a WAN port. The LAN port is set to an IP address of 192.168.2.1 by default and a DHCP server (not a client) is turned on for that address range (it cannot be disabled). Therefore, if you already have a DHCP server on your LAN segment or you would like to automatically assign an IP address to the HT-486 using DHCP, do not use the LAN port. The WAN port by default is DHCP configured, however, access to the internal Web server is disabled by default. Connecting through the LAN interface using the LAN segment 192.168.2.x you have to first enable Web access over the WAN port (Parameter WAN Side HTTP Access under Advanced Settings). |
Note: The current development release 3.1 includes a completely new Grandstream provisioning portal. All devices, phones and HandyTone adaptors, are now supported with all their respective parameters and lines.
FXO Port of the HT-488
The HandyTone HT-488 terminal adaptor offers both an FXS port as well as an FXO port. An FXO port represents a line side (central office side) port that connects to an incoming PSTN line. The idea is to offer call termination and origination in the PSTN using the HT-488 as a gateway between the PSTN and the VoIP network.
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An FXO gateway does not have an extension number or SIP URI and it does not register a line with sipXsipXecs. Instead it is a gateway to which calls are routed according to a dial plan. Any external PSTN number can then be called and not just the one number pre-configured in the gateway.
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While the HT-488 offers two stage dialing for both inbound and outbound calls (i.e. you first call the FXO port internal extension number and then receive a new dial tone that prompts you to now dial an external PSTN number), this still is far from the functionality expected of an FXO gateway. |
Automated Configuration using the
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sipXecs ConfigServer
Starting with release 3.0 of sipX sipXecs automated plug & play configuration of Grandstream HandyTone terminal adaptors is supported by ConfigServer (thanks to Hannu Strang for his valuable contribution). Model HT-286 is fully supported with all of its parameters. Model HT-486 is supported except for the additional parameters that configure the internal router and PSTN pass-through functionality.
From the sipX sipXecs ConfigServer administration portal:
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- Reset the terminal adaptor to factory defaults manually
- Manually reconfigure the correct address for the TFTP server. The terminal adaptor does not pick it up through DHCP. You can configure the TFTP server address using the Grandstream Web interface.
- Manually reboot the terminal adaptor. The terminal adaptor should now pick up the profile generated by ConfigServer and register with sipXsipXecs
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Automated restart of the terminal adaptor from ConfigServer might not work yet even once the terminal adaptor registered successfully. |
Grandstream HandyTone Configuration Management:
ConfigServer provides comprehensive management of all the parameters of the Grandstream HandyTone terminal adaptor. When using ConfigServer the built in Web server should not be used for configuration changes in order to maintain consistency as parameters generated by configServer will overwrite manual settings.
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Message Waiting Indication (MWI) works "out-of-the-box" based on default settings defined in the sipX sipXecs Configuration Server profile for the HandyTone terminal adaptors.
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It is recommended that you upgrade to the latest firmware version.
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Different models of the HandyTone terminal adaptors use different firmware. Please refer to the table at the beginning of this page and make sure you pick the right one. |
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To upgrade software, the HandyTone terminal adaptors can be configured with a TFTP server on which the new code image is located. It is recommended that the TFTP server has either a public IP address or is on the same LAN segment with the TA.
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Check successful upgrade by going to the TA's Web interface Status screen.
Using the
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sipXecs TFTP server
It is recommended to use the TFTP server built into your sipX sipXecs server already to distribute firmware updates to your Grandstream HandyTone terminal adaptors in a controlled and reliable way.The sipX sipXecs TFTP server is used to manage Polycom and other phones and can be used for this purpose.
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sipX sipXecs TFTP server IP addr: <your sipX server> |
TFTP root directory: /var/sipxdata/configserver/phone/profile/tftproot on your sipX sipXecs server
Copy the Grandstream HandyTone firmware image into the TFTP server's root directory. For example to get Release 1.0.6.7 (HT-286, HT-486) issue the following commands on your sipX sipXecs host:
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HandyTone HT-286 / HT-486: |
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Restoring to Factory Default Setting will erase all configuration information of the device.*
- Step one: Find the MAC Address of the device. The MAC address of the device is located on the bottom of the device. It is a 12 digits hex number.
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- Step two: Encode the MAC address to decimal digits. The encode rule is:
- �2� '2' is the first letter on the button �2� '2' so its encoding is �2�'2'.
- �A� 'A' is the second letter on button �2� '2' so its encoding is �22�'22'.
- �B� 'B' is the third letter on button �2� '2' and its encoding is �222�'222'.
- �C� 'C' is the fourth letter on button �2� '2' and its encoding is �2222�'2222'.
*Panelcode For example, for MAC address 000b8200e395, the user should encode it as
�0002228200333395�'0002228200333395'.
- Step three: Access the voice menu, then dial �99� '99' and get the voice prompt �RESET�RESET
- *Step four: Key in the encoded MAC address decimal digits after hear the IVR prompt. Once the correct encoded MAC address is keyed in, the device will reboot automatically and restore the factory default setting.
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Be advised by default the HT-486 WAN side HTTP access is disabled. After the factory reset, the ONLY way to get access to the configuration page is connecting your computer to the LAN port of HT-486. |