Sipura SPA-3000 review

Alan Stevens ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 06 May 2005

Unlike the other VoIP gateways we have tested, the SPA-3000 from Sipura can only be used to handle a single PBX extension. However, for many teleworker applications that’s all you really need. And at just over £80 (ex. VAT), the Sipura gateway is a very cost-effective solution.

There are two ways in which the SPA-3000 can be configured, depending on where it’s sited. At the PBX end, the FXO port is used to connect to a local switchboard extension, with the Sipura hardware then acting as a gateway with support for a range of telephony features such as calls on hold, call forwarding, conferencing and so on. At the remote office, a phone is attached to the FXS port and the FXO port connected to the dial-up line for failover and direct PSTN calls -- the latter are selected by dialling a special prefix. Alternatively, you can use an IP phone or PC with a softphone application at the remote office location.

The gateway itself is little bigger than a modem, housed in a small metal box with the FXS/FXO ports at one end and a 10/100Mbps Ethernet port at the other. Initial setup is done using a built-in interactive voice response (IVR) system, accessed by dialling a special code from the attached phone. Using this, an IP address can be quickly assigned or DHCP configured, with the remaining setup and subsequent management done via a browser.

The interface here is straightforward enough, but the sheer number of settings makes it a little daunting to begin with. Also, the SPA-3000 only supports SIP signalling, not H.323, which means it has to register with a SIP server or provider even when being used for long-line extension. The only documentation supplied with the unit is a short quick-start guide aimed at home users, so you'll need to download a more comprehensive manual from Sipura's Web site before proceeding.

In fact, a lot of the parameters can be left alone and the manual does include some helpful examples. Using these we were eventually able to get the Sipura gateway to work as required and had no problems with call quality or handling. However, configuring the dial plans that specify how calls are to be routed isn’t something for the average teleworker.

That said, most companies will have a reseller install the hardware or send out pre-configured units. In such situations the SPA-3000's complexity is likely to be outweighed by its very low buy-in price.

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