TJ_in_IL
join:2006-06-10
Winthrop Harbor, IL
 ·Teliax VOIP
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| The HT-502 Thread.....
SInce this is a newer device that VT is sending out, and there is not much discussion about it, I thought (actually stole the idea) a new thread was in order.
I just started using the HT-502 myself, over the weekend, and have to say, calls are very clear... after I switched to a chicago server. I was getting one way audio on Gavatron. I did have it set first as port forward, then DMZ on a WRT54gs router. Right now on chicagor server in DMZ.
I did ask tech for the password, turned off provision, and set my second line for another provider. It was easy, once I figured out the program fields.
Not sure if anybody else wants to comment or ask questions, but this is what the thread is for!
TJ |
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ptrowski
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| You beat me by 6 minutes.. 
I have been using the new Grandstream adapter that VT is shipping now, and thought I would give some review of it so far.
It's smaller than the PAP2, silver, green LED's. The downside is the LED's for the lines are dark when a call is not in session. I did like the PAP2 showing the lines were active, so I could always see if one or both lines were having issues. Stand came with it.
My setup is AT&T DSL, 6MB down and 678kb up. I am using Tomato on my main router, no ports forwarded. Pretty much basic settings. We use both lines on a Uniden TRU series phones.
Setup was pretty easy. My first setup was putting it in front of my router, and the service was up and running. The phone overall sounds louder than the PAP2 was. A good thing about having it in front of the router was I could access it easily via the IP address. The Gui is ok, not as sharp as the PAP2 but also more compact. For me it worked right out of the box. I did have some issues with Xbox Live dropping the connection, so I then put it behind the router.
Works behind the router, setup again was pretty easy. Downside is I cannot access it easily via the IP address, but Xbox Live is back to it's normal self.
So far everything has been good. As I use it more I will update the thread.
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mogulman
Premium
join:2002-09-09
Parker, CO | reply to TJ_in_IL
damn.. I typed too slow!! |
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TJ_in_IL
join:2006-06-10
Winthrop Harbor, IL
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| reply to ptrowski
I also use mine behind the router, and have not had any issues with access the GUI. I have assigned the HT a static IP via the mac through my router. Even w/ DHCP had no issues.
The issues with the servers and one way I will be troubleshooting furthur, I just could not do it over the weekend, as the wife had some important calls for work to complete, and did not want to drive up the cell phone bill! (I do have 2 other providers on seperate phones, but somehow she always forgets that!)
Hopefully I will test the new servers again this week.
TJ |
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mogulman
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Parker, CO
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| reply to TJ_in_IL
In the interest of one thread.. and since TJ was first:
I know ptrowski said he was going to create a thread. Thought I would beat him to it
I was one of the original beta testers of the new (for VT) Grandstream HT-502. This device is a little different from the PAP2T because it has a built-in NAT Router, DHCP Server. It can be used in front of an existing network (PAP2T can't really do this well) or behind a router (like the PAP2T). It could also be used instead of a router. You could use the HT-502 as a router and then just use a switch to hook up all your PCs.
The web admin interface on the HT-502 has a lot less options then the PAP2T. I find it a little easier to understand, though.
When I first got the device, I tried it in front of my router. I did set the DMZ setting in the HT-502 to point to my router, so that all incoming non-voip stuff would be handled by my router. Then I just set up any port forwarding I needed for things on my network using my router's port forwarding (VNC, Slingbox, etc). I didn't end up using the device in this configuration very long as I have multiple VoIP boxes and didn't really want the HT-502 in front. For non-techies and/or people who don't have multiple VoIP boxes, putting the HT-502 in front of a router is probably the easiest solution.
I tried the device behind my router and it worked just as well as my PAP2T. The only thing I've noticed so far is that the Line1/Line2 lights don't light up the same way as a PAP2T when you aren't making a call. So its a little harder to see if the device is 100% connected to it's proxy server. Also, I notice that the audio is a little louder on the receiving side. I initially tried it a few months ago without provisioning because that wasn't available yet.
Last week I had Viatalk provision the adapter to try this out. They gave me the ID to put into the provisioning part of the adapter. It took a minute or two and it was done. The cool thing was everything was set up perfectly. I don't know if this is VT improving their provisioning files or the HT-502. I didn't have to ask for any manual changes. Timezone was right, dialplan was correct. Everything seems to be working perfectly. |
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mogulman
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| reply to ptrowski
said by ptrowski  :Downside is I cannot access it easily via the IP address, but Xbox Live is back to it's normal self. My HT-502 is set up with DHCP. I have a static mapping set up in my Router so the HT-502 always gets the same IP address.
Also, make sure that: WAN side HTTP/Telnet access: is set to "YES" in the Basic Settings tab. |
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mogulman
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| reply to TJ_in_IL
Also.. I'm not sure what firmware VT is shipping with the HT-502 devices. I'm told they will update them when they need to be updated. I updated mine manually before my device was provisioned. The newest firmware on the Grandstream web-site is" 1.0.1.15.
Can anyone confirm the version that is shipping with the devices that VT is provisioning? |
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ptrowski
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| reply to mogulman
said by mogulman :said by ptrowski :Downside is I cannot access it easily via the IP address, but Xbox Live is back to it's normal self. My HT-502 is set up with DHCP. I have a static mapping set up in my Router so the HT-502 always gets the same IP address. Also, make sure that: WAN side HTTP/Telnet access: is set to "YES" in the Basic Settings tab. I have static mapping also in the main router. I will give the Telnet setting a try, thanks!
My brother is also going to try the GS as he was having some issues and was on the verge of dropping VT. I will keep his progress updated also. |
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TJ_in_IL
join:2006-06-10
Winthrop Harbor, IL
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edit:
September 22nd, @10:45AM
| reply to mogulman
said by mogulman :Can anyone confirm the version that is shipping with the devices that VT is provisioning? One of the first things I checked, and mine is up to date.
As far as volume, I noticed in general my VT service is much louder, before and after the HT. When I call my house, I can always tell what service it is using, based on the ring volume. If it is loud, I know VT is working, if it is normal, I know it is using my failover.
In the HT_502, you can adjust the gain, but that will be for voice volume only tx and rx. Not that much of an issue for me to adjust at this point.
TJ |
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mogulman
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Parker, CO
edit:
September 22nd, @10:47AM
| reply to TJ_in_IL
BTW.. Another thing I noticed on the HT-502 is that it is not set to use DNS SRV. I asked VT Eric about this, and he said this shouldn't be needed with the new server configuration. They would switch people if needed.
I'm on galvatron. |
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mogulman
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| reply to TJ_in_IL
I did find one thing that might affect some users. I guess the provisioning does affect the Basic tab, so if you have the HT-502 acting as a router in front of your network, you would have to get VT to make changes to the network settings in your profile. This seems like a real pain in the neck.
I'm wondering if there is any way VT can make these settings so they aren't provisioned?
I can see people wanting to modify the following if they have the device in front of their network:
-Telnet access
-Wan HTTP Access
-UPNP (default is off, probably should be ON)
-assigned IP address ranges
-DMZ
-Cloned Wan Mac Addr
In fact most of the settings especially down in the NAT/DHCP Server Configuration settings. |
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TJ_in_IL
join:2006-06-10
Winthrop Harbor, IL
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| reply to mogulman
said by mogulman :BTW.. Another thing I noticed on the HT-502 is that it is not set to use DNS SRV. I asked VT Eric about this, and he said this shouldn't be needed with the new server configuration. They would switch people if needed. I'm on galvatron. Are you saying that you are using the DNS SRV setting? What happened when you were not? (wonder if this could be a link to my issues).
TJ |
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Aveamantium
Formerly Reiper
join:2006-10-02
Loveland, CO
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| reply to mogulman
The bottom line for me is voice quality... Would you say it is better than the PAP2T? I know ptrowski mentioned it was louder but I wasn't sure if that equated to better quality? Did VT give you the option to keep which ever worked better (between the Grandstream and the Linksys)? I'm thinking of requesting one but I wanted to see if it was worth it before I do. Thanks! |
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mogulman
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edit:
September 22nd, @11:49AM
| reply to TJ_in_IL
said by TJ_in_IL :said by mogulman :BTW.. Another thing I noticed on the HT-502 is that it is not set to use DNS SRV. I asked VT Eric about this, and he said this shouldn't be needed with the new server configuration. They would switch people if needed. I'm on galvatron. Are you saying that you are using the DNS SRV setting? What happened when you were not? (wonder if this could be a link to my issues). TJ It is not set up to use DNS SRV. DNS Mode on both lines is set for "A Record". I don't think this should affect sound quality though. This is really for changing servers if one goes out. I just noticed it because my PAP2T had DNS SRV turned on. |
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mogulman
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Parker, CO
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| reply to Aveamantium
said by Aveamantium :The bottom line for me is voice quality... Would you say it is better than the PAP2T? I know ptrowski mentioned it was louder but I wasn't sure if that equated to better quality? Did VT give you the option to keep which ever worked better (between the Grandstream and the Linksys)? I'm thinking of requesting one but I wanted to see if it was worth it before I do. Thanks! Couldn't tell you if the sound quality is better or worse. Just a little louder right now. I'm not sure if they are requesting the old devices back. I didn't get mine to replace a PAP2T, as I was one of the original beta testers. Maybe TJ or ptrowski can respond? I would think they would want the device back. |
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TJ_in_IL
join:2006-06-10
Winthrop Harbor, IL | For me, I was a BYOD, so no other device to return.
Quality sounds good, once I got it to work by switching servers. I will be trying the new servers again, and hope to be on it more permanently.
TJ |
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Aveamantium
Formerly Reiper
join:2006-10-02
Loveland, CO | I decided that since VT is going to these ATAs, I might as well stay up to date so I just requested one... We'll see how it goes! |
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n1zuk
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| reply to TJ_in_IL
Well, since everyone is going to take credit for starting this thread, I believe *I* was the one who asked ptrowski to pass along any info... 
What I am curious to see is if the Grandstream repeats the common issues that PAP2T ATAs seem to have on the ViaTalk network. More specifically, arbitration issues like:
-- One-way audio.
-- Dropped calls.
-- Failure to register to SIP server.
-- Callers not hearing ringing tones.
These are the annoying things that seem to pop up with some people's service, where others never see these issues. My gut feeling, having read through somewhere near 100 of these threads over the past year or so, is it is somehow related to the PAP2T device (or more specifically, how well it integrates with the ViaTalk network).
I'd especially be interested to hear from people whom have had these issues in the past, and have switched to the HT-502.
Information == Power.
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ptrowski
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| reply to mogulman
said by mogulman :said by Aveamantium :The bottom line for me is voice quality... Would you say it is better than the PAP2T? I know ptrowski mentioned it was louder but I wasn't sure if that equated to better quality? Did VT give you the option to keep which ever worked better (between the Grandstream and the Linksys)? I'm thinking of requesting one but I wanted to see if it was worth it before I do. Thanks! Couldn't tell you if the sound quality is better or worse. Just a little louder right now. I'm not sure if they are requesting the old devices back. I didn't get mine to replace a PAP2T, as I was one of the original beta testers. Maybe TJ or ptrowski can respond? I would think they would want the device back. I am testing it out, and if I like it I will send the PAP2 back. They are both provisioned so should I decide to not use the GS, I can plug the PAP2 in.
As for quality, it technically they use the same codec on the VoIP side. Percevied from me is the audio is a bit better, it sounds a bit sharper.
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"A religious war is like children fighting over who has the strongest imaginary friend."
Have you been touched by his noodly appendage? »www.venganza.org |
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mogulman
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Parker, CO
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| reply to Aveamantium
said by Aveamantium :I decided that since VT is going to these ATAs, I might as well stay up to date so I just requested one... We'll see how it goes! I don't know if "staying up to date" is a good reason. Hopefully it will work for you. I think both devices are good.
Really the only advantage on the HT-502 so far is the ability to work in front of a router/network. Unless you want to use it in this way, there doesn't seem to be much reason to switch.
Maybe someone will find something better or worse that would make it compelling to switch. I guess as more people try it we'll find out. |
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