Grandstream Networks

Grandstream Networks' ATA's are relatively inexpensive, but well-made boxes. For someone who wants to use a household phone to get onto the IdeaSIP network, these boxes offer a perfect solution. Each ATA in the HandyTone series offers convenient, web-based configuration, allowing you to get yourself up and running with minimal fuss.

The grandstream HT-286 is the simplest, basic model of the HandyTone series. It is a small box the has 1 ethernet port and 1 FXS port. You plug the ethernet port into your LAN and your phone into the FXS port. Once configured, this will let you receive IdeaSIP calls to your traditional phone and will let you use that phone to dial out onto the IdeaSIP network.

The HT-386 is the next step up in the HT series. It has 1 ethernet port, 2 FXS ports, and 1 PSTN passthrough port. Each FXS port can be configured with a different SIP account and a different phone can be plugged into each. The PSTN passthrough port plugs into your phone wall jack, allowing regular phone calls to come into the connected phone as well as allowing you to dial out to the regular phone line. This is handy for people who wish to maintain their local telephone access or keep a number, and is especially handy for that 911/999/112/etc emergency service that IdeaSIP does not provide.

The HT-486 offers only 1 FXS port to connect 1 phone at a time, but it functions as a full router, taking the place of your local switch. Offering NAT, a DHCP server, and 2 ethernet ports, you plug one port directly into your broadband network, and one port into your LAN. The HT-486 also offers PSTN passthrough capability.

The HT-488 is just like the HT-486, but it also offers something called an FXO port. Think of an FXO port as a way to combine your local telephone line and your IdeaSIP in one device. This allows calls coming into your home phone line to be forwarded to the SIP network, or incoming calls on the SIP number to go out through the PSTN. You could dial into your home phone via a mobile phone and, after entering a password, make calls out to IdeaSIP friends or using IdeasOUT credits. Conversely, you could call your IdeaSIP number from anywhere in the world, and then make calls from your attached local phone line. You can also auto-forward calls back and forth, having your local phone line auto-forward to your IdeaSIP account or having your IdeaSIP account auto-forward to a local number such as an office number or mobile phone.