Using a SPA-3000 as FXO Gateway to a Quadro 2x

A common scenario for owners of the Epygi Quadro 2x IP PBX is that they will have 2 PSTN lines. This would allow them to have a dedicated VoIP ADSL connection plus a separate Data connection. One PSTN line is connected into the FXO port on the Quadro 2x and configured as the main incoming and outgoing PSTN line. The other is often connected directly to an analogue handset or fax. Ideally it would be beneficial to have the second PSTN line also connected into the PBX. However the Quadro 2x doesn't directly support a second FXO port.

Epygi's FXO gateway is the recommended device to use for this application as it can run as a slave to the Quadro 2x and provide an additional 6 FXO ports. It also has an auto-configuration option when used with a Quadro PBX. This may be suitable for larger applications, but if you just have the 1 additional PSTN line it is difficult to see a timely ROI. With this in mind, I set out to determine if it was possible to connect a SPA-3000 (of SPA-3102) to a Quadro 2x to act as the second FXO port. The thought was that the 2nd PSTN line would connected to the FXO port of the SPA-3000, and then set up the PSTN-VoIP gateway settings on the SPA to connect, via SIP, to the Quadro.

Click on the links below for more details on the procedure:

Overview

There are 2 ways to connect the SPA-3000 PSTN port to a Quadro2x. The first method is to register it using one of the IP lines which works fine but uses one of the Extension licences. The second method is just to use SIP and create the appropriate Call routing entries.

The steps described below uses the second method mainly because it does not use any IP lines. There may, however, be issues if you want to use that line to dial in and make outgoing VoIP calls. In the example below my aim is simply to forward all Incoming calls to a virtual Extension, set up as a MER, and also have the line available for outgoing PSTN calls if required.

My other concern was that the SPA-3000 is notorious for PSTN related echo issues. I've added some information to the How-To section but, at this point, I can't say that I have overcome the issue to my satisfaction.

I have also added a comments section below and would appreciate any feedback regarding your experience in setting this up.

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Setting up the Quadro

The setup assumes that you will be using Line 1 of the SPA-3000 as an IP extension on the Quadro and want to have the PSTN line available for outgoing FXO calls and redirect all incoming calls to a Multi Extension Ring Group (MER).

Step 1: Create a new Virtual Extension
After you Login to the Quadro, Select Extension Management from the Users Menu and add a new Virtual Extension. I have used Extension 51 throughout this guide, you should change this to suit your requirements. Add Virtual Extension

Step 2: Configure the MER Group
Select Extension Management again and click on Extension 51 to go to the Extension Settings screen. Select Caller ID Based Services from the Supplementary Services Menu and click on the Any Address link. Select the Many Extension Ringing option on the left hand side and Enable the extensions you want to add to the MER group. Finally Enable the Service and press the Save Button. Set up MER

Step 3: Configure Call Routing
Browse to the Call Routing Table screen and select the Add button. Step through the Wizard selecting the options as shown in the following images. (Click on the Images for a larger version) Call Routing Wizard Step 1 Call Routing Wizard Step 2 Call Routing Wizard Step 3 Call Routing Wizard Summary
You should change the IP Address and Extension Prefix to suit whatever you requirements are. Also, I have used an Enabler/Disabler sequence which is also optional.

That's the entire configuration that the Quadro needs. Once the SPA-3000 has been set up you will be able to receive incoming calls from the SPA and can make outgoing calls by prefixing you numbers with the Prefix you set up in the Call Routing Wizard Step 1.

You should now review the notes below and continue with the SPA-3000 Configuration.

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Setting up the PSTN-To-VoIP Gateway on a SPA-3000

The SPA-3000 is a combined Analogue Telephone Adaptor (ATA) device and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) Foreign eXchange Office (FXO) interface. Therefore it allows you to access a lot more VoIP features than other ATA devices. These include:

  • Make phone calls using a VoIP Service Provider (VSP).
    • Spa 3k
  • Receive incoming calls from your existing PSTN number using the same telephone handset that is used to make outgoing VoIP calls.
  • Have a back up to your VoIP service in case of a power failure by automatically switching outbound calls through the normal Land-line.
  • Phone your PSTN phone number from another location, for example your Mobile, and then make a VoIP call as if you were still at home.
  • The SPA-3000 also supports using up to 4 additional VSP's in addition to your main VoIP Provider via the gateway function.

Here is the link to the SPA-3000 configuration pages. Make sure you check out the notes below first!

* Notes:

  1. The configuration shown is suitable for Australian conditions in that all regional settings are set correctly for Australia. I have highlighted all the options that have been changed from the factory default settings. For settings that are applicable to the Australia region I have highlighted them using green. You will definitely want to check that these entries are correct for your particular location! The Yellow Highlighed fields should be the same regardless of your location.
  2. Don't plug anything into the SPA-3000 apart from the phone when you reset it. After it resets turn it off and plug in the Network cable to a Router with DHCP enabled. Don't connect the PSTN line at this point. (you could set a fixed IP via the IVR but I find the web interface easier.)
  3. The following is the procedure to perform a factory reset. Warning, you will loose all your current settings:
    Dial **** on the phone. When you hear the Sipura message asking you to enter your selection, dial 73738# followed by 1 to confirm.
  4. The Vertical Service Activation Codes are effectively disabled. I use the code "*911" because I have found that if you leave them blank, some key combinations will trigger the codes anyway (It appears that they have a default value even if the field is empty). You will have to play around if you want some of these features to work. ie Call forwarding etc. By disabling them in the SPA-3000, it means the codes should now be passed on to the Quadro.
  5. PSTN Line - Subscriber Information - Display Name: Leave this blank if you have Caller ID available for the line attached to the SPA-3000. When this is blank the Caller ID will be passed on (*apparently*)
  6. Disconnect Tone setting of 425@-30,425@-30;1(.375/.375/1+2) seems to work well for Telstra,
    while 425@-30,425@-30;1(.390/.390/1+2) works better with Optus.
  7. PSTN Line - Audio Configuration - Preferred Codec: It's important you leave this at G711u and also leave Use Pref Codec Only set to yes. The SPA-3000/3102 only has 1 G729 licence and other internal settings appear to rely on this being set to G711u.
  8. Ensure you select the Admin Login, then Advanced setup options when you make the changes to your device.

Here is the link to the SPA-3000 configuration pages.

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Additional Resources

IVR Config Menu
IVR Action
IVR Menu
Parameters
Notes
Enter Menu **** N/A You will hear a message saying "Sipura Configuration Menu. Please enter option followed by the pound key or hang up to exit"
Check DHCP 100 N/A IVR will announce whether DHCP is enabled or disabled
Enable/Disable DHCP 101 1 to Enable
0 to Disable		 Will require password if set
Check IP Address 110 N/A IVR will announce the current IP address of the SPA
Set Static IP Address 111 Enter IP address using phone key pad. * (star) key for decimal point. DHCP must be disabled; will require password if set
Check Network Mask 120 N/A IVR will announce the current Network Mask of the SPA
Set Network Mask 121 Enter IP address using phone key pad. * (star) key for decimal point. DHCP must be disabled; will require password if set.
Check Static Gateway IP Address 130 N/A IVR will announce the current gateway IP address.
Set Static Gateway IP Address 131 Enter IP address using phone key pad. * (star) key for decimal point. DHCP must be disabled; will require password if set.
Check Web Server Port 170 N/A IVR will announce the port that the web server is listening on. (Default is 80)
Enable/Disable Web Server 7932 1=Enable
0=Disable		 Will require password if set. 7932 spells SWEB on your handset.
Manual Reboot 732668 N/A After you hear "Option Successful," hang-up. 732668 spells REBOOT on your handset.
User Factory Reset 877778 1 to Confirm
* to Cancel		 SPA will prompt for confirmation. After confirming, you will hear "Option Successful." Hangup. Unit will reboot and all "User Changeable" configuration parameters will be reset to factory default values.
Factory Reset 73738 1 to Confirm
* to Cancel		 SPA will prompt for confirmation. After confirming, you will hear "Option Successful." Hangup. Unit will reboot and all configuration parameters will be reset to factory default values. 73738 spells RESET on your handset

You may also find some of the links below beneficial:

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