Ok, so I admit to struggling a little with the VoIP way of things, but
could I do any worse that signing up to sipgate using one of their
pre-configured Grandstream BT-101 handsets?

I'm also not too sure about my other hardware either.  My router is a
single port ethernet / USB modem linked to a 5 port desktop switch
serving my notebook and desktop with shared broadband.  I imagine that
the handset will plug into the switch?

Please bear with me; I do structural engineering for a living and will
admit to being more comfortable with moments, universal beams and M16
bolts:-)

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On Wed, 09 Nov 2005 18:41:52 +0000, PL
<neatripple.@.lineone.dot.co.dot.uk> wrote:

>Ok, so I admit to struggling a little with the VoIP way of things, but
>could I do any worse that signing up to sipgate using one of their
>pre-configured Grandstream BT-101 handsets?

depends what your objectives are, who you call, what features you need
(incoming number etc).

I set someone up with sipgate yesterday, its been a bit so-so thus
far.

Phil
--

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Phil Thompson wrote:

>
> depends what your objectives are, who you call, what features you need
> (incoming number etc).
>
> I set someone up with sipgate yesterday, its been a bit so-so thus
> far.
>
> Phil

I need a portable contact number, portable in the sense that I expect to
be moving around for the next year or so, but want my regular callers to
dial up on the same geographical number, wherever I am.

I want good, reliable voicemail, but fax and call forwarding (if that's
not a contradiction) would be handy.

If I was pressed into giving the reasons why I'm looking for this
particular service, I'd say it was something to do with dealing life's
up and down, whilst trying to maintain a business with long-standing and
new clients alike;  I don't want to be issuing a  'change of number'
every few months.

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In article <11n4gn26ul2s334@corp.supernews.com>,
PL  <neatripple.@.lineone.dot.co.dot.uk> wrote:
>Ok, so I admit to struggling a little with the VoIP way of things, but
>could I do any worse that signing up to sipgate using one of their
>pre-configured Grandstream BT-101 handsets?
>
>I'm also not too sure about my other hardware either.  My router is a
>single port ethernet / USB modem linked to a 5 port desktop switch
>serving my notebook and desktop with shared broadband.  I imagine that
>the handset will plug into the switch?

I signed up to sipgate recently - only for a bit of fun and because
I had a spare Grandstream 102 handset - everything went OK, the
configuration was straightforward, but if you are getting one
pre-configured then I'd expect it to just plug in & go...

The 102 has a 2nd Ethernet port so you can connect it in-line to your PC,
BUT ... it's only a 10Mb switch inside! This would normally be no matter
unless you have servers in-house and you need vast quantities of data,
or have a broadband connection > 10Mb/sec...

But if you have a spare port on your ethernet switch, which you indicate
is the case, then this won't be an issue for you.

I only use it for fun and testing other VoIP stuff, (and I can joke with
friends to call my Edinburgh office number when I live in Devon!) so
I've no idea how reliable they are for "proper" use...

Gordon

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On Wed, 09 Nov 2005 18:41:52 +0000, PL
<neatripple.@.lineone.dot.co.dot.uk> wrote:

>Ok, so I admit to struggling a little with the VoIP way of things, but
>could I do any worse that signing up to sipgate using one of their
>pre-configured Grandstream BT-101 handsets?
You certainly could not do worse than signing up to Sipgate but you
could do a lot better using any other voip provider regarding the
headset don't know don't like them don't use them sooner have an ATA
plus a cordless phone .

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On Wed, 09 Nov 2005 21:49:37 GMT, Dexter@blueyonder.co.uk wrote:

>You certainly could not do worse than signing up to Sipgate but you
>could do a lot better using any other voip provider regarding the
>headset don't know don't like them don't use them sooner have an ATA
>plus a cordless phone .

More incoherent ranting from the resident buffoon.

Sipgate is free. If you don't like it, you can simply stop using it.
--
Visit the Hairydog Guide to Mobile Phones
http://www.hairydog.co.uk/cell1.html

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"PL" <neatripple.@.lineone.dot.co.dot.uk> wrote in message
news:11n4gn26ul2s334@corp.supernews.com
> Ok, so I admit to struggling a little with the VoIP way
> of things, but could I do any worse that signing up to
> sipgate using one of their pre-configured Grandstream
> BT-101 handsets?
> I'm also not too sure about my other hardware either.  My
> router is a single port ethernet / USB modem linked to a
> 5 port desktop switch serving my notebook and desktop
> with shared broadband.  I imagine that the handset will
> plug into the switch?

Yes it will. It has an RJ45 ethernet connection so you plug it in just
like any other hardware.

However, unless you are simply playing around, I would advise you go for
an ATA (analogue telephone adaptor) and use this with a normal phone
(either wired or cordless) rather than a dedicated IP phone. It will be
far more versatile and with the right choice of device would allow you to
access your normal fixed line and your VoIP line on the same handset.

My personal recommendation (in that I use one, I don't work for them..!)
is the AVM Fritz!Box Fon, this isn't the cheapest option but isn't the
most expensive either. It does have an ADSL modem built in, so you can't
use it with cable, but they do have a router-only version I believe. See
www.avm.de/en for info.

> Please bear with me; I do structural engineering for a
> living and will admit to being more comfortable with
> moments, universal beams and M16 bolts:-)

Fair enough..!

Ivor

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On Wed, 09 Nov 2005 19:50:49 +0000, PL
<neatripple.@.lineone.dot.co.dot.uk> wrote:

>I need a portable contact number, portable in the sense that I expect to
>be moving around for the next year or so, but want my regular callers to
>dial up on the same geographical number, wherever I am.

if you want it to reliably ring maybe sipgate's not the best.

Does sipgate usually generate a ringing tone, rather than a silence
followed by someone answering (current experience)

Phil
--

Usenet spam eaten by a Hamster http://www.tglsoft.de/
No more cable clowns  :-))
Please do not feed or re-quote the trolls.

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"Phil Thompson" <phil.thompson@spamcop.net> wrote in
message  news:j115n15vtbsvr2hsf18tao939496621c7i@
4ax.com
> On Wed, 09 Nov 2005 19:50:49 +0000, PL
> <neatripple.@.lineone.dot.co.dot.uk> wrote:
> 
>
> if you want it to reliably ring maybe sipgate's not the
> best.
>
> Does sipgate usually generate a ringing tone, rather than
> a silence followed by someone answering (current
> experience)

The ringing tone is generated by your equipment (ATA etc.) not Sipgate or
any other provider come to that.

There are a few reasons why sometimes you get no tone, but as with all
things VoIP without knowing the precise combination of settings and
when/how problems occur, it's difficult to lay blame in any one place.

Unless you're Dexter of course when it just *has* to be Sipgate's fault
(Sorry, I get crabby sometimes..!)

Ivor

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On Wed, 9 Nov 2005 23:41:23 -0000, "Ivor Jones"
<ivor@despammed.invalid> wrote:

>The ringing tone is generated by your equipment (ATA etc.) not Sipgate or
>any other provider come to that.

the *tone* obviously is, but what tells it to make the noise - sipgate
I assume ? Are you saying that sipgate does do ringing tone as
standard.

>There are a few reasons why sometimes you get no tone, but as with all
>things VoIP without knowing the precise combination of settings and
>when/how problems occur, it's difficult to lay blame in any one place.

Linksys PAP2-NA to samsung DECT (ancient), dialling 10000 or a person
who isn't getting incoming calls get no ringing tone, to BT line or
your speaking clock (sipgate internal) get one.

Linksys setup default apart from account settings.

Phil
--

Usenet spam eaten by a Hamster http://www.tglsoft.de/
No more cable clowns  :-))
Please do not feed or re-quote the trolls.

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