Grandstream HandyTone 486 Review

Includes standard UK brick-in-the-socket type PSU.

The package includes no printed instruction manual but the box has a simple connectivity diagram... and if you're buying a voip device at this point in the technology's development then you probably won't need detailed instructions on how to connect it up! Besides, there is a URL on the box when you can download a full 24-page manual in PDF format. A cat-5 cable was also included but I can't say if this was by the vendor or manufacturer.

Measuring approx 100mm x 75 mm x 27 mm tall, it really is small and easy to tuck away. With the exception of the 'lifeline' port, all connections (5v power, LAN, WAN and analogue phone) are all located on the back. Notes that the analogue phone socket is an RJ11 connector so you'll probably need an adapter to connect a BT-style phone (I purchased one from the same supplier for a couple of pounds). It would have been nice to have all of the connections on the back, but the HT-486 appears to be the same shape and size as the HT286 that doesnt have the 'lifeline' port and the back plane simply doesn't have space for the lifeline port as well.

There is a single button on the top of the unit which is used for initial configuration only. The button is also translucent and shows the device status (booting, unable to register to a SIP server etc) - so once the HT-486 is up and running, it can be tucked away out of sight (or as it's not heavy, velcro'd to the back a desk etc).

The button plays back some basic configuration via the analogue phone - basically giving you the IP address. You can then use browser to connect to the config utility on port 80 of that address. All configuration is via this simple - but effective - interface.

As can be seen from the screenshot, the interface isn't anything special, but it does the job. You can set a static IP address for the device or configure it to use DHCP. Various other configuration parameters follow includes SIP registry (server), a prioritised list of vodecs, STUN, NAT, DTMF and MWI configuration. The web interface then has "save config" and "reboot" options at the bottom of the web screen. Simple, very simple, but functional, though it ought to be noted that the text-based lynx browser does not like the save and reboot buttons, so if you're restricted to text based browsing then this could be a problem.

t;bLAN & WAN ports

The HT-486 has two network ports, labelled LAN and WAN. The device expects to make VoIP calls via the WAN port only.... So if you are connecting to a hub or switch this is the port you need to use. The LAN port enables you to connect other networking gear and the HT-486 will act as a DHCP server and basic firewall device (it has a small number of port-forwarding options). I've not used this feature so can't comment on how well this works. The labelling of LAN & WAN seemed a bit confusing at first as in cases there are available hub/switch sockets the device will be connected via it WAN port leaving the LAN port unused - which seems strange!

Configuration

The HT-486 has a whole host of config options... most seemed to work fine for me in their default state. Other than the sip server/user/password & SIP proxy details, you can configure the codecs into a preferred order, set QoS and VLAN tagging, set a STUN server (to get around NAT) and configure DTMF mode... And there's more!

There are so many configuration options that it would be excessive to list them here. Suffice it to say that it was straight forward for a VoIP novice to get it connected to a VoIP provider and not much more difficult to get it instead to connect to my asterisk server (and at the time I knew little about either voip or asterisk!).

If you have specific requirements or are the kind of person that likes to see detailed configuration lists and parameters then you'll want to find the pdf manual from www.grandstream.com .

Configuration Security

Want to prevent pesky users from changing the configuration on the HT-486?
Basic configuration can be done by pressing the button on the HT-486 to put it in config mode then using the telephone keypad to step through very basic setup (just enough to find out it's IP address to connect via a browser, or to switch between static and DHCP). This may be undesirable and can be disabled in the web configuration (though I've not tried it as I trust both of my users!).

With the latest firmware version you can also disable access to the admin web screens from the "WAN" port -- useful if you want to put this on your internet connection and cascade everything else behind the HT-486's basic firewall (this is left Disabled by default so upgraders used to doing admin over the WAN port may get caught out by this!).

Life Line Port

This enables the analgue phone connected to the HT-486 to make calls direct out to the PSTN in the event that the HT-486 loses power.

Until recently I'd not tried this, but from a couple of tests, it seems to work okay. Though just inserting the cable into the life line socket seems to add considerable levels of noise to the audio on the telephone handset, whilst this might just reflect the quality of RJ11->BT cable I was using the noise level was considerable to a level that I'd not want to leave it connected without further investigation (note that the package doesnt include this cable... you'd need to buy one separately).

Unlike the upcoming Sipura 3000, you can't arbitrarily use this port as a standard FXS for outbound calls via the PSTN. But then the Sipura is marketed as having FXS capability and HT-486 is not...

Firmware

The device can be set up to attempt firmware download on reboot. Which is a nice feature but one that you would want to control. Again, the setup screen is the place to set this up. The firmware files appear to either be generic or developed in parallel with the other Grandstream VoIP products as the change logs & filenames refer to features like ring tones etc,. The Grandsteam website itself does not seem to host the firmware download (or if it does, it is too well hidden in what is quite a basic web site). However, voiptalk (and probably other resellers) have it available.

For references, the current firmware at the time of writing is 1.0.5.0.

In use

It works!

Initially I had this hooked up to an account at voiptalk.org... Using the STUN server settings it seemed to have no problem at all working around my firewall though I've reconfigured it to register with my asterisk server instead.

Call quality needs a mention as that's what it's all about... but to be honest, it just works. People I'm talking to dont know or need to know that the call is being routed over IP. They dont hear any difference. I have had a few call disconnections but they seem to coincide with getting big Windows networking type probes on my firewall, so so far I've put them down to 'internet' problems rather than problems with the HT-486. And that's without playing with the list of codecs (G723, G729, G726-32, G728, PCMU, PCMA, iLBC for those that are interested) or any of the other tweaks.

The translucent button, mentioned earlier, is used to indicate an incoming call (though your analogue phone should ring anyway) by flashing green quickly. A slower steady green flash indicates Message Waiting via MWI subscription (providing you leave it enabled - default - and your SIP proxy provides this - asterisk does).

Conclusion

I bought this because I wanted to 'put my toe in the water' of VoIP and test it out. I already had a spare analogue handset so didn't want to go down the route of buying a dedicated VoIP phone (like the budget tones' that I suspect share much with the HT-486).

It's small size and simplicity to configure have made it really easy to start using VoIP. Would I recommend this to someone else in a similar position? Yes.

My only gripe would be the noise on the life line port.

Whilst native VoIP phones are still quite 'ugly' things (unless you pay lots for a SNOM or Mitel) the HT-486 is great as it enables you to 'migrate' those nice corded and DECT phones onto VoIP, without having to 'rip and replace'.

JW

Added:  Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Reviewer:  JW
Score:
Related web link:  GrandStream Networks
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Language: eng

  

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Posted by DFD on Dec 04, 2005 - 01:52 AM Your rating: I can't seem to get this device up and running. I disconnected my internet connection wire from my ADSL to the router ten the router LAN to the rear of the computer. I still get no dial tone and the red blinking light. I use Alice/ADSL for my IP. What could be the problem?

Posted by Anja0101 on Jun 23, 2005 - 04:05 PM Your rating: Hi. Could you think of a reason why we are unable to get this HandyTone to work in China (Shanghai)? Thanks for letting me know. Anja.