[top]At a glance
Product Name: Linksys SPA8000-G1
DATA Sheet:
Linksys SPA8000-G1 Data Sheet Estimated Price: $299.95
Pros: Under $40 per FXS port.
Cons: The unit we tested runs hot, like a Mac PowerBook. The release version has a cooling fan.
[top]Introduction
Businesses and ITSPs have long-needed an inexpensive way to connect legacy analog devices to a
VoIP network, and Linksys announcement of the SPA8000 -- an eight-port FXS Analog Terminal Adaptor device -- early this year had many eagerly anticipating its release.
Finally, that time is here. The Linksys SPA8000 is expected to be available in the
United States in early September.
We’ve been testing a unit Linksys made avaialble to us for several months, and see several different use cases:
- As an ITSP Demark: ITSP's can offer up to 8 independently configured analog lines;
- Adding VoIP trunks to a legacy PBX: By connecting the Linksys SPA8000 FXS ports to the PBX trunks, that old PBX can now make VoIP calls;
- Adding analog phones to a IP PBX: The most expensive part of a PBX upgrade is upgrading the phones, now upgrade the PBX, keep the phones, and upgrade over time.
[top]Build/Design
The Linksys SPA8000 is a larger ruggedized departure from the usual Linksys SPA
ATA form factor. The case is metal and desk or wall mountable, and looks like it belongs in a wiring closet.
SPA8000-rear.jpg SPA8000 Rear View
The FXS ports can either be connected by eight RJ-11 jacks or an Amphenol (RJ-21) connector, as is more common in the wiring closet.
The unit also has the common SPA series routing capabilities, with 10/100 Ethernet WAN and LAN ports.
Our evaluation unit was an early prototype and did not include a cooling fan. The unit runs hot to the touch. The production version has a cooling fan and should run cooler.
[top]Ease of Use/Installation
The Linksys SPA8000 has the same web interface as the other Linksys SPA series devices.
spa8000_screen_shot.jpg
Those familiar with the configuration of SPA series devices won't have any problems configuring the Linksys SPA8000.
The documentation includes the usual easy to follow
Linksys SPA8000 Quick Install Guide.
The Linksys SPA8000 includes a router and eight independently configurable FXS ports - either eight RJ-11 jacks or an Amphenol (RJ-21) connector.
The other features are common Linksys FXS port features:
- Eight voice ports (RJ11) for analog phones or Fax machines - Up to 16 Simultaneous Active Calls
- Impedance Agnostics - 8 Configurable Settings
- Call Waiting, Cancel Call Waiting, Call Waiting Caller ID
- Caller ID with Name/Number (Multi-national Variants)
- Caller ID Blocking
- Call Forwarding: No answer, Busy, All
- Do Not Disturb
- Call Transfer
- Three-way Conference Calling with Local Mixing - Up To 8 Simultaneously
- Message Waiting Indication - Visual and Tone Based
- Call Return
- Call Back on Busy
- Call Blocking with Toll Restriction
- Delayed Disconnect
- Distinctive Ringing - Calling and Called Number
- Off-hook Warning Tone
- Selective/Anonymous Call Rejection
- Touch Tone Phone Keypad Configuration with Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
- Fax: G.711 Pass Through or Real Time Fax over IP via T.38
[top]Performance/Innovation
This is the least expensive 8-FXS Port gateway currently available and actually costs less than most other four FXS port gateways.
The unit has a very Cisco wiring closet feel.
The Linksys SPA8000 sets a new price point in the FXS gateway market. The cost of the Linksys SPA8000 is less than most competitors four port FXS gateways. Need more than eight FXS ports? Seriously consider buying multiple Linksys SPA8000, the price discount can offset the administrative overhead of multiple devices.
The Linksys SPA8000 will be very attractive to
VoIP providers, multi-tenant environments, and businesses that want
VoIP trunks without replacing their existing PBX infrastructure.
Add your own
Linksys SPA8000 Customer Review.
Buy the
Linksys SPA8000 at the Voxilla Store.
September 5th, 2007, 04:08 PM
Re: A First Look at the Linksys SPA8000-G1 
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