New IP telephony solutions

SMCPBX10

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SMC Network's new voice-over-IP (VoIP) solutions will be available to the local market through SMC Networks South Africa and enables the latest in IP telephony to co-exist with traditional analogue technology.

The company's new SMCPBX10 IP-PBX bridges the gap between the telephony network and the data network for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), creating a manageable converged infrastructure.

As an embedded private branch exchange device that communicates with client stations via SIP, the SMC IP-PBX works with various IP phones (desktop, Wi-Fi, DECT), VoIP gateways and analogue telephone adapters to route calls among client phones, analogue phones and the PSTN network. Additional voice features such as conferencing, auto attendant and voicemail are seamlessly enabled to all phones.

Each of the four LAN ports on the SMC IP-PBX can be used to connect a laptop or a desktop computer, a wireless access point, and/or a SIP device. Its WAN port provides the connection to an external Ethernet source (e.g. the Internet through ADSL or cable modem).

The unit's two-line (FXO) ports support PSTN lines for outbound calls, while its two phone (FXS) ports provide connect points for traditional analogue phones. Features such as on-board 256MB voicemail storage and an external USB port that facilitates storage backup make the SMC IP-PBX a robust communications manager for the office.

SIP-based IP phones

The SMCDSP-200 and SMCDSP-205, two new SIP-based IP phones for the desktop, combine advanced features with ease-of-use for corporations and end users. Based on the SIP v.1/2 standard (RFC 2543 and RFC 3261), the phones support all the latest audio codecs, including G.711, G.723, G.726, and G.729A/B. Configuration is made simple through auto-provisioning with the SMCPBX10 IP-PBX, either accessed directly from the phone's keypad or via the built-in Web interface.

Each desktop phone has two 100base-T Ethernet ports on the back: one for the LAN connection and one for a local PC. When a PC is connected, the NAT-enabled phone provides the IP address via its built-in DHCP server.

Both SMC Desktop SIP phones support all of the calling features to which users are accustomed, including call forwarding, 3-way calling, call hold, call waiting, call transfer and speakerphone. The SMCDSP-200 even incorporates PoE to eliminate the need for local AC power and to simplify installation.

SIP Wi-Fi phone

SMCWSP-100

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The SMCWSP-100 SIP Wi-Fi phone offers both mobile, cost-effective voice calling over the Internet, whilst also realising the savings of IP-calling from home, work or campus, compared to the more costly traditional mobile phones or landlines. The SMCWSP-100 is based on the 802.11b/g standard, making it compatible with almost all standard Wi-Fi access points or wireless routers on the market.

In addition, the SMCWSP-100 has a 1.8” CSTN LCD screen with 65K colors and supports the latest encryption standards to protect calls and privacy. SMC's SIP Wi-Fi Phone gives users access to both PSTN and VoIP networks (a SIP account with the relevant service is required). Once configured, users will not have to remember the Service Set Identifier (SSID) or security of each AP, as the SMCWSP-100 can store this information and will connect automatically to the closest of your preferred wireless networks at startup.

“There are two ways to look at VoIP. The first is its impact on an internal infrastructure, which is likely to incorporate branch-to-branch communication, and the second involves breaking away from this structure and moving onto the normal analogue line. The equipment is different because the PABXs used are more advanced and have a host of other features available. Although this option is more complex in calculation and generally more expensive, it will result in a cost saving,” says Paul Luff, country manager at SMC Networks South Africa.

“We are pleased to introduce to market solutions that represent a breakthrough for the local voice over Internet protocol market. It reflects the extent to which the information and communication technology and telecommunications sectors have developed and also serves to support further growth in these markets,” he adds.

“SMC Networks understands the quality and value of VoIP through our daily use of the tools and their prototypes to communicate with colleagues around the world,” explained said SMC product manager James Harris. “We are delighted to now launch these products so that others can fully enjoy the benefits of VoIP.”

“There are far more vendors now responding to a demand for VoIP solution integration in the market. There are more requests for information and businesses are using this detail for quotations and justifications for implementation,” says Luff.